What you should know if you have been in an automobile accident:

Every insurance company has a team of investigators, adjusters and attorneys who are employed by the insurance company to minimize the liability to the insurance carrier. It is not the job of the insurance company to provide you with information regarding your legal rights or to provide you with any monetary compensation that you have not proven. Indeed, it is a job of the insurance adjuster to investigate claims and to search for possible ways to deny liability or reduce the value of your claim. An experienced trial attorney can help level the playing field and ensure that you receive all of the compensation which you are entitled to, including compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, dismemberment or disfigurement, permanent or temporary disability, wrongful death, scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, interference with marital and/or personal relationships and loss of earning potential.

What to do if you have been involved in an automobile accident:

1. Remain calm and do not panic.
   
   
2. Do not leave the scene. Tennessee law imposes criminal penalties for leaving the scene of an automobile accident. You should remain at the scene even if you are a passenger.
   
   
3. Determine if the accident resulted in any injuries. If anyone was injured call an ambulance. Some minor accidents may not result in injuries. However, when in doubt call an ambulance. This can be accomplished by calling 911.
   
   
4. If you are sure that no one was injured the police should be called using the non-emergency number. Inside Davidson county Tennessee the number for the police is (862-8600). The dispatcher will send a police officer to the scene of the accident to investigate the accident and to prepare an accident report. Unless you are transported from the scene by ambulance, wait for the police officer to arrive and complete his investigation before you leave the scene.
   
   
5. When possible you should avoid moving the vehicles and accident debris until the police arrive. The position of the vehicles and accident debris can be crucial in the police officers investigation.
   
   
6. If you are injured make sure that you tell the police office.
   
   
7. If you are able, try to note the names, addresses and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the accident, and exchange insurance information with the other driver.
   
   
8. If you were not at fault in the automobile crash and if you were injured you should contact an attorney soon after the accident. Only a licensed attorney can give you legal advice. Additionally an attorney can help to ensure that you are compensated for the injuries that you sustained. Your attorney can work with you to prove how your accident occurred and what injures you sustained. Under Tennessee Law you may be entitled to compensation for the injures and damages that you sustained including compensation for damage to your car, car rental expenses, towing and storage cost, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
   
   
9. Call for a free claim evaluation (615) 851-1776. At the Law Office of Michael Ponce & Associates, we have years of experience handling such claims, and maximizing the recovery obtained in injury claims. If you think that you may have a claim do not hesitate to call our office. Your call is confidential, and call free. Upon request we can arrange to meet with you at your home or hospital.