You may have heard the term ‘ambulance chaser’ before. It refers to individuals that solicit car accident victims in their most vulnerable moments.
Barratry is the illegal and unethical act of taking advantage of someone who has just suffered a personal injury. This happens frequently to victims of car accidents.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious car accident or suffered some sort of personal injury, please beware the schemes unethical law firms conduct to take advantage of your claim and use your situation for their own personal gain.
At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we have developed a reputation built on honesty, integrity, and the desire to make a real difference in our community. We are dedicated to our clients and committed to delivering good faith litigation services to help you secure the compensation you need to begin healing.
Let our Rio Grande Valley personal injury attorneys teach you how to spot barratry so that you can avoid being manipulated. Even in situations where you have fallen victim to barratry, our attorneys can help you pursue a civil claim against the lawyer that illegally violated your trust.
If you have questions about how we can help you, please contact us right now at (956) 420-7328
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The State Bar of Texas v. Kilpatrick, 874 S.W.2d 656, 659 (Tex. 94) defines barratry as the “solicitation of employment to prosecute or defend a claim with intent to obtain economic benefit.”
Some lawyers or law firms use “runners” to approach victims shortly after they have been involved in an accident. Runners are commissioned by these lawyers to essentially trick an injured victim into signing over their case to the firm they work for.
After a personal injury or severe car accident, you are likely to be disoriented, confused, and vulnerable. Through the use of “runners”, law firms may coerce, influence, or even threaten you to pursue a claim through their law firm. They understand that you are not in the right mindstate to make such an important decision and will use this against you.
Ambulance chasers can be any individual or business affiliated with the law firm, including:
These individuals may be promised commission if they are able to secure your claim for the unethical law firm. In Texas, it is illegal to contact a victim of an accident by phone or person within 30 days of their accident.
Open record laws make your police record and crash reports available to the public. This is often how lawyers are able to secure information about you.
The Texas Department of Public Safety states that the “Public Information Act guarantees the public’s access to information maintained by a government agency.” Attorneys and their “investigators” can obtain your home address and phone number through these means. That is why they may try to contact you in-person or by phone soon after your accident occurs.
This means that attorneys and their “investigators” can obtain your home address and phone number through these means. That is why they may try to contact you in-person or by phone soon after your accident occurs.
Take your time when securing legal support. You do not have to go with the first lawyer you speak with and should not feel coerced or forced to make a decision.
If you have questions about how J. Gonzalez Law Firm can help you, please contact us right now at (956) 420-7328
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Here are some signs of barratry to be aware of:
1. You receive a phone call from someone that tells you that a family member told them to call you. Ask for the relative’s name and then double-check with said relative for confirmation. If they deny this event, this is definitely a sign of an ambulance chaser lying about where they gathered your personal contact information.
2. Someone approaches you while at the hospital or rehabilitation center. In some cases, a chaser will present themselves as an “investigator.” If you are being questioned about details of your accident from someone other than a police officer, you may be talking to a runner or ambulance chaser.
3. You were coerced by a “professional” to consult a specific lawyer. If a professional, such as a nurse, suggests you to seek out a specific lawyer, then barratry may be at play.
4. Someone approached you at the funeral of a loved one. This exemplifies just how insensitive chasers and their employers can be. Not only is barratry illegal, but it is just not right to insist their services upon you at a funeral.
5. A lawyer or their representatives offer you special incentives or gifts of value for taking up their legal offer. Many times, a lawyer committing barratry will offer gifts, incentives, or bonuses for signing-up. These tactics are manipulative and a fair lawyer does not need to promise gifts.
The compassionate and experienced attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys know that after a car accident you may be dealing with a wide number of issues including physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress. This is even more of a reason why you need the protection of a trustworthy McAllen personal injury lawyer who has your back and helps you pursue justice in situations of negligence and personal injury.
If a law firm does contact you by phone or in person, here are some tips for what to do to avoid their schemes and manipulation:
If a lawyer files a claim on behalf of your accident without your knowledge or confirmation, you should consult the experienced barratry claim attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to pursue a civil claim.
Our Rio Grande Valley personal injury attorneys know how serious your situation is and want to make sure that we act in the most ethical manner possible. Our goal is to successfully represent you, not take advantage of your pain and suffering. We can help you pursue damages against a negligent law firm that acted through barratry, as well as assist you in pursuing a fair claim for your personal injury.
Check in first with our Legal Assistant for guidance in your personal injury case.
