Knoxville, Tennessee Personal Injury Blog

Tennessee highways see a high number of fatal accidents

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in fatal motor vehicle accidents on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Unfortunately, fatal accidents take place on our roadways every day. A stretch of highway in the Knoxville area is considered particularly dangerous. Since 2005, a total of 65 fatal accidents took place on a 22-mile stretch of local highway from Knoxville to Sevierville. Government officials in Tennessee report that those car accidents resulted in 76 fatalities. The data reveal that this stretch of highway has seen a greater number of fatal car accidents when compared to similar roadways.

Another 12-mile stretch along another Tennessee highway has claimed 32 victims in fatal car accidents since 2005. The data reveal approximately 2.7 motor vehicle deaths per mile along that highway and 3.5 motor vehicle deaths on the other highway during the same period of time from 2005. A variety of safety solutions and disagreements about how to fix the problem are being discussed.

How can a trust help me with my estate plan?

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in estate planning on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

There are many tools in an estate planner's toolbox to help them develop an estate plan that works for them and reflects their wishes. Trusts are one part of an estate plan that many estate planners may have questions about and not entirely understand.

Estate planning is an important process that can help ensure the estate planner's wishes are carried out and that their property is distributed how they would like it to be distributed. A trust can be used as the primary component of an estate plan or may be used in conjunction with a will. A trust manages the distribution of the estate planner's property by transferring its benefits to beneficiaries and management of the trust to the trustee.

Help for victims with catastrophic injuries and brain injuries

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in brain injury on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

Victims of car accidents can suffer catastrophic injuries that can be physically, financially and emotionally costly. This blog recently discussed the different types of injuries car accident victims can suffer and some injuries, such as brain injuries, can be devastating to victims and their families.

Catastrophic injuries victims of car accidents may suffer can include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and severely broken limbs, amputation injuries, disability and disfigurement. It can be alarming how serious car accident injuries can be. Car accident injuries can stick with victims and may worsen over time. Injuries such as traumatic brain injuries may require ongoing care and treatment. Car accident injuries can leave a physical and emotional imprint.

What should you tell your insurance agent after a car crash?

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

No matter where you live in Tennessee, car accidents happen every day. Many of these collisions appear to occur in Davidson County, which had an injury crash rate of 20.06 in 2017, reports the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

Most people will be in an auto accident at some point in their lives. When one happens to you, you need to know exactly whom to call. You need to get in touch with your auto insurance agency within 24 hours. You will speak with an agent, and you need to be extremely careful about what you say.

Resolve to review your estate plan this year

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in estate planning on Friday, January 25, 2019.

Creating a will and an estate plan is just the first step in ensuring one's assets are distributed according to their wishes after their demise. To make sure that it takes into account changes in laws and life situations, it should be revisited every couple of years. As relationship and health changes, so do our wishes as to how our heirs inherit and what, but Pennsylvania residents often forget to update their estate plans accordingly. As the new year inches forward, one of the resolutions individuals should make is to review their estate plans and their life plans.

Estate tax has changed in recent years-it has been revised upwards which means that only estates that have a value of more than $11.2 million will be subject to federal tax. Therefore complicated estate plans that were created to minimize taxation may now be redundant. It's also important to make sure that asset designation is accurate-how it is titled determines how it passes through wills or trusts. A retirement fund that has designated beneficiaries will be distributed differently from a joint bank account that may end up going to the survivor even if that person is not included in the will.

Wrongful death legal protections for victims of fatal accidents

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in fatal motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Unfortunately, car accidents can result in fatalities and change the lives of victims and their families forever in an instant. During 2014, 3,179 victims were killed in car accidents involving distracted drivers. Fatal motor vehicle accidents can be caused in a variety of different ways and victims have legal protections to be aware of in each instance.

Fatal car accidents can be caused by texting while driving and other types of distracted driving; driving under the influence which can include driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or prescription drugs; driver fatigue; reckless driving; poor weather conditions and a failure to properly adjust to poor weather conditions; inexperienced or elderly drivers; and by many other causes as well. When a negligent driver has caused a car accident that has resulted in a fatality, they may be liable to compensate family members for the loss and harm they have suffered.

Legal help for victims of brain injuries

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in brain injury on Friday, December 28, 2018.

Among the injuries people suffer in motor vehicle accidents, brain injuries may be the most difficult to diagnose and treat. Often resulting from a blow to the head, brain injuries can cause the functions of the brain to be temporarily or permanently disrupted.

A brain injury may not be immediately obvious and it is important to note that there are different types of brain injuries. The symptoms and effect of brain injuries can vary according to the nature of the injury but can include cognitive deficiencies that can make it difficult for injured workers to perform daily activities they used to able to perform with ease which can also impact their ability to perform their job. The victim can also experience emotional and physical deficiencies that can cause mood and personality disruptions and disturbances and other physical challenges.

How to handle aggressive drivers

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio on Saturday, December 22, 2018.

Aggressive driving can result in a number of dangerous behaviors likely to cause accidents. According to CreditDonkey, anger on the road is becoming an increasingly widespread problem. Thus, you are more likely than not to encounter an aggressive driver on your daily commute.

Although you have no way of controlling another person's conduct, there are some things you can do to decrease your own risks.

What to include in an effective estate plan

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in estate planning on Friday, December 14, 2018.

Estate planning is sometimes something that people shy away from but they should not. Having an effective estate plan in place can provide peace of mind for the estate planner and their family that they have everything taken care of to ensure assets are distributed according to their wishes and other important considerations have been addressed.

There are several different components of an estate plan that estate planners should be familiar with. Estate planning may seem overwhelming or complex but it can be fairly straightforward and involves several important documents that are included in an overall and complete estate plan. Each estate is different so each estate planner should be familiar with estate planning tools that can help and trained guidance can also be beneficial to determine which estate planning tools are best for the estate planner's situation and circumstances.

How to spot a brain injury

On behalf of Sharp & Attanasio posted in brain injury on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Because brain injuries are so serious, it is important for victims and families to know what to watch for when a victim has been injured in a car accident or other traumatic accident. Each day, 138 Americans die from injuries that include brain injuries so victims should be familiar with all the resources available to help.

Victims of brain injuries should be familiar with brain injury symptoms and their legal rights when they have suffered a brain injury because of the negligent or careless actions of another party. Potential symptoms victims of brain injuries may suffer can include numbness; weakness in the arms or legs; excessive drowsiness; severe headache; slurred speech; dizziness or loss of vision; loss of consciousness or confusion; and vomiting or nausea. Brain injury victims should seek medical attention when experiencing the symptoms of a brain injury.