by Staff Blogger | January 16th, 2019
Most people believe that carrying mandatory auto insurance policies takes most of the frustration and guesswork out of car accident claims. It’s a common assumption to think that when people cause crashes that hurt others or damage their property, their insurance automatically kicks in and pays victims a fair and adequate settlement.
However, that belief is often shattered when auto accident victims pursue compensation for the first time. Many victims run into roadblock after roadblock, and the insurance companies they deal with couldn’t be less cooperative. That’s because insurance companies are in business to make big profits—not to pay out fair settlements to victims like you.
Insurance companies have devised many methods for either reducing victims’ settlements or denying their claims entirely. Knowing about these tactics can help you avoid making common mistakes. Some of those tactics include:
- Getting victims to admit fault for their crashes—Insurance adjusters may come across as friendly and helpful, but what they’re really after are ways to deny your claim. The more you talk to the insurance adjusters, the more potentially incriminating statements you might give them—even if they have to take your words out of context.
- Getting victims to accept lowball settlements—When it comes to personal injury claims, one and done is a good rule of thumb. That means victims generally only get one chance at compensation. Insurance companies know that, and they sometimes offer victims small settlements immediately after their crashes. If they accept those offers, they typically can’t pursue more money in the future.
The Nashville car accident attorneys at Ponce Law are ready to protect you from these tactics. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | January 9th, 2019
If you were injured in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault in Middle Tennessee, the Nashville car accident attorneys at Ponce Law are here for you. But if you’re going through the legal process for the first time, you may be wondering what happens after you call a lawyer.
When we begin building claims for victims like you, our priority is to get them maximum compensation for their crash-related expenses. We know that car accidents often leave victims in dire financial straits. In addition to facing expensive medical bills and physical rehabilitation costs, victims also may be unable to work for the foreseeable future. Some may even be permanently disabled and lose their careers.
When you choose us to handle your claim, there are many steps in between your first phone call to our law firm and the day you get your check. Those steps are our bread and butter, and they include:
- Collecting evidence that proves you weren’t at fault—Any and all evidence related to the crash can be valuable and important, including police accident reports, witness statements, surveillance camera footage, and even crash scene debris.
- Determining how much money you’re owed—The insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible for your accident-related expenses, but we want you to get full compensation. To make that happen, we’ll calculate all of the ways the crash will affect your family’s finances—both now and in the future.
- Protecting you from the insurance company—Many people who pursue compensation after crashes are doing so for the first time. Insurance companies know that, and they take advantage of that fact. But our Nashville auto accident attorneys will handle all communication with the insurance company, leaving you free to relax and focus on getting better.
Getting a lawyer on your side can make all the difference in your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | January 2nd, 2019
People who are injured in car accidents that weren’t their fault have the right to file compensation claims to get money for expenses like medical bills and lost wages. But getting fair compensation can be difficult, and in some cases, victims are denied all compensation outright by the insurance company.
It’s important to understand that insurance companies don’t always have victims’ best interests at heart. Instead, they prioritize protecting their own profits—and paying fair settlements to people who are facing hefty accident-related expenses isn’t aligned with that goal. That means insurance companies do everything they can to avoid paying victims the money they deserve. They even have teams of adjusters whose primary job is to find ways to reduce or deny victims’ claims.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know the tricks that insurance companies use to protect their profits, including offering lowball settlements to victims immediately after crashes and denying claims because of minor oversights. Our years of experience helping victims means that we can stay one step ahead of them throughout the legal process. From gathering evidence to negotiating a fair settlement, our experience and resources gives us the advantage.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault, don’t leave your future in the hands of the insurance company. Get an advocate on your side who cares about your recovery and your family’s well-being. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | December 26th, 2018
You were just injured in an auto accident. Now you’re facing expensive medical bills and weeks or even months away from work. That means no paychecks and no way to pay for your accident-related expenses. When you contact the insurance company, you either get a lowball settlement offer or are denied the opportunity to get any compensation at all.
