How can you determine who is at fault?

For personal injury claims, the most challenging part of proving a case involves clearly showing that the other person (or other legal entity) was the one who was directly responsible for a plaintiff’s injuries and that the person responsible should have been able to avoid causing harm by acting in a reasonable manner. One of the best auto accident lawyers in Memphis, TN can explain how this burden may be met in regards to your case.

When it comes to personal injury accidents involving pedestrians, everyone involved—including the pedestrian—is expected to use reasonable care under different circumstances. Just like the person driving the car, the pedestrian is also expected to obey the rules of the road and look both ways, not walk out in the middle of traffic, and cross at a crosswalk. Thus, if a pedestrian did not exercise this care and instead walked out in the middle of the road while the car was clearly within vision, they may be held at least partially at fault for the accident. Similarly, if the motorist had ample time to avoid the pedestrian but hit them anyway, they could also be considered partially at fault in this scenario. As you can see, the ins and outs of determining fault in pedestrian accidents can be complex, even at first glance. That is why you should strongly consider connecting with one of the best auto accident lawyers in Memphis, TN before making any assumptions about your situation.

In addition, there is a wide array of injuries that can happen to a pedestrian after they get into a car-pedestrian accident, the type of compensation they can expect to receive will vary. Further, the amount of compensation that a pedestrian may receive after filing a claim will also depend on whether the pedestrian is found partially at fault, fully at fault, or not at fault. In general, if individuals are determined to be totally at fault for an accident, they will not recover compensation. However, individuals found to be partially at fault or not at all at fault may recover economic and/or economic damages. A Memphis, TN auto accident lawyer can help to clarify what kinds of damages you may be entitled to, based on your unique circumstances.

I was injured by broken glass in a car accident, can I recover damages?

A car accident can result in a number of injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and bruising. Another common type of injury that many people don’t think about is lacerations and cuts from broken glass.

In a car accident, there is a good chance that the glass from windows and mirrors will be broken. When it shatters, glass can fly everywhere, and although, windshield glass has been designed to resist shattering, a large impact can hinder it’s resistance.

Broken Glass Injuries from Vehicular Accidents

Even though windshield and window glass may shatter into tiny pieces, it is still very sharp. If the lacerations are deep, they can cause pain, infection, and scarring. The glass can also cause significant bleeding; which if not treated in a timely manner, could be life threatening. As a car accident lawyer we have known of cases in which an occupant suffered so many lacerations from the glass in a single area of their body, that there was a risk of losing a limb.

Recovering Compensation from Glass Injuries in a Car Accident

If you were injured by glass in a car accident, you may be able to recover damages. Whether this is true will depend on the circumstances of the accident and who was liable. If another person caused the collision you will almost certainly be able to file a claim against them.

Recoverable Damages

If shattered glass caused you harm in a car accident, economic and non-economic damages may be available. These include:

• Medical cost
• Prospective medical costs
• Cosmetic surgery
• Lost wages and loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish

Understanding Pain and Suffering

Damages for pain and suffering are typically sought after when another person caused the car accidents. What you seek for pain and suffering for a shattered glass injury may be significant due to several reasons, such as:

• Shattered glass injuries are usually very painful
• Even shallow cuts can causes severe damage
• Lacerations from glass can cause disfiguration
• You may have permanent scarring
• Scarring is usually a basis for high amounts of compensation

In general, the more pain and suffering you experience from broken glass injuries, an auto accident lawyer in Memphis, TN will likely seek a larger award on your behalf.

Be Sure to Follow the Doctors Orders

Once you have been treated for broken glass injuries it is prudent you follow your doctor’s orders. If you are unable to show that you are taking your injuries seriously, the defending side might argue that they are not serious. By doing exactly what your doctor recommends, you stand a better chance at recovering maximum damages for broken glass injuries in a car accident.

Talk with an Auto Accident Lawyer in Memphis, TN for Your Broken Glass Injuries

If you were injured in a car accident and suffered lacerations or other injuries from broken glass, please call a Memphis, TN auto accident lawyer today.

If I suffered injuries in an auto accident, do I need a lawyer?

