If a lawyer calls you after an accident, they have likely received your contact information through unethical methods , said Keith Watters of Keith Watters & Associates. These types of lawyers are considered “runners” or “solicitors” who will likely resell your case if you contract services with them.
In summary, the rules state that attorneys cannot contact clients if their primary motivation is to make a profit. However, there are exceptions if the potential client is a lawyer, or a person has a familial or professional relationship with the attorney.
Lawyers shouldn’t be soliciting clients as a general rule, so receiving an unexpected phone call from an attorney should be a warning sign for accident victims.
This information will also be valuable for your car accident lawyer who will need to reach out to the other driver’s insurance company, other witnesses, and the police for the accident report.
If the other driver’s insurance is disputing fault, they likely won’t be willing to pay for your repairs. Your own insurance company can step in, pay for the repairs, and set you up with a rental vehicle.
No one should ever give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even their own insurance company, without consulting an attorney first.
Insurance companies are known for manipulating you into somehow admitting the accident was your fault. Even saying a simple “I’m sorry,” can be all they need to prove you were at fault. It’s best to let your lawyer do all the talking when it comes to dealing with other parties’ insurance companies.
That’s why it’s important that you call one of our experienced car accident attorneys as soon as possible following your accident. This ensures that our team can collect important evidence and witness accounts that could be lost over time. It also allows our legal team to go to work quickly to build a strong case for you. The sooner you call, the sooner you can get the compensation you deserve for your accident.
Gather Evidence – Gathering evidence can be done easily now that we have smartphones. Snap pictures of license plates, eyewitness information, vehicle damage, traffic patterns, intersections, and any other important information that could help your lawyer establish fault.
If the insurance company plays hardball, however, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party to seek damages. This often occurs when the insurance claims adjuster denies who was at fault for the accident or doesn’t agree with the severity of your injuries.
After an accident, car accident victims are often left to deal with serious injuries and rising medical bills on their own. Insurance companies often offer accident victims a low-ball settlement that is just a fraction of what they need to recover. These insurance companies don’t have your best interest in mind—the only people they have in mind are their shareholders and reducing their liabilities. They may pressure accident victims into signing a settlement too quickly and you could end up with less than you need to cover your injuries.
Call 911 – Call 911 and report your accident, which helps alert both police officials and emergency medical teams to the scene of the accident. Your police report and your medical report will be invaluable when establishing fault and liability. Without them, it’s just your word against theirs.
Admitting Blame – It’s human nature to apologize – even when we are not wrong. Yet after a car accident, saying “I’m sorry” can be used to show that you admitted fault for the crash. Even if you believe that you were partly to blame, do not admit fault.
Not everyone who has been involved in a car accident will need to seek legal representation. However, if your accident was severe or complex, then it’s necessary to call a lawyer as soon as possible, so they can begin building your case. If any of the following apply to your situation, call a lawyer right away:
Attorneys who reach out to accident victims to solicit their services may have obtained their contact information through unethical methods.
There are times when a lawyer is allowed to directly contact a person and offer their services:
If you’ve been injured in an accident and think you may need legal help there are many ways to find an experienced, ethical attorney:
Once you’ve found an attorney who you think can handle your case schedule an appointment to sit down with the lawyer to discuss your situation. At Gautreaux Law, we welcome people to sit with our lawyers and ask questions about how we can help you and how we would handle your case.