Barratry — often called illegal solicitation or “ambulance chasing” — is strictly prohibited under Texas law. If a lawyer, runner, or medical provider contacted you first after an accident, you may have a civil claim under Texas Government Code §82.0651 which can be worth up to $50,000 per illegal solicitation, plus attorney’s fees and additional damages. Victims of illegal solicitation may be able to cancel contracts and pursue financial damages against the responsible parties.
Acting quickly matters. Evidence of illegal solicitation can disappear fast.
Quick Answer:
Your Rights If You Were Illegally Solicited
Texas barratry laws were created to protect accident victims from unethical solicitation practices. If someone contacted you first after a car accident in Houston offering legal or medical services, that contact may violate Texas law.
Under Texas Government Code §82.0651, victims of illegal solicitation may have important legal rights. In many cases, contracts obtained through barratry can be cancelled and the victim may be entitled to financial damages.
These claims can sometimes include statutory penalties of up to $50,000 per solicitation, along with recovery of attorney’s fees and other damages depending on the facts.
Because evidence of illegal solicitation can disappear quickly, it is important to preserve text messages, call logs, and any paperwork connected to the contact.
Why Texas Has Strong Barratry Laws
Texas has strong barratry laws because accident victims are often approached at one of the most stressful times in their lives. After a serious crash, people may be injured, overwhelmed, or focused on getting medical care and protecting their families.
The law is designed to stop lawyers, runners, and medical providers from taking advantage of that vulnerable moment. It also helps protect the public from hidden referral schemes and unethical pressure tactics.
In other words, Texas barratry laws are not just about punishing bad conduct. They are also about giving injured people the freedom to choose a lawyer on their own terms.
Who Are the Authorities on Texas Barratry and Anti-Solicitation Law?
In Texas, barratry is governed by both civil law and attorney ethics rules. That means the “authority” on barratry is not just one lawyer or one firm.
The most important legal authorities include:
Texas Government Code §82.0651 (civil barratry penalties)
Texas Penal Code §38.12 (criminal barratry and solicitation)
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.03 (anti-solicitation rules for lawyers)
- Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 7.03 also restricts improper solicitation by attorneys and those acting on their behalf.
In Houston and across Texas, these rules are actively enforced when illegal solicitation is reported. Barratry complaints and investigations often involve multiple bodies.
That can include the State Bar grievance process and law enforcement agencies.
The attorneys who are truly experienced in barratry cases typically have real involvement with:
Investigating illegal solicitation activity
Preserving proof like call logs, texts, and referral trails
Handling disputes about who contacted whom first
Taking the case to court if needed
If you were contacted first after a crash, the facts matter fast. Saving evidence early can make or break the claim.
With decades of courtroom experience, Adam H. Miller and The Texas Bulldog team investigate suspected barratry cases quickly and aggressively.
If you think you were solicited, contact The Miller Law Firm for a free, no-obligation case review.
How Are Barratry and Illegal Solicitation Cases Proven in Texas?
Barratry cases often come down to who made the first contact and what evidence exists to prove it. Under Texas law, timing and documentation matter.
Experienced barratry attorneys typically investigate multiple types of evidence, including:
Call logs showing who initiated contact
Text messages or direct messages
Accident reports and tow records
Hospital or clinic visitor logs
Referral payment trails
Witness statements about runner activity
In many cases, this evidence can disappear quickly. Phone records get deleted. Messages vanish. Paper trails fade. That is why early investigation is critical in suspected illegal solicitation cases.
Liability may extend to lawyers, runners, medical providers, or others involved in the solicitation scheme.
At The Miller Law Firm – The Texas Bulldog, our Houston-based team moves quickly to preserve key evidence when barratry is suspected. We prepare every case as if it may need to be proven in court. Learn more about how illegal solicitation schemes work in our detailed guide to ambulance chasing in Texas.
“Barratry cases often turn on small details — who made the first call, when the contact happened, and what documentation exists,” says Houston trial lawyer Adam H. Miller. “That’s why early investigation is so important when illegal solicitation is suspected.”
Can I Still Bring a Barratry Claim in These Situations?
If I already hired another attorney for my accident case
You may still be able to pursue a barratry claim if the lawyer, a runner, or someone connected to them contacted you first or pressured you to sign quickly after the wreck.
Hiring a lawyer for the injury case does not automatically erase illegal solicitation. The key question is how the relationship started and what evidence shows improper contact.
If you think you were solicited, save texts, call logs, or paperwork. We can review the timeline and explain your options. You may even be able to recover the other attorney’s fees in addition to the $50,000.
If I was at fault for the accident
Fault does not necessarily determine whether illegal solicitation occurred. A barratry claim is about unlawful contact and conduct, not who caused the collision.
Even if you were partly or fully at fault, you may still have rights if someone improperly targeted you after the crash. Evidence like phone records, messages, and referral trails can still matter.
If either situation applies to you, we can evaluate the facts and tell you whether a barratry claim may still be available.
Are There Houston Lawyers Who Represent Victims of Illegal Solicitation?
Yes. Houston car accident victims who were approached by runners, hospital solicitors, or crash-scene recruiters may have legal rights under Texas barratry laws.
