Washington, D.C. — Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a 501(c)(4) national advocacy and educational organization dedicated to defending plaintiffs, victims, and consumers’ access to a fair and transparent legal process, today released a new national survey of adults who were involved in a car crash and hired a personal injury lawyer (PIL) within the last three years.
Conducted in November 2025 by Public Opinion Strategies (POS), the survey reveals that many crash victims who retained a personal injury lawyer encountered an aggressive, coordinated system that often prioritized the attorney’s interests over the client’s. Key findings and a presentation can be found here. PACT unveiled a new explainer video discussing the survey findings, available to watch here.
These findings reinforce PACT’s existing research showing that PIL practices can leave clients in greater pain and deeper debt after their accidents—despite attorneys’ assurances of medical support and large financial recoveries.
“Many victims who hired a personal injury attorney after a crash find that aggressive, immediate outreach is routine and often accompanied by ‘free’ claims and value offers that strongly influence hiring choices. Respondents describe attorneys exerting substantial control over medical decisions like selecting providers, steering treatment plans, and urging continued care, while also initiating financing agreements like medical liens or lawsuit advances,” wrote Public Opinion Strategies in their polling memo to PACT.
“Many felt rushed into signing and came away believing the process serves attorneys more than clients, citing misaligned incentives, constant pressure, drawn-out timelines, unexpected costs, and a loss of control over their own care,” they continued.
“This survey makes it clear that innocent crash victims are often subject to a legal system that fails to treat them with dignity or deliver the justice they deserve,” said Lauren Zelt, Executive Director of PACT. “Standing up for victims of lawsuit abuse is central to PACT’s mission, and we are committed to advancing a system that treats all plaintiffs with respect—free from predatory tactics and aggressive solicitation.”
Note: Zelt further discusses the survey results in a new video found here.
Note: A copy of the polling memo can be read here.
Note: A poll presentation can be read here.
Note: Further information can be found on a dedicated section of PACT’s website here.
Poll Highlights:
After an accident, aggressive attorney solicitation is the norm:
- A full 92% report an attorney reaching out to them after their accident including 57% who say more than one reached out.
- Nearly all (94%) who were contacted by an attorney say they were contacted within one week of their accident, including 38% who were contacted within 24 hours.
- Contact spans multiple channels, with phone calls (87%), emails (38%), and text messages (28%) as the most common methods.
Costly financing arrangements are pushed by attorneys:
- Half of respondents took on a medical lien or a lawsuit/settlement advance or loan, with nearly seven-in-ten (68%) who did so saying the attorney or someone from their office first suggested or arranged it.
Promises of “free” services and value offers cloud hiring decision-making:
- Nearly half (46%) were promised their legal service would be free of charge.
- Of those who were promised that the service would be free of charge, nearly all (96%) said this promise was very or somewhat important for their decision to hire an attorney in the first place.
- More than a third (36%) report receiving offers of value tied to choosing a lawyer, citing rental cars, cash or gift cards, free medical consultations, and waived towing/storage fees.
Attorneys are not just involved in the medical treatment plan; they are directing it for their clients:
- Respondents said their attorneys were involved in their medical treatment plan, including paying medical bills (40%), choosing doctors (35%) and what types of specialists to see (37%), and scheduling appointments (23%).
- About 75% say their attorney referred them to specific doctors and clinics.
- One-in-five respondents were told NOT to use their health insurance for treatment, and nearly one-in-three (32%) felt pressured to continue treatment longer than needed.
The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies among 400 car crash victims nationally between November 10 and 17, 2025. The survey has a confidence interval of +/- 5.59%.
The memo can be found here.
The survey findings can be found here.
Note: For interviews to discuss the polling results, please email laurenzelt@protectingamericanconsumers.org