What do you think of lawyers that send out solicitations to car accident victims?

[nutterbutter2010]

The title says it all.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I thought "ambulance chasers" are illegal . They are in Virginia anyways. I work at a law firm and lawyers can't send anyone information (or contact them) unless they have given the law firm their address/contact info or permission.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

They are legal in some states. I don't know which ones, but in my state they are legal.

 

[JessicaR]

They are legal in some states. I don't know which ones, but in my state they are legal.

What state? I was under the impression that it isnt legal in any state?

 

[nutterbutter2010]

What state? I was under the impression that it isnt legal in any state?

I'd rather not say, (personal reasons.....) but I will say that the state is now trying to pass a low to make it illegal.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm pretty sure it's legal in NJ

 

[allison443]

What state? I was under the impression that it isnt legal in any state?

They are legal in New Jersey...attorneys can send letters (they can't call you) and the letters have to contain certain statutory language. I believe they can access the police reports which are public records I guess? and that is how they get your info.

In NJ lawyers can also send you solicitation letters when you get a speeding ticket/traffic violation. A family member got a speeding ticket, we got a lot of letters, we didn't use any of the letter writers, but I did end up seeing some of them in court and they were perfectly good traffic court attorneys.

 

[allison443]

Just want to add, there is another kind of "ambulance chasing"-using ambulance drivers, EMTs, tow truck drivers, ER workers, as "runners" to hand out lawyers' business cards and steer accident victims to certain lawyers in exchange for a kickback. I'm pretty sure this is illegal in every state!

 

[Disnydad]

Back my early adjuster days I was at a fellows house settleing a claim the morning after an accident. While I was writing the check the phone rang and it was a lawyers office calling about the accident and he was told they were going through the prior days police accident reports and wanted to know if they could represent him. He told them no thanks as the adjuster was signing his check at the time. It was well known firm that had billboards and TV ads all over the place. I knew them as a firm that would never go to trial.

 

[HelenePA]

Back my early adjuster days I was at a fellows house settleing a claim the morning after an accident. While I was writing the check the phone rang and it was a lawyers office calling about the accident and he was told they were going through the prior days police accident reports and wanted to know if they could represent him. He told them no thanks as the adjuster was signing his check at the time. It was well known firm that had billboards and TV ads all over the place. I knew them as a firm that would never go to trial.

I think this is what happened to me I'm not sure. Before I was even out of the hospital with my dd (who was in for 2 nights after the accident) I had messages on my machine and a letter in my mailbox. I actually continued to get them every now and then until the statue of limitations had run out for it 2 years later. It was settled way before then though.

 

[golfgal]

It is illegal in our state so I selected other.

 

[MM27]

Police reports are public records here. Lawyers/law firms have the right to access those records and send mail offering their services. I guess it's no different than people sticking menus on your door for their restaurant. If you don't want them, trash them.

 

[charlie,nj]

I was in a car accident last year. Someone went pass a stop sign and hit me. When the police report became public 5 days later… I received 25 letters from lawyers telling me that I WAS hurt in the accident and that they will get me at least a million bucks. I of course never contacted them but I did keep their nice can warmers, tiny flashlights, and magnets. (too bad their names are on all of them!)

Sadly some of the lawyers letters are written making it sound like the police assigned them to work with me…if you weren’t on the ball you could be tricked into calling them.

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