Category Archives: Personal Injury
When Is a Tennessee Hotel Liable for a Guest’s Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Millions of people visit Tennessee each year on business or vacation. And when you stay in a local hotel or motel, there is a reasonable expectation your room will be safe and free of significant safety hazards. Of course, that is not always the case, and when someone is injured as the result of… Read More »
When Can an Independent Contractor Sue a Property Owner for Work-Related Injuries?
According to the Tennessee Supreme Court, a property owner in Tennessee normally owes a legal duty to an independent contractor hired to work on the premises to “provide a reasonably safe place in which to work.” But there is a critical exception to this rule: The owner is not liable for any personal injury… Read More »
New Federal Rules Might Lead to More Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents can be devastating for other drivers and passengers on the road. A commercial semi-truck may weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, which means it can do serious damages if not operated properly. Unfortunately, many commercial truck drivers are under enormous financial pressure to stay on the road as long as possible–which can lead… Read More »
Court of Appeals Reinstates Wrongful Death Lawsuit Arising from Fatal Motorcycle Accident
A personal injury case must be rooted in the defendant’s failure to meet a “duty of care” owed to the plaintiff. For example, all motorists owe a duty of care to the other drivers on the road to obey traffic laws and not drive in a reckless manner. But establishing a duty of care… Read More »
How Signing a Power of Attorney Can Affect Your Rights in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car or truck accident, you may not be capable of making certain decisions for yourself. This includes decisions regarding any personal injury litigation arising from the accident. In these situations, it may be in your best interest to sign a power of attorney naming… Read More »
When Does a Commercial Trucking Company Have a Duty to Preserve Evidence Regarding an Accident?
Commercial trucking accidents are not your run-of-the mill auto collision. These trucks are typically owned by large companies that must keep detailed records of their vehicles’ activities in order to comply with federal safety regulations. This means that when an accident does occur, the victims may be able to access this information to help… Read More »
Is a Property Owner Liable for a Shooting That Occurs on a Public Street?
Personal injury claims in Tennessee are based on a defendant’s “duty of care” to the plaintiff. In plain English, this means a person (or a corporate entity) must act reasonably to avoid injuring other people. But legally speaking, the burden of proof is on the victim to show this duty existed–and that the defendant… Read More »
Who Is Responsible for an Accident Caused by a Dog?
There are certain laws in Tennessee holding a dog owner liable if their animal bites or attacks a person. This means the owner may have to pay damages for a personal injury claim brought by the victim of the attack. But what about a situation where the dog indirectly causes injury? For example, what… Read More »
Are Rental Companies Liable for Accidents Involving Their Vehicles?
There are many scenarios where a car or truck accident is the fault of a driver who is not the owner of his or her vehicle. In many cases, the owner may still be responsible for the accident victim’s injuries under a legal principle known as vicarious liability. For example, if a salesman is… Read More »
Is a Leaky Bathroom Faucet Always a “Dangerous Condition”?
When you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident as the result of a property owner’s failure to correct a known dangerous condition on their premises, you have the right to seek compensation for your personal injuries. It is critical to understand, however, that not all hazards are legally classified as dangerous conditions. Tennessee courts… Read More »
