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 | June 24th, 2019
If you were recently injured in an auto accident, getting compensation for your medical bills and lost wages is a major priority for you and your loved ones. You can file a damages claim against the other driver’s insurance company on your own, so why do you need a lawyer?
That’s a common question from accident victims, and they may even be dissuaded from calling a law firm by the insurance company. However, having an experienced Nashville auto accident attorney on your side is essential for most victims for the following reasons:
- A lawyer will negotiate and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf—After an auto accident injury, the last thing you want to do is go back and forth with the insurance company. Your lawyer can handle that while you focus on getting better.
- A lawyer will calculate how much money you’re owed—The insurance company may offer you a settlement soon after your crash. However, unless you know how much the accident will cost you both now and in the future, you may be unable to determine how much you deserve.
You’ve got enough to deal with already. When you call the legal team at Ponce Law, you’ll get an experienced legal advocate who knows how to maximize your chances of getting full compensation while taking the stress of the crash off your shoulders. Contact us today.
by Staff Blogger | June 17th, 2019
After calling 911, the most important thing you can do after an auto accident is go to the hospital or get treated by a doctor right away. Getting medical attention not only treats your immediate injuries and creates an official record linking them to your accident, but it can also rule out internal injuries that may become life-threatening.
Some auto accident victims delay or even forgo medical treatment after crashes because they don’t think they’re hurt enough to require attention. However, it’s common for pain, bruising, and other common symptoms of internal injuries to be masked by adrenaline and pain from other surface injuries. Meanwhile, victims may be experiencing severe internal organ damage or bleeding, putting them at risk of serious complications.
Going to the hospital or seeing a doctor right away after a crash can help rule out the following internal injuries:
- Liver and kidney damage—Both the liver and kidneys can be damaged during auto accidents, especially when the lower back or torso are hurt, but the damage may not be noticed for hours, days, or even weeks.
- Brain bleeding—Victims who suffer life-threatening cerebral hemorrhages may believe their symptoms, which can include nausea and pressure, are due to crash-related headaches and stress.
- Fractured ribs—Broken ribs are common during auto accidents, but the pain may not be noticed for hours or days after they occur. People who suffer broken ribs are at risk for damaged blood vessels and even punctured lungs.
Whether you travel to the hospital in an ambulance after the crash, arrange your own transportation, or see a doctor at a private health clinic, it’s important to get treated immediately.
After you’ve been treated, getting legal representation should be your next priority. The Nashville auto accident lawyers at Ponce Law are here to help. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | June 10th, 2019
Like many cities, Nashville is home to multiple e-scooter brands. These small transportation devices can be activated via smartphone and driven around the city for a small fee per minute, making them appealing to both residents and tourists who are traveling short distances. However, the safety of these devices has come into question in recent months.
While scooter riders should always be safety-conscious while riding, drivers should also be aware of their presence and always be on the lookout for them—especially near downtown Nashville. The next time you’re driving through a scooter hotspot, keep these tips in mind:
- Scooter riders travel much faster than pedestrians—When driving or turning through an intersection, remember to always look both ways and to check multiple times before proceeding. That’s because scooters are much faster than pedestrians, but can be just as difficult to see.
- Scooter riders don’t always follow the rules of the road—Scooter riders can be erratic. They may ride off of sidewalks and into the street at any time, or they may drive through stop signs and red lights without slowing down or stopping. Driving defensively in areas where scooters are frequently used can help you avoid an accident.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers know that drivers, pedestrians, and even scooter riders aren’t always focused on safety. That’s why it’s our goal to help victims get compensation after they get hurt by other people’s negligence. If you or someone you love was injured, contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | June 3rd, 2019
You were just involved in an auto accident. You’re in pain, your loved ones are hurt, and your injuries may prevent you from going back to work for weeks, months, or even years. Making the right moves during this time—and avoiding big mistakes—can help you protect your health and your rights to compensation.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that this may be a stressful time for you and your family. This list of dos and don’ts can help you stay on the right track after your auto accident:
- Do get medical treatment—Getting treatment at a hospital or doctor’s office prevents your health from worsening and also creates a valuable medical record of your injuries.
