| Did you know that here are companies that offer | | | | one of these ads more often than not your call will |
| prewritten and pre-shot TV commercials for personal | | | | be routed to a call center where operators answer |
| injury attorneys? You've probably seen one of these | | | | the calls. Or to an out-of-state law office that then |
| canned ads. Sometimes a famous actor is used (such | | | | hands off your case to one of its in-state associates. |
| as William Shatner or Eric Estrada or someone who | | | | In either scenario the attorney that you actually end |
| plays a lawyer on a popular TV show). Other times | | | | up speaking with may or may not have the skills and |
| an attractive man or woman is shown speaking | | | | experience that you need. Your call is being routed to |
| behind a desk, standing in front of a shelf full of law | | | | the next attorney in line, so to speak. |
| books. or holding a legal book, standing in a | | | | The next in line is an attorney who has paid a fee to |
| courtroom, or doing something else to make them | | | | be a part of the network. Any attorney with enough |
| look like a lawyer. Attorneys can buy these ads and | | | | money can pay to be on the list, including attorneys |
| then have their name, phone number and web | | | | who have never tried a case in court. Many times the |
| address inserted into the ad. | | | | attorney who has paid the fee is not necessarily the |
| The ads usually go something like--If you've been in | | | | best lawyer for your case. |
| an accident, get the money you deserve. Speak to | | | | I'm not saying that all attorneys who use TV |
| an attorney for free. Call 1-800-XXXXXXX. The ads | | | | advertising are inexperienced or that all attorney ads |
| are running all over the US in large cities and small | | | | are routed in this way. Do your home work to figure |
| towns. | | | | out the difference and find the right attorney for |
| They often target specific types of cases such as | | | | your case. Search the web, read articles, visit |
| car accidents, asbestos, medical malpractice, | | | | websites, watch videos, talk to friends, and visit |
| workmens compensation, trucking accidents, divorce, | | | | more than one attorney's office before you make |
| family law, etc. | | | | your final decision. You should not rely on TV |
| What you need to know is that if you respond to | | | | advertising alone when choosing a lawyer. |