Ponce Law

What Compensation Is Available for Auto Accident Victims?

After suffering a crash-related injury, most victims have two priorities: getting better and getting compensation. In addition to being stressful, auto accidents also have the potential to cause serious and disabling injuries. The costs of auto accidents can be overwhelming. When crashes are caused by someone else’s negligence, victims can pursue compensation to cover some or all of their accident-related expenses.

Compensation that victims can recover includes:

• Medical bills – Medical costs after a crash start adding up immediately, especially if victims are transported to the hospital in ambulances. From there, costs may skyrocket due to surgical procedures, overnight stays in the hospital, physical rehabilitation, and more.
• Lost wages – When victims are too hurt to work, they lose the paychecks they and their loved ones depend on. Serious injuries may even be permanently disabling, making it impossible for victims to return to work.
• Property damage – When your vehicle is damaged in a crash with a careless driver, you deserve compensation for any repair bills you have encountered.
• Pain and suffering – Auto accidents are just as traumatic as they are painful. The mental, emotional, and physical toll of a crash can be too much for many victims to bear, resulting in a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to enjoy their favorite activities.

These are just a few of the costs someone might face after being involved in a serious crash. If you have been injured in an auto accident, you should always consider your legal options to be sure you are getting the compensation you are entitled to.

The Nashville auto accident attorneys at Ponce Law know how disruptive car crashes can be to the lives of victims and their loved ones. That’s why we do everything in our power to get them maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help your family. Put our team’s experience to work on your behalf.

3 Common Snags During Auto Accident Claims

As much as we’d like all auto accident claims to be simple and easily solved, few are. Every auto accident is unique, as are the stories and lives of each injured victim. However, at Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys have many years of experience building successful claims for innocent car accident victims, and that experience means we’ve encountered many of the potential snags and pitfalls that victims may face along the way.

Three common roadblocks include:

1. Pre-existing injuries—Insurance companies love to claim accident-related injuries are pre-existing. And sometimes, victims do have pre-existing injuries that are worsened by crashes. When that happens, we collect and compare medical records from the initial injury and the accident-related injury to prove that it was worsened or aggravated by the crash.
2. Partial fault—Not all crashes can be pinned exclusively on one driver. In many cases, two or more drivers are at fault, including victims. Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence system means that victims can recover a percentage of settlements, as long as they aren’t 51% or more responsible for their crashes.
3. Insurance company refuses to pay—Insurance companies don’t like paying settlements to victims, but they also don’t like dragging things out if they don’t think they can avoid paying. That’s why many claims settle out of court. But sometimes, insurance companies refuse to pay for a myriad of reasons, and when that happens, we don’t hesitate to escalate our client’s claims to trial.

As auto accident lawyers, it’s our job to be ready for any and all snags, from the day our clients contact us until the day they get their checks. Trust our experience and track record of success—your claim will be in good hands. Call today for a free consultation.

What Should You Do if You Witness an Auto Accident?

At Ponce Law, it’s our goal to help injured victims any way we can, whether it’s by helping them make the right decisions after their crashes or by building their compensation claims. But we know we’re not the only ones who want to lend a helping hand. Good Samaritans are everywhere, and people stopping to lend assistance after car accidents is common. If you want to help out after a crash, it’s important to know what to do—and what not to do—to be most effective.

After witnessing a crash, you should:

• Call 911—Calling 911 should be your first priority. Don’t assume someone else has already called, especially if you just watched the crash occur. Give the dispatcher plenty of information, including where the crash occurred and how many vehicles are involved.
• Give victims water, blankets, or other comforting items—Auto accident victims are often in shock. Helping make them more comfortable until emergency personnel arrive is always appreciated.

After witnessing a crash, you shouldn’t:

• Cross a busy street to reach victims—Too often, Good Samaritans put themselves in danger by crossing busy highways or even interstates to reach victims—and some end up getting seriously injured or even killed in the process.
• Move victims—Never move victims after crashes, especially if they’re unconscious. Moving victims who have suffered neck or spine injuries can put them at risk of serious complications and should only be done by trained professionals.