- Don’t admit fault—Whether you’re talking to the police officer, the other driver, witnesses, or the insurance adjuster, never admit fault for the crash. Doing so can jeopardize your claim, even if evidence proves you didn’t cause the accident.
- Do notify your insurance provider—Your insurance provider requires notification of all accidents within a few days, so don’t wait too long to alert them of the accident.
- Don’t wait to file a claim—Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is among the shortest in the nation at one year. In addition, evidence can quickly disappear. The sooner you call our legal team, the better.
That’s just a small list of things to do and to avoid after a crash. Call us today to get the experienced legal representation you and your loved ones deserve after your auto accident.
by Staff Blogger | May 29th, 2019
At Ponce Law, we work hard to help victims get compensation after auto accidents that weren’t their fault. But we also want our clients and their loved ones to stay safe on the road—and that includes helping them become safer drivers.
Over the years, our Nashville auto accident attorneys have investigated countless claims, and we’ve seen certain contributing factors pop up in crash after crash after crash. To reduce your risks of being involved in or causing a crash in Middle Tennessee, keep these three tips in mind:
- Don’t speed—Speeding is still the most common contributing factor to auto accidents in the U.S. All public roads in Tennessee have marked speed limits, and exceeding those speed limits significantly increases your chances of causing a crash.
- Avoid distractions—Distracted driving is a safety epidemic nationwide, and it results in many crashes every year in Nashville and Davidson County. To reduce your risks, avoid using your phone while driving and keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on the task at hand.
- Don’t drive after drinking—There’s no excuse for driving while impaired. If you’ve consumed alcohol, use a rideshare service, call a cab, or have a sober driver take you home. Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is extremely dangerous.
Avoiding these dangerous behaviors can reduce your risk of being involved in a crash, but it can’t eliminate it. If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident caused by a negligent driver, we’re here to help. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 22nd, 2019
Tennessee drivers are required by law to carry auto insurance in case they’re involved in accidents. The state has a minimum requirement for coverage that all drivers must meet. These requirements are:
- $25,000 for each injury or death per accident
- $50,000 for total injuries or deaths per accident
- $15,000 for property damage per accident
However, a large number of drivers in Tennessee are uninsured. In fact, a recent study found that Tennessee ranks 5th for most uninsured drivers in the nation. When those drivers cause accidents, their victims may find it difficult to pay for their medical bills and lost wages, as they may have to pay most of them out of pocket.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers want to help innocent victims get compensation after crashes. Whether they were injured in hit-and-run accidents or accidents caused by uninsured drivers, some victims may still be eligible to get money for their accident-related expenses through their own insurance plans.
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection, you can file a claim against your own insurance policy to get compensation. You may have other methods of obtaining compensation, including filing claims against other parties if their negligence contributed to the accident. Find out your options today by contacting Ponce Law for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 15th, 2019
In just a few short years, rideshare services and vehicles have become ubiquitous in cities and towns throughout the country. Due to their smartphone apps and GPS tracking, they make getting around town more convenient and seamless. However, riders still face risks when they get in rideshare vehicles, especially when drivers are negligent.
Rideshare drivers are often focused on getting their passengers to their destination as quickly as possible to maximize their earnings. While that may be desirable for many passengers, it can also put them in danger. At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers represent people who are hurt in auto accidents that weren’t their fault—including rideshare customers who were hurt in the following types of crashes:
- Crashes caused by rideshare drivers—In addition to speeding, rideshare drivers may also be distracted by their smartphones, their stereos, conversations with passengers, or scheduling additional pickups. When rideshare drivers’ negligence results in accidents, they should be held accountable.
- Crashes caused by other drivers—Rideshare passengers face risks even when their drivers are safety-conscious. That’s because other drivers may be careless and cause serious crashes involving rideshare vehicles and other cars, trucks, and SUVs.
At Ponce Law, we believe that all innocent auto accident victims deserve maximum compensation for their crash-related expenses, regardless of who caused the accidents. Call us today for a free consultation.
