Trucking Accident near Memphis, TN Causes Severe Injuries

Trucking Accident near Memphis, TN Causes Severe Injuries

Over this weekend, Erica Baggett and her family were heading to Mississippi from Nashville, TN for a football game when her husband says they were T-boned by an 18-wheeler near the Mississippi-Tennessee border.  According to news reports, Ms. Baggett was rushed to Regional One Health in Memphis, TN and is still receiving treatment.  Her son and husband were also in the car at the time of the accident, and a GoFundMe has been setup to help the family with rising medical costs as a result of this horrible accident.

What to Do Following a Collision with a Commercial Truck or 18 Wheeler

More than likely, you will require immediate medical attention after a truck accident. This is because most of these collisions involve serious and possibly even life-threatening injuries. After recovering, you should call a trucking accident lawyer Memphis, TN trusts. An attorney from our firm can arrange to meet you in a hospital or at your home. We may help you to file a police report if this has not already been done. If you are the parent, child, spouse, partner, or other immediate family member to a person who was incapacitated or killed in a truck accident, we encourage you to call Patterson Bray immediately. We can help seek recovery against the driver of the truck and his/her company for damages they may have caused, including medical expenses incurred by you.

When to Consult a Memphis Trucking Accident Lawyer

Every year, thousands of people are injured in truck accidents in the United States. While the cause of each of these is different, there are typically similar factors involved–usually, negligence or carelessness. When this holds true, you may be able to seek legal representation to receive monetary compensation. Examples of negligence include:

  • Failing to signal
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Lack of driver training or experience
  • Speeding
  • Load violations
  • Faulty parts
  • Tire blowout
  • Broken axle
  • Brake failure
  • Improper maintenance on the truck
  • Poor road or weather conditions

It’s possible that more than one of the aforementioned was involved in your accident; for example, poor weather conditions could have exacerbated the effects of a tire blowout from an overloaded truck. Even if the cause of the accident is not listed above, you should contact a trucking accident lawyer Memphis, TN residents regularly consult for further advice.

What to Do When You Are Contacted By the Other Party’s Insurance Company

Sometime after your accident, you may be contacted by the insurance adjusters of another party. They may be seeking information about the collision or wish to get a statement from you. They might also claim to take responsibility for what happened, and follow up with a settlement offer. As tempting as this will be, it is in your best interest to decline everything. They are not on your side, and will be trying to settle for much less than you deserve, including payment for medical bills incurred by you, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. At this point, you should seek further advice from a trucking accident lawyer Memphis, TN prefers from Patterson Bray.

For Your Truck Accident Lawyer, Count On Patterson Bray

When you are seeking a law firm who can offer a successful trucking accident lawyer Memphis, TN recommends, there are many to choose from, but there is only one like Patterson Bray. For years, we have been fighting for innocent victims of truck accidents. Guided by our confidence, zealous approach, and determination to get results, we are recognized as a law firm who can offer a skilled trucking accident lawyer in Memphis, TN. To arrange a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers, please call 901-372-5003.

Deadly Apartment Shooting in South Memphis at Cottonwood Apartments

Deadly Apartment Shooting in South Memphis at Cottonwood Apartments

We continue to read about apartment complex shootings in Memphis and can’t help but wonder what kind of security measures were in place at these complexes. Could a more thoughtful security plan have prevented these tragic deaths and injuries? 6 different people were killed in Memphis, TN over the weekend per reports of the Commercial Appeal.

Moreover, this all occurred over a 72 hour period. At about 5:30 pm on Sunday, the Memphis Police Department responded to a robbery call in the Cottonwood Apartments. When they arrived, the Memphis Police Department found three men with gunshot wounds. One of the victims is dead.  The other victims transported to the Med after the shooting.

COTTONWOOD APARTMENTS’ DUTY TO PROVIDE REASONABLE SECURITY

Did you know that in Memphis, TN apartment complexes usually have a duty to provide reasonable security measures?  Each case is different. In some cases, a crime victim injured on apartment complex property may be entitled to money damages from the apartment complex or its owner. Call Patterson Bray, if you or a family member are the victim of a shooting at an apartment complex. You may be able to recover against the apartment complex, even though you were shot by a criminal. This depends on the facts of your case and the security measures that were or were not in place at the apartment complex. Every case is unique. It is important to call an experienced apartment complex shooting lawyer Memphis, TN to discuss your case.

