At the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis, we have fought to protect accident victims for several decades. We understand that victims and their families need someone to rely upon during this difficult time. Our attorneys are prepared to vigorously scrutinize evidence, gather reports, and work with expert witnesses to ensure your rights are protected. We use our resources and connections to not only help you, but other individuals and families in the future.
Personal Injury Attorney in Nashville
Hurt in an Accident?
Are you or a loved one in extreme pain after an accident? At the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis, we understand how an act of negligence or malice can impact your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. No matter the state of your injuries, we can help you understand your legal options. If you have an eligible claim, we can help you recover financial compensation and hold the negligent party accountable. Our compassionate and knowledgeable approach to accident claims has helped us deliver justice to injured victims for over two decades.
Of course, part of delivering justice includes securing millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. While the location of our firm is Nashville, we have successfully represented our neighbors in Antioch, Hendersonville, and Murfreesboro. However, we can review any accident claim in Tennessee. If you are in need of legal representation, take advantage of our free consultation. We can review your case and help you develop an effective legal strategy.
What Is the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Tennessee?
If you have been injured in an accident, you should consider filing a lawsuit in Tennessee’s civil courts. However, you will need to file before the statute of limitations for your personal injury case expires. A lawyer can provide you with information about any filing deadlines that you will need to meet for your case to proceed.
Since one year is the standard time limit for Tennessee personal injury lawsuits, it is especially important to contact our lawyers as soon as possible after an accident. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after more than one year has passed, then the defendant will likely file a motion to dismiss the case. More often than not, the courts will grant this dismissal. However, there are certain exceptions that may delay the statute of limitations for a Tennessee personal injury case. Therefore, you should always consult with an experienced attorney to review your options after an accident.
Free Consultations
Are you in need of hope after a serious accident? Attorney Stanley A. Davis has the experience and personal integrity to put victims and their families at ease. He approaches each personal injury lawsuit with diligence and determination. Since 1997, our Nashville personal injury attorney has successfully represented clients throughout the state, from Gallatin to Franklin and all the cities in between.
If you are thinking about obtaining legal representation, you should consider scheduling a free consultation with the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis.
Call today at (615) 866-3938 or submit an online contact form to speak with a legal professional. We promise to answer any questions that you may have about your personal injury lawsuit. Additionally, you are not required to pay any attorney fees unless we recover money for your losses.
What Kinds of Compensation Are Available in Personal Injury Cases?
When you file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident, there are generally two kinds of compensation you may seek.
They are:
- Compensatory damages: In a personal injury lawsuit, an award of compensatory pays you back for the expenses that resulted from the accident. These damages can include:
- Special compensatory damages: These costs are calculable and specifically relate to money that you lost as a result of the accident. Your medical bills, household expenses, lost wages, and even future expenses associated with a permanent impairment are all part of this category.
- General compensatory damages: This compensation is for damages that have no explicit monetary value. Pain and suffering, as well as loss of enjoyment of life, are two common types of general damages. In wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, family members may seek compensation for loss of guidance or companionship as well.
- Punitive damages: In certain cases, the courts may award punitive damages to the victim in a personal injury lawsuit. This kind of judgement is meant to punish the defendant for causing intentional harm or behaving with extreme recklessness at the expense of your safety. This punishment is separate from any possible criminal proceedings. In Tennessee, punitive damages are usually limited to twice the total compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. However, there is an exception to this rule. If the person responsible for your injuries was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, there is no cap on punitive damages. Therefore, you can probably file for additional compensation in a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident caused by a drunk driver.
Documents Needed During Your Initial Consultation
After answering some of our questions, we now understand the basic details of your accident. You are now ready for an initial consultation. Is it intimidating coming into a lawyer’s office? Of course. However, you have already talked to our friendly ladies on the phone. Thus, it is time to put a face to these voices.
During your initial consultation, we will listen carefully to your description of the accident. We will also ask you some follow up questions based on the information you provided to us earlier. We will need additional information to begin working on your case.
Here is a list of what you should bring:
- The accident report from the police: You should receive a police incident report slip from the officer who arrives at the crash site. It contains the case number, the reporting officer, and directions for how to receive your report. It also has a phone number and address where you can pick it up.
- Your insurance company declaration page: Call your auto insurance agent and say, “I need my insurance company declaration page.” They will know what you need.
