The sharks are circling...

[WillParkinson]

We got into a car accident on the 19th of October. It was a pretty bad one (though no major injuries). Car damage is estimated at $12,000.

Today I picked up the mail to find EIGHT letters from attorneys looking to talk to us. After glancing through them I know I won't talk to someone who is supposed to be a professional but uses the word 'winningest' on his informational card.

[Raven]

1. Paul Newman in The Verdict handing his card out at the wake

comes to mind.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Explanation

We have that set-up here in New Jersey. Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident or who is given a MV ticket has their name listed as public information and that public information is available to attorneys (though I can't remember whether it's free or for a fee).

The attorney is allowed to solicit potential clients by sending out letters like the ones you described. It's not synonymous with "ambulance chasing"; it's more like advertising.

I'm a traffic attorney and I don't do that. I worked for a ticket mill that did and I quit them.

When I got a ticket for going 5 mph above the speed limit, I too was inundated with these solicitation letters which I happily replied that I would do a far better job than they could.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. Just curious. What do you consider ambulance chasing?

[no_hypocrisy]

10. Following an accident victim to the ER from the accident scene, into the

hospital room. Calling an accident victim at home.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. See below: he was called at home.But I hear you.

[Taverner]

3. At what point are we in society when Trial Lawyers quote Charlie Sheen?

Isn't there something in Revelation about that?

[patrice]

4. !

:hi:

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. Buncha pikers. No one CALLED you?

As your Not-Attorney I recommend you remove "no major injuries" and replace with "ahhh my achin' back!!!.....and my spouse too!!!"

[WillParkinson]

6. Someone called Paul yesterday...

The way she spoke Paul thought she was with our insurance company. Since he was at work he gave her my number. I was on the phone when she called so I called the number back. The voicemail did not give the name of a person or company, just that she wasn't able to take the call.

I looked the number up online and found several complaints about the person at that number fishing for information after an accident. Yesterday my back was hurting after therapy so I took a pain pill and went to bed. About 8:45 the phone rang and I heard Paul speaking to the person, asking what company are you with, why do you want to speak to him? Then I heard him say "It sounds like you're trying to solicit business from him." The person on the phone got rude, saying that Paul was probably me and hung up.

So just one call.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. That must be a gimmick in the arsenal - "sounding like they are the insurance lawyer"

My friend, who was hit while riding a bike, had a similar experience from an ambulance chaser. She got the call the next morning from someone, I assume, tipped off by a "bird dog" in the police department.

She was on the phone for 10 minutes before she realized she was speaking with a random attorney and not the driver's. It was then she was informed her bumps and bruises were worth $25k if handled "correctly."

[BlueIris]

9. '(W)inningest.' I'd expect Saul Goodman to pick up the phone at that office.

Or some attorney who changed his name to Saul Goodman to pick up more clients.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

12. In any case, if you are injured, you will probably have to hire an atty

If you're not, and it's only the property damage, then do it yourself, tho insurance companies are never to be trusted.

Insurance companies have never been tighter paying out. In fact, they'll even nickel and dime the heck out of people who are very seriously injured, after paying out a huge amount in premiums for months and years. (Even people who lose an eye, etc). Meanwhile, insurance companies are financially doing very well indeed.