Let’s be honest about something: once you’ve signed with a lawyer, it’s easy to feel stuck. You picked them, you trusted them, and second-guessing that choice feels disloyal — or expensive, or like more hassle than it’s worth. So people sit on a nagging feeling that something’s off, sometimes for months, while their case drifts.
If that’s you, here’s the thing worth knowing: getting a second opinion in Nevada is free, low-risk, and a lot simpler than most people assume. And in some cases, it genuinely changes the outcome.
Signs it might be time for a second look
You don’t need a dramatic reason. But a few patterns come up again and again with people who end up switching:
- You can’t get anyone to call you back, and you have no idea what’s happening with your case.
- Months are passing with no visible movement.
- You’re being pushed to accept a settlement that feels low, and no one’s really explaining why.
- Your questions get brushed off, or you feel like a file number instead of a client.
- Your gut just says something isn’t right.
None of these guarantees your case is being mishandled. But every one of them is a good reason to have a fresh set of eyes take a look.
The myth that keeps people stuck: “It’ll cost me double to switch”
This is the big one, and it’s the misconception that traps the most people. So let’s clear it up directly.
Switching lawyers on a contingency case does not cost you two fees. In Nevada, when you change attorneys mid-case, the single contingency fee percentage from your agreement gets divided between your old lawyer and your new one, based on how much work each actually did. That split is worked out between the two law firms — not by taking more money from you. Your total fee stays the same as it always was.
Your former attorney can protect their share by filing an attorney’s charging lien under NRS 18.015. But a lien isn’t an extra bill — it’s just a claim that gets paid out of your eventual settlement, based on the reasonable value of the work already done. You don’t write anyone a check to switch. Nothing comes out of your pocket up front.
Your file belongs to you
Another worry we hear: “My current lawyer has all my documents — can they hold them hostage?” No. Nevada’s rules of professional conduct require your attorney to return your complete file on request, even if there’s an unresolved fee dispute or a lien on the case. The evidence, the records, the correspondence — it’s yours.
A second opinion is genuinely free — and quick
A second-opinion consultation with a personal injury firm costs nothing, because these cases run on contingency. You’re not buying an hour of someone’s time; you’re letting an experienced attorney review where your case stands and tell you honestly what they see.
That review usually looks at a few key things: whether liability is being properly established, whether your case is being valued correctly (including future medical costs and non-economic losses), whether critical deadlines are being protected, and whether the overall strategy makes sense. Sometimes the answer is reassuring — your current lawyer is doing fine, and you can stop worrying. That’s a perfectly good outcome too.
Switching is easier than you think
If you do decide to make a change, you can end the relationship any time before a settlement is signed. The mechanics are handled with a document called a Substitution of Attorney, which the two firms typically file within a few business days. Changes right before a trial date can require court approval and take a bit longer, but for most cases it’s straightforward.
The bottom line
The value of your case — and sometimes whether you recover at all — can hinge on the quality of your representation. A free second opinion carries almost no downside and, in the right case, changes everything. If something about your Nevada injury case has been bothering you, that feeling is worth acting on. Our related post on why having a lawyer matters explains what strong representation actually looks like.
Contact Marathon Law Group for a free, confidential second opinion. We’ll give you a straight answer.
Call (702) 522-1808. Se habla español.
Frequently asked questions
Does getting a second opinion cost anything? No. Personal injury consultations are free and run on contingency.
Will switching lawyers cost me two fees? No. The single contingency percentage is split between your old and new attorney based on the work each performed. It doesn’t come out of your pocket, and it doesn’t increase your total fee.
Can my current lawyer refuse to give me my file? No. Nevada’s professional conduct rules require your attorney to return your complete file on request, even with a fee dispute or lien pending.
This article is general information about Nevada law, not legal advice. Talk to an attorney about your specific situation.