- Your driver’s license: We will make a copy of your license at our office. We use it to verify your identity. Healthcare providers may request it. Also, the other party may request this information during discovery.
- A list of doctors and healthcare facilities that you visited due to the accident: We need the name, phone number, and address of the doctor you visited. There is no need for you to bring your medical records. We can submit a request for them on our own. We can also request an itemized billing statement from your healthcare provider.
- Your insurance claim number: If you have already filed a claim, please bring in your claim number. We also need the name of the person you spoke with when filing your claim. If you have not made a claim, then we can help you. There is no need for you to worry!
- Photographs of the accident: If you took photographs of the accident, we would like to see them. Smartphone pictures are perfectly acceptable — just bring what you have.
Why You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
When you've been injured in an accident, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in maximizing your compensation and ensuring that your rights are protected. Here are some benefits of hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer:
- Expertise and Knowledge: An experienced personal injury lawyer has in-depth knowledge of personal injury laws and regulations. They understand the complexities of the legal system and can navigate it effectively on your behalf.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: A skilled personal injury lawyer knows how to gather and preserve crucial evidence to build a strong case. They can investigate the accident, interview witnesses, gather medical records, and consult with experts to establish liability and prove the extent of your injuries.
- Negotiation Skills: Insurance companies often try to minimize their payouts to accident victims. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. They can handle all communication and settlement negotiations on your behalf.
- Courtroom Experience: While most personal injury cases are settled outside of court, having an experienced personal injury lawyer with courtroom experience can be invaluable. If your case does go to trial, they can present a compelling case and advocate for your rights in front of a judge and jury.
- Peace of Mind: Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be stressful and overwhelming. By hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can focus on your recovery while they handle all the legal aspects of your case. They will ensure that your rights are protected and work tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
Don't navigate the personal injury process alone. Contact the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights and maximize your compensation.
Should You Accept an Initial Settlement from an Insurance Company?
When you've been injured in an accident, it's understandable to want to resolve matters quickly, especially when faced with an initial settlement offer from the insurance company. However, accepting such an offer without consulting a personal injury lawyer can pose significant risks that could affect your long-term well-being and financial security.
Inadequate Compensation
Insurance companies often aim to minimize their payouts, which means the initial settlement they offer may not fully cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Without a thorough understanding of the true extent of your injuries and the potential long-term consequences, you may inadvertently accept a settlement that falls far short of what you need to recover fully.
Unforeseen Future Costs
Some injuries may not fully manifest until weeks or even months after the accident. By accepting an early settlement, you forfeit your right to seek additional compensation if complications arise later. Without legal guidance, you might underestimate the future costs of medical treatment, rehabilitation, or ongoing care, leaving you to bear the financial burden alone.
Complex Legal Processes
Navigating the legal complexities of personal injury claims can be daunting, especially when dealing with insurance companies that have teams of experienced adjusters and lawyers working to protect their interests. Without proper representation, you may find yourself at a disadvantage, unable to negotiate effectively or fully understand the legal implications of the settlement offer.
Preservation of Rights
Consulting with a personal injury lawyer ensures that you understand your rights and options before making any decisions. They can assess the true value of your claim, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and, if necessary, represent you in court to seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Schedule a Free Consultation
The client intake process is something that most law firms overlook. If you contact our law firm during normal business hours, then you expect a prompt response.
There are many ways to contact the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis:
- First, you can give our office a call at (615) 866-3938. This is often the easiest way to schedule a free consultation.
- Second, you can send us a message through our online contact form. The form requires you to fill out your name, email address, and phone number. It also requires you to provide a brief description of your accident and resulting injuries. We monitor the email linked to this form closely. Thus, you can expect to receive a quick response. If you are in a crowded room, or simply hate talking on the phone, then this method is perfect for you.
- Finally, you can reach out to Attorney Stan Davis through our social media channels. We are on Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to send us a direct message and tell us about your situation. We understand that this is a stressful time for you and your family. Thus, we promise to make your load lighter by communicating effectively and often.
To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call (615) 866-3938 today.
