Right now, as America struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the economic consequences of this crisis continue to snowball. Millions of newly unemployed Americans have been forced to make difficult choices just to put food on the table. Earlier this month, I wrote about the number of Americans struggling to make their car payments. Subprime car lenders have seen significant drop-offs in payments as people go into survival mode during the pandemic. Auto loans are merely a fraction of the picture. Here are some recent statistics that give insight into the true toll of this financial crisis. Americans fell behind on 18 million credit card and auto loan payments in April 14.7 million credit card accounts entered financial
The deep stigma attached to bankruptcy makes filing seem like an admission of failure. For that reason, many people avoid it for far too long. The thing is, there’s no reason to be ashamed, especially not now, when millions of Americans have had their finances turned upside down practically overnight. As a Memphis bankruptcy lawyer, I’m here to say that bankruptcy doesn’t have to be a last resort. In fact, it shouldn’t be—there can be serious consequences if you wait too long. So, why wait? You owe it to yourself and to your family to take steps towards a better life, a brighter future, today. Waiting almost always costs you in the long run. Many people don’t just sit around
Every year, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. According to the CDC, 12,000 kids and teens ages 19 and under die from unintentional injuries caused by burns, drowning, falls, poisoning, and road traffic. An additional 9.2 million visit emergency rooms for nonfatal injuries. As America grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have come to realize that safety isn’t all that simple. There’s no question that the shelter in place and stay at home orders adopted by cities, counties, and states across the country have protected our health, but they inevitably impact our mental health and even our physical safety, with all the time our children are spending inside. I’ve written
Personal Injury Lawyer Renting a Bird electric scooter can be a fun and convenient way to explore a downtown area with friends or get to a venue where parking might be difficult. However, despite the fun and adventure these scooters represent, they do not come without their dangers as well. Some people have experienced significant injuries on these devices, so if you use them often, it may be helpful to know what to do if you become involved in an accident. Stay at the Scene If you were struck by a vehicle or accidentally hit a car or a pedestrian while riding the scooter, stay at the scene and call the authorities. If you are injured, call 911 and wait
The coronavirus has brought about a rapid transformation of daily life in the United States, unprecedented both in scope and pace. This pandemic has bled into just about every aspect of the lives we knew. As a Memphis TN debt attorney, I know that the symptoms are not just physical. Our financial health is at stake, too. Millions of Americans suddenly lost their jobs. Practically overnight, newly unemployed people had to make difficult decisions that impact their credit history. It’s food and rent versus student loan and car payments. Basic necessities have to come first, but not without a cost. It’s a sad day when simply putting food on the table brings negative consequences, but that’s where we are. Defaults
Personal Injury Lawyer Motorcycle accidents are often life-changing events. Injuries run the gamut from broken extremities to paralyzation. Unfortunately, since motorcycle operation comes with an increased risk to operators, proving fault and cause of damage is challenging. If you got injured in a motorcycle crash, make sure you decide whether you want to sue early on. Bike collisions are time-sensitive issues, especially for lawsuits. If you intend to file a claim, do the following four things. Contact Your Insurance Company Before you begin seeking compensation for your injuries, make sure you notify your insurer of the accident. The insurer will earmark the treatments you receive for your injuries so they can receive compensation for your coverage. If you fail to
When you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, it is possible that you can file on your own. The problem with filing on your own is that you may not have the experience and knowledge necessary to ensure that you have a positive experience without mistakes. When you file independently, you are more likely to make mistakes or feel overwhelmed by the process. Instead of filing alone, here are three reasons why you should have a bankruptcy lawyer to help. Full Case Examination While you know your financial status better than anyone, a lawyer can help you dissect and analyze your financial situation. When filing for bankruptcy, it is important that you know the right type of bankruptcy to file. Your
Personal Injury Lawyer To deal with the death of a loved one is never easy. It feels worse when you know that someone died because of someone else’s actions or negligence. What you may not know about wrongful death is that in some cases, you can receive punitive damages. If a driver hit your loved one and he or she lost his or her life, then you may be able to recover punitive damages. What Are Punitive Damages? Punitive damages are damages awarded to plaintiffs that are outside the normal compensatory damages. When the court orders punitive damage, this often is used as a deterrent to keep him or her from doing the same thing over again. In most cases,
As the coronavirus continues to upend local economies throughout the country, credit card debt is on the rise. A recent report from CreditCards.com revealed that 47% of adults in America—roughly 120 million people—have credit card debt, an increase of 43%. There is no corner of our country untouched by the pandemic. As recent unemployment figures show, people of all ages are grappling with financial hardship. But according to the most recent numbers, young people have been hit especially hard. 1 in 3 millennials, about 34%, have gone deeper into credit card debt because of the coronavirus. It’s easy to see why. Many millennials were struggling long before the pandemic. Millions of them live paycheck to paycheck, with just enough to
There’s a lot of talk about wills and how everybody needs one, but do you really? When do you know it’s time to get a will? The following are some things to think about to get you started. Married Individuals Need Wills Now When you get married, you are committing a lot of things to another individual. You want the best for that person, and that includes after your death. If you don’t have a will in place, it’s possible your spouse will not inherit everything you own. Be sure your will clearly states your intention to leave all your assets to your spouse. If that’s not how you want it to be, then clearly state your plan to have