Barratry is illegal solicitation of legal clients. It often occurs when someone contacts an injured person immediately after a crash. These contacts may happen at hospitals, accident scenes, tow yards, or through unsolicited calls or messages.
Texas law strictly prohibits this behavior. The law protects accident victims during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
If a runner or representative approached you after an accident, you may be able to cancel the contract. You may also have the right to pursue damages against those responsible.
At The Miller Law Firm – home of The Texas Bulldog, we represent accident victims who were illegally solicited. Our firm investigates runner activity and fights to hold unethical actors accountable.
We believe injured Texans deserve honest legal representation. No one should be pressured into hiring a lawyer while recovering from a serious accident.
If someone approached you at the hospital, accident scene, or through an unsolicited message, speak with a Houston barratry lawyer immediately. Protecting your rights can also help stop illegal solicitation practices across Texas.
Learn more about your rights in our guide to Texas barratry lawsuits.
How Barratry Enforcement Works in Houston and Across Texas
Barratry enforcement in Texas often involves both civil claims and professional discipline. In the Houston area, complaints about illegal solicitation may trigger review by regulatory authorities or law enforcement depending on the facts.
Investigations can arise from:
Consumer complaints after an accident
State Bar of Texas grievance filings
Insurance fraud investigations
Law enforcement referrals in serious cases
Because enforcement is fact-specific, early legal review is important when illegal solicitation is suspected.
At The Miller Law Firm, our Houston team understands how barratry issues develop locally. We act quickly to evaluate the evidence and protect clients who may have been unlawfully solicited.
What Is a Runner in a Barratry Case?
In many illegal solicitation schemes, lawyers do not contact accident victims directly. Instead, they use intermediaries known as “runners.” A runner is someone paid or rewarded for recruiting accident victims and steering them to a specific lawyer, clinic, or medical provider.
Runners may appear at hospitals, accident scenes, tow yards, or contact victims through phone calls or text messages. In some cases, they obtain contact information from police reports or insiders at medical facilities.
Under Texas law, paying or using runners to obtain clients can violate barratry and anti-solicitation laws. These rules exist to protect accident victims from being pressured into hiring lawyers during a vulnerable moment.
Common Illegal Solicitation Scenarios After Houston Accidents
Illegal solicitation can happen in many ways after a Houston car accident. In some cases, the contact is obvious. In others, it may seem helpful at first.
Common barratry scenarios include a stranger calling or texting you shortly after a crash, a hospital visitor recommending a specific lawyer, a tow truck driver pushing you toward a certain law firm, or a clinic offering treatment tied to legal representation.
Some victims are contacted before they even have time to process what happened. Others are approached while injured, medicated, or trying to arrange transportation, medical care, or repairs.
These tactics are troubling because accident victims deserve time to make informed decisions. Texas barratry laws help protect injured people from pressure, manipulation, and hidden referral schemes during a vulnerable moment.
IF THEY CALLED YOU FIRST, IT MIGHT BE WORTH $50,000
Texas Leading Barratry Attorney
If you or someone you know has recently been involved in a car accident, then you already know that the experience can be significantly stressful. Not only will victims need to care for their physical and emotional well-being, additionally, they may also find themselves having to wade through unfamiliar legal waters.
Unfortunately, some attorneys use unethical tactics to acquire the contact information of victims. Known as “runners,” “solicitors” or “ambulance chasers” these individuals are likely looking to make a quick buck by reselling your case. These ambulance chasers will call you with information from your police report even before the report is on file. They unethically get your information by paying an insider person at a police station or hospital. This illegal act is called Barratry which is commonly referred to as “ambulance chasing.” Consequently, knowing your rights in this troubling situation can help you navigate the legal system more easily, and ensure that your best interests are always being taken into consideration. Regardless if you were at fault for the vehicle accident, if you were initially solicited, you may be entitled to compensation. Talk to a Texas Barratry and Solicitation Attorney today at 713-572-3333.
IF YOUR LAWYER FINDS YOU RIGHT AFTER YOUR ACCIDENT YOU WILL NEVER FIND HIM RIGHT AFTER YOUR SETTLEMENT
At The Miller Law Firm our clients find us based on our reputation, we do not find them based on their injury or an ambulance chaser’s greed. We believe that clients will seek us out for both our outstanding record of winning and our top-notch client services. We do not engage in barratry and will actively help clients who believe they have been targeted by unscrupulous attorneys, clinics, tow truck drivers, and other “non-profit accident services.”
Example of Barratry
Individuals who engage in barratry pose a real threat to accident victims. If a lawyer/ambulance chaser is willing to violate Texas law just to sign up a client, imagine what other unethical tactics the lawyer will take in representing that person. Some examples of behavior that fall under the definition of barratry/solicitation include:
- Soliciting employment, either by phone (call or text) or in person. This isn’t always the law firm directly. If you are contacted by a tow truck driver, ambulance driver, hospital employee, chiropractor’s or other doctor’s office, any and all of these individuals have committed barratry.