WE REPRESENT VICTIMS OF APARTMENT COMPLEX SHOOTINGS.

Do you have questions about a potential case against an apartment complex based on the acts of a criminal assailant? Our law firm has significant experience in this type of case. We represent clients that are shot at apartment complexes, and we help obtain compensation for injuries. Not only do we have the necessary experience in this kind of case, but we treat our clients like family. You will never feel like a “file on a shelf” at Patterson Bray.

Call us today at (901) 372-5003 or email us here.

Deadly Shooting at The Cobra in East Nashville, TN

Deadly Shooting at The Cobra in East Nashville, TN

Just this Friday morning, another sad incident occurred at a bar in East Nashville, TN. At approximately 3:30 am, patrons of the Cobra bar in Nashville, TN were shot in the parking lot. Jaime Sarrantonio and Bartley Teal unfortunately lost their lives as a result of this shooting East Nashville, TN and the possible negligence of the bars owners. According to news reports, the two walked to a convenience store to get some snacks. When they returned, they were shot during an apparent robbery. This is just the latest shooting East Nashville, TN to occur recently. Sadly, one of the victims had just turned 33, and this may have been prevented.

NEGLIGENT SECURITY | PUTTING PROFIT BEFORE PEOPLE

Some bars and nightclubs are quiet places where no one ever raises their voice and fights are unheard of, but others unfortunately are hotbeds for arguments and fights night after night. What if you are attacked in a bar or nightclub or what if you accidentally get hit by a fist or a thrown bottle? Who is liable? Is the bar or nightclub liable to you? How does premises liability law cover these situations?

Bar owners must take reasonable steps to prevent guns from entering their establishments. With adequate security measures in place, shootings East Nashville, TN can be prevented. Sadly, when we investigate shooting lawsuits, all too often the property or bar owner negligently ignored their security needs. This results in negligent security cases. The purpose of these shooting lawsuits is to hold the bar accountable for the wrongful injury or death of the shooting victim(s). Although money will not bring the deceased back or make the injured healthy, it sends a message to the negligent owner.

DOES THE VICTIM HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST THE THE COBRA?

Maybe. There are many factors to consider. Tennessee law requires property owners and managers to take reasonable measures to protect guests from foreseeable criminal attacks. Whether the victims or their family will be able to recover against the The Cobra for this shooting East Nashville, TN  depends on a number of factors, including how exactly the incident occurred, what security measures the bar provided, and the crime levels for the bar and surrounding area.  Each negligent security case is unique.  As such, injured individuals and their families need a law firm that regularly handles negligent security cases.  Patterson Bray has represented negligent security victims for years and understands victims’ rights.

ARE YOU THE VICTIM OF A NEGLIGENT SECURITY CRIME OR SHOOTING? IF SO, CALL THE NEGLIGENT SECURITY LAWYER NASHVILLE, TN TRUSTS.

We’ve helped other crime victims, and we can help you recover your damages if a bar failed to take reasonable measures to protect against foreseeable criminal attacks. Patterson Bray are a personal injury and wrongful death attorneys Nashville, TN knows and trusts.

If you or your family member is the victim of a serious injury due to crime or negligent security, please call Patterson Bray today at 901-372-5003.

Patterson Bray Attorneys

Deadly Shooting at The Park at Hermitage Apartments in Nashville, TN

Deadly Shooting at The Park at Hermitage Apartments in Nashville, TN

apartment crime lawyer memphis tnCrime at Nashville, TN apartment complexes continues.

Just this week, a man was shot in the back at a pool at The Park at Hermitage Apartments near Old Hickory Boulevard, just south of Interstate 40, in Nashville, TN. According to the news we’re reading, witnesses say that two men wearing dark clothing and masks approached victims at the apartment’s pool. The gunmen tried to rob the group and shots were fired. According to News Channel 5 in Nashville, TN, the victim was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with critical injuries.

Does the victim have a claim against the apartment complex where he got shot?

Maybe. There are many factors to consider. In Tennessee, apartment complex owners and managers must take reasonable measures to protect tenants and guests from foreseeable criminal attacks. Whether the victim would be able to recover against the The Park at Hermitage Apartments depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the facts of how the incident occurred, security measures provided at the apartment complex, and crime levels for the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhood. According to the news report, 67 crimes have been reported within a half a mile of the apartment complex since the beginning of June.

