by Staff Blogger | March 6th, 2019
Car accidents aren’t just painful and traumatic—they can also be expensive. That’s because victims often need extensive medical care, and they may be too hurt to work for long periods of time. That means big medical bills and no paychecks.
Many victims take solace knowing that they can file compensation claims against other drivers’ insurance providers, but they’re often surprised when their claims are reduced or denied. Here are a few reasons why that happens:
- The statute of limitations expired—Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is just one year after the date they occur. That’s among the shortest in the nation. When victims wait too long to file their claims, they lose their chance to pursue compensation.
- There’s a lack of evidence—Insurance companies want to see plenty of evidence that indicates victims weren’t at fault for their own crashes. When victims wait too long to file their claims, evidence may disappear or be more difficult to track down. In addition, insurance companies may view their injuries with more skepticism.
- The insurance companies didn’t want to pay—In some cases, victims with otherwise valid and timely claims get rejected by insurance companies for seemingly no reason. Insurance companies are known to take advantage of victims who don’t have legal representation on their sides.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers know that victims often face uphill battles when it comes to getting the money they deserve—especially when they don’t have a law firm on their side. Don’t leave the outcome of your claim up to chance. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | March 4th, 2019
Troops serving in combat roles experience many dangers during their service—including the risk of hearing loss and ear damage. To help protect them from those dangers, the U.S. military issued 3M’s dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, to thousands of troops between 2003 and 2015.
Because the earplugs were dual-ended, they could be inserted into users’ ears in both directions. The yellow-colored ends of the earplugs were designed to block most sounds while allowing users to still hear commands from friendly soldiers and the movements of enemy combatants, while the olive-colored ends were designed to block all sounds.
However, the earplugs were defective and failed to properly protect users from combat noises, putting them at risk of experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, balance problems, and other ear-related damage. 3M Company knew about the earplugs’ defects as early as 2000 but continued to sell them to the U.S. military until 2015.
In response to 3M’s negligence, the U.S. government filed a lawsuit against the company under the False Claims Act. 3M was required to pay the Department of Justice $9.1 million for knowingly selling defective earplugs, opening the door for new lawsuits. As of March 2019, 3M is facing hundreds of lawsuits from veterans who were injured by the defective earplugs.
If you or someone you love was hurt by 3M’s defective dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, our Nashville defective product lawyers want to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injury-related expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | February 27th, 2019
One of the key factors in all personal injury claims is negligence. When a person or party has acted negligently, they may be held liable for any and all accident-related expenses incurred by victims.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers are tasked with determining how drivers’ negligence contributes to crashes every day throughout Middle Tennessee. But what does negligence mean when referring to car accidents?
There are a few common types of negligence that are strongly associated with crashes, and they include:
- Speeding—Driving faster than the posted speed limit is still one of the most common causes of auto accidents in Tennessee. When drivers speed, they break the law and engage in negligent behavior.
- Driving while impaired—Getting behind the wheel while legally intoxicated—having a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher—is a significant risk factor for accidents. In addition to being at risk for DUI arrests, impaired drivers can also be held responsible for damages they cause.
- Driving while distracted—Texting while driving is a growing epidemic in Tennessee and nationwide. State laws forbid it, and drivers who are caught face fines and tickets. When text messages result in accidents, negligent drivers can be considered liable for victims’ injuries.
If you were hurt in a crash through no fault of your own, there’s a good chance it was caused by negligence. Our legal team is ready to investigate the accident and determine its cause to help you get maximum compensation. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | February 20th, 2019
Most states in the U.S. give personal injury victims at least two years to file claims against the negligent drivers who caused their crashes, with many states giving between three years and even up to 10 years.
However, Tennessee is one of just a handful of states that gives injured victims only one year to file compensation claims after car accidents. Although that may seem like a long time, especially if you were recently involved in an auto accident, it can pass in the blink of an eye. And once the statute of limitations for a claim expires, the chances of getting compensation for an injury or accident vanish completely and permanently.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers always emphasize the importance of acting quickly after an auto accident. In addition to the possibility of the statute of limitations expiring, there’s also the risk of evidence disappearing and witnesses becoming more difficult to locate or contact.
In addition, insurance companies begin preparing their defenses against victims as soon as they find out about crashes. And when they get a big head start, it can be more difficult for injured people like you to get the full compensation they deserve.
Finally, acting fast means you can increase your chances of getting compensation sooner. After a crash, don’t wait to get the legal help you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation, and let us get to work for you.
by Staff Blogger | February 13th, 2019
Suffering an injury during an auto accident is extremely common for anyone unlucky enough to be involved in a crash. But due to fear of medical costs or just simply not having enough time in the day, some victims may delay or even forgo seeing a doctor after an accident.
Getting medical treatment as soon as possible after the crash is one of the most important things you and your loved ones can do for three reasons:
- It treats your existing injuries—You may be filled with adrenaline and other stress hormones after the crash. Those hormones can mask the symptoms of crash-related injuries, including pain and reduced mobility. Getting immediate treatment can prevent your injuries from getting any worse.
- It treats or rules out internal injuries—Auto accident injuries aren’t always obvious. Because of the forces that crashes generate on victims’ bodies, internal injuries can occur. Organs can be damaged during crashes, and symptoms may not show up for days. A full medical examination can rule out potentially life-threatening injuries.
