Distracted truck drivers are a big danger In New York City, a hidden camera investigation revealed a dangerous trend on highways in which several truckers were caught texting and talking on their phones. One driver was even caught on two cell phones at once. The New York State Department of Transportation reported that nearly 16,000 truckers were ticketed for distracted driving in 2013. However, only four were suspended and taken out of service. Should stiffer penalties be handed down for distracted truck driving? The family of a Pittsford couple believes so. George and Kathleen Weed died last May when their car was hit on the highway by a tractor-trailer. Police reported the truck driver was texting when he slammed
By: Darrell Castle When you sue a doctor for medical malpractice, you aren’t taking all of his money. You aren’t destroying his life. Just like drivers in Tennessee are required to carry drivers’ insurance, doctors are required to carry some kind of medical malpractice insurance. This not only protects the doctors, but it protects the patient too. A good medical malpractice lawyer Memphis, TN trusts, like the attorneys at Darrell Castle & Associates, will fight for patients and their families to get compensation. We are all human and we are all subject to human error but when a doctor makes a mistake it might not be a small one. Doctors have our lives in their hands every time they treat
Was it malpractice? This is one of the most common questions our Memphis personal injury lawyers hear. Every day, hospitals and doctors make mistakes; and every day, people want answers. There’s a lot that goes into a medical malpractice case. We know how seriously it can affect doctors, so we make sure to investigate every case very carefully before we pursue it. In general, we’re looking to see: Was a mistake made? Were you hurt by that mistake? Was the mistake outside the normal standard of care (the generally accepted method of treatment)? Can we prove your injury was caused by the mistake? Each case will vary. For example, the standard of care for a healthy teenager might be very
Advantages and qualifications of a Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 bankruptcy By: Darrell Castle If you’re in debt and considering filing for bankruptcy, you have two options – a Chapter 7 and a Chapter 13. By filing for a Chapter 7, all of your dischargeable debts will be discharged without having to make any payments on those bills. A Chapter 7 takes a few months to process. By filing for a Chapter 13, all of your debts will be lumped into an affordable 3-5 year repayment plan. But, do you have the freedom to choose which chapter? Yes, and no. Both chapters come with their own qualifications and benefits, and an experienced bankruptcy attorney can help you determine which chapter
You do not have to be a citizen to file for bankruptcy in the United States. There are a couple of things you will need to prove, however: You will need to establish residency (or in some cases, property ownership) in the state where you’re filing. In Memphis, that means you need to live in TN for 3 months or the greater part of 180 days. You will also have to verify your identification using a photo ID, Social Security Card, etc. If you’re not a citizen of the United States but you want to file for bankruptcy in Memphis, you should absolutely talk with a bankruptcy attorney about your case. This is crucial for non-citizens because any
Frequently Asked Questions After Car Accidents in TN: FAQ: Do you have to stop if you’re in a car accident in Memphis? Yes, you have to stop if there was any damage done to property. That means even if your car is fine, you should stop if the other car might have been scratched. You stop at a car accident in order to exchange information. You should get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information if available; and you should give them the same information as well. You should also call the police to report the incident. (The police won’t necessarily come out to the scene, but it’s wise to report it regardless.)
When do I need an SSDI lawyer? Do I need one at all? If you struggle with a disability that keeps you from working, you may be asking, “Do I need an SSDI lawyer?” Social Security Disability can be complicated and frustrating, so it makes sense you may be wondering if you need legal help. In this video, Memphis SSDI attorney Darrell Castle explains when you want to retain an SSDI attorney and why: Video Transcript: You may be wondering if you need an SSDI lawyer. Well, you do, if you want your appeal to be successful, because virtually everyone is denied on their initial application. Then you have 60 days to appeal, and if you want that appeal
If you’re in over your head with debt or financial stress, you may be considering the option of bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a particular kind that allows you to reorganize your debts into a reasonable payment plan based on your economic situation. It’s a great option for people who want to keep their assets – for example, it’s often a preferred method for stopping foreclosure and keeping one’s house. In general it’s not difficult to qualify for Chapter 13, but here are a few rules to keep in mind: Only individuals (not businesses) can file Chapter 13, but business owners can still be eligible. You also have to have enough income to be able to enter a payment
Qualifications for bankruptcy vary state-to-state and district-to-district. Under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), qualifying for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Memphis requires you make below the average income for your district. In Shelby County and the Memphis area, courts determine this number based in part on census data, the number of people in your household, and how much money you make. Benefits like Social Security also usually factor in. Keep in mind that these numbers can vary and that, even if you make more than the median income, it does not mean you will not qualify for bankruptcy. Many other details can affect your qualification, such as marital status, the number of cars and other
When people ask us if they need a car accident lawyer after their crash, we don’t always say yes. Surprised? Well, if you just have a simple fender bender with no injuries – like if the car was just a little scratched or the passengers didn’t feel any impact – you most likely don’t need a lawyer. However, if there were injuries involved, you do need to speak with an attorney. Those injuries can add up to surprising costs for you, and a car accident attorney helps make sure those costs are covered. Also keep in mind that serious injuries like whiplash – which can cause chronic back and neck pain or migraines – don’t always show up until a