Does Vehicle Safety Technology REALLY Make Us Safer?
Anyone who has purchased or test-driven a new vehicle over the past few years has seen the dazzling array of safety technology available to today’s drivers. Safety features have moved from what’s called “passive protection” like seatbelts and airbags to “active protection” like lane assistance and crash avoidance features. The ultimate goal of these technologies…
Read MoreTeens Accused of Killing Stanley Freeman Could be Tried as Adults
On February 12, 16-year-old Austin-East high school student Stanley Freeman, Jr. was shot three times, dying from his wounds after crashing his car. On March 15, two teens were arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting. The teens, aged 14 and 16, are now facing charges of first-degree murder. Authorities also allege the…
Read MoreCan Police Force Me to Unlock My Cell Phone?
For many of us, our cell phones and smart phones are an extension of ourselves – full of messages, photos, contacts and important information. Allowing someone else access to this information could rightly feel like a violation of privacy. For example, in 2019 a Tampa man spent over 40 days in jail after refusing to…
Read MoreWhen Should I Hire a Tennessee Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you are reading this blog, then the likely answer to “when should I hire a criminal defense attorney” is “as soon as possible.” Whether you’re the subject of a criminal investigation or have already been arrested, having an experienced attorney on your side from the start of your case is the best chance for…
Read MoreChest Injuries from Car Crashes Are More Serious Than You Think
Vehicle crashes and accidents tend to bring up images of whiplash, broken bones, and various cuts and bruises. Some injuries that aren’t brought up as much and are just as common, however, are injuries to the chest. These injuries can occur during a crash from airbags, seatbelts, or from hitting the dashboard or steering wheel…
Read MoreNew Legislation Alert: The HALT Drunk Driving Act
A recently-introduced bill to Congress aims to put an end to drunk driving across the United States by requiring all car manufacturers begin installing alcohol monitoring equipment in their vehicles by September 2024. This legislation honors a family killed by a drunk driver in January 2019. Congresswoman Debbie Dingall (D) of Michigan introduced HR 4354…
Read MoreTennessee Courts Begin to Lift Coronavirus Restrictions for In-Person Hearings
The Supreme Court of Tennessee, the highest court in the state, is beginning to ease restrictions regarding in-person hearings starting March 1st. The court suspended jury trials and in-person hearings because of a surge in coronavirus cases. Now that the number of cases is falling, the Court has decided to start opening back up. Per…
Read MoreWhat Is Loss of Consortium?
In every personal injury case, the victim suffers different types of losses. Common damages include medical expenses, lost income, physical pain, emotional suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and property damage. One damage claim that most victims don’t think about is called “loss of consortium.” In simple terms, this means the inability to consort with your marital partner.…
Read MoreWhat Is Assumption of the Risk in an Injury Claim?
In personal injury cases, the defense may try to argue that an injured plaintiff assumed the risk of injuries. This is different than assigning fault to each defendant. Assumption of the risk is different than contributory/comparative negligence which assesses the relative fault of the plaintiff and the defendant. Assumption of the risk is essentially the…
Read MoreHow Is COVID-19 Affecting Crime in Tennessee?
The COVID-19 pandemic is touching every aspect of life – including crime and punishment. On the one hand, it’s natural to expect that criminal conduct during the pandemic will be reduced because less people are out and about. Criminal activity such as assaults, exchanging money or drugs, and other actions require close contact – which…
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