What should I do if I am in an accident?

If you were in an accident that was the fault of someone else, then you have reason to consider filing a case against them. A lawyer for personal injury Memphis TN residents trust at Patterson Bray, PLLC believe that victims should not have to suffer because someone else chose to act recklessly that day. Victims must seek medical attention, gather evidence, notify their insurance company, and then contact a lawyer for guidance from there on out. It is imperative to the outcome of your case that you do not accept a settlement offer quite yet, and that you learn more about your options and the true value of your case.

Who are the best witnesses for my case?

As your Memphis personal injury team can review, there are many witnesses that you may want to use for your personal injury case. Let’s say you were involved in a car accident and a bystander rushed over to help. This person may have seen the accident unfold and the aftermath of it too. Their statement can be incredibly influential in proving that you were the victim and how the other party had been at-fault. Other examples of witnesses that can be useful in your case include those who were with you during the accident, loved ones who saw the severity of your injuries, expert or medical professional testimonies, and more.

How do I know if I have grounds for a lawsuit?

Many people don’t even realize that they are victims in a serious accident and that their circumstances make them eligible for compensation. For instance, someone may slip and fall while shopping at a store and get seriously hurt, but are too embarrassed to report it to the store manager. However, it was a leaky ceiling that caused a puddle to accumulate on the floor. The store owner may have been privy to the leak, but didn’t properly attend to the hazard. So the person who fell may leave without filing a report and end up with medical bills and other losses that they wouldn’t have accrued if someone had attended to that leak sooner.

How do I know if someone else was at-fault?

Figuring out whether someone was responsible for an accident or not will depend on the type of incident. It is possible that more than one individual or party was at-fault. As a real life scenario, a truck accident that appears to have been the fault of a truck driver may have entailed other influencing factors that are not readily apparent yet. The trucker may have been speeding, but was he speeding because his employer was pressuring him to drive excessive hours and meet a strict deadline? Was there a truck part that was defective and caused the truck to become out of control? Your lawyer can investigate the situation to uncover all the possible parties who should be included in your lawsuit.

Do I need a lawyer to get compensation?

After reporting the accident to your insurance company, you will probably be contacted by an insurance adjuster and offered a settlement amount. While accepting these funds may sound immediately appealing, it’s important to recognize that this amount is likely only a small fraction of what your claim is worth. Insurance companies are still for-profit, which means they are for the money they can make and not the money they have to spend on victim’s claims. Your Memphis injury personal lawyer team can protect you from being tricked by settlements and fight for an amount that is fair.

Law Blog by Patterson Bray | Memphis Probate & Injury Attorneys

Credit Application and Small Business

Signing a Credit Application on Behalf of a Company Could Subject You to PERSONAL Liability Most small business vendors and suppliers require a company officer to sign a Commercial Credit...

Read This Blog

Law FAQ: I bought a car yesterday but now think I made a bad decision. I have 3 days to get my money back, right?

No. There is no “cooling off” period in Tennessee that gives you the right to back out of a car purchase simply because you’ve had a change of heart. Of...

Read This Blog

What is a Deposition? Law FAQ

A deposition is similar to a witness testifying in court, except that it occurs in an out-of-court setting. A witness at a deposition is referred to as the “deponent.” A...

Read This Blog

Law FAQ: Is my car a lemon?

Is my car a lemon? Tennessee’s Lemon Law is intended to protect new car purchasers from the occasional vehicle that, for some reason or another, has problems that are beyond...

Read This Blog

Law FAQ: What is a HEET?

A HEET is a Health and Education Exemption Trust. This time of year many clients are making gifts to their children and grandchildren. They often forget that gifts in excess...

Read This Blog

Law FAQ: What is negligence? What is a legal duty? (Part 2)

In yesterday's blog post, I listed the 5 basic elements for a negligence claim: duty, breach, injury, causation, and proximate/legal cause. Today's post will focus on the first 2 elements which, for...

Read This Blog

Law FAQ: What is negligence?

Negligence is the legal term for failing to exercise reasonable care and caution under a given set of circumstances. It is commonly referred to as “the ordinary, reasonable man” standard. ...

Read This Blog

Who are my Beneficiaries? A critical question in planning for the future.

How does Property Pass to Beneficiaries? Do you know who your beneficiaries are? When we ask clients this question, their first response is often quick and affirmative. However, we frequently...

Read This Blog

Is Tennessee a Community Property State for Estate Planning?

Tennessee is NOT a Community Property State Community property states such as California and Texas, permit assets to receive a step-up in basis to the current fair market value (FMV)...

Read This Blog