It seems unfair, but it happens to innocent victims all the time. Insurance companies are in business to make big profits, and paying fair settlements to everyone who needs them isn’t their biggest priority. In fact, insurance companies have teams of adjusters on staff who are tasked with finding ways to either disqualify victims from getting money or to give them the smallest settlements possible.
There are several reasons that insurance companies reduce or deny claims, including:
- Lack of evidence—Whether it’s a lack of evidence that indicates the other driver was at fault, or lack of evidence connecting a victim’s injuries with the crash, insurance companies are quick to shut down claims that can’t be easily and definitively proven.
- Using your statements against you—Adjusters are always on the lookout for incriminating statements that they can use against claimants, even if they have to use them out of context. That’s why you should never prematurely admit fault after a crash and avoid talking about your accident on social media.
Having an experienced Nashville auto accident lawyer on your side can help protect you from these tactics. Call Ponce Law today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | December 19th, 2018
After an auto accident, there are three essential steps that everyone should take: calling 911, getting medical treatment, and contacting an experienced Nashville auto accident lawyer.
But those aren’t the only important steps that may help victims maximize their chances of receiving full compensation. Additional steps that are often overlooked but are extremely important include:
- Reporting the accident to your own insurance company—Although most car crash victims get compensation from the insurance companies of the drivers who caused their accidents, it’s still mandatory to report your accident to your own insurer. In fact, this step must be completed within a short period of time—often a matter of just a day or two after the crash occurred. It’s especially vital to call your insurer if you have personal injury protection, as that policy may play into your recovery.
- Writing down what happened—It’s easy to forget important details about the accident in the hours, days, or weeks after it happened. But those details are vital for your claim and for your lawyer to build your case. Write down as much information about the accident as you can remember as soon as you’re able to, including what lane you were in, how fast you were going, and everything leading up to the moment of impact.
At Ponce Law, it’s our goal to help victims like you get maximum compensation for their auto accidents. In addition to working for your financial recovery, we also strive to assist with your physical recovery by taking the burden of the accident off your shoulders. Relax and focus on getting better while we work on your behalf. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | December 17th, 2018
When you suffer serious injuries during an auto accident, your biggest priority is getting better and getting back to work. At Ponce Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve, but we know that may be small consolation compared to the disabilities and pain you may be experiencing right now.
Everyone heals at a different rate, especially because car-accident related injuries can be different in type and severity from crash to crash. But there certain things you or your loved one can do to help maximize your chances of recovering from your injuries:
- Get medical attention immediately—The sooner you get treated by a doctor, the sooner he or she can treat your injuries. Many victims don’t realize the severity of their injuries after their crashes due to shock and adrenaline, only to be in extreme pain days later. In addition, internal injuries often go undiagnosed for long periods of time, putting victims’ lives at risk.
- Follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and orders—It’s important to listen to your doctor and do what he or she asks you to do during your recovery process. That may involve things like taking your prescription medications as directed, coming to all your appointments, doing exercises at home, and even visiting physical therapists and other specialists.
In addition to getting the healthcare treatment you need, you can also aid your recovery by eliminating as much stress as possible. Having an experienced lawyer on your side to handle your claim can give you the peace of mind you need to focus on getting better. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | December 12th, 2018
Social media is great for staying connected with family and friends, but it can be damaging when it comes to pursuing compensation after an auto accident. At Ponce Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers know that insurance companies will use every resource at their disposal to reduce or deny claims, including victims’ social media accounts.
Adjusters are known to keep tabs on claimants by regularly checking in on their status updates, photo uploads, and tweets, and they often use the posts on those accounts against them. Two types of posts that could jeopardize your claim include:
- Posts directly concerning your crash or claim—The accident-related information that insurance adjusters get from police reports, medical records, attorneys, and victims themselves is considered “official” in their minds. If you post updates online that might be contrary to that information, the adjuster may hold those statements against you.