Many people who experience injuries after collisions wonder if they really need to seek out an auto accident lawyer Memphis, TN has to offer. It’s true that there is substantial effort involved in researching and hiring the right Memphis auto accident lawyer and it may seem easier, initially, to represent yourself when seeking financial compensation for your pain and suffering.

However, choosing to look for the right attorney to guide you through your claim could greatly pay off – not only in a trial setting but also in working with insurers. The aftermath of an auto accident is difficult enough; it can be well worth it to find an auto accident lawyer Memphis, TN clients trust to help you with your injury claim.

When Seeking a Lawyer Is Important

Whether or not you ultimately hire an auto accident lawyer in Memphis, TN can depend upon a few factors, including the nature of the collision, and the severity of your injuries. For example, the cost of a minor accident that left you with minimal injuries and vehicular damage may not balance out with the cost of hiring a lawyer.

However, that said, because one or more other drivers were likely involved in your motor vehicle accident, you have to keep in mind the possibility that you may be working with their insurers. Unfortunately, insurers tend to treat accident victims without lawyers quite differently than they do victims with representation. They may offer an unreasonably low amount of money, or even seek to resolve the case within mere weeks of the accident – hardly enough time to determine whether you have any late-developing injury symptoms.

That’s why communicating with insurance companies almost always necessitates securing legal counsel. An experienced auto accident lawyer Memphis, TN clients choose to represent them can help you navigate the challenges of this stage of an accident claim. For example, he or she can review the settlement offer you receive and evaluate whether it’s fair according to the injuries you sustained.

Should your case need to go to trial, having a lawyer in your corner means having someone capable of filing a lawsuit on your behalf. By investigating witness and expert testimonies, and using your medical records, an experienced auto accident lawyer Memphis, TN recommends can use the details of your accident to better evaluate what would make a strong case for awarding damages. It can put you in a much more secure position when it comes to obtaining the best possible outcome for you and setting you on a road to complete recovery.

Start Working with an Attorney

When an auto accident upends your life, the guidance and knowledge of an attorney can be invaluable. Be sure you contact a lawyer who has the experience you need to help you with your claim. Call us at Patterson Bray today at 901-372-5003, and schedule your consultation with a skilled and committed auto accident lawyer Memphis, TN clients know they can trust.

What Are Common Roadway Hazards? 

With so many fatalities each year, it is easy to see that roadway hazards can be the main cause. Not everything is caused by other people but there are some hazards that are. Below are the most common hazards people can face while in a vehicle. 

Bad Traffic 

No matter where you are in the state there is going to be traffic. When traffic biomes bumper-to-bumper during commutes it can lead to drivers only paying some attention to the road while taking advantage of the slow speeds to check their phones. Because of this, there is a good opportunity for a collision to happen. Typically this ends in a rear-end accident which then can turn into a pileup if other drivers aren’t paying attention. 

Reckless Drivers 

Sadly, other drivers are common roadway hazards. This happens when a driver isn’t watching the road, obeying traffic rules, or even following the speed limit. A reckless driver is also someone that could be speeding, driving under the influence, driving the wrong way, or simply running a red light. These collisions can be hard to avoid as you can’t predict other drivers. 

Wet or Oily Roads 

Things like rainwater, ice, sleepy, snow, oil, and grease can present a risk to a vehicle as it means the vehicle can start to slide. The most dangerous time to be on a road is the first few minutes of a storm, as the rain can mix with the motor oil on the road and make things even slicker. Hydroplaning is a risk during any time the roads are slick and it doubles when there is reckless driving happening. To prevent it the easiest thing to do is drive slowly and gently apply breaks rather than hitting them. 

Potholes or Cracks 

It is likely you’ve come across a pothole on your travels. Striking a bad pothole could easily burst a tire, causing a rollover or another car accident. Just like uneven shoulders can pull at the tires of a vehicle and force it off the road. It is the city’s duty to make sure that the roads are maintained as it prevents major potholes or cracks from forming and causing accidents to happen. 

No matter what is on the road, a roadway hazard can have consequences. That is why if you or a loved one have been injured while on the road you should talk to Memphis car accident lawyer to see what they can do for you. Call Patterson Bray today to learn more.