Are you the victim of an apartment crime or apartment shooting? If so, call the apartment crime lawyer Nashville, TN knows and respects.

If you are the victim of a serious injury due to apartment crime, please call Patterson Bray today at 901-372-5003. We’ve helped other crime victims like you, and we can help YOU recover your damages if apartment management failed to take reasonable measures to protect against foreseeable criminal attacks. Patterson Bray is an apartment crime lawyer Nashville, TN knows and trusts. We will meet or speak with you and discuss whether you might have a case at no charge.  Call us today.

Misinformation about malpractice litigation in Tennessee

personal injury lawyer memphis tnMisinformation about malpractice litigation in Tennessee

Our friend John Day posted an informative blog post about Misinformation About Malpractice Litigation in Tennessee. John points out:

[an article] purports to list the number of filings per state per 100,000 residents and ranks Tennesseans as the 5th highest filers of malpractice lawsuits – at the rate of 33 per 100,000 people.  That would mean that Tennesseans file about 2145 such lawsuits per year (we have a little over 6,500,000 people living here).

But that number is wrong.  Information compiled by Tennessee’s Administrative Office of the Courts demonstrates that there were 374 medical malpractice suits filed in 2013-2014 and 356 suits filed in 2014-2015. (Data is kept on a July 1 – June 30 fiscal year; 2015-2016 data is not yet publicly available). My guess is that the number of suits filed in all of 2015 was down from what it was in fiscal year 2014-2015, but even assuming that it was the same (356), the rate of filed suits was less than 5.5 per 100,000.  That simply didn’t happen.

Lesson: Don’t believe everything that you read.  Some people would like for you to believe that Tennessee residents are “lawsuit happy” and that there are tons of frivolous lawsuits filed against our physicians. And it’s not true.

Need a lawyer in Memphis? We’ve got the perfect one for you.

Patterson Bray PLLC

8001 Centerview Parkway, Suite 103

Memphis, Tennessee 38018

(901) 372-5003 Office

(901) 383-6599 Fax

www.pattersonbray.com

Cordova, TN Apartment Shootings: Was there security?

style=”text-align: justify;”>apartment shooting lawyer memphis tnViolent crime isn’t limited to urban centers, or run-down properties. Areas in eastern Shelby County, including Cordova, TN are experiencing violent crime, often at what many people would consider to be luxury apartment complexes.

Earlier this month, 18 year old  Eddie McDonald was shot and killed at the Country Squire Apartments in Cordova, TN.

And just this week, a man was shot and killed at the Appling Lakes Apartments in Cordova, TN, while two others were injured by gunfire. The Commercial Appeal reports that the Appling Lakes shooting was the 19th murder in unincorporated Shelby County in 2016–the highest number of homicides ever recorded.

Did you know that apartment owners must provide reasonable security?

In Tennessee, apartment owners are generally required to provide reasonable security measure to tenants and guests of the property. What is “reasonable?” It depends on the circumstances, such as the type of crime committed against a victim and the history of crime on the property and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Every single apartment shooting case is different. We can’t help but wonder if in the Appling Lakes and Country Squire shooting cases, security measures could have prevented the victims’ deaths and injuries.  We do not know enough yet about the cases to make an assessment.

Call us. We are lawyers for crime victims.

We are lawyers for apartment crime victims in Memphis, TN. If you are the victim of an apartment shooting or crime, please call us today at (901) 372-5003.

We have the experience, know-how, and financial resources to properly investigate and prosecute your case. If the apartment complex where you were injured did not provide reasonable security, you may be entitled to money damages to compensate you for your injuries and pain and suffering.   This is the case even if you weren’t a tenant and were just visiting.

We have helped others like you. Let us help you. Call (901) 372-5003 and ask to speak to the experienced apartment crime lawyers in Memphis, TN.

Deadly shooting at Madison Cypress Lakes apartment complex

shooting at madison cypress lakes, crime victim attorneyUPDATED on 08/08/2016:  Police have now identified the victim as Monique Brown, who is the mother of a young child.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A deadly shooting at Madison Cypress Lakes apartment complex in Memphis, Tennessee.

