The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLCREPRESENTATION YOU CAN PUT YOUR FAITH IN2026-06-02T20:26:22Zhttps://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1504297/2020/12/cropped-KennedyLaw-fav-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[Montgomery county crash trends in 2025]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=536042026-04-17T09:33:14Z2026-04-17T09:28:01Z safety figures for Montgomery County suggest specific windows of time and certain driving behaviors that may contribute to road incidents. Based on available reporting from the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, paying close attention to when and how you drive can help you navigate local roads more safely.
Potential seasonal increases
Historical patterns in Tennessee often show a rise in crashes during the late autumn months, particularly October. This seasonal shift may be influenced by several factors, including shorter daylight hours and changing road conditions. While these trends can fluctuate annually, the late fall months often represent a window where extra caution on familiar routes might be beneficial.
Afternoon commute considerations
Data suggests that the late afternoon commute, specifically the hour between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., remains a busy period for local traffic. This timeframe aligns with the peak evening rush, school dismissals, and increased commercial travel. Staying alert during this hour is often helpful, as higher traffic volumes can lead to more frequent interactions between vehicles.
Observed high-risk categories
Reports often highlight specific demographics and behaviors that appear frequently in local statistics. Teen drivers and senior drivers are groups that sometimes face unique challenges on the road, while distracted driving remains a significant contributing factor across all ages. Because an incident can involve multiple factors such as a distracted driver within a specific age group—practicing focused driving habits may reduce personal risk.
Notable fatal crash factors
While certain behaviors like drowsy driving or drug impairment are statistically dangerous, they are often secondary to broader issues like speeding or a lack of seatbelt use, which frequently contribute to fatal outcomes in Tennessee. Even if these incidents occur less often than minor collisions, their potential for severity remains high. Understanding that fatigue or impairment can be just as impactful as speed may help you make safer decisions before getting behind the wheel.
Staying safe on the road
If you frequently travel through Montgomery County, being particularly mindful during the autumn months and the late afternoon rush may help you stay safer. While no single data point can predict every incident, focusing on the risks associated with distraction, speed and timing can be a practical way to go through local traffic more effectively and prevent any car accident.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[Are low-speed parking lot injuries compensable in Tennessee?]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=535422026-01-30T13:13:58Z2026-01-29T16:21:14ZYou stepped out of the grocery store with your cart when a car backing out struck you. The driver apologized profusely, but you waved it off. After all, the car was barely moving, and you didn't see any bruises or cuts. However, you might be surprised to learn that even low-speed collisions can cause serious harm. You deserve compensation for your injuries, regardless of the vehicle's speed.
The dangers of low-speed crashes
The confined spaces and slow speeds in parking lots often create a false sense of safety. Many people assume that slow-moving vehicles can't cause significant injuries. This assumption is dangerous and incorrect. Low-speed crashes can often result in traumatic brain injuries that don't show immediate symptoms. You might also suffer spinal cord damage that reveals itself days or weeks later. Additionally, the impact from a vehicle striking you in a parking lot can cause bone fractures that aren't immediately painful. These hidden injuries can affect your quality of life for months or even years. Hence, understanding these risks becomes especially important in parking lot accidents where drivers and pedestrians often underestimate the danger.
Proving fault under Tennessee laws
Even if your parking lot injury proves serious, you must show that the driver's negligence caused your harm to receive compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, you are still eligible for compensation for your injuries provided your share of the blame stays under 50%. This is because Tennessee follows a rule called comparative negligence. For example, if the driver failed to check their mirrors before backing out or ignored pedestrian right-of-way rules, they bear the primary fault. You can still seek compensation even if you share some blame, as long as your fault totals less than half. This system protects injured pedestrians in parking lot accidents where determining responsibility can become complex.
Three key types of compensation you can claim
Once you establish fault in your parking lot accident case, you can pursue several types of damages. Hence, knowing what compensation is available helps you seek the full recovery you deserve:
Medical expenses: You can recover costs for hospital visits, physical therapy, diagnostic tests and future treatment.