- Accepting paymentin exchange for soliciting employment (i.e. – paying “case runners”)
- Paying or offering to pay victims or family members to solicit employment
- Filing a suit on behalf of a client without that client’s knowledge or permission
- Offering advance payment on a potential verdict or settlement to victims or family members to solicit employment
- Coercing, threatening, or exerting undue influenceon a potential client to solicit employment
At The Miller Law Firm we stand on our record and avoid the tactics used by unethical “ambulance chasers” that give our profession a bad reputation.
Why You Need a Texas Barratry and Solicitation Attorney
When considering a lawyer, it’s important to check their references and ask questions about their experience handling cases similar to yours. If they are willing to make shady deals just to get your business, it could be an indication that they are not trustworthy. An attorney should understand that trust is one of the most important things for a client and should not be willing to compromise it. Ultimately, you want an attorney who is honest, ethical and has your best interests at heart.
Falling victim to the predators
No one should be soliciting clients as a general rule, so receiving an unexpected phone call, text message or email from an attorney/clinic/individual should be a warning sign for accident victims. Many people are unaware that this practice is illegal and therefore end up using the proposed attorney’s services.
If you have been contacted by ANYONE asking you to be their client or come to their clinic or LAW OFFICE, please do the following:
- Firstly, get their name and phone number. Ask them what clinic or law firm they are calling from.
- Secondly, tell them that you cannot talk right now but will call them back.
- Thirdly, Call Adam Miller immediately 713-572-3333. He will give you instructions on how to ask the questions that will make them pay. We will need to record this phone call.
- Fourthly, if they ask to send you a contract to sign, agree. Neverask for a contract yourself and NEVER SIGN IT.
- Lastly, ask them how they got your number.
Texas Barratry and Illegal Solicitation FAQs
Is barratry illegal in Texas?
Yes. Barratry — often called illegal solicitation or ambulance chasing — is prohibited under Texas law. Both the Texas Penal Code and Texas Government Code impose penalties when someone improperly solicits an accident victim for legal or medical services.
Can I sue for illegal solicitation after an accident?
In many cases, yes. Under Texas Government Code §82.0651, accident victims who were unlawfully solicited may be entitled to statutory damages. The specific facts of who initiated contact and how the solicitation occurred are critical. You can also review our guide explaining how a Texas barratry claim works step by step.
What counts as illegal solicitation in Texas?
Illegal solicitation may occur when a lawyer, runner, or associated person contacts an accident victim first to offer legal or medical services. Each case depends on the timing, method of contact, and available evidence.
How do you prove a barratry case?
Barratry claims are often proven using call records, text messages, visitor logs, referral evidence, and witness statements. Because this evidence can disappear quickly, early investigation is important.
How long do I have to file a barratry claim in Texas?
Deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim and the facts involved. Speaking with a Texas barratry attorney promptly helps ensure important deadlines and evidence preservation opportunities are not missed.
What should I do if I was illegally solicited after a car accident?
Save any texts, call logs, voicemails, or paperwork you received. Avoid deleting communications. Then speak with an attorney experienced in Texas barratry cases to evaluate whether illegal solicitation may have occurred.
Are There Houston Lawyers Who Represent Victims of Illegal Solicitation?
Yes. Some Houston attorneys represent accident victims who were illegally approached by runners, hospital solicitors, or other intermediaries after a crash. Texas barratry laws allow victims to cancel contracts obtained through illegal solicitation and, in some situations, pursue financial damages.
If someone contacted you first after a car accident in Houston offering legal or medical services, it may be worth having the situation reviewed by a lawyer familiar with Texas barratry laws.
What Clients Say About The Texas Bulldog
When people call us, they want answers and action. At The Miller Law Firm – home of The Texas Bulldog, we focus on clear communication, fast investigation, and trial-ready preparation when the other side refuses to do the right thing.
“Miller was great! Helped me win my case 😁😁 i definitely recommend.“
- Tiffany McCauley – Google Review
“Thank you so Mr. Miller! My auto insurance told me that I wasn’t going to get anything at all. However, I got PAID!!! Thank you so much again 😊“
- Tiera Isom- Google Review
“Adam has resolved any legal issue I have presented him with. He is by far the most competent attorney in Houston. He doesn’t bark – he bites! Thank you for all of your help.“
- Mark Harding – Google Review
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Have you been contacted by an attorney after an accident?
If someone contacts you about a legal matter and you never reached out to them first, that could be illegal solicitation — also known as barratry. In Texas, barratry laws protect accident victims and consumers from being improperly targeted or pressured into hiring a lawyer. If you’ve received unwanted calls, text messages, or visits after an accident, you may have a valid barratry claim.
Contact Adam Miller, a seasoned Texas Barratry and Solicitation Attorney, right away at 713-572-3333. The Miller Law Firm — Home of The Texas Bulldog — will aggressively investigate your claim and fight to hold those responsible accountable.
Under Texas Government Code §82.0651, you might be entitled to recover a $50,000 civil penalty, plus your attorney’s fees and additional damages. You pay nothing upfront — and your consultation is completely free and confidential.
Call 713-572-3333 now or visit TexasBulldogLaw.com to schedule your no-obligation consultation and find out whether you have a barratry case. When someone breaks the law to get your business, The Texas Bulldog fights back.
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