It is no secret that personal injury lawyers have a bad reputation in our society. We have all heard the stereotypes and jokes about those lawyers who “chase ambulances”: that we prey on vulnerable people for our personal gain, that we chase ambulances in search of our next payday, and that we will take any shady or dishonest action in to get paid.

These stereotypes are not only false, they are harmful to our legal system. The legal system is what people should turn to when they need it. And truth be told, the vast majority of injury attorneys help their clients obtain the compensation they deserve. People who are injured in a car accident, personal injury, or injured by a defective product turn to accident attorneys every day.

So where do these negative stereotypes come from? They mainly come from the popular media that are heavily influenced by the insurance company’s liability reform agenda. TV shows, news, and movies often portray lawyers in the worst possible light: greedy and vindictive. Danny DeVito’s character in “The Rainmaker” is a prime example. He is an incompetent and unethical lawyer who frequently visits people in hospitals to further business.

In addition, negative stereotypes come from the attorney advertisements themselves. Many of these ads make it appear that lawyers are hungry for money and convince people that they need an attorney to recover millions of dollars in even the most pedestrian injury accident cases. Furthermore, it appears that clients are judged by the amount of their settlement and not as individuals. However, these money-hungry lawyers are in the minority. Most personal injury attorneys don’t treat their clients like meal tickets.

Not only do injury attorneys help their clients in times of need, but their work ensures that people live in a safe environment and society. Negligent corporations and individuals are aware that they can be required to pay civil damages if they choose not to act reasonably and safely. Personal injury attorneys are also responsible for ensuring that local, state, and federal safety laws and regulations are in place to protect the general public. These laws were enacted in response to harmful negligent behavior and ensure that people stay healthy and safe when using products that are designed and manufactured to be safe.

I can see why people believe the worst in personal injury attorneys as negative stereotypes surround them. Lawyers certainly don’t help themselves and all it takes is “one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” Unfortunately, while you almost always find out on the news about the immoral lawyer who stole his client’s money, you almost NEVER find out about the positive things lawyers do for their clients, including pro bono work for causes where lawyers believe or reducing your fees. to ensure your clients receive all the justice they deserve. While it is true that some injury attorneys are greedy and selfish, the vast majority genuinely care for their clients’ rights and are strong advocates for their clients.

Of course, what is often ignored is that the main driving force behind these negative stereotypes is corporations and insurance companies hoping to use these bad public images to their advantage. They try to say that the injury lawyers and their clients are the antagonists trying to profit from a lottery of lawsuits, and the lawyers are trying to profit from the misfortunes of their clients. However, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to do what we do and many attorneys chose to work with injured people because they want to help people.

There may be a time in everyone’s life when they are faced with a situation where they consider hiring a personal injury attorney. Remember there are many injury attorneys who will fight hard for you. You are not and should not be just another number or a paycheck for your attorneys. You deserve to be treated with respect by a personal injury attorney who appreciates having you as a client.