If you’ve been injured by someone else’s actions, such as a car accident or casino incident, you may come across attorneys offering legal help. However, there are strict rules on how lawyers can find clients. In Nevada, as in many states, certain kinds of lawyer outreach—often called “ambulance chasing” or illegal solicitation—are against the law. 

Below is an overview of what this practice is, why it’s not allowed, and how it can affect your personal injury case.

Illegal Solicitation Explained

Illegal solicitation refers to a lawyer or someone working on their behalf directly contacting a potential client in an inappropriate manner. For instance, if you were hurt in a car crash and a lawyer calls you out of the blue the next day—without you asking first—this might cross the line. Some attorneys or their staff might show up at a hospital or at your home, pressuring you to sign a legal agreement. This kind of behavior is typically banned under Nevada’s ethics rules.

Why is it prohibited? Because it can take advantage of people who are vulnerable after an injury. These rules want to ensure that when you hire a lawyer, you do so of your own free will—after you’ve researched your choices.

Common Red Flags

If you suspect a lawyer is engaging in illegal solicitation, watch for these warning signs:

  • Unsolicited calls or messages: They repeatedly contact you right after your accident, even if you never asked for their help.
  • Showing up unannounced: A lawyer or their staff meets you in a hospital room without an invite or tries to pressure you at the crash scene.
  • Overpromises: They claim you’re guaranteed a large settlement without knowing the facts of your case.
  • Asking you to sign on the spot: They don’t let you take your time to compare other lawyers or discuss with family.

Attorneys should let you reach out first, or they can send simple marketing materials like brochures without pushing or pressuring you to hire them right away.

Ethical Solicitation vs. Illegal Solicitation

Some forms of lawyer advertising are acceptable under Nevada law. Lawyers can have TV commercials, websites, or billboards, as long as the information is truthful and not misleading. They can also send out general mailers to people in need of legal services (like a speeding ticket attorney sending info to those listed in public records for traffic violations).

But there’s a major difference between a mailer that goes to the general public and a person showing up at your door after you’ve been in an accident. The former gives you the freedom to reach out if you’re interested. The latter can create pressure and can cause someone to hire a lawyer they don’t really want.

Your Rights as an Injury Victim

If you’re approached by someone you think is practicing illegal solicitation, you can:

  • Politely decline to speak with them.
  • Seek legal help from a lawyer you find on your own or through trusted referrals.
  • Report suspicious behavior to the Nevada State Bar, which can investigate ethical violations.

You should have time to find a lawyer who best fits your needs. If a lawyer rushes you or claims you must sign a contract right away, it’s often wise to step back.

In Nevada, illegal solicitation by lawyers is taken seriously. Rules exist so injured people are not pressured or misled. You deserve to pick an attorney based on solid research, referrals, or advertising that follows ethical standards.

If you feel uneasy about any direct approach, listen to your instincts. You can consult with a trusted personal injury attorney—one you find on your own—who will guide you through your case responsibly and ethically.

For more information, please contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at J. Cogburn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve Clark County and throughout Nevada:

Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
2300 W Sahara Ave Suite 800-816, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 706-7893
Open 24 hours

Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Henderson
2580 St Rose Pkwy Suite 330, Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 541-9766
Open 24 hours