Recently, it has come to our attention that unethical lawyers throughout California have been aggressively looking for accident victims on the North Coast. These law firms obtain the names of injury victims from police reports, then contact these people to ask “how they are doing?” They then offer their services. Sometimes these unscrupulous lawyers offer a grossly inflated opinion on the value of the case to lure you as a client. These lawyers often also use slick mailers to bait you. This conduct is illegal and not allowed under the California Rules of Professional Conduct. These lawyers are true “ambulance chasers.”
Lastly, these lawyers often will utilize online trolling techniques to “comment” on YouTube or other social media reporting—or even create their own online content—regarding your accident. This is done to falsely give the impression that they care about your case.
Under the California Rules of Professional Conduct, lawyers are prohibited from soliciting or contacting you directly. Solicitation is defined as “…any communication…concerning the availability for professional employment” of a lawyer “in which a significant motive is pecuniary gain.” (See California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1-400). Furthermore, this rule provides that “A solicitation shall not be made by or on behalf of a member or law firm to a prospective client with whom the member or law firm has no family or prior professional relationship.”
If a lawyer is going to break the rules to get you as a client, just think what they might do after you are being represented by them.
You should also keep in mind that any lawyer from outside the area is going to be very expensive for you because much discovery and certain court hearings will require the personal appearance of your attorney in Humboldt County. You will be charged at the end of the case at a high rate for the costs of this travel, and associated costs such as nice hotels and fancy restaurants
Lastly, many lawyers in Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay Area will be totally unfamiliar with our local court system and local jurors. They will not be able to represent you well and often times will seek a quick and low dollar settlement to get rid of your case. This will make you even more of a victim than you are already.
Furthermore, no lawyer knows the value of your case without a thorough investigation of the facts, liability, and your injuries. Beware of lawyers who try to convince you that your case is worth a certain amount to get you to sign up with them when they have not done any work on the case at all.
The unfortunate truth is that there are many unethical lawyers who will break the rules and give the profession as a whole a bad name. Serious accident victims deserve zealous, thorough, and ethical representation – it is the only way to achieve the best settlement or jury verdict.
If you receive a direct solicitation from any attorney urging you to sign up as a client, we encourage you to file a complaint with the California State Bar. Information on the complaint process can be found here. The number to call for more information is 800-843-9053. Finally, here is the complete CRPC Rule 1-400 on Advertising and Solicitation.