At this point, I wonder if anyone really does not know that distracted driving is dangerous. The media has covered it, public service announcements have been done, police departments have increased enforcement, our State legislature has passed stricter laws about it. Yet, distracted driving continues to be on the rise. For some of us, we just can’t seem to give driving our full time and attention despite knowing the dangers. In fact, according to one study, Tennesseans are the worst in the nation when it comes to distracted driving with distracted driving in our State being five times the national average. Read on for more stats and what you can do to protect yourself from distracted driving. Continue reading
Articles Posted in Insurance
How Will the Pandemic Affect Jury Awards?
Let’s face it, the pandemic is leaving an indelible mark on almost everything, so there is no reason to believe jury awards in injury and death cases will be any different. Jury and trial consulting firms have been conducting surveys since the inception of the pandemic and they have some theories on how the pandemic will affect the amount of jury awards, how it will impact medical malpractice cases and whether it will generally be better for the defendant or the injury victim.
I Had a Car Accident, But I Don’t Have Insurance
In Tennessee, this unfortunately happens a lot. Tennessee is sixth worst in the nation for uninsured drivers. The next time you are out driving, consider this: one in every five vehicles you meet does not have insurance. Of course, this is why we are constantly encouraging people to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. But today, we want to look at what happens if you drive without insurance in Tennessee and whether someone who does not have insurance can still pursue a personal injury case. Continue reading
New Year’s Legal Resolutions 2021
As I type the title to his blog post, I am reminded of Seth Godin’s comment that resolutions do not work but habits and systems do, so maybe the title should be: New Year’s Legal Habits. In essence, it boils down to the difference between writing something down on paper vs. actually doing what you have written down on paper. One is much harder than the other and then, of course, you must first know what you should be doing, so we thought we would help with that part, at least for the legal side of things. You can decide for yourself if you want to lose weight, write the great American novel or learn how to make fresh pasta.
Insurance in a Pandemic
Another 709,000 Americans filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week and millions remain unemployed. And for others, they have kept their jobs but have been forced to accept pay cuts and other reductions in benefits. Needless to say, the pandemic has caused chaos for many families’ budgets. Of course, if you have less money coming in, the natural reaction is to look for ways to save money. When the car insurance bill arrives in the mailbox, many people wonder about simply not paying it or slashing coverage. So, we wanted to offer some advice on these issues and remind you what is required under the law and, most likely, under your car loan or lease agreement. Continue reading
October Is National Pedestrian Safety Month
No matter where you live or your typical form of transportation, we are all pedestrians. When you get out of your car to walk through the parking lot to go into Target, you are a pedestrian. When you walk your dog through your neighborhood, you are a pedestrian. Your children or grandchildren are pedestrians when they get off the school bus. As such, pedestrian safety should be important to all of us, which is why the federal government has designated October as National Pedestrian Safety Month. Here are some important facts and safety tips you should know. Also, if you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, we have one piece of information that could mean the difference between you receiving compensation or not. Continue reading
Coronavirus Chaos for Commuters
First, the problem was an increase in reckless driving. As a large number of commuters began working from home, many drivers saw the decreased congestion on the roads as an opportunity to turn into Mario Andretti. As a result, the number of fatal accidents increased markedly. Now, as more people are returning to work in some places, two new issues confront commuters. Continue reading
Smiles, Encouragement and Tips – Week 4
Nashville is incredibly fortunate to be home to world-class songwriters like Lee Thomas Miller, Wendall Mobley & Bob DiPiero. Songwriter’s Nights are a favorite of ours. It is fascinating to hear how hit songs came about. But did you ever think you, sitting at home in your pajamas during a quarantine, could write a song with a music legend? Well, Jon Bon Jovi is offering just that. Read on for a story that will make you smile, an important legal tip and your encouragement for the week. Continue reading
Smiles, Encouragement and Tips – Week 3
Time for a mid-week boost. We are back with some more legal tips and good news. First, we have a new give-away going on our Facebook page. All you have to do is upload a picture of you fur baby to be entered to win one of three $50 VISA gift cards to be given away on Friday, April 10, 2020. We have loved doing these fun quarantine give-aways to help folks with groceries or take-out dinner from a local restaurant. Now, on to some legal tips and more good news. Continue reading
Car Cameras May Be Recording More Than You Think
Since 2018, federal law requires all new American cars to have at least one camera: a rearview camera. Many vehicles have multiple cameras that will record even when the vehicle is off, and some vehicles have cameras that monitor the driver’s face. Car cameras have lots of benefits but they also raise some interesting questions for car accident cases and beyond.