Getting Spam Calls After a Car Accident? Here's Why.

If you’ve been in a car accident and suddenly started receiving strange spam calls or scam texts from people claiming to “help” with your case, you’re not alone. This is a growing problem, and unfortunately, it’s often tied to illegal and unethical practices in the legal industry.

At Jim Adler & Associates, we’ve seen an increase in reports of lead generators and even law firms engaging in barratry—commonly known as ambulance chasing.

Why Am I Getting Calls from Lawyers After My Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident and suddenly start receiving unsolicited calls from lawyers, law firms, or “helpful” services, you’re not alone. Many accident victims experience this, and it often leads to confusion and frustration. Here’s why it happens:

Your Accident Report Became Public Record – In some states, police accident reports are public records and can be accessed by anyone, including lawyers and marketing companies. Some law firms use data mining services to collect this information and reach out to accident victims. While Texas restricts the release of personal information on accident reports, some third parties still find ways to obtain and use these details.
Lead Generators Are Selling Your Information – Many law firms don’t make these calls themselves. Instead, they pay shady marketing companies (lead generators) to collect and sell accident victim information. These companies might use:
- Police scanner monitoring – Listening to first responder radio traffic to identify fresh accidents.
- Towing & hospital records – Some businesses illegally sell accident information to lead generators.
- Social media tracking – If you post about your accident, they may scrape your data and use it to contact you.
Scam Calls Disguised as “Helpful Services” – Some calls may not be from actual law firms but from scam operations posing as legal or medical services. They might say:
- “We’re calling to check on you after your accident.”
- “We offer free resources to help with your recovery.”
- “Your insurance company asked us to reach out to you.”
Illegal Lawyer Solicitation (Barratry) – In Texas and many other states, it is illegal for lawyers to directly call or text accident victims without prior contact. This is called barratry (aka ambulance chasing) and can result in severe penalties for the lawyer involved.

🚨 Warning: Many of these callers are not legitimate. They may be trying to sell your case to a law firm for a referral fee or push you into unnecessary medical treatment for financial gain.

👉 Legitimate lawyers do not cold-call accident victims. If you receive an unsolicited call from a lawyer, it is a red flag that they may be engaging in unethical or illegal practices.

Is It Illegal for a Lawyer to Call Me After an Accident?

Yes, this is called barratry, and it is illegal.

Barratry is when a lawyer—or someone working on their behalf—illegally solicits clients after an accident. This could be through direct calls, texts, or even in-person visits. Texas law prohibits this behavior, and lawyers caught engaging in it can face serious penalties, including disbarment.

But many firms aren’t making these calls directly. Instead, they rely on shady lead generation companies (or even hospitals and emergency services) to do their dirty work. These companies use data mining, social media tracking, and even police scanner monitoring to get information about recent accidents.

Real-Life Example: It Actually Happened to One of Us

Just last week, one of our own team members had a close encounter with this scam. His wife’s son was in a wreck in San Antonio due to bad weather. Days later, she received a call from an unknown number—the caller claimed to be checking on the accident victim and offering “resources.” But when she declined their help, they insisted they’d call back next week.

Sound familiar? We also found hundreds of similar reports online. A Reddit user shared their experience of receiving non-stop calls and texts after a rear-end accident, with some callers even posing as insurance adjusters.

👉 Read the Reddit discussion here: Strange Calls/Texts After Being Rear-Ended

How Are These Companies Getting My Information?

These lead generators and shady attorneys may be getting your accident details from:

Public accident reports – In some states, crash reports become public record quickly, allowing shady marketers to collect names and contact info.
Social media posts – If you post about your accident, scammers can use that to target you.
Hospital or towing records – Some companies illegally buy information from insiders at hospitals, tow yards, or body shops.
Police scanners – Some firms monitor first responder radio traffic to track fresh accidents.

What Should I Do If I Get a Call from a Lawyer I Didn’t Contact?

If you receive a suspicious call after your car accident:

🚨 Do not engage – These callers are often trained to pressure you into sharing details. Simply hang up.
🚨 Ask for their name and company – If you’re feeling bold, try to get as much information as possible. If they refuse to provide details, it’s a red flag.
🚨 Report them – File a complaint with the Texas Bar Association, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) if the caller claims to be from an insurance company, and to the district attorney in the county you live.
🚨 Never sign anything – Some scammers may even send over documents disguised as legal forms. Never sign anything from an unknown source.

Can I Sue a Lawyer or Company for Illegally Soliciting Me After an Accident?

Yes, you may be able to sue a lawyer or company that illegally solicits you after an accident, depending on your state’s laws. In Texas and many other states, direct solicitation of accident victims by attorneys or their representatives is illegal under barratry laws (also known as “ambulance chasing”).

Barratry refers to lawyers or their agents directly soliciting clients in an unethical or illegal manner. This can include:

Unsolicited phone calls, texts, or visits from a lawyer you didn’t contact first.
Non-lawyers (runners) approaching you on behalf of an attorney.
Receiving messages from “helpful” services that push you toward a specific lawyer or clinic.
Fake “insurance” or “medical assistance” calls that steer you to a law firm.

👉 In Texas, barratry is a crime. A lawyer caught illegally soliciting accident victims can lose their law license, face fines, or even go to jail.

Your Rights as an Accident Victim

If you are illegally solicited by a lawyer or their representatives, you have legal options to take action:

File a complaint with the State Bar of Texas – Lawyers who break barratry laws can be disbarred or suspended.
Report the solicitor to law enforcement – In Texas, barratry can be a felony offense.
Sue for damages – Texas law allows victims of illegal solicitation to sue the lawyer or law firm for damages, including a refund of any legal fees paid.

👉 Texas Penal Code §38.12 states that if a lawyer illegally solicits you and you end up hiring them, you have the right to sue for damages and get your attorney fees back.

How to Take Action Against Illegal Solicitation

If you believe a lawyer or firm has illegally solicited you:

Gather evidence – Write down the caller’s name, phone number, and any details about the conversation.
Ask for their bar number – Legitimate attorneys should have no issue providing this.
Do not sign anything – Never sign any documents from an unsolicited lawyer.
Report them to the Texas State Bar – File a complaint online or by phone.
Consult a legitimate lawyer – If you’ve already signed with an illegally soliciting lawyer, you may be able to void your contract and recover fees.

How to Choose a Legitimate Lawyer After an Accident

Avoid lawyers who cold-call or text you first.
Do your own research and choose a reputable law firm.
Look for client reviews, case results, and verified bar credentials.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Legit Lawyers Don’t Chase Cases—They Win Them

At Jim Adler & Associates, we never cold-call accident victims. Our reputation is built on real client success, not illegal solicitations. If you’re injured in an accident, the best way to get legal help is to contact a trusted law firm directly.

If you or someone you know has received these calls, let us know. We’re working to expose and report these illegal practices to protect accident victims from being scammed.

📞 Need real help after your accident? Call us at 1-800-505-1414 for a FREE consultation.