Has an attorney or ANYONE who is an agent for that attorney (paid by the attorney) contacted you within 30 days after you’ve had an accident, asking you if you need a lawyer? If so, you are being approached unethically and the attorney is in violation of the rules that govern their conduct. If this occurs, you should avoid retaining that attorney who has demonstrated a propensity to violate one of the most important rules governing attorney ethics. Here is the relevant New York rule:
“DR 7-111 (22 NYCRR 1200.41-a) Communication After Incidents Involving Personal Injury or Wrongful Death
(a) In the event of an incident involving potential claims for personal injury or wrongful death, no unsolicited communication shall be made to an individual injured in the incident or to a family member or legal representative of such an individual, by a lawyer or law firm, or by any associate, agent, employee or other representative of a lawyer or law firm, seeking to represent the injured individual or legal representative thereof in potential litigation or in a proceeding arising out of the incident before the 30th day after the date of the incident, unless a filing must be made within 30 days of the incident as a legal prerequisite to the particular claim, in which case no unsolicited communication shall be made before the 15th day after the date of the incident.”
It is a good idea to contact your local Bar Association or go online (AVVO or Super Lawyers) to find an attorney who can be trusted and will not break the rules!
Here are links to our ratings on these sites:
Super Lawyers: https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-york-metro/new-york/lawyer/carmen-jack-giordano/1b9672b2-9905-492c-8aa3-ec89e67220cc.html
Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/10027-ny-carmen-giordano-867367.html