In Missouri, you have the legal right to switch truck accident lawyers at almost any point during your case if you are unhappy with the way they are handling it. You don’t need permission from your current attorney to make this decision.
If your current legal representative lacks experience with trucking cases or isn’t communicating properly, switching to an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney can often improve your case outcome.
The transition process is straightforward when handled correctly, and you won’t lose momentum or pay double fees.
Your Legal Right to Change Attorneys
Under Missouri Supreme Court rules, clients have the absolute right to discharge their attorney at any time, with or without cause. This means the decision to switch lawyers is entirely yours and is not subject to your current attorney’s approval.
Exercising this right is common, especially in complex personal injury cases like truck accidents, where the stakes are high. Your legal relationship with your attorney is based on trust and confidence, and if that relationship is broken, you should feel empowered to seek new counsel.
The process of formally replacing your lawyer is handled by your new firm through a Substitution of Attorney form filed with the court, ensuring a seamless, swift transfer of legal responsibility.
When Should You Change Lawyers After a Missouri Truck Crash?
If you feel something is wrong with your case, it probably is. The relationship with your attorney should be built on trust and clear communication.
It’s a lot harder to figure out what happened in a truck accident than in a regular car accident. It’s essential to understand the differences between car crashes and truck accidents because they involve federal trucking regulations, corporate legal teams, and evidence that can go missing.
Truck Case Red Flags You Should Not Ignore
Watch for these warning signs that your lawyer may not have the experience needed for truck accident cases:
- No spoliation letter sent: This legal notice forces the trucking company to preserve crucial evidence like driver logs, maintenance records, and electronic data
- Missing ECM data request: The truck’s Electronic Control Module is like a “black box” that records speed, braking, and other critical information before the crash
- No hours-of-service investigation: Federal rules limit how long truck drivers can work to prevent dangerous fatigue, and violations are common
- Lack of trucking experts: These cases often need accident reconstruction specialists and trucking industry experts to prove what really happened
- Poor communication: You should get regular updates about your case strategy and timeline, not silence when you call or email
How Do You Change Lawyers in Missouri Without Losing Momentum?
Switching attorneys should be simple and shouldn’t slow down your case. The key is timing everything correctly so you’re never without representation.
Hire the New Missouri Lawyer First
You need to have a new representation ready before you fire your current attorney. This protects you from missing important deadlines or losing momentum in your case.
Sign the New Contingency Agreement
When you hire Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers for example, you sign a new fee agreement. You won’t pay any upfront costs when you switch personal injury lawyers, as we work on a contingency basis.
This means we only get paid if we win your case.
We Notify Your Prior Lawyer, Insurers, and Providers
We send a formal written notice to your previous attorney telling them we now represent you. We also notify insurance companies and medical providers about the change.
Your old lawyer must stop working on your case upon receiving our notice.
We Secure Your Full Case File and Evidence
Your case file is yours under Missouri ethics rules. We formally request your complete file from your previous attorney.
This includes all evidence, correspondence, medical records, and documents they’ve gathered. They must turn everything over promptly.
We File a Substitution of Counsel If Suit Is Filed
If your case is already in court, we file a Substitution of Counsel document. This tells the judge and all other parties that Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is now your official attorney.
The court process continues without delay once this paperwork is filed.
What Happens to Attorney Fees and Costs If You Switch?
Many people worry they’ll have to pay double fees when they change lawyers. That’s not how it works in Missouri.
You only pay one contingency fee from your final settlement. Your old and new attorneys split that single fee based on how much work each firm did.
Any case expenses, such as filing fees or expert costs, transfer to your new firm. We review your previous agreement and handle any attorney liens to protect you from surprise bills.
What Missouri Law Says About Attorney Liens and Your Case File
An attorney lien is a legal claim your former lawyer can place on your settlement to ensure they are paid. This lien gets resolved between your old and new law firms at the end of your case.
You don’t have to deal with the lien directly. Even if one exists, you still have the right to get your case file immediately.
Your former attorney must transfer your entire file to us so your case can keep moving forward.
Will Switching Lawyers Delay My Missouri Truck Case?
Usually no. If you’re switching because your current lawyer isn’t taking action, making a change often gets your case moving faster.
We take immediate steps to prevent any delays:
- Meet all upcoming court deadlines
- Send preservation letters for truck evidence
- Contact your medical providers about the change
- Update insurance companies and other parties
The only time switching might cause a delay is if the trial is just days away. Even then, judges understand that you have the right to choose your attorney.
What Should You Look For in a Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accidents aren’t the same as car crashes. You need a lawyer who understands federal trucking regulations and knows how to fight corporate legal teams.
General personal injury attorneys often don’t have the specialized knowledge these cases require, making choosing a lawyer for a Missouri truck accident case crucial for your success.
| What You Need | What Beck & Beck Provides |
| Missouri-licensed attorney with local experience | Family firm focusing only on Missouri auto and truck accident law |
| Knowledge of truck-specific evidence | Immediate preservation of ECM data, driver logs, and maintenance records |
| Understanding of federal trucking rules | Experienced in handling commercial vehicle cases involving FMCSA regulations |
| Access to specialized experts | Network of accident reconstructionists and trucking industry professionals |
| Clear, consistent communication | Direct access to your attorney with regular case updates |
How Beck & Beck Makes Your Lawyer Change Fast and Low Stress
We’re a family-run firm focusing on Missouri auto accident cases. We understand what you’re going through after a serious truck crash and can guide you through this process while helping you avoid common mistakes after a truck accident.
Here’s what happens when you hire us:
We take over immediately:
From day one, we handle everything so you can focus on recovering
We preserve truck evidence the same day:
Critical data gets overwritten quickly, so we send preservation letters immediately
We handle all paperwork and liens:
You don’t deal with the legal details of switching attorneys
We coordinate your medical care:
Your treatment continues without interruption
We charge nothing unless we win:
No upfront costs, and our fee only comes from the settlement we get you
Award-Winning Truck Accident Law Firm in Missouri
Evidence in truck accident cases disappears fast. The truck’s electronic data can be overwritten in days, and trucking companies aren’t required to keep all evidence in Missouri truck accident claims forever.
Maintenance logs, driver cell phone records, and surveillance footage from the crash scene may already be gone if too much time has passed.
The sooner you act, the better we can protect your right to fair compensation. Every day that passes makes it harder to build a strong case against the trucking company.
Contact us now for your free consultation and immediate legal protection. We offer a free case review with no obligation, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. You can call us at (314) 207-9996 or contact us online to request a consultation.