According to news reports, a young woman was shot and killed in a shooting at the Madison at Cypress Lakes apartment complex.  What makes this shooting especially tragic is that this is hardly the first time the Madison apartment complex has been the scene of senseless violence.  According to News Channel 5, it’s the third incident just this year in which their news crew has reported on a serious criminal incident at the complex.

 History of Crime at the Apartment Complex

Another story reports that “[t]he complex has a history of violent crimes.”  The story also reports that:

In June 2013, a pizza delivery driver was shot during an armed robbery at the complex. In March 2014, one person was shot during another armed robbery. Two months later, in May 2014, a man was stabbed several times by two men during an attempted robbery. Earlier this year, a woman was sexually assaulted by a man who broke into her apartment.

We know the law on Apartment Crime.

Just 8 months ago, our law firm concluded a lawsuit involving yet another shooting at Madison Cypress Lakes in Memphis, involving the senseless robbery and shooting of a pizza delivery driver.  That lawsuit involved allegations of a shockingly low level of security given the Madison’s size, location, and finances.

Unfortunately, though, as confirmed by these local news reports, it appears that residents and visitors of the Madison at Cypress Lakes continue to be victimized by crime.

Obviously, not all crime is preventable.  And not all crime that occurs at an apartment complex is the fault of the property owner.  But all too frequently we find that large, out of town, corporate owners put profit over people, and they fail to implement reasonable security measures that could prevent innocent people from becoming victims of violent crime.

We represent crime victims and their families.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed at an apartment complex or other commercial property in or around Memphis or Nashville, call Patterson Bray for help at 901-372-5003.

We assist crime victims in the greater Memphis and Nashville areas. Cities covered include: Memphis, Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, Eads, Germantown, Lakeland, Ashland City, Belmont, Hillsboro, Brentwood, Belle Meade, Forest Hills, Franklin, Greenhills, Hendersonville, Nolensville, Nolan’s Park, Oak Hill, and surrounding towns and cities.

How to Talk to Your Insurance Company After an Accident

insurance company after car accident

Don’t Always Expect the Insurance Company to be on Your Side

After a car accident, you may feel it necessary to contact your auto insurance company or carrier and let them know what has happened immediately. While informing your carrier of an accident is an important step in getting the compensation you deserve, there are a few things you should know before you pick up the phone.

As nice as it is to believe that an insurance company is on your side, this might not always be the case. Insurance agencies are running a business, meaning their main concern will almost always be their bottom dollar. Even though you may have paid your monthly premiums, and followed up on your end of the bargain, the insurance company will likely still not be looking after your best interests. That’s why you may want to consider enlisting the help of a personal injury attorney. Their main objective is to help you get the compensation you deserve. In fact, most DC personal injury lawyers won’t see any payment until you do.

Speaking with Your Insurance Company

After an accident, you may want to follow these steps:

  • Call the police
  • Take care of injuries
  • Exchange information with the other driver
  • Document the accident
  • Report the accident to your insurance company

When you contact the insurance company, you will likely need the following information:

  • Policy information
  • Identity Verification
  • Facts about the accident
  • What property was damaged
  • If there were any injuries
  • Police report and its identification number

At this point, insurance companies will likely try and find ways to reject your accident claims or find a way to pay the least amount of money on a claim. Remember, you only have to provide the basic information at this time. Stick to the facts and avoid adding any personal opinions, or conjecture about liability; an insurance company will likely try to spin any non-factual evidence you provide to avoid paying your claim. This is also not a time to accept any offers from the insurance company for a payout. If you already have an attorney, provide the attorney’s contact information to the representative. If you don’t have an attorney, let the representative know you will be getting one. Retaining an attorney shows the insurance company that you are serious and that they cannot take advantage of you.

If you’ve been injured in an accident and are in the process of dealing with your insurance company to get the compensation you deserve, it may be in your best interest to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Need a Memphis Personal Injury Lawyer?

Call us at (901) 372-5003.  Our experienced Memphis injury lawyers can help you make the most of your insurance claim.

Injuries to Trespassing Children

injuries trespassing children, personal injury lawyer

Attractive Nuisance Doctrine

In most states, there are special rules addressing injuries to trespassing children.  In Tennessee, for example, there is the “attractive nuisance doctrine,” recently codified in Tenn. Code. Ann. 29-34-208.

