There’s an old phrase that was once used to describe personal injury attorneys. It wasn’t very nice.
Some personal injury attorneys were called “ambulance chasers.” The phrase “ambulance chasers,” actually refers to something called barratry.
Barratry is a crime in Texas. States like California, Oklahoma and Virginia also punish the practice.
This video (from the Texas Civil Justice League) explains what happens.
These states feel that some lawyers exert “undo pressure” on people who have been in an accident by finding cases in hospitals.
Many people have strong feelings on both sides of this issue.
This isn’t just some easy subject.
You can really see how the people of Texas have wrestled with this decision in this forty-minute ethics lecture.
When it comes to finding a lawyer, you should probably be skeptical of anyone who seems ‘fishy.’ I’ve always found that the loudest voice in a room is very rarely the most qualified.
Check out our guide to selecting the right injury attorney HERE
