ambulance chaser

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
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
  • an ambulance chaser
  • saltine
  • foundry
  • nut factory
  • nut-foundry
  • nuthatch
  • nuthouse
References in periodicals archive
He said that in the maritime scene, ambulance chasers included hospital agents who encourage injured seafarers to sue their companies, and lawyers who conspire with these agents.
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Ambulance chasers in cahoots with crooked arbitrators are having a field day enticing credulous seafarers to file claims against their respective employers.
PHL sailors in turbulent, murky waters
We're all ambulance chasers. There's no sense hiding away from it, this one comes up frequently.
THREE MYTHS OF MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE LAWYERS; ADVERTISING FEATURE
But this stress is massively increased by the lack of respect for our profession due to the reputation of lawyers as "ambulance chasers" who encourage unnecessary litigation and complicate everything in order to make more money.
Women and the Law
While observing National Maritime week on our TV show "AGENDA," I discovered that there was a noticeable drop in the hiring of Filipino seamen because "Ambulance Chasers" or fly by night lawyers have made an industry and lots of profit from filing fraudulent claims for injury, illness or alleged maltreatment by employers.
Not fit to build x3
"On the contrary, an honest self-reflection would inform the learned friends to come back to earth and serve justice, their primary calling, instead of being ambulance chasers obsessed with charging clients astronomical fees." Omtatah, he states, has "earned his fame by identifying a legal vacuum and occupying it through selfless and impartial service for the common good".
THE CUTTING EDGE
I don't get why some ads are deemed sexist and banned, yet we have endless TV adverts for gambling, loans and ambulance chasers. How is this is acceptable?
Tories no empathy; YOUR VOICE
To which I nodded so violently that I was almost able to put a whiplash claim in to Ambulance Chasers Plc.
STRAIGHT OFF THE VINE
Critics believe the Post Office is promoting ambulance chasers whose activities drive up insurance premiums.
PO bosses are rapped over ambulance chasers' posters
Critics believe thePost Officeis promoting ambulance chasers whose activities drive up insurance premiums.
Post Office bosses urged to ban ambulance chaser posters from being displayed in their branches; Posters for no-win, no-fee claims firms have already been banned from NHS hospital waiting rooms
Industry bosses found "ambulance chasers" get hold of data just hours after cars are dropped off.
Crash data hacked for claims con
Lawyers are ambulance chasers. Everyone in the police force eat donuts.
10 reasons friends avoid doing business with you
ANOTHER year starts and so does another "witch hunt" by the ambulance chasers from the legal profession.
Protect our servicemen
Lawyers and ambulance chasers were believed to be making a beeline for New Hampshire to see if they could manufacture a case against the estate of Frederick Trump for compensation for the suffering undergone by his son.
How Donald Trump's father made him suffer