It is no secret that personal injury lawyers have a poor reputation in society. There are many jokes and stereotypes about “ambulance-chasing” lawyers. They claim that they exploit vulnerable people to their own gain, chase ambulances in search of their next paycheck, and will take any illegal or subversive action to get paid.
These stereotypes not only are false but also harmful to the legal system. In times of crisis, the legal system should be consulted. The vast majority of injury lawyers help their clients receive the compensation they are entitled to. Accident lawyers are available to help people who have been hurt in an accident, free consultation personal injury attorneys, or because of a defective product.
Where do these negative stereotypes originate? They are mainly influenced by the tort reform agenda of the insurance company and their popular media. Television, movies, and the news often portray lawyers in the most negative light: they are greedy and vindictive. Danny DeVito’s role in “The Rainmaker”, is a great example. He is an incompetent, unethical attorney who visits patients in hospitals to get business.
Lawyer advertisements also reinforce these negative stereotypes. These ads portray lawyers as greedy and convince people that they can recover millions of dollars even in the most minor of injury case cases. It appears that clients are judged based on their settlement amount and not by who they are as individuals. These money-hungry attorneys are a minority. Personal injury lawyers don’t treat their clients like meal tickets.
Injury attorneys not only help clients in times of need but also ensure that society and the environment are safe. People and corporations that are negligent may have to pay civil damages for their actions. Personal injury lawyers are responsible for making sure that there are safety regulations and laws in place at all levels, including the state and federal. These laws were created in response to negligent and harmful behavior. They ensure that people are safe and healthy when they use products that are safe.
Because of the negative stereotypes surrounding personal injury lawyers, it is easy to see why people think bad things about them. The lawyers are not good people and one bad apple can ruin the whole group. While you may hear about the immoral lawyer who stole their client’s money almost every day on the news, almost never do you hear about the positive things that attorneys do for clients. This includes working pro bono for causes they believe in, or reducing their fees so that their clients get the justice they deserve. Although some lawyers are selfish and greedy, many are dedicated to their clients’ rights and strong advocates.
What is often overlooked is the fact that corporations and insurance companies are the main drivers behind negative stereotypes. They want to make these bad public image to their advantage. They claim that the plaintiffs and injury lawyers are the antagonists, while the attorneys are seeking to profit from the client’s misfortunes. It takes hard work and dedication to do what you do, and many lawyers chose to help injured people because they love helping people.
Every person will face a time in their lives when they need to hire a personal injury lawyer. There are many lawyers who will fight for you. You aren’t a number or a paycheck for your lawyer. You are an individual with your concerns and hopes regarding your case. A personal injury lawyer should treat you with respect and appreciate having you as a client.