by Staff Blogger | August 19th, 2019
After an auto accident, dialing 911 is the most important step you can take. Not only does it dispatch police officers who will make an official accident report, but it also dispatches emergency medical technicians who can administer aid to victims and transport them to a local hospital.
Some victims go to the hospital right away after a crash, while others leave the accident scene on their own and seek medical attention later. While you don’t have to go to the hospital via ambulance, it’s important to get evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible after your crash. In addition to establishing a connection between the car accident and your injuries, a full evaluation can also rule out internal injuries.
Auto accidents are traumatic for victims, both physically and mentally, and the outcomes of crashes may not be fully visible or felt for hours, days, or even weeks. The pain and inflammation of torn or stressed muscles and tendons may be masked by adrenaline or other injuries. In addition, some victims may even suffer broken or cracked bones without being aware of them until long after the adrenaline has worn off.
Internal injuries can be even more dangerous after auto accidents. The forces involved in auto accidents can cause victims’ organs to move inside their bodies, creating the risk for damage and bleeding. Victims also may suffer head injuries that can result in brain bleeds, which can be fatal if they aren’t treated promptly. Unfortunately, internal injuries may be asymptomatic after crashes, with symptoms not becoming obvious until victims are at home recuperating.
Don’t risk your health or your rights to compensation. See a doctor right away, and then contact the Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce Law.
by Staff Blogger | August 12th, 2019
If you were recently hurt in an auto accident, your first question afterward was likely whether you and your loved ones would recover from your injuries. Your second question is likely whether you’ll be able to get compensation for the other driver’s negligence to cover your expenses, and if so, how much.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys work to help victims like you get maximum compensation for their car accidents every day. However, even with the help of a law firm, no two auto accident claims are alike when it comes to the total compensation that victims can receive.
Factors that can influence how much money you’ll get include:
- Whether you were partially at fault—If the other driver is ruled to be fully at fault for the crash, you may be eligible to get more money than if you were partially responsible.
- The severity of your injuries—Victims who suffer serious and long-term injuries are often eligible to receive more money than victims who suffer short-term mild or moderate injuries.
- How long you’ll be out of work—Many auto accident claims pay victims for their lost wages. However, the amount you receive may be dependent on how long your injuries will keep you out of work.
Those are just a few of the factors that we’ll review when we build your claim. Regardless of the circumstances, you can count on us to do everything in our power to get you the money you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 7th, 2019
Every summer, safety organizations and the media remind parents of the dangers of leaving children and pets inside their cars while they run errands. The temperatures inside cars can quickly soar to dangerous and even fatal levels in a matter of minutes, even on relatively cool days. And while having a system for making sure your children are never left behind in your vehicle is extremely important, it’s not the only hot car danger you might face as a parent.
Another danger children face is being locked inside your vehicle when it’s parked at your home. Even young children are often familiar with how to get inside vehicles, including trunks or cargo areas. But when they’re inside, they may be unable to exit or call for help. Despite the fact that your vehicle may be parked in your own driveway or inside your garage, it can still be dangerous and even fatal for your children, especially on hot summer days.
You can prevent such a tragedy by always locking your vehicle when it’s not in use and by keeping your keys locked up or otherwise out of reach of your children. Never allow your children to play in your vehicle at home, and make sure your child exit your vehicle when you arrive home, even if they’ve fallen asleep during the drive.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that hot car deaths are just another risk factor that vehicles pose to innocent people like you and their loved ones. If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, we want to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 5th, 2019
Although summer doesn’t officially end for several weeks, summer vacation ends soon for thousands of children throughout Middle Tennessee. That means the return of reduced speed limits in school zones, crossing guards, and school buses throughout the city and your neighborhood. Whether you have children in school or pass through school zones on your commute to get to work, it’s important to be aware of back-to-school traffic and the dangers that it can pose to you, other drivers, and children.
To do your part in making Middle Tennessee’s roads safer during the 2019-2020 school year, follow these tips:
- Don’t pass school buses that are picking up or dropping off—It’s illegal to pass stopped school buses in Tennessee when students are boarding or exiting. If you see an extended stop sign or flashing lights on the bus, come to a complete stop and wait for the bus to begin moving again.
- Obey crossing guards in school zones—Crossing guards control the flow of traffic in school zones. If you see one at an intersection, remember that they dictate the right of way—not traffic lights or the order that you and other drivers arrived at the stop signs.
- Be careful in residential areas—If you live near a school, there’s a good chance that students in your neighborhood walk to class. Be on the lookout for children during your commutes to and from work, and give them plenty of room, especially if there are no sidewalks.
Ponce Law stands up for the rights of people injured in car accidents, including back-to-school crashes. If you were hurt in a crash, contact our Nashville auto accident lawyers for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | July 29th, 2019
It’s been decades since vehicle manufacturers were first required to equip all of their cars, trucks, SUVs, and other models with standard safety features like airbags and seat belts. Those two safety innovations alone have saved countless lives during road accidents. However, the advancement of technology means that newer vehicles are equipped with even more safety features that can reduce the risk of accidents.
Three new safety features that are already changing the way drivers interact with their vehicles and the road include:
- Automatic emergency braking—Many modern vehicles are now equipped with sensors that detect when they are approaching other vehicles or objects at fast speeds and responding by automatically applying the brakes. This safety feature has reduced the number of rear-end collisions on equipped vehicles by up to 50 percent.
- Blind-spot detection systems—Mirrors can only show drivers so much of what’s going on outside of their vehicles. Checking blind spots requires physically turning and looking to the left or right, and doing so means taking your eyes off the road—and that can result in a crash. Blind spot detection systems make it easy for drivers to know when it’s unsafe to turn or change lanes with lights and audible tones that don’t require taking your eyes off the road.
