Why Do Personal Injury Attorneys Refer Out Cases?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidents and unintentional injuries resulted in approximately 24.5 million emergency department visits in the United States in 2018. When you sustain severe injuries arising out of a serious accident that was not your fault, your first instinct might be to contact a personal injury lawyer. 

Sometimes, however, you might find that one or more attorneys you consult with will refer your case out to another firm. While this may seem strange, it is actually quite common. 

Here are 3 common reasons why personal injury lawyers may refer out a case. 

1. The Lawyer Is Unable to Take a Case in Your Particular Location

Accidents occur each and every day throughout the United States. 

Unfortunately, however, there is no “national” bar license to practice law. Rather, attorneys are licensed state by state. 

Thus, if you sustain injuries in an accident in Texas, for example, you will likely need representation from an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Texas, even if you live in another state.

Continuing with the example above, let’s say you live in Minnesota and contact a Minnesota attorney to discuss your potential case after you return from Texas. Unless that attorney is also licensed in Texas, they may be required to refer your personal injury case to another attorney who is licensed in Texas. 

2. The Firm Does Not Have the Capacity to Take on Your Case

Another common reason personal injury lawyers might refer out cases is capacity. 

Personal injury cases can be complex, stressful, and time-consuming. Thus, many personal injury attorneys will limit their caseload to a certain number of cases at a given time. 

It may seem unfair or discouraging at first to be referred out due to capacity limitations. However, keep in mind that this is being done in your best interest and in the best interest of the attorney’s existing clients. 

If a personal injury attorney refers you out due to capacity reasons, don’t lose hope. Use this opportunity instead to find another lawyer who has the capacity to meet and exceed the particular needs of your case. 

3. The Lawyer Does Not Have the Experience and Expertise Necessary for the Case in Question

Lastly, another common reason a lawyer may refer your case out is due to their own legal experience. 

Lawyers are technically able to practice in any area of the law. However, most attorneys will specialize their practice in one or a few related fields. 

As one Yakima injury attorney puts it, “Someone whose practice primarily focuses on divorce or criminal matters might not have the experience you need.” 

Some attorneys may take on a few minor personal injury cases here and there. But if you have a catastrophic injury, and personal injury law is not this particular attorney’s bread and butter, they may refer your case out to another firm. 

But again, don’t be discouraged! Often, attorneys will do this to ensure that you are able to find an attorney who has the expertise necessary to effectively represent your interests. 

There are a variety of reasons for which a personal injury lawyer might refer out your case. However, this does not necessarily mean that your case is not worth pursuing. Take heart, and continue consulting with personal injury attorneys until you find the right one to take on your case.