Lost wages: You can claim compensation for missed work and any reduction in your earning capacity.
Non-economic damages: You can receive payment for physical discomfort, psychological trauma and diminished quality of life.
These three categories work together to address both the financial and personal impact your parking lot injury has caused.
Seek the compensation you deserve
Whether a car hit you in a busy shopping center lot or a quiet office parking area, your injuries deserve proper legal attention. Parking lot accidents may seem minor at first glance. However, they carry real risks that deserve serious attention. Your injuries matter, whether the car hit you at 5 mph or 50 mph. Don't let anyone minimize your pain or dismiss your concerns. You have the right to seek fair compensation for all damages you've suffered. Taking prompt action protects both your health and your legal options moving forward.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[Tennessee reports five-year decline in fatal car crashes in 2025]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=535272025-12-12T09:18:00Z2025-12-12T09:16:51ZIf you drive on Tennessee roads, you have reason to feel encouraged. Recent data from the Tennessee Department of Safety shows a steady decline in car accidents over the past five years.
This downward trend marks a significant improvement for drivers across the state. Here is what the numbers reveal and what they mean for you.
Five-year car accident trends in Tennessee
The latest statistics reveal encouraging progress for Tennessee roads. Each year since 2021 has shown fewer crashes than the year before. Here is a breakdown of the annual totals:
2021: 193,066 car accidents recorded
2022: 185,786 car accidents recorded
2023: 177,894 car accidents recorded
2024: 175,241 car accidents recorded
2025: 125,233 car accidents recorded as of September
These figures demonstrate a consistent downward pattern. The state has seen nearly 68,000 fewer accidents compared to four years ago. This consistent decline suggests that safety efforts are making a significant difference. But what does this actually mean for your daily commute?
What this means for Tennessee drivers
These numbers signal safer conditions on Tennessee highways and local roads. Fewer accidents mean fewer injuries and lives lost. For daily commuters, this trend offers peace of mind. Your chances of arriving safely at your destination have improved compared to recent years. State safety initiatives and increased driver awareness likely contribute to this positive shift.Still, safer roads do not eliminate risk entirely. Even with declining numbers, thousands of crashes still occur each year. That is why taking personal precautions remains essential.
Keeping yourself safe on the road
While these statistics bring good news, they should not lead to complacency. Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. You can reduce your risk by following these simple safety practices:
Eliminate distractions and keep your eyes on the road at all times.
Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
Obey posted speed limits, especially in construction zones and school areas.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
These habits help you stay alert and react quickly to unexpected situations. By making them part of your routine, you contribute to the safer roads Tennessee has been building. Of course, even when you do everything right, accidents can still happen. Knowing your options ahead of time can make a difficult situation easier to handle.
If you find yourself in a crash
Even the most careful drivers can face unexpected collisions. If you find yourself involved in an accident, know that help is available. A personal injury attorney can guide you through the legal process. They work to protect your rights and help recover damages. Whether the crash is minor or serious, having professional support allows you to focus on healing and getting back on the road with confidence.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[How the SCRA protects military members during a Tennessee divorce]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=535212025-10-09T07:21:10Z2025-10-09T07:21:10ZProtections under the SCRA
Nonmilitary spouses may serve divorce papers to their military member spouses who are actively serving the country. However, this means that military personnel may not be able to respond to a divorce summons on time.
The SCRA protects military members from receiving penalties or default judgments in a divorce case for failing to respond. The law understands the challenges of military life and ensures that the service does not bring unfair disadvantages in legal matters. As a result, the military member can request a delay in proceedings and participate without the stress of duties.
How SCRA impacts divorce proceedings
While military divorces are complex, the courts remain neutral and consider both the rights of military members and their civilian spouses when addressing the following:
Child custody: A judge can issue a child custody order based on a child’s best interests while also considering the difficulties of military deployment.
