Sadly, for some people, the worst part of an accident is not the harrowing experience itself, but the pain, frustration, and loss that comes after. The severe implications to a person’s body, mind, and financial well-being after an accident should not be underestimated. When you add to these challenges the stress of a fraught legal situation, the results can be devastating.
Unfortunately, in the world of attorney referral services, bad actors do exist. There are companies designed to take advantage of the fact that people are scared and stressed after a serious accident. They market themselves cleverly as an easy solution to a difficult problem, and too many people fall victim to their tactics. In reality, they don’t provide the services or success that they advertise, and often lead individuals from a bad to a worse situation while lining the pockets of the practices in their network in the process.
We’ve gathered important information to know about attorney referral services: the trustworthy and the suspicious ones, the things that can (and do) go wrong, and recommendations for how to find the trusted and experienced attorney that you need.
Broadly speaking, getting a referral to use an attorney is not a bad thing at all. There are two types of attorney referral services, generally:
For example, reaching out to expert authorities for legal resources, like the State Bar of Texas, can be of tremendous help.
Their Lawyer Referral and Information Service can guide you to the specific legal field and practitioners you need for your situation. Contact information for the State Bar of Texas certified lawyer referral services in Texas are listed below:
Dallas Bar Association | (214) 220-7444 www.dallasbar.org/lawyerreferralservice |
Houston Lawyer Referral Service | Toll free: (800) 289-4577 Direct: (713) 237-9429 www.hlrs.org |
Jefferson County Bar Association | (409) 835-8438 https://www.jcba.org/page/LawyerReferral |
Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas | Toll free: (866) 303-8303 Direct: (512) 472-8303 www.AustinLRS.org |
North Dallas Bar Association | https://attorneys-dallas.com/north-dallas-bar-association/ |
Plano Bar Association | (972) 424- 6113 https://www.planobar.org/referral_service.php |
San Antonio Bar Association | https://www.salawhelp.org/lawyerreferraltos |
Tarrant County Bar Association | (817) 336-4101 https://www.tarrantbar.org/?pg=LRIS |
Texas Lawyer Referral Service (Statewide) | (512) 872-4400 www.txlrs.org |
Getting a referral from an attorney directly can also be a great option. For example, if you contact a family law practitioner for help with a divorce, but that lawyer specializes in child custody, they may refer you to a trusted colleague who can better serve your specific needs. Even trusted friends and family members can be great resources for attorney referrals. The experiences that people close to you have had in their own legal battles can provide valuable wisdom.
However, there is another side to attorney referral, and it is profit – not public service – driven. There is good reason to be skeptical of these organizations. You may have heard of some of these services like 411-Pain or 1-800-ASK-GARY. They not only spend massive amounts on advertising to promote themselves, but they have also received notoriety from lawsuits, and there have been detailed reports released exposing their crooked practices.
Despite the immediate and considerable relief that these services advertise, the experience that they offer is actually very different. The process usually works as follows. You call into a phone service that is staffed by operators with zero legal experience. They will match you to a law firm based on how recently and how much these “in-network” firms pay, NOT based on expertise, relationship to your specific situation, or even quality of law practice.
Similarly, you may be referred to medical service providers in much the same way. From there, your case is handled in a way that runs up your medical costs and legal fees, spending away any guaranteed insurance funds (especially PIP) to line the pockets of “your” chiropractors, doctors, and lawyers.
When you utilize one of these disreputable, uncertified attorney referral services, many things can work against you. One of the worst things that can happen is that you get referred to a firm that isn’t capable of handling your case. This means you are left in pain, with medical bills, and with absolutely no insurance payout funds to show for it. The main complaints we hear from people who have used attorney referral services include:
As a victim of a serious accident, you deserve better.
Attorney referral services have arisen because individuals often don’t know how to secure appropriate legal help. After serious accidents or in the face of uncertain legal battles, people want and deserve resources to help them decide where to turn next. We completely understand this feeling. So, we have put together our recommendation on the most important considerations as you determine the right lawyer for you.
Whatever your situation after an accident, Thompson Law is here for you. Some of our clients have cuts and bruises and a dinged-up car. Some have life-changing injuries that will result in permanent disabilities and change the rest of their life. No matter your circumstance, please know the dedicated team at Thompson Law is driven to provide help and support to you through this time.
Our staff has over 350 years of combined experience. Our founding and managing partner, Ryan L. Thompson, is passionate about helping individuals harmed by the negligent driving or other negligent behavior of others. If you have been harmed in any type of auto accident or truck wreck, know you are not alone. Reach out anytime 24/7, and we are ready to take your call.
The State of Texas has a statute of limitations of two (2) years for personal injury cases, so if you or someone you love has experienced any injurious accident, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
The sooner you know your options, the sooner you are on a smooth path to recovery and your deserved compensation. If you’ve been hesitating to reach out, don’t delay any further. Call Thompson Law right away for assistance with your injury and claim.
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Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.