Seat belts are super important when it comes to car accidents—and there is a reason they are required by law in just about every state. When you wear a seat belt, it keeps you securely fastened in your seat, reducing the chances of serious injuries or even worse outcomes in the event of an accident. Like most states, Tennessee has a law that requires everyone to wear a seat belt. However, that does not mean that [...]
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed a vaccine that can combat fentanyl, the synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin that’s contributed to our nation’s ongoing opioid epidemic. The vaccine, successful in rats, stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies that bind to fentanyl, preventing the drug from crossing the blood-brain barrier and causing its potent effects. While the vaccine is still in the early stages of development and has not [...]
A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows multiple midsize SUVs rate badly for backseat safety in crash tests. The IIHS tested 13 midsize SUVs for front crash protection and gave a “poor” rating to six models. Per the organization: “IIHS recently updated its longstanding moderate overlap front crash test to add a rear passenger dummy positioned behind the driver. Although the test still includes a driver dummy, rear passenger protection is [...]
On April 4, President Donald Trump was arraigned in a New York City courtroom on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. But what are indictments and arraignments? How do they work? Does everyone go through them? We (along with PBS) thought this interesting period in history might make a good opportunity to take on these topics. What’s an indictment? A criminal indictment is a formal accusation of a crime, brought against an individual by a [...]
Product safety in any industry is crucial, but maybe none so much as in the automotive industry. A failure in any component can cause an entire vehicle to break down and potentially cause a deadly accident. One recent incident raising concerns over product safety and liability is the case of a Tesla owner whose steering wheel reportedly came off – while they were driving. The incident, reported in early 2023, is not the first of its [...]
The consequences for a DUI conviction in Tennessee can be quite severe. You may be imprisoned and fined. Your insurance rates will skyrocket. Your license will probably be suspended. At Banks and Jones, our skilled criminal defense lawyers assert every defense possible, including challenging the grounds for being stopped and the validity of any chemical tests such as breathalyzer tests. One possible defense is that you were not intoxicated. The signs of intoxication that an officer [...]
Tennessee law currently requires that motorcycle drivers and passengers wear a crash helmet that complies with specific federal safety standards. Drivers and passengers who are 21 and older can wear a helmet that meets specific federal safety standards or standards set specifically set forth in the Tennessee helmet statute, provided the helmet includes a label that the complies with the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the [...]
Defendants who are arrested in Knoxville for any crime have a right to a bail hearing. The purpose of the bail hearing is for a judge to determine if the defendant should be released from prison and the terms of the release. Defendants who cannot meet the bail release terms remain in prison until the time of their hearing. Generally, in addition to being free pending a trial, defendants want to be released because it is [...]
Burns are among the most serious injuries a person can sustain, especially when the damage affects not only the top layer of skin but also the underlying tissues and muscle. With a minor or even moderate burn, patients can heal up in a matter of days or weeks. However, serious burn injuries can take months from which to heal, with potential complications that can last a lifetime. Some experts believe these long-term effects can be so [...]
As you may likely already know, the state of Tennessee has strict laws regarding drunk driving. One of the consequences of a DUI conviction is the required installation of an ignition interlock device, or IID. This is a handheld breathalyzer-type of device installed in a vehicle that prevents it from starting if the driver has been drinking alcohol. Even first-time offenders are required to use an IID, per state law. A variety of manufacturers provide these [...]
