Author: Shelby Benavidez 

Contributing Professional: Kyle Willis, Referrals Director 

TL;DR: 5 Things to Know About Personal Injury Referrals 

  • A personal injury lawyer may refer your case when another attorney has the experience, resources, or jurisdictional knowledge your case needs. 
  • A referral doesn’t mean your attorney doesn’t believe in your case or no longer wants to help you. 
  • It’s still your case, and you can choose whether you want to move forward with a referral. 
  • A referral to trusted co-counsel won’t increase your attorney fee. 
  • Your trusted co-counsel will become your main point of contact, but Daniel Stark will continue to follow your case and stay available if you need us. 

Having to call a personal injury lawyer can be scary. You’re injured, dealing with the insurance company, and then you hear something unexpected: “We’re going to refer your case to another law firm.” This can be confusing, especially when you trusted the attorney to handle your case, and now they’re passing it on to someone else without a clear explanation. 

It may feel upsetting to have your case referred, but it isn’t a bad thing! We’re here to help guide you to understanding referrals in personal injury cases. 

Why Is My Case Being Referred? 

In a personal injury case, a referral happens when an attorney connects a client with another lawyer or law firm that may be better suited to handle their case. 

Referrals in personal injury cases are more common than you might think. Your attorney’s decision to refer your case doesn’t mean they don’t care or don’t believe in your case. Instead, it often means they recognize that another attorney may have the experience, resources, or jurisdictional knowledge your case needs. 

There are many different reasons your case could be referred. For example, your case may be outside of that firm’s practice area or jurisdiction. Some personal injury law firms focus on specific types of personal injury, such as car accidents, while others focus on medical malpractice cases. If a firm doesn’t frequently take cases like yours, they may refer you to a law firm that does. 

This often ties into jurisdictional issues. Each state has its own laws governing personal injury cases. For example, if you were injured in Arizona but live in Texas, a Texas personal injury attorney might refer you to an Arizona attorney who is more familiar with the specific statutes and regulations in that state. 

An attorney should always be completely honest and transparent throughout the referral process and explain exactly why your case is being referred. 

Can I Decline a Personal Injury Lawyer Referral? 

Your attorney may recommend referring your case because they believe working with another law firm is in your best interest. They should explain why they’re making that recommendation and answer any questions you have, but you still have the final say. At the end of the day, it’s still your case. 

At Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, our legal team will talk with you about the possibility of a referral before moving forward. Once a trusted co-counsel reviews your case and accepts the referral, your attorney or case manager will call you to explain what happens next. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask! We’re here to support you and make the transition as easy as possible. 

What Happens When My Case Is Referred? 

Once your referral is accepted, your trusted co-counsel will become your main point of contact. Your legal team will let you know who to contact and what you can expect during the transition. 

From there, your personal injury case proceeds much like it normally would. You’ll continue receiving the medical treatment you need while your attorney gathers evidence and builds your case. When the time is right, they may begin negotiating with the insurance company in an effort to reach a fair settlement. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your attorney can discuss whether filing a lawsuit and taking your case toward trial is the right next step. 

Throughout that process, Daniel Stark will continue to follow your case and stay available if you need us. 

Who Are the Trusted Co-Counsels? 

Daniel Stark has built relationships with hundreds of law firms across the country. This network helps us connect clients with attorneys who have the experience and local knowledge their case may require, even when their case takes them outside of Texas. 

We refer to the law firms we collaborate with as “trusted co-counsel” because we have complete confidence in their ability to fight for our clients with the same dedication we do. We want our clients to feel secure knowing that we’ve thoroughly vetted these legal teams before entrusting them with their cases. 

When your primary attorney refers your case to another law firm, it’s not a random decision. Trusted co-counsels are carefully selected based on their reputation, expertise, and proven track record. These are firms we’ve worked with before, so we trust that our clients are in good hands. 

Will a Lawyer Referral Cost Me More? 

A common concern with referrals is the thought of having multiple legal fees deducted from your settlement. Rest assured, this is typically not the case. 

If Daniel Stark refers your case to a trusted co-counsel, your attorney fee will remain the same. You won’t suddenly have two separate attorney fees just because another law firm is involved in your case. 

Most personal injury firms, including Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t owe any fees upfront to either attorney. If we refer your case to another law firm, you’ll still only owe one attorney fee to your new trusted co-counsel once your case is settled.  

Will Daniel Stark Still Be Involved in My Case? 

Referring your case doesn’t mean we wash our hands of it. While your trusted co-counsel will become your main point of contact, our team will continue to follow your case and make sure it’s moving forward. We check in with our trusted co-counsel at least once a quarter for updates, and we’restill here if you need us along the way. 

Our goal with a referral is to connect you with the legal team we believe is best equipped to help with your case, not to leave you wondering what happens next. 

If you’ve been injured, learn more about our Texas personal injury services. We can help guide you to the resources you need to get your life back on track and ensure your case is handled with care and expertise.