Child and spousal support: A judge can enforce the military spouse to support their dependents, provided that proper hearings occurred.
The courts encourage couples to have open discussions to reach fair agreements about these issues.
An action to move forward with the divorce safely
Although the SCRA provides valuable protections, facing a military divorce can be overwhelming. Consider consulting an attorney who has experience in military divorce cases. They can help explain the rights of a servicemember and offer legal help in addressing divorce disputes.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[How can delayed vertigo affect your recovery from an accident?]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=535202025-10-06T18:03:30Z2025-10-06T18:03:30ZUnderstanding delayed symptoms
You may wonder why your symptoms didn’t show up right away. The primary reason for delayed vertigo is a phenomenon known as the adrenaline effect. When trauma first happens, your body releases a rush of adrenaline and other stress hormones. These powerful chemical messengers can temporarily mask or hide pain and other severe symptoms.
Several accident-related injuries can cause delayed vertigo:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Tiny crystals in your inner ear get dislodged
Vestibular concussion: The complex balance system inside your inner ear is impacted
Whiplash: Rapid back-and-forth movement of your head and neck can indirectly impact the vestibular system
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI): Any impact to the head can cause delayed symptoms
This temporary masking is why many people believe they are uninjured in the immediate aftermath of a crash. However, you should still seek a medical evaluation.
Recognizing the signs and risks
It's essential to be aware of the symptoms to watch for after any accident, even if you feel okay initially. If you start experiencing any of these issues, seek medical help:
Spinning or severe dizziness
Balance problems or unsteadiness
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches that don't go away
Vertigo is more than just a dizzy spell. It can cause serious complications like dangerous falls that lead to broken bones or fractures. This condition can also render driving unsafe and impair your ability to perform your job, significantly impacting your overall quality of life.
Next steps: Medical and legal help
Your immediate action after an accident should be a prompt and professional medical examination. Do this even if your symptoms seem mild or you don't have any pain yet. When a delayed symptom, such as vertigo, appears, comprehensive medical documentation is crucial.
Doctors use diagnostic tools, such as Romberg’s test and the head impulse test, as well as imaging, to confirm the diagnosis and document the severity of the condition. Early and thorough medical records are absolutely crucial for a personal injury claim.
This critical evidence directly links your delayed vertigo to the accident. It helps your lawyer counter insurance claims that your injury is pre-existing or not related to the crash, helping you get the full compensation you deserve.
However, the final amount is also subject to Tennessee's modified comparative fault rules and statutory damage caps, which makes experienced legal guidance essential for recovering fair compensation.
Don't ignore the risk of delayed pain
Delayed vertigo is a real and serious consequence of physical trauma. Don't hesitate or delay seeking medical help; consult a doctor immediately after an accident.
If your injuries resulted from someone else's negligence, be aware that Tennessee has one of the shortest deadlines in the country for filing a personal injury lawsuit—generally one year from the date of the accident—making immediate consultation with a skilled personal injury lawyer essential to protect your rights.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[Strain vs. sprain injuries: What accident victims should know]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=534772025-09-03T12:29:07Z2025-09-03T12:29:07ZWhat is a sprain injury?
A sprain happens when a ligament, the tough band of tissue that connects one bone to another, stretches too far or tears. You usually feel it when a joint twists suddenly in a way it wasn’t built to handle. That can happen when you roll your ankle on a wet floor or slam your hand against the steering wheel during a crash. What starts as swelling and sharp pain may grow worse if you keep moving as if nothing happened, because ligaments need rest and treatment to heal instead of being pushed past their limit.
What is a strain injury?
A strain happens when a muscle or tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscle to bone, overstretches or tears. The pain can feel eerily similar to a sprain, even though the structure injured is completely different. Think of your back tightening after a sudden jolt in a collision or your hamstring pulling when you slip in just the wrong way. While it might seem like a minor tweak, a strain can sideline you for weeks if you don’t identify and treat it properly.