Filing Paperwork: The Beginning of the Personal Injury Claims Process
After your initial consultation, we will schedule another meeting to file paperwork. Our office is located in Brentwood on Maryland Way (off of I-65 and Old Hickory Boulevard). There is a giant eagle statue holding an American flag outside of our building. Feel free to park outside in the parking lot. Then, head up the elevator to the third floor. After exiting the elevator, Suite 309 is to the left at the end of the hall. When you walk in, you should see Morgan sitting at the front desk. She will escort you to our main conference room. Danielle or Priscilla will join you there shortly. Attorney Stan Davis may come in to say a quick hello.
Client Intake Form
Now, it is time for paperwork. However, do not worry. We do most of the filling out and filing right there for you. First, we are going to confirm the list of items you have with you. We may have some questions about them as we go. Second, we will begin filling out our intake form. A lot of information about the defendant is mentioned on this form. There is no reason to panic. Most of this will come directly from the accident report. This form goes into greater detail regarding who, what, when, where, and how.
Standard Letter of Representation
Next, we will walk you through our Standard Letter of Representation. Your insurance company will receive this letter. It says that you give us permission to represent you. It also says that the insurance company should only talk to us moving forward. Are there exceptions to this rule? Of course. We will walk through those exceptions together when you are in our office.
Then, if you are on Medicare, we must fill out and submit a form to the Medicare office. If you are not on Medicare, we still have to fill out the form and send it to them. They will monitor your health and recovery during this process.
Contract of Employment Between the Attorney & Client
Finally, we will fill out The Contract of Employment Between the Attorney and Client. This document gives us permission to represent your interests moving forward.
What Does It Cost to Hire the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis? Nothing!
You will have no out of pocket expenses. What does that mean? If your case is successful, we will receive payment out of your settlement or verdict. This includes the attorney fee as well as any advanced expenses (examples of advanced expenses include court filing fees, record requests, etc.) If your case is unsuccessful, we have to eat those expenses — all of them. This is why we carefully decide which cases to accept.
Additional Information
Once we fill out and file these documents, we can discuss the next phase of the personal injury settlement timeline. After you leave our office, we will submit the Standard Letter of Representation to your insurance company. We will also send out any medical record requests to your healthcare providers.
Additionally, you should expect to receive a list of “dos and don’ts” about the personal injury claims process. For example, never mention your case, accident, or injuries on social media.
Recovering Financial Compensation
Remember, if you do not get paid, then neither do we. If your case is unsuccessful, then you owe us nothing. We must pay out of pocket for any expenses we fronted.
If your case is successful, the insurance company will send our office three things:
- The settlement check
- A release
- An order of dismissal
These three items are commonly referred to as “settlement docs.” Once we receive these settlement docs, we will invite you back to our office. You will need to sign the release and endorse the check. Then, by law, the check lands in an escrow account for seven days. This is done to make sure the check clears. Have we ever had an insurance company check bounce? You bet we have. So, once the check clears, the account disperses the payments.
Learn more about how our personal injury lawyer in Nashville can help you by contacting us online or calling (615) 866-3938 today!
Seeking Medical Treatment After the Initial Consultation
You have met us. You like us. You put your faith in us. What comes next? This is where it is all on you. You have to focus on your treatment and getting better. The amount of your verdict or settlement is directly related to your treatment. If you need to change doctors, see a new doctor, or visit a new facility, give us a call. We have to submit forms to each individual place. Yet, it is your job to focus on your recovery. You should take it very seriously.
Before we begin to negotiate on your behalf, we must know the full cost of your medical expenses. Thus, we need itemized medical records and bills. If you have lost wages, then we will give you a form to submit to your supervisor. They will return this form to us. If there are other expenses, send us what you get as it comes in — we will keep it organized.
How Can I Stay in Touch While Receiving Medical Treatment?
You can reach out to us by calling (615) 866-3938. Please contact us if anything changes or needs to change in regard to your medical treatment. Attorney Stan Davis will be in touch when the firm receives a settlement offer for your case.
Negotiating an Auto Accident Insurance Settlement
The next step in the personal injury settlement timeline is the most consequential. We will begin negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. Based on your expenses, we are going to give the insurance company a suggested settlement — they may or may not accept it. We will call you to discuss every offer that comes our way. We prefer to discuss this over the phone, but if you are unavailable, we can communicate over email.
If we are unable to reach an agreement with the insurance company, then we may have to consider going to court. Every case is different; thus, it is hard to know what will happen next.
