Almost every personal injury attorney has been called an “ambulance chaser” at some point. That’s because some lawyers make unsolicited contact with victims within days or even hours of a serious accident. While a few of these lawyers contact victims through unlawful means, the majority of personal injury attorneys are trying to help victims obtain just compensation for the injury.
What is an “Ambulance Chaser”?
The term ambulance chaser refers to attorneys who follow ambulances from the scene of an accident to the hospital, hoping to take the victim’s case. The problem arises when some of these attorneys turn against the law to obtain clients. In a few, rare cases, individual lawyers have broken the law by paying police or hospital staff in exchange for the victim’s phone number or address.
To be clear: This is illegal and has an extremely negative impact on all personal injury attorneys and their clients. You have a right to privacy. When you give the hospital your contact information, it comes with the expectation of confidentiality.
Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney
If you went to the hospital as a result of a serious car accident, you might want to contact a lawyer. A personal injury attorney’s job is to help you obtain compensation for your injury. They work with you to alleviate the headache of interviewing with insurance companies and going through the legal process.
A personal injury attorney works for you, not themselves. Moreover, the majority of personal injury attorneys evaluate cases for free. You don’t pay unless your attorney earns your compensation. You aren’t just another case; you are a person with a problem. That’s the difference between an experienced personal injury attorney and an “ambulance chaser.”
If you were injured in an auto accident and are seeking compensation, we are here for you. If you’d like one of our auto accident attorneys to evaluate your case, please consider sending us an email or calling us at (805) 470-1628.