Beware of Ambulance Chasers!

If you get hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s really important to talk to a lawyer who cares about you and wants to help. While many Ohio personal injury lawyers are honest and want the best for their clients, there are some who might try to take advantage of your situation for their own gain. These lawyers, often called “ambulance chasers,” use unfair ways to get you to choose them as your representation, but they don’t have your best interests in mind. They’re mostly looking to make quick money.

After an accident, when things are already confusing and stressful, it might be hard to tell the honest lawyers from the ambulance chasers. Here’s a rundown on what ambulance chasing is and how you can keep yourself safe from it. We’ll also give you tips on what to do if an ambulance chaser targets you.

What Is Ambulance Chasing?

“Ambulance chasing” is when some lawyers look for people who have just had accidents or bad experiences to offer them legal help, often right after the event happened. These lawyers might even go to hospitals to find people to represent, telling them they need to sue someone for their troubles. 

This practice is getting more common, especially for cases where someone is hurt or didn’t get the right medical care. We’ll talk about how to spot these lawyers and give advice on how to protect yourself and your family from them.

Top Reasons Why You Should Beware of Ambulance Chasers 

There are plenty of reasons to be cautious of ambulance chasers, the lawyers who seem more interested in their gain than your well-being. 

• Questionable Tactics: They’re known for using underhanded methods like snooping for accident reports or listening to police scanners, reflecting poorly on their ethics.
• Aggressive Advertising: Their relentless texts, calls, and uninvited visits show desperation and a lack of integrity.
• Quantity Over Quality: They aim to sign up as many clients as possible, often neglecting personalized care and leading to subpar outcomes.
• High-Pressure Tactics: They pressure victims into signing agreements hastily, without allowing them to fully understand their options.
• Lack of Experience: Many lack the necessary skills to effectively manage cases, leading to poor results or passing off cases for a fee.
• Poor Communication: Clients often complain about being kept out of the loop, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction with their case’s progress.
• Damaged Reputation: Employing such attorneys can negatively impact the credibility of your case in the eyes of insurers and the judiciary.
• Frivolous Lawsuits: They’re more likely to file baseless lawsuits or encourage the exaggeration of injuries, damaging your credibility in court.
• Lack of Empathy: Viewing clients merely as income sources, they often fail to show genuine concern or understanding of clients’ situations.
• Unrealistic Promises: Making false assurances of high compensation or quick resolutions, setting clients up for disappointment when promises fall through.

How to Recognize An Ambulance Chaser

When dealing with a potential chaser, watch out for these clues: They might send you lots of ads, call you, or text you a lot, trying to get your attention fast. Sometimes, they could even come to your hospital room or home without an invite, saying something like, “A friend told me you need a lawyer…” but can’t tell you who.

They key to spotting one is recognizing their strategies before they can attack. They usually try to pressure you into making quick decisions about hiring them. If they have a history of chasing after people for cases or if someone you don’t know calls saying you have an appointment with a chiropractor that you didn’t make, these are signs you’re dealing with an ambulance chaser.

Other Ambulance Chaser Tactics to Look For

Ambulance chasers are like sharks on the hunt and similarly use crafty methods to trick victims and their families into unnecessary legal action, aiming to profit from their misfortune. It is crucial to stay alert and recognize these tactics to avoid exploitation. Here are some key ambulance chaser strategies to watch for:

• Pretending to Be a Witness: They may claim to have seen the accident and offer to help by suggesting you sue, with promises of a big payout.
• Promising Large Financial Recoveries: Targeting those with severe injuries, they make enticing promises of large financial awards to get you on board.
• Calling a Tow Truck: An unsolicited tow truck might arrive, suggesting you take your vehicle to a specific shop linked to the lawyer, leading to inflated repair costs.
• Sending Letters: After an accident, your mailbox will likely be stuffed with letters and packages offering legal services, promising substantial financial compensation if you hire them.

It’s better to be safe than sorry and make the smart choice of verifying the identity of anyone claiming to witness your accident, be skeptical of guarantees of financial recovery, choose your own tow service, and seek independent legal advice before making any decisions.

Ways to Avoid Falling Prey to Predatory Behavior of Ambulance Chasers

Avoiding ambulance chasers and finding a trustworthy personal injury attorney doesn’t have to be daunting. Start with recommendations from those you trust and do thorough research to ensure you’re making an informed choice. Here are key steps to help you steer clear of predatory practices:

• Seek Referrals: Ask friends, family, or trusted acquaintances for personal injury attorney recommendations.
• Do Your Research: Look into the lawyer’s background, experience, and both positive and negative reviews, not just the overall rating.
• Avoid Solicitations: Be cautious of lawyers who reach out to you first after an accident. This is often a red flag.
• Ask Questions: Inquire about their experience with similar cases, success rates, and how they handle client communication.
• Trust Your Instincts: If you feel pressured to make a quick decision or something seems off, trust your gut and consider other options.

By following these steps, you can find an attorney who genuinely wants to help you with your case in a respectful and ethical manner.

What Should I Do If I Have Been a Victim of Ambulance Chasing?

If a lawyer you don’t know (or someone from their office) contacts you first and wants to be your lawyer, make sure to take note of their name and keep any contact information they give you, like business cards. Write down everything about how they got in touch with you, including as many details as possible. 

This information is important if you decide to talk to another lawyer about possibly making a complaint against the first lawyer for contacting you in a way they shouldn’t have. Keeping track of this helps protect you and can stop this kind of thing from happening to others.

Don’t Let the Ambulance Sharks Attack: Contact Rinehardt Injury Attorneys

Don’t fall prey to the ambulance chasers who are sharks lurking after an accident. Instead, reach out to an Ohio ambulance chaser lawyer at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, where our commitment is to integrity, not pursuit. We stand by our ethical promise: we consult, we don’t chase.

Our firm lets the success of our cases and the positive feedback from our clients do the talking. We value your personal journey, respecting your needs and the pace at which you wish to proceed. The stories and recoveries of our clients highlight our respectful approach and the significant results we’ve achieved together. 

At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, your well-being is our top concern. We dedicate ourselves to offering personalized, ethical legal services tailored to secure the best possible outcome for you. Contact us for a free case evaluation and let us protect you from the sharks and guide you toward recovery with the respect and dedication you deserve.