If you or someone you love are the one hurt in a crash, your biggest priorities should be getting medical attention and calling an experienced Nashville auto accident lawyer. And at Ponce Law, we’re ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Information Should You Get at the Accident Scene?

The aftermath of an auto accident can feel like a blur. Crashes are loud, painful, and traumatic, and it can be difficult to think straight immediately afterward—especially if you’ve been injured. But if you’re capable of doing so, there are a few things you should do when you’re still at the accident scene to help improve your chances of getting compensation.

In addition to calling 911 and waiting for police and emergency responders to arrive, you should also do your best to collect vital information related to the crash. That information includes:

• The other driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information—Getting the other driver’s information is essential for your claim. Get their name, phone number, email, and their insurance details before you leave the scene. When speaking to the other driver, never admit fault for the crash or apologize, which could also be seen as admitting fault to the insurance company.
• Witnesses’ names and contact information—Anyone who saw the crash occur can provide a valuable testimony of the events leading up to impact, which can help prove that you weren’t liable for the accident. Getting full contact information from witnesses can create important evidence for your claim.
• Responding officer’s name, badge number, and police report number—In Tennessee, all auto accidents involving injuries or property damage must be reported to police so that they can properly document them. When the officer arrives, getting the information listed above can help you more easily track down the accident report when your claim is being built.

In addition to following these steps, it’s also vital to contact an experienced Nashville car accident lawyer at Ponce Law. We’re able to help you get the money you deserve, and we’re ready to start today.

Injured as a Passenger in Someone Else’s Car? You Can Get Compensation.

Many people associate auto accident claims with crashes that occur while they’re driving. But if you get hurt while riding with someone else, whether the crash was caused by them or another motorist, you can still pursue damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys help injured victims get the money they deserve when they get hurt through no fault of their own. Being involved in a crash as a passenger can be a helpless feeling, but it’s no different than being injured in a collision when you are driving. Someone acted negligently, whether it was the driver sitting next to you or the driver in the other vehicle, and you deserve compensation for their mistake.

We know that some people are hesitant to file compensation claims after accidents when they were riding as passengers, especially if the driver who caused the crash is a friend, family member, or co-worker. However, it’s important to remember that compensation claims rarely affect the liable parties directly. Instead, they’re aimed at recovering damages from their insurance policies.

Don’t miss out on your chance to get compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering after a crash that wasn’t your fault. Tennessee requires drivers to carry auto insurance for situations such as this, and failing to file a claim means failing to take advantage of a solution to your post auto-accident-related expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation of your claim—we’re ready to help.

What Compensation Can You Get After a Crash that Wasn’t Your Fault?

If you were recently hurt in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have one thing on your mind: getting better. But as time goes on, a second priority will emerge: finding a way to keep yourself and your loved one’s financially afloat. That’s because the aftermath of auto accidents is often extremely expensive, and your injuries may prevent you from working and earning a paycheck.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville car accident attorneys have helped many people just like you recover compensation after crashes that weren’t their fault. Three common types of compensation you may be eligible for include:

1. Medical bills—Auto accident-related medical bills start racking up as soon as you call an ambulance or enter the emergency room. From there, they can spiral out of control, especially if your injuries are serious. Our team will fight to get you paid for your bills.
2. Lost wages—When you’re injured, you may be physically or psychologically unable to work for weeks, months, or even years. That means no paychecks and a derailed career. Our attorneys know how devastating disabling injuries can be, and we’ll work hard to get you compensation.
3. Pain and suffering—It’s common for car accident victims to develop psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder after crashes. These symptoms can interfere with quality of life, and we believe they deserve compensation.

You’ve gone through enough already. The last thing you need is for your family to experience financial hardship because of a crash that wasn’t your fault. Call us today for a free consultation.

3 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of an Accident

At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers are here to help people who have been hurt in crashes that weren’t their fault. But even clients who we help win big settlements would prefer to have avoided their crashes in the first place. Auto accidents are painful and traumatic, and it’s every driver’s job to do everything in their power to reduce the risks they pose to themselves and to others to prevent accidents.

