What Are Economic Damages and Noneconomic Damages?

When a person is injured in an accident caused by another party or parties, the law says the at-fault party is responsible for any financial costs associated with those injuries. The goal of a car accident or personal injury claim is to “make the victim whole again” and part of that process is reimbursement of financial losses the victim suffered. It can also account for future medical expenses such as additional surgeries.

A seasoned car accident lawyer Memphis, TN families rely on may be able to obtain both economic and noneconomic damages for a victim, depending on the circumstances of the accident. The difference between the two is that economic damages are those items which have an actual dollar value such as medical bills and lost income. Noneconomic damages are awarded to the victim for things like pain he or she has endured from their injuries, or emotional distress. In some situations, your Memphis car accident lawyer may also be able to get you punitive damages.

What Are Economic Damages?

As a car accident lawyer Memphis, TN clients recommend can … Read the rest

Tips for Road Safety During the Holiday Season

Are you planning on traveling during the holidays? If so, it is important for you to stay safe on the road. Even though you put safety at the top of your priority list when you get behind the wheel of a car, not everyone else will do the same thing. Some circumstances are out of your control. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident during the holiday season, trust a car accident lawyer in Memphis, TN, such as the team from Patterson Bray, to defend your rights. How can you stay safe on the roads during the holiday season? 

Allow Extra Time While Driving

The roads are always heavier during the holiday season, so you need to allow extra time when you drive from place to place. If you do not allow extra time, you could get frustrated when you get stuck in traffic. This could cause you to take unnecessary risks. Do not let this happen to you. Keep your stress level low by allowing extra time in case you hit traffic. 

Minimize Distractions in the

Common Car Accident Injuries 

While you can’t predict other drivers on the road there are steps that can keep you safe. Assuming you are following the proper safety rules here are some of the injuries that could happen. 

Whiplash

Whiplash is the common name for the muscle, ligament, and tendon injures that can happen in a car accident. During a car accident, your body often moves suddenly and faster than you would ever more on your own. This can cause strain to your muscle and other soft tissues without breaking the bones. In most cases, whiplash isn’t life-threatening but it can be seriously painful and take time to heal.

Scrapes and Cuts 

There are often scrapes and cuts that happen during a car accident. In most cases, these aren’t the worst, but they can be. They can be a risk for infections and other complications. You may receive these cuts from the impact of your vehicle or even loose projectiles like your phone.

Head Injures 

Traumatic brain injuries and other brain injures can cause immediate injuries and complications that last far into the future. … Read the rest

What Happens if the Other Driver was Uninsured?

ou are required by law to insure your vehicle, which makes it all the more important to contact a qualified car accident lawyer in Memphis, Tennessee, if an uninsured driver hits your vehicle. While the majority of people on the road drive responsibly and have solid insurance for their cars, there is always the unfortunate possibility of being hit by someone who has neglected to insure their vehicle. In these cases, it’s important to contact your insurance provider to ensure you receive enough compensation (after all, it’s what you pay them for).

If you’ve been involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed and a little frustrated. However, it helps to look at your situation rationally, and it’s always a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer if you want to pursue additional compensation – or if you’re just wondering if that option would be possible in your case. Every car accident is different, and having an expert walk you through your next steps means having a knowledgeable friend on your … Read the rest

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a recent car accident, you are undoubtedly dealing with many difficult decisions. Even if both you and the other driver were completely insured, the aftermath of a car accident is exhausting. Depending on the severity of the collision, you could be looking at hospital bills and car repairs, all with due dates. If you want to take some stress out of your life, hire an experienced and reliable car accident lawyer. They can help you manage your recovery and navigate any legal processes.

Help With Liability Claims

One of the things a car accident lawyer in Memphis, TN, can help you with is liability issues. No matter what the circumstances of your accident are, there is a liable party. If you’re trying to deal with the aftermath of your accident alone, any liability issues can be confusing. If you hire a lawyer from Patterson Bray, you can get help with any liability claims you’re facing. The knowledge a practiced lawyer has is invaluable and could help your case immensely.

Experience With Settlements

Another thing a … Read the rest

What Is a Compulsory Medical Examination?

