Houston & Alexander's online newsletter for October and November 2017
TNDUIATTORNEY.COM
OCT/NOV 2017
CALL US: 423-267-6715
DEFENSE DOCKET
HOW MUCH AUTO INSURANCE SHOULD YOU HAVE?
Here’s the short answer: AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AFFORD!
How can you protect yourself? First, immediately take a look at your insurance coverage. I am constantly amazed by the number of people who see me about motorcycle or car wrecks who do not know the amounts of their coverage. You should have a minimum of $100,000/$300,000. More if you can afford it. How does that work if you are in an accident? If you are hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence and they only have the minimum coverage of $25,000/$50,000, then you could recover up to an additional $75,000 for your proven damages. The converse would be true if you negligently injured someone else. You can also protect yourself and your assets by purchasing an umbrella policy that kicks in when your auto coverage is exhausted. If you cause an accident and the other driver/injured party proves damages over your auto policy, then the umbrella protects you. I personally have a $1 million umbrella. I know what you are thinking: “No way can I afford that million- dollar policy.” Fortunately, it doesn’t cost much to purchase the additional protection. According to the Insurance Information Institute, “For about $150–$300 per year, you can buy a $1 million personal umbrella liability policy. The next million will cost about $75, and $50 for every million after that.” Some companies require a minimum of $250,000 in coverage to purchase that additional amount. Protect yourself and your loved ones! Make sure that you have adequate insurance coverage. Feel free to call me at 423-267- 6715 if you have any questions about your coverage. 1 423-267-6715 | TNDUIAttorney.com –Johnny Houston
The reason to buy insurance is so that you can be protected if and when you are involved in an accident, whether you are injured by someone else’s negligence or you injure someone else. What most people don’t realize is that if they are in an accident, the insurance company will never pay out more than the amount of the coverage that has been purchased, nor are they legally obligated to do so. The state of Tennessee mandates that all drivers have insurance coverage in the minimum amounts of $25,000 per person with a $50,000 total. (Of course, very often, people drive with no coverage whatsoever.) What this means is that if you are found to be at fault in an accident, your insurance company will pay $25,000 per person up to a maximum of $50,000. So, if someone sues you and the jury awards one person in the accident $100,000, then you are on the hook for the additional $75,000. Conversely, if you are in an accident in which someone else is at fault, and they only have the minimum coverage, the most you can recover is $25,000! But wait, you think, “I also have minimum coverage. Can’t we just stack my coverage on top of the other person’s?” In Tennessee, the answer is a resounding no. Our legislature, in its wisdom (and I am certain due to the lobbying of the insurance industry), has passed legislation that limits your recovery to $25,000. They are always looking out for us working people, right? In an accident with significant injuries, medical costs will often exceed $25,000 after the first day in the hospital, especially if you’re injured while riding a motorcycle!
5 Fascinating Facts About Fall
5. People fall in love more in the fall. Men’s and women’s testosterone levels tend to spike in the autumn,
The end of summer doesn’t have to signal an end to fun. How about sweater weather, Halloween parties, and football season? The list goes on and on. In fact, fall might be the most interesting season of them all. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about the season. 1. It was originally called “harvest.” In a world that was far more agricultural, the season was defined by the harvesting of crops. It’s also a reference to the harvest moon, which was essential to farmers during the season. 2. Fall babies tend to be impressive. Not only does the world’s most common birthday, Oct. 5, land in fall, but those babies have built an impressive resume. The British Department for Education found that they tend to do better in school, and also tend to live longer. 3. Weight gain is most common in the fall. It’s not only the Halloween candy or Thanksgiving turkey. Researchers believe it’s primarily caused by lower levels of vitamin D. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we tend to get less sun. It’s another reason to be careful about diet and exercise this season. 4. Autumn is good for the economy. “Leaf peeping,” which is a slang term for fall foliage tourism, is more than just a funny name. It’s also a $3 billion industry in New England alone.
which makes women even more attractive to men. A data study on Facebook
also found that more people change their relationship status from “single” to “in a relationship” during the fall than any other season.