- Photos showing you engaging in “normal” activities—Another way that adjusters use social media against victims is by checking for photo uploads. If pictures are posted that show you out and about with family or friends, the adjuster may use them as evidence that your injuries aren’t as bad as you and your lawyer describe—and that means they aren’t worthy of compensation.
Of course, adjusters rarely ask victims to explain the things they find in their social media accounts. Instead, they quietly collect evidence to be used against them at a later date. Don’t give the insurance company any leeway—avoid social media as much as possible while your claim is ongoing and do your best to follow your attorney’s instructions until your case concludes.
Want to learn more about how we may be able to protect you from the insurance company? Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | December 5th, 2018
If you were recently injured in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. But getting the insurance company to approve your claim can be difficult, especially if you go it alone.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys help victims like you by building strong claims that the insurance company can’t simply ignore. We do that by compiling evidence that leaves no doubt about who was at fault for the crash.
Three of the most important types of evidence we use in our auto accident claims include:
- The police report—All auto accidents in Tennessee that involve injuries or property damage must be reported to the police. When the police arrive at the scenes of those accidents, they fill out reports concerning what happened. That information can be used to help prove who caused the crashes.
- Victims’ medical records—Even when insurance companies know that victims weren’t at fault for crashes, they may still refuse to offer settlements, especially if they think victims’ injuries aren’t due to their accidents. But medical records can help conclusively link the origin of injuries with crashes.
- Witness and expert testimony—Insurance companies are notoriously stubborn, and they may refuse to play ball despite overwhelming evidence in victims’ favor. That’s when testimony from people who witnessed the crash or medical experts who are familiar with crash-related injuries can help sway insurers to finally give victims the money they deserve.
Let us use these types of evidence and more as we fight to get you maximum compensation. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | November 7th, 2018
The aftermath of an auto accident is often a confusing, painful, and disorienting time for victims. Auto accidents are traumatic, especially when they cause drivers and passengers to suffer debilitating injuries. The most important thing victims can do after crashes is protect the health of everyone involved and protect their rights to compensation.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that accomplishing those feats requires acting quickly and taking three important steps:
- Call 911. First, you must alert law enforcement of the crash. In addition to fulfilling your legal responsibility, you’ll also dispatch an ambulance. When paramedics arrive, they can administer aid to you, your loved ones, and other victims.
- Get further medical attention. Whether you get treated at the scene or not, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. That’s because some injuries are internal and take time to show up. In addition, having a record of medical treatment can serve as valuable evidence for your claim.
- Contact an experienced law firm. The insurance company will begin building its claim against you as soon as it finds out about the crash. Having a lawyer on your side can help you level the playing field and maximize your chances of getting compensation.
Don’t take your opportunity to pursue compensation after a crash for granted, even if it wasn’t your fault. Getting money after an accident isn’t easy, especially if you don’t have a lawyer. But we’re here to help—call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 1st, 2018
Auto accidents rank among the most traumatic events that people experience during their lives. It’s common for victims to want to share their experiences with others, but it’s important to understand that the details of your accident can be of a sensitive nature—especially if you’re filing a claim for compensation.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters who are tasked with finding ways to reduce or deny settlements to innocent victims. One way they do that is by obtaining statements from victims themselves, their social media accounts, or even the people close to them.
Outside of your immediate family members, there are only three people that you should trust and be honest with immediately after the crash:
- The responding police officer—Always tell the truth when speaking with the responding police officer at the accident scene. However, don’t volunteer information about the accident, and never admit fault for the crash prematurely.
- The medical professionals who treat your injuries—Patient confidentiality laws protect you when it comes to talking to the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who provide care after the crash. Never lie about or exaggerate your injuries—doing so can jeopardize your claim.
- Your Nashville auto accident lawyer—Your lawyer has your best interests in mind, including maximizing your compensation claim. The more information we know about your crash, the the better our chances of maximizing your claim.
Call Ponce Law today for a free consultation, and let us put our experience and dedication to work for you.
