When to Run From a Lawyer: Red Flags in New York Personal Injury Cases
In our last episode, we covered when to contact a lawyer and how to find the right one for your case. Today, we’re flipping the script. Let’s talk about when to walk away—or even run—from a lawyer.
🚨 Red Flag: Promises About How Much Money You’ll Get
We’ve all seen the flashy TV commercials from law firms bragging about millions of dollars won for past clients. We’ve had major wins too—but you won’t catch us making promises, because here’s the truth:
No lawyer in New York should ever promise you a specific settlement amount—especially during your first conversation.
If a lawyer tells you early on that your case is “worth millions,” be cautious. That’s not just misleading—it’s unethical. In fact, you’ve probably seen that fine print at the bottom of legal ads:
“Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.”
This disclaimer matters. Every case is different, and in New York personal injury law, there are too many unknowns early in a case to determine its value with any real accuracy.
💡 Why It’s Impossible to Predict Case Value on Day One
Here are just a few of the key variables we need to understand before estimating your case value:
- How well will you recover in the coming weeks or months?
- Will you need ongoing medical treatment or surgeries?
- Have your doctors evaluated your long-term prognosis?
- What’s the strength of the evidence against the at-fault party?
- Is the defendant someone a jury might sympathize with—or not?
- Are you hoping for a fast settlement, or are you willing to wait 12 to 18 months for a potential trial?
All of these questions, and many others, play a role in determining how much your case might be worth.
✅ What You Should Expect From a Good Lawyer
At our firm, we make one promise: we don’t take cases unless we believe we can win a meaningful recovery for you.
We know how life-changing a serious injury can be. If we take your case, it’s because we believe in it. We’ll work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve—but we’ll never mislead you with inflated numbers just to earn your trust.
So if a lawyer ever guarantees you a payout, especially during your first meeting, that’s your cue to walk away. In fact, run.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve suffered a foot injury in New York and need honest legal advice, give us a call. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through your options—without the hype.
Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll cover more about navigating personal injury cases in New York.