One of the first things people want to know about their car accident case is how much it will be worth. The likely amount of a potential recovery can affect many parts of a case, such as settlement negotiations and the amount of time and effort a plaintiff would want to put in. Calculating damages can
The trucking industry is different in the way it pays than most other industries. While most people are used to a yearly salary or an hourly wage, many truckers are paid based on how many miles they drive. This rate tends to fall between $0.28 per mile and $0.40 per mile, though some companies exceed
The push to limit the number of drivers who are operating their vehicles while distracted has made headlines around the country recently. A new study done by The Zebra had some interesting findings when it comes to the penalties associated with distracted driving. Motor vehicle insurance premiums have gone up since 2011 due to a
On March 23, 2018, the Senate passed its version of the previously passed House bill for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. After years of almost equal spending, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will see a $480,000,000 increase in administrative funding over the fiscal year of 2017 appropriation. The bill directs the SSA to spend
In many rural communities, it is not uncommon to see a variety of tractors and oversized farming implements on the roadways. While most farmers will try to get off the road as much as possible, sometimes there simply isn’t enough room. That’s the way it was last Monday afternoon at about 12:30 p.m., in Jefferson
A recurring theme for my blog entries is the average processing time and number of claims waiting for hearings. Recently released statistics by the Social Security Administration (SSA) reveal that the number of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims awaiting ALJ hearings continues to drop. As of February of 2018
When you are bitten by a dog on another person’s property, you need to make a plan of action. The first thing on the list is likely going to be getting medical care. This helps you to learn the scope of the injuries that you suffered. It also gives you a treatment plan to help
People often worry far more about dog bites than cat bites. It makes sense considering many dogs’ size and strength and the fact that the American Humane Society reports that there are roughly 4.7 million dog bite incidents annually within the United States. However, experts point out that cat bites can actually be more dangerous
When people bring up the subject of disabilities, most think of the kind of disability you can see – whether you need a wheelchair or are confined to your bed much of the time. Invisible disabilities, especially mental or emotional ones, are more difficult for people to understand and can be hard to prove when you
Getting into an accident is stressful. It can be even more stressful when the other person involved does not have car insurance or does not have enough insurance. This is known as an uninsured/underinsured driver. These drivers are the reason why so many insurance-carrying drivers also have this type of coverage written into their auto
A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows statistical evidence in the fact that claimants in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims have a three times higher rate of success at hearings than those claimants who do not have representatives. The report sites as one of the reasons
It doesn’t take much to cause a car crash. A second or two looking at a cellphone, a moment to change the radio station or just simply to look in the rearview mirror for too long is all it takes. No matter how carefully you drive, there is a chance that you will be injured
A school bus driver in Chattanooga got into an accident with 37 kids on his bus. Tragically, six of those children were killed in the crash. They were all in elementary school. The driver recently went to court, where he was found guilty of every single count that had been leveled against him. It only
Social Security is for more than just retirement planning. Thousands of Americans with temporary or permanent disability use benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make life with disabilities or recovery from them easier. Since no two injuries are identical, every case is unique. If a disability claim requires an appeal or extra evidence
One of the toughest things I have to do when explaining to people who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or whose application has been denied is the length of the process. I try to regularly provide an update on processing times and approval rates for Social Security
Many people who have to file for Social Security Disability, commonly known as SSD, are not sure about how to proceed. This is a common issue that can create problems for the person who needs SSD. The application process is often complicated, and you may wonder if you need the assistance of an attorney. There are
Fatigued truck drivers can pose a risk on the highways of Tennessee. Their reaction times may be too slow and some very tired drivers even fall asleep behind the wheel. Combating this isn’t easy, and it starts with identifying the things that cause this excessive fatigue. A few key factors include: Falling into “sleep debt.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that those who own pets are healthier than those who don’t. People with a pet have lower levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and fat. However, people who suffer from anxiety are more likely to suffer from dog bite according to a research study from the United
Cars are a part of culture in the United States in a way they really aren’t in most other countries. If you think that means Americans are good drivers, think again. They’re actually terrible drivers, with far worse track records than those in other developed countries. For instance, there were 2.9 car accident deaths for
The number of uninsured drivers in Tennessee isn’t the highest in the country, but it’s in the top five states and certainly above the national average. That average, in 2015, was just 13 percent. It’s remained relatively stagnant over the past few decades, though 1993 saw a high of 16 percent. The lowest rate in