Adapted from pointers by Jay G., here is an article about avoiding the pitfalls many new lawyers fall victim to when they accept cases that may cause them to be labeled as “Ambulance Chasers.” How to Start and Build Your Law Practice a book by Foonberg:
As you conduct an initial consultation with a potential client or their family members, encourage them to utilize your services as frequently and as quickly as they can. It is important to get an early start on your representation of their interests, and you should make clear to them the critical nature of your early involvement in their matter. Reinforce with them that they should never talk about factual details or potential fault or negligence concerning their case with anyone other than the police until they have discussed things with you.
Third-party witnesses must be interviewed as soon as. The scene of the accident must be reviewed and photograph before it is altered. Remind your client that torn and blood-stained garments or other evidences must not be thrown away at the hospital. Bruises and other physical manifestations of the injury must be photographed immediately.
Interviews should be conducted as soon as possible with third party witnesses. Before there are any changes, there should be review and photography done at the scene of the accident. The potential client should retain any of the garments that they were wearing at the time of the accident, even if they are torn or stained with blood. Photographs of any bruises, abrasions ,or injuries should be taken immediately.
Injured parties need reminding that the insurer’s priority will always be to defend damage claims, not assist the injured party in obtaining compensation. Explain to the defendant that your client’s claim letter starts the clock on their response window, and that they have 21 days to notify you of receipt of the correspondence. The correspondence should be sent with an additional copy, which the defendant should be instructed to forward to their insurance carrier. Make certain that all medical documentation is in order and that it has been seen by the client. Devote sufficient time to thoroughly examining all medical records. Be mindful of the fact that insurance carriers give far more credibility to a doctor’s report than an analysis produced by someone other than a physician.
Remind the client orally and in writing that “based on the facts as they appear in the present time, it appears that he has a meritorious case. That is why, it is impossible to value the case until the full extent of personal injury, the need for treatment, damages, and losses are known.
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