by Benjamin Kuhn | May 28th, 2020
NASHVILLE, TN. – Police have charged a 25-year-old Nashville man with vehicular homicide after an alcohol-related crash killed one and injured five others, including two children.
According to News Channel 5, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday on Haywood Lane. The driver, Robert McMutuary, reportedly crossed the double yellow line and collided with another vehicle head-on.
A passenger in McMutuary’s vehicle, Edward Wilkins, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported McMurtuary, his passenger Derrica Johnson, 29, and two children under the age of five to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Nashville police say that alcohol likely played a factor in the crash. McMurtuary will face criminal charges, including vehicular assault, aggravated child abuse, driving without a license, and failure to show proof of insurance.
The Nashville car accident lawyers of Ponce Law Firm represent those who’ve been hurt due to negligence in our community. We have the skills and resources necessary to help you hold the responsible party accountable. Let us help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve. Our experienced injury attorneys are available 24/7 to take your call. Contact us at (844) 204-6765 or reach out to us online to schedule your free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 27th, 2020
Swimming pools are beginning to reopen in Tennessee as the weather warms up and restrictions loosen concerning COVID-19. Enjoying friends, family, and the outdoors by spending a day at the pool may be just the thing that many Middle Tennesseans need right now, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Pools can be dangerous places, especially for overeager swimmers and children.
In addition to the always-present threat of drowning, pools also put swimmers and sunbathers at risk of other injuries, including:
- Slip and fall injuries—The surfaces near pools should have plenty of traction for all types of footwear, including bare feet. But not all pools have this type of traction, putting people at risk of painful and disabling slips and falls.
- Sharp corners—Ladders, slides, stairs, diving boards, and even plastic pool liners can put swimmers at risk if they feature sharp edges. Pool owners should frequently inspect their pools for areas that can potentially harm swimmers, whether they’re entering, exiting, or swimming.
- Improper chemical balances—Chlorine is an essential chemical to keep pool water safe for swimmers. But too much or too little can put swimmers at risk. When there’s not enough, dangerous bacteria can proliferate, and when there’s too much, swimmers can experience irritation and illness.
These are just a few of the potential dangers lurking in swimming pools. If you’re planning on heading to a pool to kick off the unofficial start of summer soon, it’s important to keep these hazards in mind and keep yourself, your children, and anyone else in your party as safe as possible.
If you suffer a pool-related injury, keep the Nashville swimming pool injury lawyers at Ponce Law in mind. We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 26th, 2020
There are many adjectives people can use to describe their jobs: challenging, rewarding, stressful, difficult, and even life-affirming. But words that should never be used are “dangerous” or “life-threatening.”
Unfortunately, that’s the case for many workers in Middle Tennessee. Dangerous jobs are a necessary part of the economy, but workers in those positions should always have proper training and safety equipment to do their jobs. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen.
When people get hurt on the job, they often can’t come back to work the next day, week, month, or in some cases, year. And when they aren’t working, they aren’t earning paychecks that they desperately need—especially in light of their injuries, which may require medical treatment.
Like all states, Tennessee offers injured employees workers’ compensation benefits, but those benefits are far from guaranteed—even when it’s clear that an injury occurred on the job and due to circumstances out of the injured worker’s control.
Both the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (TBWC) and individual employers can make it difficult for injured workers to get the money they deserve. Employers may deny injuries happened on the clock or on company property, while the TBWC may deny claims based on small oversights.
After an on-the-job injury that puts you out of work and causes you to rack up medical bills, you don’t have the luxury of waiting around for a denial. You need money, and it’s our job to help you get it. Contact Ponce Law’s Nashville workers’ compensation lawyers today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 13th, 2020
Consumer, industrial, and medical products are all around us. They’re in stores and in our homes, we interact with them at work, and we may even need to have them implanted in our bodies when we face certain health problems. And while products can greatly enhance our lives, they can also pose serious risks to our health and well-being, especially when they aren’t manufactured properly.