- Back-up cameras—Back-up cameras can be invaluable when navigating a tight parking garage or when parallel parking, and they became mandatory in all vehicles manufactured in and after May 2018. Although they provide convenience for drivers, their true value is helping avoid collisions with pedestrians or people standing behind backing vehicles, including small children.
Unfortunately, even the safest vehicles aren’t always operated by the safest drivers. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash caused by a negligent driver, our Nashville car accident lawyers want to help. Contact Ponce Law today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | July 22nd, 2019
In 2013, several automakers began recalling vehicles that were equipped with airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation. The recall has continued to expand since then, and new vehicles are added to the recall every year as the investigation into the defective airbags continues. Virtually all major auto manufacturers have vehicles that are affected by the recall, causing Takata Corporation to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. in mid-2017.
Consumer Reports states that the recall is the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history, and that more than 41.6 million vehicles may ultimately be involved by the time it’s complete. More vehicles are still being added to the recall even now. That means that even if you haven’t received a notice from your vehicle’s manufacturer, it may still be equipped with potentially defective airbags.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website has a search function where you can enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to find out if it has been affected by the Takata airbag recall or any other potentially dangerous or damaging recall. Due to their potential for causing serious injuries and even death, auto manufacturers are required to fix these defective airbags for free.
At Ponce Law, it’s our goal to help people who were injured through no fault of their own. Whether you were hurt by a defective airbag or by a negligent driver, our Nashville car accident attorneys want to speak with you. Contact us today for a free consultation to get in touch with our legal team.
by Staff Blogger | July 15th, 2019
Summer is in full swing, and that means vacations, trips to the lake, and more traffic on Nashville’s roadways. Although summer is free from hazardous weather-related dangers like snow and ice, there are certain dangers that are more prevalent during warm weather that all drivers should be aware of.
Keep these safety tips in mind this summer to protect yourself, your loved ones, and other people on the road:
- Practice defensive driving—Traffic is often heavier during the summer. That’s because more people take time off to travel and because students are out of school. Heavier traffic volumes can result in a greater chance of accidents, so be careful and drive defensively whether you’re in your neighborhood or on the interstate.
- Prepare your vehicle—When it comes to operating efficiently and reliably, heat is your vehicle’s biggest enemy. Temperatures in Middle Tennessee can soar to the high 90s and beyond during the summer, putting stress on your vehicle’s components. Make sure your vehicle is topped up with coolant, the battery is corrosion-free, and your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.
- Don’t leave kids or pets in your car—Hot cars can be deadly in a matter of minutes for pets and small children. Cracking windows isn’t enough to protect vulnerable occupants in a vehicle with no air conditioning. Place items you’ll need, such as your purse, wallet, or cellphone, in the backseat to make sure you never leave your loved ones inside your hot vehicle.
If you or someone you love was injured in a vehicle-related accident, our Nashville auto accident attorneys want to help. Contact Ponce Law today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | July 8th, 2019
If your daily commute involves any of the interstates or highways in and around Nashville, you know that traffic jams—often major ones—are an almost daily occurrence. And if you’ve noticed the problem has gotten worse in recent years with longer commutes and more accidents, there’s data that proves you’re right.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that there were 33,681 crashes in Nashville in 2017 and 36,537 in 2018 for an increase of 8.5 percent. However, the city’s population only grew from 667,560 in 2017 to 671,374 in 2018—just a 0.6 percent increase. That means the number of accidents is far outpacing the city’s population growth.
In addition, a study by the U.S. Census Bureau found that mean commuting times for people who work in Davidson County increased from just over 23 minutes in 2012 to 24.5 minutes in 2017, with a sharp increase beginning in 2014. While that may not seem like a lot, it can quickly add up, especially since commute times for 2019 are likely to be even longer than they were in 2017, and the trend is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers drive on the same interstates and highways everyday that you do, and we know how frustrating and even dangerous they can be. If you were recently injured in an accident in Davidson County, you need a local law firm on your side that knows the area, its history, and how it has changed in recent years. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re here to help.
by Staff Blogger | July 1st, 2019
On July 1, 2019, a new law went into effect in Tennessee that increased restrictions on using cell phones while driving.
The law was passed in response to the growing epidemic of distracted driving that’s often associated with cell phone usage. In 2018 alone, there were nearly 25,000 auto accidents involving distracted drivers in Tennessee. In addition, a recent study found that Tennessee has the highest rate of distracted driving deaths in the nation and nearly five times more distracted driving fatalities than the national average.
This flyer published by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office contains many important facts about the new law, including what drivers can and can’t do with their cell phones while they’re behind the wheel:
The Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce Law appreciate the efforts of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office when it comes to making the state’s streets, highways, and interstates safer for all drivers.
If you or someone you love was injured by a distracted or negligent driver, we want to speak with you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | July 1st, 2019
July Fourth is just around the corner, and in Tennessee, like elsewhere in the U.S., we love to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and get-togethers with friends and family. But it’s important to know the unique risks many common holiday activities can pose to those celebrating. As you plan this year’s festivities, keep the following safety tips in mind for both you and your loved ones so you can enjoy the day safely.
The team at Ponce Law has seen ordinary Tennesseans of all stripes suffer from lasting pain and left unable to work after sudden injury when proper safety precautions aren’t taken. We believe that when your injuries are no fault of your own, you don’t deserve to have to pay the resulting medical bills out-of-pocket. That’s why we help injury victims fight to get compensation from the insurance company of those responsible. Contact our legal team today for a free case review.
