- April 17, 2023
When injured in an accident, victims may be susceptible to unscrupulous “ambulance chasing” tactics and have subpar legal representation. Called “case runners,” ambulance chasers use aggressive tactics to get personal information about accident victims and steer them toward the certain attorneys and doctors who pay the chasers well.Since accident victims are in a crisis, they may make rushed decisions that aren't in their best interest. This is why ambulance chasing is illegal and unethical. Case runners, who may call themselves investigators, seek a payout without regard to accident victims’ receiving medical care or proper legal representation. Therefore, you need to carefully investigate a law firm before choosing it.
This blog discusses what ambulance chasing means, why it is illegal, your rights as a victim, and how to detect ambulance chasers. If you or a loved one is in an accident and needs a reliable law firm to handle your car accident case, contact Goodman Acker P.C. at 248-286-8100.
Why Is Contacting Goodman Acker P.C. the Right Choice?
At Goodman Acker P.C., we respect every accident victim’s right to legal representation. Therefore, we do not engage in ambulance chasing but get our clients through approved lawful means. This is one of the reasons our clients trust us and recommend us to their friends and family.
We have over 150 years of combined legal experience; in that time, we have always followed and respected the law and our clients’ rights.
We offer free initial consultations during which you can decide whether to retain our services. We will never force clients to hire us or make promises we cannot fulfill. Our lawyers are always available to listen and guide you on the best path for your case. So take advantage of our free consultation and call us today at 248-286-8100 to schedule one.
How Is Ambulance Chasing Defined, and Is It Legal in Michigan?
Ambulance chasing is a practice where lawyers or their agents seek out accident victims at crash sites or while they are still in the hospital and offer legal services to them. The name comes from the fact that the most egregious behavior of this practice is chasing ambulances to hospitals to speak to the victims while they are being treated. This was how it was done before the concept became digitized.
Now, ambulance chasing is more sophisticated. Lawyers and their agents no longer have to follow ambulances from accident scenes. They use police scanners to listen for accidents and find the ones with injuries or get contacted by EMTs, first responders, and hospital staff when they receive accident victims.
No matter how it is done, the practice is distasteful everywhere, and it is illegal in Michigan and could eliminate the attorney’s right to collect fees for a case. Also, the American Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct frown at ambulance chasing.
According to the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.3, ambulance chasing is strictly forbidden in Michigan. Lawyers who are found guilty of illegal solicitation may face criminal penalties.
These include:
- Up to $30,000 in fines for a first offense
- Up to $60,000 in fines for subsequent offenses
- Up to 1 year in jail for subsequent offenses.
Attorneys will also face disciplinary actions from the State Bar of Michigan. These penalties are harsh, and they are intended to discourage ambulance chasing. Personal injury attorneys must abide by strict guidelines when contacting a potential client.
A lawyer must not contact an accident victim in any way for a minimum of 30 days following a motor vehicle accident. This includes phone calls, emails, face-to-face interactions, and written communication. Third parties working on behalf of a lawyer are also prohibited from contacting a potential client for at least 30 days.
In addition, attorneys must wait 30 days before requesting the accident report to look up the victim’s contact information. These rules, outlined in Michigan’s legislation, are designed to protect accident victims from dishonest and crafty lawyers. These attorneys are usually just in it for a quick paycheck and will not provide the representation you need to succeed.
Also, any ambulance-chasing lawyer is insensitive to an accident victim’s condition. This is because, rather than giving you the space to get treated and recover, they try to get you to hire them at a time when you are emotionally and mentally shaken. If you perceive an attorney is ambulance chasing, it is best not to engage with them.
How Do Ambulance Chasers Harm Injured People?
Reputable personal injury lawyers want to help their clients and provide the best representation possible, placing their clients’ needs first. Case runners only seek a payout and don't have your best interests at heart.
Case runners and attorneys who profit from their tactics violate the law and harm accident victims. Accident victims may be taking strong pain medication at the time and may agree to representation that doesn't meet their needs. Case runners and unethical lawyers will pursue representation that meets their needs instead of yours, and critical investigation and research into the circumstances of your case could be delayed.
How Do You Spot Illegal Solicitation?
Although lawyers no longer physically chase after an ambulance, ambulance chasers employ aggressive tactics and take advantage of people during a vulnerable time shortly after a car accident. So, how do you identify them?
The following are ways to spot illegal solicitation:
- Ambulance chasers may visit you in the hospital or call soon after an accident to inquire about your injuries.
