Yes, in California, you can change your injury lawyer at any time. Most personal injury lawyers have you sign a contract when they sign up the case giving them a lien on the recovery. If you change lawyers and hire a new lawyer, you do not have to pay both fees. What happens is that the old lawyer will file a lien with the new lawyer and usually the opposing insurance company for any costs her has spent and for any fees for his work. At the very end of the case, the new injury lawyer and the prior attorney will talk and agree to how much of the fee each of them should get. The fees charged to you will not be increased.

If the old and the new lawyers cannot agree, they will typically take your case to a mediation or arbitration to decide amongst themselves.