To stay safe on the roadways during the rest of 2019 and into 2020, do your best to follow these tips:

1. Don’t speed—Exceeding the speed limit is dangerous because it makes it easier to lose control of your vehicle, increases the time it takes you to come to a stop, and increases the risk of injuries if you’re involved in an accident. Driving at or below the speed limit improves your safety and means no expensive speeding tickets.
2. Don’t drive while impaired—Avoiding impaired driving means many things. In addition to never getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, it also means never driving under the influence of certain prescription or over-the-counter medications. In addition, you should also avoid driving if you’re exhausted or sleep deprived.
3. Don’t become distracted—Distracted driving is a growing safety epidemic in the U.S., with smartphones leading the charge. Since July 1, 2019, it’s illegal to hold your phone while driving in TN. However, any smartphone use can be distracting, even with hands-free devices. If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over.

If you’re involved in a crash that was caused by a negligent driver, we want to help you get the money you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.

What Happens if You’re Partially at Fault for an Auto Accident?

Tennessee is an “at-fault” state. This means that after an auto accident, the driver who is ruled to be responsible for the crash is considered liable for the victims’ injuries. Those expenses are typically paid via the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. However, it is not always clear that one party is 100% at-fault and other party is 100% innocent.

To account for those types of crashes, Tennessee uses a modified comparative negligence system. It means that injured victims who are up to 50% responsible for an accident can still pursue compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related expenses. However, if they’re found to be 51% responsible or more, they’re unable to pursue any compensation whatsoever.

In addition, the percentage that a driver is ruled to be responsible for a crash affects how much they can get. If an injured driver is awarded $30,000 for their injuries and expenses, but they were found to be 10% responsible for the crash, their payment would be reduced by 10% ($3,000) and they would receive $27,000.

Tennessee’s at-fault system and modified comparative negligence process mean that many auto accident victims are still eligible to file compensation claims, even if they were partially at-fault for their crashes or share blame equally with other drivers. That’s why it’s so important to contact an experienced Nashville auto accident lawyer after a crash.

Don’t wait to get the dedicated legal representation you deserve after an accident. Get Ponce Law on your side today by calling or filling out a free online form.

3 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Although the official start of winter is still a few weeks away, cold temperatures have already settled into the Middle Tennessee area. That means the risk of ice and snow on roadways throughout Nashville and the surrounding cities is already here. Inclement winter weather is a significant risk factor for crashes, especially when drivers aren’t prepared for it.

To reduce your risks on the road in the weeks leading up to winter and throughout the season, be sure to follow these tips:

1. Check weather forecasts before leaving home—The best way to avoid a winter weather crash is to stay off the roads altogether. Although TDOT trucks and employees work hard to de-ice highways and interstates, there’s only so much they can do to make roads safe. If the forecast calls for freezing temperatures and precipitation, stay home whenever possible.
2. Pull over if road conditions become dangerous—Road conditions can change in a flash, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. All it takes is a small amount of rainfall for roads to become icy. If you’re driving and notice the road has become icy, or that you’re losing control of your vehicle, pull over immediately.
3. Pack your car with a winter weather emergency kit—Driving during the winter means you run the risk of becoming stranded or stuck in a prolonged traffic jam. Having a few essential items in your vehicle, including a phone charger, non-perishable food, blankets, and water can help you stay more comfortable while you wait for help to arrive or for roads to clear.

As always, if you get injured in a winter weather driving accident that wasn’t your fault, the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Ponce Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Awardees of Our Thank a Veteran Tribute Are…

Thank you to everyone who honored a Tennessee veteran in our Thank a Veteran Tribute.

The drawing is complete, and the awardees are:

Angela Price (Coast Guard, 12 years of service) – $500 prize

Oscar Talley (Marine Corps, 20 years of service) – $500 prize

Michael Crockett (Air Force, 22 years of service) – $500 prize

Willard Ratliff (Army, 3 years of service) – $500 prize

Congratulations to all of the awardees!

At Ponce Law, we love honoring and giving back to veterans any way we can—and we’re proud to give back this Veterans Month by awarding these veterans!