Imagine waking up with a toothache. Out of nowhere, you get a call from a dentist offering to give you a root canal.
Would you see that dentist? Of course you wouldn’t. You would be suspicious and perhaps even a bit irritated.
What if you were in a car accident, and immediately after, you start getting a bunch of calls from lawyers offering to represent you?
It sounds absurd, but there are lawyers that routinely obtain police reports and then take it upon themselves to call the parties named in the report. This is called “solicitation” and the lawyers who engage in this practice are colorfully referred to as “ambulance chasers”.
Not only is this conduct unethical, in many states it constitutes a crime. In Michigan, a second conviction of solicitation is punishable by jail time.
See the link below to laws from various states regarding solicitation of clients by lawyers.
Just as you’d be hesitant to accept treatment from a dentist who calls you out of the blue, it’s wise to be cautious when an unknown lawyer reaches out to you after a car accident.
This is why personal injury lawyers can have a bad reputation. Thankfully, there are many reputable and honest attorneys who wish to help you be fairly compensated for your pain.
We have helped many clients who have been misled by “ambulance chasers.” Here’s a general rule of thumb: Never hire a lawyer that calls you first. You deserve a trustworthy attorney to represent you who has your best interests in mind.