In summary, that doctrine holds that a land owner or possessor is liable for injuries to children who trespass if all of the following elements are present:

(1) The owner maintained a dangerous condition that was not a natural condition and knew or should have known that the condition posed a risk of death or serious bodily harm to trespassing kids;

(2) The owner knew or should have known children were likely to trespass onto the property, either because they would be lured there by the dangerous condition or because children regularly play on the property;

(3) The dangerous condition was not apparent, or children, because of their youth, would be unlikely to discover and comprehend the risk;

(4) The usefulness to the owner of maintaining the dangerous condition and the burden of eliminating the danger were significantly outweighed by the risk of harm to kids who would foreseeably trespass onto the property; and

(5) The owner failed to use reasonable care to eliminate the danger or otherwise protect the children.

This statute does not create or increase liability or affect any immunity from or defense to liability established by other statutes or common law to which a landowner may be entitled.

Even Trespassing Children are Protected by the Law

If your child was injured on someone else’s property by a dangerous condition, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer. Cases like this are very fact-dependent and are handled and settled on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation to help you pay for your child’s medical bills and other damages, even if your child was trespassing.

We represent injured children and their families.

The attorneys at Patterson Bray not only know how to deal effectively and efficiently with insurance companies, but we are also experienced trial lawyers.  We’d be honored to represent you and your family if your child has been injured. Please call us today for a free consultation at 901-372-5003. Or, if you aren’t a fan of the telephone, please feel free to email our team of injury lawyers.

We serve clients throughout Tennessee and Mississippi, including Bartlett, Cordova, Lakeland, Germantown, Collierville, Munford, Covington, Arlington, Nashville, Brentwood, and the surrounding counties and rural areas.  Sign up to receive our blog posts via email.

Does Health Insurance Cover Injuries from a Car Accident?

insurance personal injury lawyer

Health Insurance vs. Car Insurance

Almost every state in this country requires a motor vehicle driver to carry insurance, except for New Hampshire and Virginia. Whenever you need to go to the hospital, you expect to utilize the services you pay for to cover your care. But what happens when you seek medical treatment as a result of a car accident? Does your medical insurance still cover this bill, or do you turn to your car insurance for assistance?

Which Insurance Company Covers the Bills?

This question is really quite detailed, and many factors come into play. In most cases, whoever is at fault is responsible for the medical bills. If someone else hits you and is cited for the accident, it is their insurance that is responsible for paying your medical bills. Now, let us suppose that you are hit by someone who did not have insurance coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists

For situations where the at-fault party has little to no coverage, carrying an insurance policy known as uninsured or underinsured motorists coverage can help alleviate the stress of mounting medical bills. This coverage can allow your motor vehicle insurance to cover the medical portion of whatever the at-fault drivers could not. This can be especially important if injuries have lasting or permanent effects.

Initial Medical Costs Are Not Always Final

When it comes to a car accident and medical costs, the initial costs of treatment may not be the final total on care. Oftentimes, people do not realize how severely injured they are until days or even weeks after the incident.

Furthermore, if you have had to take time off of work due to your injuries, or have a possibly disabling condition; you may be entitled to further compensation for those damages as well. A DC car accident lawyer can stand beside you and fight for a compensation package that may be able to better recuperate damages you’ve suffered.

Why You May Need an Attorney

An insurance company wants to settle the claim as quickly and as quietly as possible. They do not want to go to court, and do not want to pay a dime more than they have to. Your best interest is not their priority; their main focus is to protect their bottom line. An attorney may be able to help combat attempts to settle your claim with a low-ball offer, expedite the settlement award process, and offer peace of mind by professionally managing all of the complexities of your case.

A top attorney should be able to examine your potential case and determine the path to compensation. They may also be able to assist in determining who is responsible for the medical bills based on your unique situation. There are always loopholes and all sorts of red tape when it comes to an auto accident; which is why having a legal adviser can be so beneficial.

Do you need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Please call Patterson Bray for a free consultation at 901-372-5003. We are personal injury lawyers in Memphis and Nashville and have extensive experience handling car accident cases. Tell us about your car accident case and let us help you. Sign up for email notifications of our blog post!

 

Thanks to our friends and contributors at Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their additional insight into car accident and personal injury practice.