ambulance

ambulance chaser

1. A derogatory term for a person, usually a lawyer, who seeks out the scenes of accidents (where ambulances will respond) in order to profit in some way from those involved, often by encouraging them to engage in a lawsuit. The first person I met after my accident was an ambulance chaser who wanted to represent me in court. The guys at that towing company are real ambulance chasers.
2. By extension, a derogatory term for any lawyer. I can't believe I have to hire a lawyer. I don't trust any of those ambulance chasers!
See also: ambulance, chaser

ambulance chasing

The practice of following ambulances or seeking out people injured at the scene of an accident. The phrase is typically said of lawyers because some pursue medical cases in the hopes of making money by representing the injured party. Can you believe that guy's ambulance chasing? I've been in the ER for 10 minutes and already I've got a lawyer barging in on me! Your ambulance chasing has got to stop, Carl! You're taking advantage of those poor, rattled people, and I can't stand it!
See also: ambulance, chase

an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff

Something that is helpful only after one is already injured or in trouble. The idea is that, while an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff can help people who fall off the cliff, a fence at the top would be more beneficial. Services like this, which only help kids once they've gotten into significant trouble, are like an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff.
See also: ambulance, bottom, cliff, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ambulance chaser

a lawyer who hurries to the scene of an accident to try to get business from injured persons. The insurance companies are cracking down on ambulance chasers.
See also: ambulance, chaser
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ambulance chaser

An attorney who seeks to profit from someone's injury or accident; also, an inferior lawyer. For example, Karen refused to join any law firm that included ambulance chasers. The practice of suing for damages on behalf of the injured person in exchange for a contingency fee-usually a large percentage of the amount so won-may be older, but this derogatory term began to be used for lawyers who actively sought out individuals injured in accidents who required an ambulance. [Slang; late 1800s]
See also: ambulance, chaser
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

an ambulance chaser

An ambulance chaser is a lawyer who contacts people who have been injured to try to get work by giving them legal advice. They describe Mr Edwards as a shameless ambulance chaser claiming that he makes money suing people. Note: This expression is used to express disapproval.
See also: ambulance, chaser
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

ambulance chaser

and chaser
1. n. a lawyer or entrepreneur who hurries to the scene of an accident to try to get the business of any injured persons. The insurance companies are cracking down on ambulance chasers. A chaser got here before the ambulance, even.
2. n. a derogatory term for any lawyer. (Also a rude term of address.) That ambulance chaser is trying to charge me for reaching his office when I called a wrong number! Three-hundred dollars an hour for what? You two-bit chaser!
See also: ambulance, chaser
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • chaser
  • ambulance chaser
  • an ambulance chaser
  • saltine
  • foundry
  • nut factory
  • nut-foundry
  • nuthatch
  • nuthouse
References in periodicals archive
Today's figures show that in some parts of the south, almost one in five emergency calls result in a private ambulance being sent to the scene.
Ambulance trust bucks the trend as others turn to private operators
Western Europe was the largest region in the global ambulance services market, accounting for 36% of the market in 2018.
Global Ambulance Services Market Report 2019
Ambulance services of non-governmental organizations and volunteer bodies are not available immediately, or during odd hours.
Private ambulances minting money taking benefit of bereaved families compulsion
"A crew was treating a woman in the back of an ambulance when a man attacked the vehicle," he said.
Medics in help SOS as vehicle attacked
The Nation established from the Health department that only two ambulances are working while the rest are grounded in different garages and parking lots in the county referral hospital.This, according to health workers, hampers emergency services in the county.
Nyeri's grounded ambulances hurt emergency health services
Godfread in late January was nominated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to serve as the state insurance regulator on the national Air Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee.
North Dakota Insurance Department Appeals Court Ruling on Air Ambulance Balance Bills
The ambulances are included in the president's and prime minister's convoys for the airport.
BBH's life support ambulances being used in VIP convoys
Called the Ford Transit Ambulance, the vehicles which have been specially developed for DCAS have a semi-solar powered system that recharges the battery.
Semi-solar powered transit ambulances in Dubai
Purchase of ambulance vehicles was financed from the Bishkek budget.
Bishkek mayorAEs office hands over 6 ambulance vehicles to Emergency Health Care Center
Within seconds he became unconscious and we immediately arranged an ambulance and put him in.
Smooth flow of well-equipped Ambulance Service on roads can save many precious lives
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has come about as a national effort to effectively respond to disasters following the 2001 stadium disaster.
Tackling ambulance scarcity must not be piece meal
THE Welsh Ambulance Service is set to replace 100 ambulances and other passenger transport vehicles with new, more efficient and greener vehicles.
100 new vehicles for Welsh Ambulance Service
The Ambulance Service has 85 'spokes' around Qatar.
HMC Ambulance Service starts new 'spoke' in Sealine
Due to shortage of ambulances across the country, the Senete and Changate health posts are currently serviced by one ambulance from Nkange Clinic, says Dr Alfred Madigele.
Ambulance services Senete, Changate