Client Testimonials
Peace of Mind “After getting a DUI I became overwhelmed with fear. DUIs lead to long-term problems with future planning. Houston and Alexander both have outstanding demeanors and took away all my anxiety. There is no substitute for having a great pair of attorneys working on your case. Since I am not from the Chattanooga area, traveling for court sessions is a hassle. However, they rescheduled my date for after I got out of school in December and settled my case the very first day. I am so impressed by their service and by the outcome of my charges. Anyone serious about their own and their family’s future should put monetary concerns aside and hire these men.” –Anthony
Outstanding Job “Johnny and Bret did an outstanding job for my son in getting has DUI case resolved. We are not from the Chattanooga area, so finding an attorney to handle his case was difficult. We are very blessed to have found Houston & Alexander. They have the experience and relationships within the court system to be able to find a workable solution for all parties involved. I would highly recommend them.” –David
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What You Need to Know About Probation A Slip-Up Is Easier Than You Think
Let’s say you’re convicted of a serious crime, but you get probation instead of prison time. That’s a huge deal. You can avoid being behind bars and, with good behavior, eventually move on with your life. If you’re like most people, you’ll want to follow the rules of your probation. But what if something goes awry? Probation rules vary, and you might not even violate them on purpose. Maybe you didn’t know your roommate was doing drugs until he got arrested. Maybe you looked bad participating in that street fight when the cops pulled up, even though you were just trying to break it up.
being committed, and notify the officer 10 days before moving residences. Probation violations can mean you will serve your full sentence. Violations will get you your day in court. If you’re found to be at fault or negligent, you could end up in jail with the sentence you initially avoided in the first place. It’s important to establish a respectful working relationship with your probation officer. That way, if something does happen, they will be willing to work with you. They have to do their job, but you can still earn their trust. If that fails, it’s just you and the judge, right back where you started. Since you’re a convict, their inclination will be to not trust you. You should be as prepared as possible for that moment so you can work toward the best possible outcome. We encourage you to learn every small detail of your probation terms and follow them to a T. But be ready to defend yourself in the event of a violation.
Here are some facts to remember about probation terms.
They are strict. Probation officers monitor those in their stewardship very, very closely. Homes are subject to search, and your workplace is subject to spontaneous visits. Tennessee law also requires you to never get drunk, avoid being around a crime
Lamb Chops Orange-Balsamic Impress any dinner guest with this surprisingly quick and easy-to-make meal.
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided • 2 teaspoons grated orange rind • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice • 8 (4-ounce) lamb rib chops, trimmed Ingredients Directions 1. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, rind, and juice in a large
Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • Cooking spray • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
pan with cooking spray. Add lamb and cook 2 minutes each side. 3. Place vinegar in a small
zip-top plastic bag. Add lamb to bag; turn to coat well. Let stand at room
skillet over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes or until vinegar is syrupy. Drizzle vinegar and remaining teaspoon oil over lamb.
temperature for 10 minutes. Remove lamb from bag and add salt and pepper. 2. Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat
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TNDUIAttorney.com CALL US: 423-267-6715
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE How Much Auto Insurance Should You Have? PAGE 1
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5 Fascinating Facts About Fall
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Client Testimonial s
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What You Need to Know About Probation
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Orange-Balsamic Lamb Chops
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A Chattanooga Christmas
3 Christmas Destinations for Your Holiday Season
RUBY FALLS’ CHRISTMAS UNDERGROUND This family-friendly holiday adventure opens up a whole new Christmas world. It offers you the chance to find an underground ice cave that leads straight to Santa in the North Pole. You’ll see the northern lights,
Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner! The sheer amount of holiday fun you can have in Chattanooga is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. From ice rinks to Christmas markets, there are plenty of festive events to put on your calendar. There’s even an underground tunnel that takes you to the North Pole!
ROCK CITY GARDENS’ ENCHANTED GARDEN OF LIGHTS
High atop Lookout Mountain is a dazzling display of more than 30 lit-up holiday scenes. It’s so spectacular that Santa visits every single night! Decorate gingerbread cookies, sip hot cocoa, enjoy live music, and soak in the award-winning display of hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Visit seerockcity.com/events for more information. A special holiday market takes over the regular Chattanooga Market during the three weekends before Christmas. Over 200 vendors offer an assortment of handmade craft items, holiday decorations, and artisan foods that make the perfect gifts. While you browse the vendors, you can also enjoy live music, caroling, and other fun activities. Find more details at publicmarket4s.us. SPECIAL CHATTANOOGA HOLIDAY MARKET
pass by the Sugar Plum Fairy Village, and find the magical “Joystone.” It’s an experience the family won’t forget. Check out rubyfalls.com/special-events to learn more.
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