Houston & Alexander's online newsletter for June/July 2018
TNDUIATTORNEY.COM
JUNE/JULY 2018
CALL US: 423-267-6715
DEFENSE DOCKET
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER A WRECK
One of the difficult things about this line of work is that people usually come to me AFTER they have had an issue. Very rarely do they come to me for advice prior to making a decision.
Second, just after the wreck happens and you’ve checked yourself, passengers, as well as the occupants of the other vehicle for injuries, contact the police immediately. This is very important, not only because the accident itself needs to be documented, but because the police can ensure accident victims receive prompt emergency care. Third, get the other driver’s contact and insurance information. Even if the other driver doesn’t have any insurance, your insurance company may need a statement from them. Always get the name, phone number, address, and email address of the other driver. Try to get the name of their employer too. Fourth, contact your insurance company and tell them what happened. Do this EVEN IF the accident was not your fault. Your rates are not going up because someone else hit you. If the other driver’s policy is not sufficient to compensate for your injuries, you will need to know the amount of your uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage just in case your own insurance has to contribute to a settlement. Fifth, if you are injured, seek medical treatment immediately. And if you are concerned about a settlement or an eventual lawsuit, consult traditional doctors first, meaning your general practitioner and medical specialists, such as orthopedic doctors. If your first inclination is to seek “non-traditional” treatment, it may affect the value of your case. Finally, contact your attorney. We can talk to you about the pluses and minuses of your case and possibly even represent you. It may be that you don’t need representation, but often the opposite is true. Insurance companies don’t make money by spending lots of money; they make money by NOT spending it. We can figure out the best way to deal with your particular situation and help you get the settlement you deserve. 1 423-267-6715 | TNDUIAttorney.com –Johnny Houston
Today, we are going to change that.
Clients frequently hire us to represent them for car and motorcycle accidents. I can honestly say that no potential client has ever come to me and said, “I think I’m going to be in a car wreck tomorrow. Do you have any advice?” But if I were ever given advance notice of my client being in a wreck, this is the conversation we would have. First, if you are going to be injured in a wreck, make sure that YOU carry enough insurance. I know that everyone else is supposed to carry insurance, but the reality is that many people don’t, or what they do carry is inadequate. The “minimum coverage” in Tennessee is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. If you are truly hurt, $25,000 will not even begin to cover your medical bills, time off work, and your pain and suffering. God forbid you actually need surgery. In a recent case of mine, the helicopter ride from the accident to the hospital was over $35,000! That alone is more than the Tennessee minimum.
Think Outside the Box Unconventional Summer Jobs for Teens
As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast- food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money-making opportunities.
Online Surveys and Reviews Companies are eager for consumer
up an Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors age 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account. Petsitting and Housesitting If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no reason they can’t work for neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social media. Most
feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. Virtual Storefronts If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set
importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share. Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime!
Client Testimonials
“If I could give more than five stars I would not hesitate to do so. These guys are the best of the best! Mr. Matthew C. Brown handled my case, and he went above and beyond in ensuring I had the best possible outcome. His knowledge and experience in the local area is where he really shined. He knew what to do, when to do it, what to say, and when to say it. In all honesty, he saved my entire future from being destroyed by one stupid mistake. A truly professional law practice.” –Michael S.
“I met with Houston & Alexander based mostly on reputation alone, after being told by people in the business they would probably be my ONLY chance! I faced serious charges, but Johnny and Brett were able to negotiate them to lesser ones, save my reputation, and SAVE ME MONEY! Johnny knows the local judicial system, the DAs, the judges, and the legal process. The office staff — including Wanda Whitmire and paralegal Chaiden Durham — only increased my confidence; they kept me up to date on my case throughout the entire process! If you need a criminal defense team, do not wait! They ARE the best!” –Larry
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What’s UIM Insurance?
