Author Archives: John Willis
Clinton Victim Speaks Out on Rise in Tennessee Motorcycle Accidents
Summer is a popular time for Tennessee motorcyclists to take to the open road. Unfortunately, the road is not always so friendly to motorcycles. There has been a notable increase in fatalities related to motorcycle accidents in recent years. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s most recent statistics, a record 147 motorcyclists died on… Read More »
Is a Company Liable for an Accident Caused by an “Independent Contractor”?
It is fairly well established in Tennessee law that an employer is vicariously liable for a car accident caused by an employee within the scope of his employment. But the same rule does not typically apply to independent contractors. And in many cases, it may not be immediately apparent which category a negligent driver… Read More »
TN Court Revives Lawsuit Against Jailhouse Doctors Over Patient Death
There are far too many cases in Tennessee where people lose a family member due to improper institutional care, such as nursing home neglect and abuse. This is especially true when it comes to individuals with serious medical issues who are incarcerated in local jails. Police are quick to arrest a drug addict for… Read More »
FDA Issues Class I Recall for Jaundice Meters
While defective drugs that produce life-threatening side effects often get the bulk of public and media attention, it is important not to overlook the critical harms posed by defective medical devices. In particular, when a diagnostic device produces inaccurate or misleading readings, it can lead doctors to prescribe in an inappropriate course of treatment…. Read More »
Should I File My Personal Injury Claim in State or Federal Court?
One of the questions we often get related to personal injury claims is whether you need to file your case in state or federal court. As a general rule, it is often to a plaintiff’s advantage to file in state court, especially if the defendant is a person or company who resides outside of… Read More »
Can I Ask the Judge for Additional Damages If I Disagree with the Jury’s Verdict?
Although personal injury cases are typically decided by a jury in Tennessee, there are situations where jurors award too little in damages to fully compensate the victim. In such cases the trial judge has the authority, at least under state law, to either order a new trial or increase the amount of the jury’s… Read More »
What Is a Commercial Truck Driver’s Responsibility When Navigating a Parking Lot?
Commercial truck drivers need to exercise special caution when operating their tractor-trailers in parking lots and other area where pedestrians travel. A truck accident can devastate the unfortunate individual who finds themselves struck by–or even caught under–an 80,000-pound vehicle. And any truck driver or truck owner whose negligence leads to such an accident can… Read More »
Can an Insurance Company Force Me to Litigate in Federal Court?
Part of the legal fallout from a car accident is dealing with insurance companies. This includes not only the company that insures the negligent driver who caused your accident, but also your own insurer. In fact, in many cases dealing with the latter is more frustrating. While an insurer representing a negligent driver is… Read More »
Tractor-Trailer Accidents Often Raise Complex Legal Questions
Commercial trucking accidents present a unique set of legal challenges for victims. These trucks are subject to a complex web of federal and state regulations. In addition, establishing just who is legally responsible for an accident–the driver, the truck owner, the company who hired the truck, etc.–can take weeks or months of investigation before… Read More »
Do I Need to Preserve My Wrecked Car or Truck Following an Accident?
When you hire a personal injury lawyer following a car or truck accident, one of the first things they typically will do is send a letter to the person you intend to sue, requesting they preserve any potential evidence they may have related to the crash itself. Of course, as the potential plaintiff, you… Read More »