Why is quick medical attention essential?
You need a doctor to sort out whether your pain comes from a sprain or a strain, because you cannot tell the difference by guesswork. The treatment path depends on getting that answer right from the start. If you wait, the injury can worsen, and just as importantly, you lose the medical documentation that insurance companies demand on strict timetables. That can leave you fighting uphill for compensation once the bills start piling in.
Protecting your health and your rights
After any accident, never downplay pain or hope it fades on its own, because what begins as soreness can turn into a long-term condition that affects your job, your mobility and your daily life. By seeking medical care right away, you protect your health and create the record you need if your injury later becomes part of a claim. When the paperwork and deadlines start to feel like another injury on top of the first, having a lawyer step in ensures you are not alone to carry the weight of recovery and negotiation at the same time.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[How real property may complicate a divorce process]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=534762025-08-18T00:26:59Z2025-08-18T00:26:59ZThe challenges of divorcing as a homeowner
There are many different issues that divorcing homeowners have to address with one another. For example, they have to decide who stays in the home and who leaves during the divorce. In many cases, the person who stays in the home during the divorce proceedings may seek possession of the home in the property division settlement, although the other spouse could also seek possession of the property.
The person who leaves the home may then have to choose between renting an apartment or a standalone home. That decision can potentially have implications for child custody determinations and even the final allocation of the marital estate.
When judges settle property division disputes, they look at the obligations of each spouse, including their leases and child custody arrangements. The parent with primary custody may have a stronger claim to staying in the home, as such arrangements keep life as stable as possible for the children.
Occasionally, both spouses are able to remain in the marital home throughout the divorce to keep their costs low. In such scenarios, thorough agreements regarding physical maintenance and financial responsibilities are typically necessary to prevent conflict.
At the end of the divorce process, one spouse can leave, or the spouses can agree to sell the home and split the proceeds from the sale in a specific manner. If spouses can’t agree about what should happen with the home, then a judge can settle their dispute.
What if spouses own other real property?
Some married couples accumulate portfolios that contain a variety of real estate investments. They might just own a vacation home where they spend summers with their children, or they might own multiple rental properties or parcels of vacant land.
Spouses who have shared ownership of multiple properties may have to determine what each property is worth and then come up with a long-term solution for those properties. Spouses can divide the properties so that each owns a few of them. They could agree to sell most of their holdings and share the proceeds.
A thorough review of a marital estate overall and details related to real property holdings with a skilled legal team can help people as they begin preparing for divorce. Details ranging from the amount of equity the spouses have to their custody arrangements can influence what happens with their homes and other real estate holdings. Learning more about property division statutes can make it easier for spouses to set appropriate property division priorities during divorce.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[5 common apartment building safety hazards]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=534752025-06-23T01:26:37Z2025-06-23T01:26:37ZPoorly-maintained stairs
Many apartment buildings have at least one stairway. Safety issues in stairwells include improper lighting, loose or missing handrails, poorly-maintained flooring and dirty facilities. Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall incidents in stairwells are often preventable with clean spaces, adequate maintenance and sufficient lighting.
Negligent outdoor security
Parking lots are a key feature at many apartment buildings. People need a location to park their vehicles off the street for safety purposes. Unfortunately, parking lots see a lot of crime. Particularly when landlords do not invest in adequate outdoor lighting or visible security cameras, opportunistic criminals might target people or vehicles in a parking lot.
Inadequate interior security
Many landlords restrict access to their buildings by using codes, keys or even digital cards. This prevents those with criminal intentions from getting access to the property and to all of the homes of the tenants who live there. Providing adequate security at each individual unit is also important. Tenants generally need to be able to secure their doors and windows.
Dangerous hallways
Clutter and inadequate lighting are not just safety concerns in stairwells. People can trip, slip or fall due to poorly-maintained flooring, poor lighting or clutter in common spaces, including hallways.