- It creates proof that the accident caused your injuries—If you decide to file a compensation claim, the insurance company will want proof that the crash caused your injuries. Getting immediate medical treatment means you’ll have a medical record that can serve as valuable proof for your claim.
After you’ve been treated by a doctor, get a Nashville auto accident lawyer on your side. At Ponce Law, we’re ready to put our experience to work for you. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | February 6th, 2019
People who are hurt in auto accidents that weren’t their fault should be compensated for their injury-related expenses. It’s no secret that crashes can result in huge medical bills that may be unaffordable for victims whose injuries prevent them from working.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering how much money you may be eligible to receive. Because all auto accidents are different, all auto accident claims are different. However, our Nashville auto accident lawyers are ready to work hard to make sure you’re fairly compensated for your accident-related expenses.
When you choose us to handle your car accident claim, we accomplish that by calculating the following expenses:
- Your current and future medical bills—Even if you’ve been released from the hospital or have already been treated for your injuries, you still may face more expensive bills in the future. We’ll determine how much money you need to pay for your injury-related expenses.
- Your current and future lost wages—Auto accident injuries can put victims out of work for weeks, months, or even years. Getting compensation for a short-term injury doesn’t make sense for victims of long-term injuries, and we won’t settle for less than what you deserve.
- Pain and suffering—It’s hard to put a price tag on reduced quality of life, but we’ll make sure the insurance company knows how your accident has affected your day-to-day activities.
At Ponce Law, it’s our goal to make sure you get every penny that you deserve for what you’ve gone through. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | February 4th, 2019
After an auto accident, you’ll come into contact with several people who can have a big impact on the outcome of your claim. Some of those people will be at the accident scene itself. Provided you’re able to do so, it’s important to speak to the right people before you leave the scene.
Those people include:
- The other driver—Always speak with the other driver. Exchanging names, contact information, and insurance details makes it easier to file a compensation claim. When speaking with the other driver, always stick to the facts of what happened and don’t admit fault prematurely.
- The responding police officers—Whether you or someone else called 911 after the crash, you can expect police to arrive quickly. When they get to the scene, cooperate with them and answer their questions. Your answers will help them complete their accident report, which can help build your claim.
- Anyone who witnessed the crash—It’s always helpful to have an unbiased account of what happened, and bystanders and witnesses can provide that. Witnesses can be difficult to locate after crashes occur, so getting their contact details before you leave the scene of the crash can prove vital when you begin seeking compensation.
After speaking with those parties, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible. Whether you go to the hospital via ambulance or arrange your own transportation, getting evaluated by a doctor can help rule out internal injuries and provide proof that your injuries are accident-related.
Finally, getting in touch with an experienced Nashville car accident lawyer can make a big difference in your claim’s chances of succeeding. The auto accident attorneys at Ponce Law are ready to put their experience to work for you. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | January 30th, 2019
If you were recently injured in a car accident, you know you need money for your injury-related expenses. But what types of damages are available to you?
At Ponce Law, it’s our goal to help victims like you understand all of the compensation that’s potentially available after a crash and to help you obtain that money for yourself and your loved ones. When insurance companies find out about car accidents, they often present victims with settlement offers just days later. But those settlement offers are rarely enough to cover even a fraction of total accident-related costs, and they often don’t factor in all of the associated expenses and damages.
Our Nashville car accident lawyers have helped many people just like you after their car accidents, and we know how far-reaching the consequences of crashes can be on victims’ lives. That’s why we do everything in our power to help victims get compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills—The initial treatment you received after the accident may be just the beginning in terms of medical bills. You also may need future surgeries, physical rehabilitation, and more.
- Current and future lost wages—It can be difficult to determine how long your injuries will keep you out of work, and there’s a big difference between getting damages for one month of lost wages and getting damages for permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering—Auto accidents are painful and traumatic, and you should be compensated for how you’ve been affected by the crash.
Let us help you get the money you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | January 23rd, 2019
Car accident claims are time-sensitive. Unfortunately, many auto accident victims don’t have the energy or even the physical capacity to do much after their crashes except rest and recover. However, a phone call is all it takes to start protecting your rights to maximum compensation after a crash.
That’s why our Nashville auto accident attorneys always recommend that victims get in touch with a law firm as soon as possible after their accidents. Waiting too long to begin the process of filing a claim can have several negative effects on its potential outcome, including:
- The statutes of limitations can expire—Tennessee has a short statute of limitations compared to most other states. Personal injury claims in the Volunteer State can only be filed up to one year past the accident or injury date. If victims wait beyond that time frame, they lose their chance.
- Evidence can disappear—The most important aspect of personal injury claims is evidence. When we build claims for our clients, we need to be able to show that they weren’t at fault for their injuries. But when claims aren’t filed until several weeks or months later, evidence may be unavailable.
- The insurance company will have more time to build its case—Insurance companies are reluctant to pay victims any money after crashes, let alone fair settlements. And the longer victims wait to file their claims, the more time insurance companies will have to prepare their own cases against them.
Don’t let the clock run out on your chance of getting full compensation. Call us today for a free consultation.
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.
