The Eddie Conrad Act, enacted in 2024, is a Tennessee law designed to combat distracted driving among drivers under 18. By imposing stricter penalties for violations of the Hands-Free Law, this legislation aims to address the growing issue of distracted driving in the state. Does Tennessee have a distracted driving problem? Yes. According to 2023 USAA data, Tennessee ranks #8 among the states with the highest number of distracted driving incidents. The other top 10 [...]

If you’re involved in a car accident in Knoxville, Tennessee, filing a police report is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal actions. The responding officer will typically file an accident report, which you can later obtain from the local police department, sheriff's office, or the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do: Ensure safety and medical attention Ensuring safety and determining whether medical attention is needed [...]

You may be required to appear in court after you file your car accident claim. At Banks & Jones, we understand that most car accident victims would prefer to avoid court appearances. We’ll explain when you might have to go to court, such as when you’re called to give a deposition - and when it might be in your best interest to go to court, such as when insurance companies are not making a fair settlement [...]

A car accident settlement is a formal agreement between the victim and the insurance company to pay your claim for damages. In return for a cash payment, you agree that the settlement is final – that you won’t seek any more money from the defendant’s insurance company. You should never negotiate a settlement on your own. The insurance company for the defendant is not your friend. They want to pay you as little as possible. [...]

In many car accidents where two or more drivers are involved, more than one driver may be responsible for the accident. When there are allegations that two more drivers are partially responsible for a car accident, Tennessee uses the concept of comparative negligence to determine who should be responsible for paying a claim. Multi-vehicle accidents often involve a chain reaction or a series of separate accidents. Our car accident lawyers are skilled at showing what happened [...]

If a mechanic or auto repair business fails to fix brakes that aren’t working, windshield wipers that don’t get rid of the rain, or any other part of your car– you may be able to file a personal injury claim when the failure is the cause of your car accident. You may also be able to file a personal injury claim if the mechanic or car shop failed to conduct routine maintenance. Examples of improper car [...]

Car accidents can cause many different types of chest injuries. The manner of the accident is one contributing factor. Higher-speed accidents, head-on crashes, broadsides, and side-impact collisions can all cause chest injuries. How the driver or passenger reacts is another factor. Drivers who come into contact with the dashboard, steering wheel, or other car occupants are more likely to experience chest trauma. Airbags that deploy after an accident are another known cause of chest injuries. According [...]