an 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.

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.
See also:
  • chaser
  • ambulance
  • ambulance chaser
  • saltine
  • foundry
  • nut factory
  • nut-foundry
  • nuthatch
  • nuthouse
References in periodicals archive
In The Rainmaker (1995), University of Memphis law student Rudy Baylor had his only job offer rescinded just before graduation, leaving him no choice but to work as an ambulance chaser. And in The Associate (2009), Kyle McAvoy, a Yale University law student, was blackmailed into stealing confidential information.
The Rooster Bar
Like an ambulance chaser, SL would always rush to the scene of every mishap-
Messy hunk turns off coworkers
Melican) is running around town like an ambulance chaser trying to get other vendors worked up."
Team honcho cries foul over claims of debt
After eight hours of medical jargon, medical consultants (a hired gun at four thousand dollars per day), a timid plaintiff, and stern sparring between an ambulance chaser and an insurer's company man, I was sent to a room where I and 11 fellow county members fired out dollar amounts in dismissive tones.
Sue me
"These people went to an ambulance chaser for an attorney, and as though they were filling out a form to get the maximum amount of money they could, checked off every box possible.
Larry King sued for over 50,000 dlrs for car accident
Overestimate the optimum angle of lean and you can end up flat on your back, your cranium smacked against a solid object and an ambulance chaser urging you to sign a claim against the chair manufacturer.
that's typical
However, instead of an ambulance chaser, Adam is good with the horses and kind to people.
Wild Horses
Back on the wards at St Margaret's, Anji solves a medical mystery and Beth plays a mischievous game with an ambulance chaser.
TERRESTRIAL PICK OF THE DAY
Probably about as much as they understood the difference between my mom and an ambulance chaser.
Shoptalk
Len Murray, whose high- profile cases included Nazi war criminal Anton Gecas and Paul McCartney on a drugs rap, accuses Joe Beltrami of being a pompous publicity seeker and an ambulance chaser.
BRIEF ENCOUNTER; Scotland's two top lawyers feud over books