Product manufacturers want to make profits off of their labor. In some cases, that means rushing their products to market, using cut-rate materials to lower prices, or hiding safety and testing data to prevent their products from being recalled. Doing that can help them ensure they get returns on their investments, but it also puts innocent consumers, employees, and patients at serious risk of injuries and illnesses.
At Ponce Law, we believe that big corporations should be held fully accountable when their negligence and profit-over-safety mentality results in the suffering of innocent people. Our Nashville defective product lawyers aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest companies in the world when it means getting compensation and legal justice for people whose lives were upended due to corporate greed.
Products are supposed to be thoroughly tested and safe for everyone. When they aren’t, the parties that make them should be held liable, and that’s exactly what we strive to do with every case we take on. Contact our experienced legal team today for a free consultation and to find out how we can help.
by Staff Blogger | May 7th, 2020
Due to temporary bans and legal hurdles, there are fewer scooters around Nashville than there were a couple years ago, but they’re still plentiful for people who want to take in the sights or go on a quick jaunt around downtown and other local neighborhoods. Scooters have stirred up controversy since their debut due to the risks they pose to riders. They’re particularly dangerous when drivers fail to pay attention to riders.
What happens to riders who are injured while riding scooters? If it happens to you or a loved one, are you eligible to file a personal injury claim? The answer is yes. Just as you can file an injury claim after being struck by a negligent driver while walking or biking, you can also file a claim after being hit while riding an electronic scooter.
In some cases, riders can even file claims against the manufacturers or operators of the scooters they were riding at the time of their accidents. That’s because scooters must be frequently maintained, repaired, and replaced. When scooters are available for use with damaged components, such as wheels or brakes, riders may face elevated risks.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville electric scooter injury lawyers believe in helping anyone who was injured through no fault of their own on Middle Tennessee’s streets, whether they’re driving their vehicles or riding rented scooters. Contact us today for a free consultation after your scooter injury. It’s our goal to get you the compensation you deserve.
by Staff Blogger | May 4th, 2020
Seeing a stopped police car, highway patrol cruiser, ambulance, fire engine, or rescue vehicle on the side of the road can make you perk up in your seat. Many drivers suddenly become aware of their speed and driving habits, while others may “rubberneck” and take in the citation, crash scene, or other event that’s taking place. But one thing not all drivers do is move over.
In 2006, Tennessee made it illegal for drivers to not change lanes when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights. In 2011, the law was expanded to include utility vehicles. And in 2017, the law expanded a third time to include ALL vehicles with flashing lights, including those driven by ordinary people. Unfortunately, many people still fail to abide by this law, even when approaching emergency vehicles, despite it being on the books for nearly 14 years.
The Move Over Law is designed to protect people who must step outside of their vehicles for work or emergency-related purposes. Emergency responders, utility workers, and people waiting for help after crashes or breakdowns are extremely vulnerable to being struck by oncoming traffic. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly cracking down on drivers who don’t move over, and failing to do so can result in an expensive ticket.
At Ponce Law, we believe that the Move Over Law is essential for making Tennessee’s highways and interstates safer for everyone. Our Nashville auto accident lawyers are here to help anyone who was injured by a negligent driver, whether it was due to not moving over or violating any other traffic law. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | April 27th, 2020
Heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—these are all names for a common condition that almost everyone experiences from time to time. The unpleasant sensation of stomach acid entering the esophagus can range from rare occurrences to a daily or even hourly issue, depending on underlying health conditions. People who suffer from GERD take antacids, which are designed to neutralize or reduce stomach acid and prevent it from rising into the esophagus.
Unfortunately, one of the most common and widely used antacids has been recalled by its manufacturers after it was found to contain high levels of NDMA, a carcinogen. The recalls were first initiated in fall 2019, and they’re still ongoing today. Both name brand Zantac and its generic equivalents, known as ranitidine, have been recalled by their manufacturers and pulled from store shelves.
The contaminant found in Zantac is the same contaminant found in blood pressure medications that were recalled throughout 2018. People who took that medication, called losartan, as well as Zantac may be at higher risk of certain types of cancer, including bladder, stomach, intestinal, and more.
