A Personal Injury Lawyer Memphis, TN
Personal Injury Claims
Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN is someone who represents people who have suffered because of the negligent or reckless behavior of someone else, or that of an entity such as a company or a government agency. If you have been injured because of someone’s neglect or reckless behavior, you may find it helpful to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer who has helped people in situations similar to yours. When you enlist the help of a Memphis personal injury lawyer from Patterson Bray you can count on us to aggressively fight those who wronged you. We will also treat you and your family with the care and respect you deserve.
Personal Injuries
The injuries or conditions that someone has sustained because of the neglect or reckless behavior of others may be temporary or permanent. These injuries and conditions can appear immediately because of a particular event, or they may occur gradually over a long period of time. The injuries and conditions themselves can be relatively mild or they can be life changing. In the most extreme cases, someone’s death can be caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s neglect or wrongdoing, you may be in need of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN. There are many situations where you may be entitled to compensation if you are injured or unwell because of what someone else did or did not do.
- You may be concerned about mounting medical bills and lost wages.
- You may be concerned about future earning ability, and the loss of mobility and/or abilities.
- You may be in pain and/or suffering because of the loss of a loved one, or because you are witnessing your loved one’s pain and suffering.
It can be scary to face the reality of your situation if you or someone close to you is suffering. Having a compassionate and reputable personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN on your side can help you to make informed decisions about what legal options to pursue.
Common Causes of 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:
- Workplace incidents
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Auto accidents
- Slip or trip and fall accidents
- Dangerous drugs
- Defective products
- 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
- Heart conditions
- Lung conditions
- Cancer
- Disease
If you or someone close to you is suffering because of someone else’s neglect or reckless behavior, call Patterson Bray today at 901.372.5003 for a free case evaluation with a respected Memphis, Tennessee personal injury lawyer.
Is there any other basis for personal injury liability besides negligence?
A personal injury claim usually hinges on the fact that the injured party’s pain and suffering was caused by the other party’s negligence. For example, in a slip and fall claim, the person who fell and got hurt was the result of the property owner’s negligence. In a car accident, the driver who was injured was hit by a driver who was not exercising reasonable care on the road. In most cases, once negligence is proven, the injured party can begin negotiating a settlement claim.
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 circumstance. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Then, the plaintiff must prove that the breach of duty is the direct cause of their injuries.
- They must then identify the scope of the defendant’s responsibility. In other words, the defendant can only be held responsible for harms that they could have foreseen.
- Finally, the plaintiff must prove that the injuries caused resulted in actual damages such as medical bills, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of a job, and so forth.
But is negligence the only basis for a personal injury claim?
While negligence is the most common basis for a personal injury claim, it is not the only one. There are two other ways that you can prove that another party or entity is liable for your personal injury.
Strict liability is another way to prove liability for an injury that was caused by designers and manufacturers. When a person is injured as a result of defective products, they do not have to establish negligence of the manufacturer. They can instead show that the product that caused the injury was designed or manufactured in a way that made it dangerous when it was used as intended.
Intentional wrongs is another, more rarely utilized, basis of personal injury claims. For example, if someone intentionally hit you, they can be sued for personal injury by way of battery. The person who injured you can be criminally liable and civilly liable.
When You Need a Memphis Personal Injury Lawyer
A seasoned personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN clients recommend is aware that when a person has been injured in an accident, not only are they dealing with the recovery of that injury, but they often face financial stress caused by medical expenses and loss of income from being unable to work. These factors can feel even more stressful when the injury was caused by another party’s negligence.
At Patterson Bray, we have been fighting for injured victims for decades and work aggressively to get our clients the financial compensation they deserve for the losses their injuries have caused. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, we are happy to discuss your situation and how we may be able to help.
Personal Injury Claims
Under Tennessee law, when a person’s injuries are caused as a result of the negligent or reckless behaviors of another person or entity, then the victim has the right to financial compensation for the losses they have suffered as a result of the injury. This compensation is typically paid for by the at-fault party’s insurance company, however, there are instances where a personal injury attorney may also pursue other legal options, such as property or other assets the at-fault party owns. The personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN residents trust from Patterson Bray will determine what the best legal course of action is based on the circumstances of your case.
Each Memphis personal injury lawyer from Patterson Bray has represented clients who were injured in many different types of accidents. Some of the more common accidents include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian/bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Premises liability
- Medical malpractice/medical errors
- Nursing home abuse
- Workers’ compensation
- Construction site accidents
- Defective or dangerous product
- Wrongful death
Types of Damages
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 may have had to deal with because of the situation. Depending on the long-term effects, a victim may also receive compensation for the loss of the ability to perform daily activities and loss of consortium. A personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN can evaluate your case and determine what losses you have that you can pursue damages for.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Memphis, TN Families Depend on Today
If you would like to find out if you have any legal recourse against the party you think was responsible for your injuries, contact a personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN from Patterson Bray today at 901.372.5003 for a free case evaluation.
Benefits of Retaining a Memphis, TN Personal Injury Attorney
Are you undecided about whether or not you should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN offers after being involved in an incident that caused you harm? If you feel that you have a legal claim, contact Patterson Bray for a free consultation. Our lawyers work diligently with clients in the Memphis and Nashville area and are prepared to seek due justice after a personal injury.
Lawyers typically focus on one or two areas of the law. Therefore, when you are interested in filing a claim for an injury or accident, you may want to look for a personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN trusts. To further understand the importance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, please consider the following benefits:
- A personal injury lawyer may have fought similar claims. Personal injury claims must adhere to or meet specific guidelines, laid out in complex laws, case histories, or insurance contracts. Through the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN respects, your time and mental energy may be saved. More importantly, you might feel an increase in confidence by knowing you’re working with someone who understands how to navigate the legal system.
- Fees are generally based upon contingency. Every law firm has its own policy regarding personal injury. However, many firms, including Patterson Bray, work on a contingency fee basis. Through this structure, you are not obliged to pay any money or fees up front; rather, fees shall be settled once a case has been won.
- Objective thinking may be implemented. A personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN may develop strong cases through objective, logical thinking. Such a mindset requires the careful consideration of fine details, which could prove your claim. This way of thinking may trickle down into any court proceedings in which precise attention to language and words will be of the utmost priority.
- Discovering alternative options. Sometimes a negotiation or settlement offered is not up to par with expectations. Should this happen, a personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN can count on may look for alternative methods to a suitable resolution. These could include arbitration, mediation, or trial.
- Settlements may be higher than insurance claim offers. An insurance company or third party may be very determined to get you to agree to settlements or negotiations. It may be advisable to politely decline until you consult with a personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN residents have on their side. A lawyer may provide you with honest advice of any offers on the table, or aim to re-negotiate the settlement so you get more appropriate compensation.
Patterson Bray: Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that may have been caused by negligence or wrongdoing, you may be able to receive compensation. Patterson Bray has a team of lawyers who understand what you may be going through and are ready to give you the support and guidance you may need. If you would like to schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN residents can count on, please call 901.372.5003.
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