In an ideal world, every driver on the road would have adequate insurance coverage. Unfortunately, this is far from reality. Most drivers in Tennessee are content to pay for the bare minimum of liability insurance required by the state. Others ignore the law entirely, risking the legal and financial hazards of driving uninsured to save money. The only defense you have against these negligent drivers is underinsured/uninsured motorist (UIM/UM) insurance. UIM coverage is an optional addition to your existing car insurance policy. You pay into UIM to protect yourself from at- fault motorists whose liability insurance would not cover the full cost of your injuries in the event of an accident. When deciding whether or not to protect yourself with UIM coverage, there are two factors you should keep in mind. Insurance Minimums Rarely Cover the Full Cost of Recovery Presently, the minimum car insurance requirements for individual bodily injury sits at $25,000, the same rate it was almost a decade ago. Despite rising medical costs, this minimum rate has remained static. 25 grand may sound like a lot of money, but the And Why Do I Need It? Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings This Father’s Day, spice up your wings with this zesty recipe that’s sure to please the whole family.
truth is even “moderate” injuries can easily exceed this amount. After a particularly severe wreck, emergency room costs can be astronomical, not to mention ongoing treatments such as medication and physical therapy. Tennessee Does Not Automatically Revoke the License of Uninsured Drivers While driving without insurance is illegal in the state of Tennessee, the only way uninsured motorists lose their license is if they get pulled over for an unrelated incident. Their right to drive is not taken away preemptively, as it would be in other states, meaning that we face an above-average likelihood of being hit by a motorist with no insurance at all. The above situations are particularly tough on our law firm because there is very little we can do to help. As the saying goes, “You can’t get water from a stone.” The best attorneys in the world would be powerless to get you and your family just compensation if the negligent party lacks the funds. Therefore, UIM coverage is the only way to ensure you and your family members receive adequate compensation after a wreck.
Dexter has it Ruff!
Dexter’s days of chasing squirrels may be over, at least for the short-term. We noticed he was walking with a pronounced limp and took him to the fine folks at Red Bank Animal Clinic. After X-rays did not reveal the source of his limp, we took him to VCA River. After a thorough exam and more X-rays, we discovered that Dexter had a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)! Imagine my surprise given that I didn’t even realize that dogs had an ACL. “TPLO” surgery was performed, and Dexter’s knee was essentially rebuilt with an added plate. Dexter is in a bit of pain now and will have about 8-10 weeks of rehab, and while he won’t be good as new, the doctor
[Inspired by foodnetwork.com]
• 4 pounds chicken wings • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened • 1 1/4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste • 1/4 cup honey Ingredients Directions
• 1/4 cup soy sauce • 1 lime, halved • Extra-virgin olive oil • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • Chopped cilantro for garnish
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse wings under cold water and pat dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet for 25 minutes or until skin becomes crisp and brown. 3. Blend butter, red curry paste, honey, and soy sauce in a large mixing bowl. 4. Toss wings in butter mixture. Squeeze lime juice on top, transfer to serving plate, and garnish with cilantro.
said she hoped his knee would be 80-90 percent what it once was. That’s okay with us! Hopefully he will be chasing squirrels (but not catching any) in no time.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE 1
What to Do After a Car Crash
PAGE 2
Unique Job Ideas for Teens
PAGE 2
Our Clients Say It Best
PAGE 3
The Importance of UIM Insurance
PAGE 3
Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings
PAGE 4
Ringo to the Rescue!
A Nose for Trouble Ringo the Tabby Saves His Family
Ray and Carol Steiner found Ringo, a red tabby Manx, living in a shed when he was 10 days old. Despite already having three cats, the couple decided to open their hearts to the friendly feline — a decision that would one day save their lives. Years after adopting Ringo, Ray and Carol began to oversleep and experience high blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches. The couple attributed these troubling symptoms to their recent health problems — Ray had just undergone heart surgery, and Carol was recovering from a car accident with her leg in a cast. But Ringo realized something was amiss. One blistering day in August, the usually mellow cat caused a ruckus. He meowed loudly and banged his body against the front door. Carol let him dart outside, but the moment she closed the door, Ringo began to aggressively meow
again. This was unusual behavior, and Carol realized Ringo wanted her to follow him. The red tabby brought Carol around to the side of the house, where large bushes hid the air conditioner and gas and water meters. Ringo started to dig in the jagged lava-rock landscaping, cutting his paws on the sharp stones. When Carol leaned over to get a better look, she was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of natural gas. The gas company discovered an old steel coupler had broken open, leaking dangerous levels of gas into the Steiners’ house. A single spark outdoors could have set off an explosion that would have consumed six other houses, potentially killing 22 people. Ray and Carol’s doctor told them that even if they avoided an explosion, they would have died from methane poisoning if they’d been
exposed much longer. The gas meter did not register the leak, but Ringo did. Once they aired out their home, the Steiners’ health improved immensely. Because of his dedication to his family, Ringo became the 11th cat in history to be awarded the American Humane Association’s national William O. Stillman Award for bravery.
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