Construction areas or other hazards
Landlords having work done at a property generally need to limit access to the construction area with ropes or tape. They also generally need to post clear, easy-to-read signs about hazards, such as an unstable balcony that residents should not access. Failing to warn people of dangerous circumstances can constitute negligence in some cases.
Recognizing that risk factors are easy to identify and address could give injured tenants or property visitors the confidence to pursue a premises liability lawsuit. Holding landlords who don't properly maintain their facilities accountable can help people cover their medical expenses, property damage losses and lost wages after an injury or criminal incident.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[What if the other vehicle in a crash is a rideshare vehicle?]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=533942025-04-24T16:37:20Z2025-04-24T16:37:20ZThe same standards generally apply
The same rules about liability and conduct in traffic apply regardless of whether a driver gets paid for their services or simply wants to transport themselves to work. Aggressive rideshare motorists may very well have caused the collision.
The other party involved likely needs to document as much as they can about the crash immediately and then provide information about their concerns to the police officer who arrives to put together a collision report. They also need to know what rideshare company the driver works for and whether they were providing a ride at the time of the wreck, in addition to securing information about their identity and insurance.
Those who rely on their own vehicles for work and who need to retain their licenses to earn income may be more likely than others to deny their culpability or try to place blame on others after a crash. It’s therefore important to be assertive when communicating to police officers about what occurred and who was at fault. After completing the crash reporting process, the driver of the other vehicle may then need to look into their options for compensation.
Compensation claims may be different
Typically, the party at fault for a car crash provides liability insurance coverage for the other people affected by the incident. Their policy can pay for property damage losses and expenses related to injuries.
Standard insurance may not apply after a rideshare crash. Instead, the people affected by the collision may need to make a claim against the liability policy carried by the rideshare company rather than the driver. Uber and Lyft both carry large liability policies to defray the risk inherent in providing on-demand transportation.
Bigger insurance policies often lead to more complex and contentious claims. Insurance companies often try to limit their losses and may negotiate quite aggressively. They may try to manipulate details about the situation, such as whether the ride was actively in progress at the time of the crash, to limit the company's exposure.
Those hoping to recoup the losses generated in a rideshare car wreck often need help. An attorney can provide invaluable support to those involved in unusual crash scenarios.]]>On Behalf of The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC<![CDATA[Addressing stock investments during a divorce]]>https://www.kennedylawfirmpllc.com/?p=533632025-02-20T18:43:42Z2025-02-20T18:43:42ZStock might be marital property
Sometimes, investment accounts are in the name of only one spouse. That spouse might wrongfully assume that their stock is separate property that they do not need to divide. However, any stock acquired during their marriage or with marital income is likely subject to division when the spouses divorce.
The name on the brokerage account is not what determines ownership interest. In many cases, at least a portion of the investment account is likely subject to division when the spouses divorce. Spouses may find themselves disagreeing about which investments are marital property or how to divide them.
They may also disagree about the value of those investments. Picking a valuation date can help establish an appropriate fair market value for stocks. In cases where one spouse worries that the other may have hidden assets or may attempt to manipulate the property division process, they may need support from a trained financial professional.
A careful financial review may be necessary
Larger marital estates tend to be more complex. There could be multiple different accounts to address and an increased reason to worry about hidden assets or financial misconduct during the divorce. Spouses worried about the misrepresentation of marital resources or an unfair property division outcome because of an extensive and complex marital estate may need to hire a forensic accountant.
Forensic accountants have specialized experience and training that help them conduct asset and income tracking. They perform thorough financial reviews to track resources and makes sense of financial records. Forensic accountants can help locate investment resources that are part of the marital estate. They can quantify what portion of an investment account may be separate and what is marital. Their support can make it easier to locate and properly address investment accounts.
Properly addressing stocks and other investments while dividing marital property is often of the utmost importance for divorcing spouses. People concerned about a complex marital estate may need help identifying and valuing marital assets.]]>