Federal Agency Data Predicts 100% Increase in Automated Driving Crashes This Year
With Tesla leading the charge, there are more autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles on the road than ever before. It stands to reason that the number of crashes involving these vehicles will increase as more of them hit the roads and encounter the realities of navigating complex traffic systems. All new technology faces challenges during development,…
Read MoreWhat Should You Do If You Get Hurt On Vacation?
A lot goes in to planning a vacation getaway, whether it’s your annual trip to the Great Smokey Mountains, or your first time exploring Dollywood with the family. All the work and preparation usually pays off in exchange for relaxation and fond memories of a unique time. But what happens when a sudden injury occurs…
Read MoreTennessee Law Tightens Definition of Severe Child Abuse to Include Drug Exposure
On May 4, 2021, the Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 1530 with an amendment that expands on the previous definition of “severe child abuse.” The amendment to the bill now includes “knowingly allowing a child to be within a structure where any of the following controlled substances are present and accessible to the child: a…
Read MoreLack of Seat Belts Is Still a Leading Cause of Death in Car Accidents
We cannot control the actions of others, especially when we are on the road. The only thing we can do is ensure that we follow the laws and take precautions for ourselves and our passengers. Of all those precautions, wearing a seat belt is the simplest one – and yet there are still those who…
Read MoreWhen Filling Up Leads to Felonies and Civil Liability
When last call comes, bartenders often find themselves in a mad dash to sell the last of their drinks. If their patrons are already drunk, legally, the bartenders should cut them off to ensure that they don’t drink and drive, lest they find themselves (and their establishment) named in a civil lawsuit. In Tennessee, you…
Read MoreNew Study Claims Dehydrated Driving Is as Bad as Drunk Driving
Everyone knows how dangerous it is to drive while intoxicated and that it is illegal everywhere you drive in Tennessee. Even if you’re not over the legal limit or .08 BAC, you can still be charged with and convicted of DUI. A recent study published in Science Direct found that when an adult is considered…
Read MoreIs It a Crime to…? Where Tennessee Law and TV Diverge
One of the less fortunate effects of police procedurals on television is that people often misconstrue what is legal and what is not. They may not understand exactly when a person’s Miranda rights must be read, or how honest police must be. They may also believe that certain actions are less serious than they are,…
Read MoreThe Role of the Accident Reconstructionist in Your Injury Claim
Finding yourself injured in a Gatlinburg car accident is never easy. You will likely miss time at work, which means there won’t be any money coming in to pay the bills or provide for your family. It is a situation that can lead to a lot of stress, which is never good for someone who…
Read MoreCicada in the Car? You Can Still Be Held Liable for a Crash
There are billions of Brood X cicadas swarming the Midwest and the East over the past few months, emerging from the Smokies (and backyards in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) around May. They’re big and dopey (and little weird looking), and generally harmless to people. But because of the sheer size of the swarms this year,…
Read MoreThe Danger of Left-Hand Turns
It’s fairly common knowledge that making a left-hand turn at an intersection is more dangerous than making a right-hand turn. When you turn left, you need to enter into traffic from oncoming lanes. When you turn right, you normally are only concerned that the traffic in the lanes nearest you has stopped. Generally, a left-hand…
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