What to Do if Your New York City Personal Injury Lawyer Won’t Return Your Calls or Emails
If you’ve been injured in an accident and hired a New York City personal injury lawyer, you expect clear communication and regular updates. Unfortunately, one of the most common complaints from clients is: “My lawyer won’t call me back.”
Unreturned phone calls and unanswered emails not only create frustration – they may also put your case at risk. Here’s what you should do if your NYC personal injury lawyer is ignoring you.
Why New York City Personal Injury Lawyers Sometimes Don’t Return Your Calls or Emails
While no excuse is acceptable for prolonged silence, here are common reasons some NYC lawyers fail to respond:
- Poor communication habits or disorganization
- Avoiding bad news about your case
- Too many clients and a lack of commitment to your
- Failure to respect ethical obligations
Steps to Take if Your NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Ignores You
1. Give a Reasonable Response Window
For non-urgent matters, wait 24–48 hours. If your attorney in New York City goes silent for weeks, that’s unacceptable.
2. Try Multiple Communication Channels
- Phone calls to the primary office line
- Emails marked “Response Requested”
- Certified letters to create a paper trail
- Secure client portals, if available
3. Contact the Support Staff
Paralegals, assistants, or office managers in your lawyer’s NYC office may provide case updates or escalate your concerns.
4. Request a Scheduled Meeting
Could you set a specific time for a phone call or office meeting? A scheduled appointment is harder to ignore than repeated voicemails.
5. Review Your Retainer Agreement
Some New York City law firms include communication policies in the contract. If so, could you hold your lawyer accountable to those terms?
6. Keep Detailed Records
Please ensure that you document every call, voicemail, email, and letter. These records help if you need to escalate or switch attorneys.
7. Consult Another NYC Personal Injury Attorney
Before firing your lawyer, speak with another attorney in New York City to protect your rights and ensure your case won’t stall.
Your Rights as a Personal Injury Client in New York City
- Right to Communication – Your lawyer must keep you informed of significant developments.
- Right to Your File – You can request your legal file at any time.
- Right to Change Lawyers – You can fire your NYC personal injury lawyer and hire a new one.
- Right to Accountability – If neglect causes missed deadlines or damages your case, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim.
Can You Fire Your Personal Injury Lawyer in NYC?
Yes. You may change attorneys at almost any stage of your case. Steps include:
- Hire another personal injury attorney in New York City.
- Send your current lawyer a termination letter requesting your file.
- Your new lawyer files a Consent to Change Attorney form with the court.
Important: New York’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident (shorter for cases involving government entities). Don’t risk delays caused by an unresponsive lawyer.
NYC Accident Victims – Don’t Be a Victim Twice!
- You have the right to responsive communication from your personal injury lawyer in New York City.
- Unresponsiveness may be unprofessional or malpractice if it harms your case.
- Keep records, escalate your concerns, and act quickly to protect your claim.
- Switching attorneys in NYC personal injury cases is straightforward and usually won’t cost you extra.
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP – Responsive Personal Injury Lawyers in New York City
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we understand how stressful it is when your lawyer won’t return your calls. That’s why we make communication a priority for every client.
Why Injured Clients Across NYC Choose Us
- Local Offices Across New York City – Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, plus Yonkers & Nassau County
- No Fee Unless We Win – Our Fee Guarantee
- Bilingual Legal Services available
- Top-Rated Attorneys – Recognized by Best Lawyers & Super Lawyers
- Hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials
- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
Don’t Be a Victim Twice – Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
We specialize exclusively in personal injury law in New York City, fighting for accident victims every day. The call is free, the consultation is free, and you don’t pay unless we win.