People who previously relied on Zantac and its generic to treat their GERD symptoms have had to switch to other medications, as Zantac is no longer available to purchase until its safety and quality can be assured, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines. If you or someone you love took Zantac and developed cancer, you may be eligible for compensation. The Nashville drug injury lawyers at Ponce Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | April 20th, 2020
When you walk onto someone else’s property, whether it’s a private home, an office building, a governmental building, a restaurant, or any other property, you expect to be safe from potential hazards. In fact, the law mandates that property owners and managers keep people safe from hazards and do everything in their power to fix, repair, or minimize the risks posed by potential hazards as soon as they’re aware of them.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Many people get seriously injured every day throughout Tennessee due to things like broken steps, loose rugs, slick floors, poorly lit paths, and more. Falls can be devastating and result in serious injuries and complications, and that’s true for everyone, including young children all the way up to senior citizens.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville premises liability lawyers hold negligent property owners accountable when their inaction puts innocent people at risk and results in preventable injuries. If you or someone you love slipped and fell on someone else’s property, whether it’s owned by a private individual, a company, or even the government, we want to help you get compensation.
You may have suffered injuries that result in expensive medical bills. Worse yet, you may be unable to work and earn the paychecks you and your loved ones depend on. We believe that innocent victims like you shouldn’t face serious financial hardships for accidents that weren’t your fault. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you during this difficult time. It’s our goal to get you maximum compensation for what you’ve gone through.
by Staff Blogger | April 15th, 2020
For many people, getting out and enjoying the beautiful spring weather is a welcome respite from being stuck indoors all day while we wait for the COVID-19 pandemic to resolve. Whether you walk downtown, through 12 South, along the riverfront, or anywhere else in Music City, it’s important to remain focused on your safety.
While it’s true there are significantly fewer cars on the road than normal, that isn’t an excuse to engage in dangerous behaviors. You should still take the following precautions while walking:
- Stick to sidewalks—Most of Nashville’s neighborhoods are equipped with sidewalks, and they are by far the safest place for pedestrians.
- Use crosswalks—When you’re ready to cross the street, use crosswalks to do so. Even if you don’t see any vehicles approaching, it’s still important—and legally required—to use crosswalks when they’re available.
- Avoid distractions—Whether you’re walking or running, avoid the temptation to blast music on headphones, talk to friends and family on your phone, or send and receive text messages. Walking while distracted is dangerous, as walking near traffic requires full concentration.
- Watch for vehicles exiting driveways, side streets, and alleys—If you’re running or walking in neighborhoods more densely populated areas of the city, be prepared for vehicles to suddenly appear in front of you as they exit homes, businesses, and alleys.
- Walk towards traffic—Visibility is important while walking, and that includes you being able to see approaching vehicles and their drivers being able to see you. Walking towards traffic makes you more easily seen and gives you more time to react.
Ponce Law’s Nashville pedestrian accident attorneys hope everyone stays safe this spring and summer, and we’re always here to help anyone hurt by a negligent driver. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | April 13th, 2020
Whether you bike around town for exercise or as a way of commuting to and from work or school, you know that Nashville’s roads aren’t always the most welcoming places for bicyclists. Even streets with dedicated bike lanes can put cyclists at risk, especially when drivers don’t pay attention or are distracted by their cell phones and other devices. Bicycle accidents result in serious injuries, and that’s why it’s important for injured riders to seek legal representation.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville bicycle accident attorneys believe that riders have every right to use the city’s streets and roads, provided that riding on them is permissible by law. However, many drivers are impatient when driving around bicyclists. They may attempt to pass them in ways that endanger cyclists, or they may fail to give them enough room to maneuver.
It’s our goal to help injured bicyclists get maximum compensation after accidents that weren’t their fault—especially when they were caused by negligent motorists. We know that bicyclists often feel helpless and underrepresented after crashes, and they may believe that others don’t take their injuries seriously. Our own Michael Ponce is an avid cyclist, and the entire firm believes in advocating for the rights of cyclists every chance we get.
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault, we want to speak with you. You have rights to pursue maximum compensation for things like medical bills and lost wages, and it’s our goal to help you get every penny you’re owed. Contact us today for a free consultation.