5 Things to Look for When Selecting a Memphis Car Accident Attorney

Discovering a trustworthy vehicle mishap legal representative to deal with is more crucial than you may think. If you have actually recently been hurt in a car mishap, you’ll desire a car accident legal representative who can represent your best interests, so you can concentrate on healing. A good accident legal representative will have the ability to make certain all the best documents are submitted, supply basic legal guidance, identify an accurate settlement price quote, gather proof to reinforce your injury case, work out with insurance adjusters, and represent you in court if needed. Reach out to Patterson Bray to learn more. 

To ensure you discover a reputable car and truck mishap lawyer you can depend manage your case to the best of their abilities, look for the following things when talking to potential legal representatives:

Clear Communication

A great legal representative will make it simple for you to comprehend what they will do to assist you with your case. They will provide you with clear information about their process, costs, worths, and more. If you have any questions, they ought to be direct and to the point. You must not leave their office with more questions than answers. If they are not able to offer clear insight into their practice throughout your initial conversation, there’s a likelihood you’ll have concerns with interaction further along the line if you employ them.

An engaged discussion

An excellent attorney should have an interest in your case. A lawyer that’s not engaged will just put in the minimum quantity of required effort. You can end up getting a smaller settlement than you could have gotten because of this. How can you tell if a legal representative is engaged? They ought to ask you many in-depth concerns about your case and what your legal goals are.

Desire to offer recommendations

The desire to offer recommendations is important when selecting a Memphis car accident attorney. Always ask an attorney for a list of references you can call and speak to. These references should talk to the credibility of the legal representative. Even if you do not contact their referrals, you can believe in the truth that they provided them to you. An attorney that does not have references or will not supply you with any need to be avoided. Contact Patterson Bray for more information. 

An arranged office

The more organized their office looks, the more organized they most likely are. Keep an eye on how their staff does their work and how tidy the legal representative’s desk is. If they have to shuffle through stacks of paper in order to find what they’re looking for while their personal struggles to manage inbound calls, they’re probably not really arranged, which doesn’t show well on their ability to manage your case.

Experience

Ask the legal representative about their experience. Make certain they have specific experience managing car mishap cases. You will likewise want to make certain they have experience arguing cases in court and have a winning track record.

These are five things you must search for when meeting a Memphis car accident lawyer. We’re positive that you will discover all five of these things when you speak with a car accident legal representative at Patterson Bray. To arrange a complimentary consultation, call us at Patterson Bray., today.

Relying on Witnesses For Your Car Accident Claim

Often, people assume they have a car accident claim nailed down because they believe it is obvious that the other party caused the accident. Even if you believe that it is clear you were the victim in the car accident, you cannot rely on this when you are filing a claim. Instead, your attorney will want to make sure you have solid evidence that proves the other party was responsible for the accident and that you deserve to receive damages. One way you can provide good evidence for this is if you have witnesses who are willing to give their statements. 

Can witnesses really help your claim

When you have witnesses to your accident, this can provide much-needed, third-party information that you may never have been able to provide. In fact, it is possible that a witness may have seen the other driver talking on the phone or texting when the accident occurred and you may have no idea that was why the accident happened. Witnesses can help:

• Provide a better, fuller picture when it comes to the circumstances surrounding the accident
• When you and the other party are both saying that different things happened during the accident
• Can confirm what you are saying is true or not

These are all incredibly valuable when it comes to arguing your claim and we cannot stress enough how important it is to get witnesses’ contact information if they are there during and after the accident. 

Are there times when a witness will not help with the accident claim 

Absolutely. Even if you were not responsible for the accident at all, a witness may not be helpful to your claim. This can happen if the witness is not credible. For example, most people do not go out searching for accidents to happen. This means that they may not have been fully paying attention when the accident occurred. If a witness offers to help but did not see the accident before it occurred or while it occurred, this may not be helpful to your claim. Further, if the witness is known for being dishonest, for making false claims to the police, or was intoxicated at the time of the accident, these will likely not help you when you make your claim. 

When you work with one of our attorneys, you know they will examine any witnesses you may have and determine if they will hurt or help your claim. Give our office a call if you want to learn more about how a witness could help your accident case.