Should I Use a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Contacts Me First?

 Posted on June 24, 2024 in Personal Injury

Getting injured because of someone else’s negligence can be very distressing. You are worried about recovering and getting the medical care you need, but it can be hard to cover these unexpected costs. You are probably aware that you can get some of those costs covered as part of the compensation you can get in a personal injury claim, but you might not know exactly what to ask for. If a lawyer suddenly shows up and offers to represent you, you might feel relieved that there is one less thing you need to worry about. However, this should raise a red flag. The state of Texas has specific rules against a lawyer soliciting potential clients. This article will explain those rules and why you should be wary of lawyers who contact you trying to get you to hire them. If you need help seeking compensation for injuries, contact a qualified Sierra Blanca, TX personal injury attorney.

Ambulance Chasers and Barratry Law in Texas

Lawyers are often necessary during times of suffering and distress. There are rules in place about how lawyers can advertise their services, to protect potential clients from being taken advantage of when they are distracted by their stressful circumstances. If a lawyer has a website that you end up on after searching online for a specific area of law you are interested in, that is not problematic. If a law firm advertises its services in the newspaper, that is also fine.

If a lawyer contacts potential clients directly to convince them to hire him, this is officially known as barratry, otherwise known as illegal solicitation or ambulance chasing. It is considered unethical and, therefore, illegal not only for lawyers but also for anyone else working on their behalf. Actions that fall under the category of barratry include:

• Phone calls
• Emails
• In-person visits, for example to the hospital, especially within 31 days of when the injury occurred

If you have been directly contacted by a lawyer who wants to represent you in your personal injury claim, this should be a red flag warning you to steer clear. This person is acting in clear violation of the law and can end up getting you much worse outcomes than someone who can help you seek maximum compensation within the bounds of the law.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an El Paso County, TX Personal Injury Attorney

If you are injured in an accident, speak with a skilled El Paso, TX personal injury lawyer. Whatever you do, do not hire someone to represent you if they have directly solicited you since this is a clear violation of the law. At James Kennedy, P.L.L.C., we are committed to compliance, and we advocate passionately on behalf of our clients while making sure to abide by all relevant rules, for their sake as well as ours. Call us at 915-544-5200 to schedule a free consultation.