When a person is in a car accident for the first time, they are understandably confused, emotional, and in physical and emotional distress. They are very often dealing with the legal system for the first time, and they might not realize that if a personal injury attorney calls them, they should ignore this call. Keep reading to find out why and how to find an experienced personal injury attorney.
Do Not Work with Attorney Who Contacts You First
Known in the industry as “ambulance chasers,” some attorneys will take unethical steps to find clients. They might listen to a police blotter or 911 calls. They might wait at the hospital to find out who was injured or even get information from police reports. Once they have your information, they might call you relentlessly.
For many people who have just been in an accident, the last thing they want is call after call from an attorney they have never heard of. It can feel invasive to get a call out of nowhere. Trust this instinct and do not work with an attorney who seeks you out. Some of these attorneys will actually resell your case to a law firm you have never heard of.
The American Bar Association is Against Attorney Solicitation
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), it is unethical for an attorney to try and solicit business unless they have a family, close personal, or prior relationship with the victim. For example, if your brother-in-law is an attorney and heard that you were injured in a car accident, it might be appropriate for him to call you to offer his services.
On the other hand, if you were injured in a car accident and an attorney you have never heard of gets your phone number from someone at the hospital, it would not be ethical for them to call you. If they do, then you can count on the fact that they are not the right attorney for you.
How to Stop the Attorneys from Calling
If you have an attorney who will not stop calling you, you can file a restraining order against them. An easier option is to work with a personal injury attorney who is ethical and who can take over fighting those other attorneys for you.
At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we will never call someone who has been involved in an accident unless they reach out to us first. We know this can be a difficult time and we are here to help you – when you are ready. Call us at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation and to learn more about your rights.