- Ambulance chasers may offer to contact a tow truck for you in an attempt to get close and obtain your personal information.
- Ambulance chasers may pretend to be witnesses to the accident you were involved in and refer you to hospitals where you can get medical care and legal representation.
- Ambulance chasers may offer you transportation or money to meet with you at a hospital’s lobby to solicit services.
Aside from the above, ambulance chasers may try to obtain a copy of the accident’s police report before the 30-day prohibition period elapses. This is because police reports are public records that contain the contact information of the parties involved in the incident. If they get a copy of the police report, they may visit or call you while you’re in the hospital.
If you suspect you're being solicited, hang up the phone or tell the person to leave. Seek an honest and reputable personal injury attorney. At Goodman Acker P.C., our personal injury attorneys have helped those who fell victim to a scheme and initially got subpar representation.
What Are My Rights as a Victim?
If you are a victim of ambulance chasing, you have legal rights. According to MCL 750.410(1), an official contract for attorney fees in any personal injury case will be “void” if the contract was created after the plaintiff was solicited unlawfully. The same is also true if the contract was solicited by someone working for the personal injury attorney.
You can’t be charged attorney fees for your case, win or lose, if “ambulance chasing” methods were used to get your attention or signature, even if that “chaser” was a third party. But who would send a third-party stranger to try to get cases immediately after accidents?
According to reports in Detroit and throughout Michigan, plenty of attorneys would try this suspicious tactic. The new trend is sending out an “investigator” interested in the accident for some sort of study – but this person just happens to know an attorney the victim should call if they want to make a claim.
What Is the Best Way to Find an Attorney?
Most attorneys are ethical, putting their clients’ needs first and avoiding conflicts of interest. As in many fields, some unethical players can give others a bad name. Reputable and honest personal injury attorneys understand that accident victims may not be aware of their rights.
They follow professional conduct rules for soliciting clients, understand the dangers of case runners, and seek to protect their clients' rights. Ethical attorneys will keep their clients informed and avoid any conflicts of interest. They will also work to stop illegal solicitations by case runners.
When looking for an attorney to represent you, pay attention to the following
- Experience in handling your specific type of case
- Ability to place their client’s needs first
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to make sound and reasonable judgments from little information
- Great analytical skills
- Ability to research cases
- Excellent people skills.
After an accident, focus on your health. Hiring an attorney may be necessary in cases where medical bills and loss of income are substantial, and the responsible party's insurance company is uncooperative, but you should not rush into it.
Your personal injury lawyer will work with insurance companies and others to seek fair compensation for you. At Goodman Acker P.C., we will work to get you a favorable outcome as soon as possible and file a lawsuit if it is impossible to settle.
How Do You Handle Illegal Solicitation?
By law, you are responsible for contacting an attorney after an accident, not vice versa. If you're approached in any way by an attorney persuading you to hire a particular lawyer within 30 days of the crash, this is breaking the law. You should immediately contact law enforcement and the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission and give them the name, contact information, and any details you know about the attorney.
What Is Ambulance Chasing and Why Is It Illegal FAQs
You might have questions if you are learning about ambulance chasing for the first time. The following are some of the commonly asked ones:
Can Hiring an Ambulance Chasing Lawyer Affect My Case?
Yes. Most ambulance chasers are after their bottom line and may cut corners to take a quick payout and move on to the next case. So, they don’t always work in your best interest.
Will an Ambulance Chasing Lawyer Charge More?
Since ambulance chasers are unethical, they might charge you more than the law allows personal injury lawyers to charge.
How Can I Know If a Lawyer Is Good for My Case?
Check their years of experience and whether they specialize in accident cases. You can also check online for reviews on their law firm and what past clients say about their service.
Why Should I Hire a Reputable Lawyer?
Hiring a reputable lawyer helps you ensure you get the best representation. Reputable lawyers do not chase ambulances and always put their client’s interests and well-being first.
Goodman Acker P.C. Provides Compassionate, Ethical Legal Assistance to Injured Clients
At Goodman Acker, P.C., we value honesty and integrity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. Our Detroit and Grand Rapids personal injury lawyers have guided numerous clients to successful outcomes in various cases.
If you have been injured in a car or other accident, we will tirelessly fight on your behalf as you seek justice from those responsible. Contact our office at 248-286-8100 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our trusted and reputable attorneys.