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What is an Ambulance Chaser?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Attorneys who specialize in personal injury cases are prohibited by a code of ethics from actively soliciting potential clients immediately after an accident or injury has occurred. An unscrupulous legal professional who does approach injured parties or their family members at the hospital could rightfully be called an ambulance chaser. A lawyer described as an ambulance chaser might literally follow an ambulance to a hospital, or use other unethical means to identify potential clients. A few attorneys may actually embrace the title, but the vast majority of legal professionals see the term "ambulance chaser" as pejorative and insulting.

Personal injury attorneys earn a significant amount of their income from financial judgements awarded to their clients. This practice is not unethical in and of itself, since many personal injury attorneys do not charge their clients for the prep work preceding a trial. This is why most personal injury attorneys are very selective about the cases they accept, since their income is contingent on the presentation of a strong case in court. The temptation to become an "ambulance chaser" in order to solicit the best clients and cases can be very strong indeed.

Ambulance chasers are usually described as attorneys who try to make a quick profit after someone is injured.
Ambulance chasers are usually described as attorneys who try to make a quick profit after someone is injured.

The decision to pursue legal action against the party or parties believed responsible for the accident or injury is generally left up to the injured person himself or herself. A scrupulous attorney can offer a free consultation, but only after the injured party has initiated first contact. Only an "ambulance chaser" would ever approach the injured party first and attempt to persuade him or her to pursue legal action. This kind of aggressive behavior is a direct violation of the legal bar association's code of ethics, and it can lead to permanent disbarment if the allegations are proven true.

Ambulance chasers may refer to journalists who are always focused on getting a scoop before all the facts are known.
Ambulance chasers may refer to journalists who are always focused on getting a scoop before all the facts are known.

The concept of an "ambulance chaser" can also be applied in the business world. Some unscrupulous or opportunistic corporate raiders could learn of a company's current financial troubles and literally swoop in to offer their questionable assistance. Essentially, a skilled but unethical business attorney could use his or her skills to become a corporate "ambulance chaser," actively soliciting business from companies in crisis.

Ambulance chasers may try to get info about accident victims they can use later.
Ambulance chasers may try to get info about accident victims they can use later.

Families in crisis mode following a serious accident may not be in the right frame of mind to deal with potential legal actions. This is why many people view the aggressive solicitations of an "ambulance chaser" to be especially cruel or opportunistic. Ethical legal professionals may advertise their services and areas of expertise, but they are not permitted to approach potential clients outside of their own offices.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

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    • Ambulance chasers are usually described as attorneys who try to make a quick profit after someone is injured.
      By: maxim1804
      Ambulance chasers are usually described as attorneys who try to make a quick profit after someone is injured.
    • Ambulance chasers may refer to journalists who are always focused on getting a scoop before all the facts are known.
      By: Anchels
      Ambulance chasers may refer to journalists who are always focused on getting a scoop before all the facts are known.
    • Ambulance chasers may try to get info about accident victims they can use later.
      By: il-fede
      Ambulance chasers may try to get info about accident victims they can use later.
    • An attorney might literally follow an ambulance to the hospital after a serious injury in an attempt to solicit business from the victim or the victim's family.
      By: corepics
      An attorney might literally follow an ambulance to the hospital after a serious injury in an attempt to solicit business from the victim or the victim's family.
    • Ambulance chasers may take advantage of people who feel spiritually vulnerable.
      By: Dzmitry Malyeuski
      Ambulance chasers may take advantage of people who feel spiritually vulnerable.
    • Ambulance chasers may try to get involved at the scene of an accident.
      By: Anna Baburkina
      Ambulance chasers may try to get involved at the scene of an accident.