A compulsory medical examination (CME) is a tool used by insurance companies and insurance defense lawyers, often to work injury claims to their advantage. Insurance companies retain a group of doctors to examine car accident injuries, and some people claim these doctors, hired by the defense, are paid very well to minimize the severity of your injuries. Granted, insurance fraud costs insurance companies billions of dollars every year, and so they might even hire an investigator to watch and videotape you traveling from your home to work to see if you are faking your injuries.

Car insurance policies have two clauses that require different things from you as the policyholder:

• That you comply with requests by the insurance company.
• That you attend a physical exam by one of their doctors, and potentially more than once.

The whole purpose of this exam is to either deny coverage for your injuries or to reduce what they will owe you in the end.

Two-Part Exam

There are two parts to the exam:

• Oral: The doctor will speak with you for about

Why Work With A Memphis Personal Injury Lawyer

Technically you have the right to represent yourself and file a personal injury claim on your own. Unless your injuries are very minor, however, it is advisable to turn to a lawyer for representation. Because most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, you risk nothing except a small fraction of your time. More importantly, you may take advantage of the following benefits:

1. Fair Compensation

When you file a claim, some insurance adjustors do whatever it takes to get you to settle for the amount they are offering you. In fact, they might tell you that this amount is more than what a lawyer will get you, or they may attempt to persuade you through other manipulative statements. Remember, it is their job to pay out as little as possible. By working with a personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN has to offer, you can feel confident in knowing that you are demanding the compensation that you deserve — and this amount may be much higher than the initial offer from the insurance company.

2. Protection of Your Rights

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What Is Negligence?

Negligence is the failure to take proper care when performing an action. Legally speaking, negligence is determined by comparing one person’s actions to that of a competent, typical person of similar circumstances. For example, if a driver runs a red light and hits another driver, they were negligent because they did not follow the rules of the road in a way that any competent person with a driver’s license would have.

How do you prove someone was negligent?

In order to prove that the other party involved in the accident was negligent, the plaintiff must prove five things.

1. 1. The defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff. That simply means that the defendant was expected to act in a certain way toward the defendant.

1. 1. Proving that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty is not enough. Then, they must prove that the defendant breached that duty by failing to exercise reasonable care.

1. 1. Then, the plaintiff must prove that the breach of duty is the direct cause of their injuries.

1. 1. They must then identify the scope of the defendant’s responsibility. In other

Types of Damages In A Personal Injury Claim

When a victim files a personal injury claim, there are different types of damages they may be able to collect. Your personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN locals turn to can explain to you the types of damages you may be entitled to, but in general, these damages include:

• Medical expenses: All injury treatment costs are covered under a personal injury claim. This includes not only past expenses, but all future expenses if the injury has left the victim with a permanent disability. These expenses can include doctor’s visits, surgeries, medication, medical equipment, and physical therapy.
• Lost Wages: It is not uncommon for injured victims to be unable to work while they recover from their injury. A personal injury settlement can cover the amount of income the victim has lost. They may also be able to cover the loss of future income if the injury leaves them with a permanent disability that prevents them from working.
• Other Losses: A victim can also be awarded damages for the pain and suffering the injury caused them, as well as the emotional anguish they

Common Causes of Personal Injury

If you were injured because of negligent or reckless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation. You may find some relief in knowing that someone else is dealing with the legal aspects of your situation so that you can focus on healing and trying to get back to your regular routines. Incidents that often qualify for a personal injury claim with the help of a personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN include but are not limited to:

• Auto accidents / Motor vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian/bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Premises liability
• Medical malpractice/medical errors
• Nursing home abuse
• Workers’ compensation
• Construction site accidents
• Defective or dangerous product
• Workplace incidents
• Construction accidents
• Dangerous drugs
• A dog bite or animal attacks
• Wrongful death

There is a wide range of injuries and conditions that can result from the causes above. Your Memphis personal injury lawyer can tell you if your injury qualifies for a claim. Some of the most common include but are not limited to:

• Broken bones and lacerations
• Concussions and head injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Disfigurement
• Amputation
• Burns
• Paralysis