Murfreesboro Auto Accident Blog

Should you take a field sobriety test or not?

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Spending a portion of your day on the side of a Tennessee roadway, looking into the eyes of a police officer who has pulled you over in traffic, is probably not your idea of fun. Perhaps you're among many motorists in this state or others who have incurred a speeding ticket a time or two in the past. While it's not a good thing to get points against your license, facing a fine for traveling a few miles over a posted speed limit is not likely to ruin your life. Facing criminal charges for drunk driving might, however.

Depending on the circumstances of the traffic stop and also whether or not you have a criminal record that includes past DUI convictions, a single traffic stop that leads to a suspected drunk driving arrest can have serious and far-reaching consequences. That's why it's so important to understand field sobriety tests and to know where to seek support if a problem arises.

Motorcyclist killed when car pulls out into path

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

The most common cause of serious motorcycle collisions is when a driver pulls out into the motorcyclist's path. Motorcyclists are not always easy to see, so drivers may think they're able to pull out while the reality is that they're cutting off another person's route.

That happened once again in Knoxville. A 24-year-old woman was attempting to make a left-hand turn from Cross Creek Apartments onto Western Avenue when she entered the roadway and blocked the path of a 25-year-old motorcyclist.

24-year-old hit-and-run driver charged for fatal crash

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

If you plan to drink, it's always a good idea to find out how you're going to get home safely. Drinking and driving are hazardous to everyone. You could crash and hurt yourself or cause a collision with someone else.

Drunk driving can lead to fatal crashes, like the one described in recent Nashville report which describes how a man came to face a DUI charge for a hit-and-run accident. That accident led to the death of a pedestrian, a 50-year-old man who was trying to cross the road when he was killed.

Man pleads for clemency after serving unfair sentence

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, October 19, 2018.

Mandatory minimum sentences have long been a point of contention in criminal law. It's not always fair to sentence someone who commits a crime to the same sentence as another person. The factors playing into the crime often vary, but yet both people are given the same penalties.

Take, for example, the story of a young man who went to prison for a nonviolent drug offense. He was 22 and had to serve 17 years in prison. He has, unfortunately, watched people convicted of much more heinous crimes come and go from prison, yet he's still there.

Traveling in construction: A hazard for motorcyclists

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

One of the most difficult things to deal with when you're a motorcyclist is construction work. Uneven roads pose a danger as you try to stay in even lanes, and loose gravel could cause you to slide.

What's worse is that people in traditional vehicles don't always slow down. They kick up dust and fling gravel, not thinking about the motorcyclists behind them. If that's a situation you've been in, then you know it's almost impossible not to stop and pull over to avoid the stress of the situation.

Why is the law so harsh on heroin users?

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Drugs are a major problem in Tennessee, and if you are caught selling or using them, you could face your own difficulties. It's been estimated that there are around 800 methamphetamine labs in the state, and it would cost thousands to clean up a single lab and prevent damage from the toxic chemicals.

Law enforcement officers are highly concerned about the increasing use of heroin, an opioid. This drug is more likely to cause deadly reactions. The problem is that it is often laced with a narcotic named fentanyl. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is extremely potent and often leads to overdoses. It can even cause an overdose if it is absorbed through the skin.

Know what to do if you're pulled over for a DUI

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

Drunk driving can quickly result in fines and penalties that affect you now and in the future. You may find yourself struggling to maintain a job, go to school or protect your reputation. It's vital for people who make the mistake of driving after having alcohol to remember that this single situation could negatively impact them for years to come.

There is no law that you cannot drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) under .08 percent, but there is a law that allows you to be pulled over and tested regardless of your level of intoxication. If the officer believes that you are too impaired to drive, you can face lesser penalties or even face a DUI despite not being over the limit. If you are a commercial driver, a BAC as low as .04 percent is enough to get you arrested for driving while intoxicated, even though the standard BAC limit is .08 percent.

Yes, you have a right to challenge your unlawful arrest

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

A wrongful arrest, also known as a false arrest, is one that is made illegally. As a plaintiff, you can argue that you were held in custody illegally or without cause. A wrongful arrest can also lead to false imprisonment.

It is possible to challenge an unlawful arrest, but you need to be clear about what happened during the process. For instance, what were you doing at the time of the arrest? Did the officer observe a crime? Did they tell you that you had the right to remain silent? Were you searched without consent? These are all questions your attorney will ask and need answers to.

Distracted driving: Teach teens about the risks

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, September 13, 2018.

While there isn't a national ban on texting and driving, there could be deadly consequences if you choose text behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that, in 2015, 3,477 people were killed and around 391,000 people were hurt in crashes resulting from distracted drivers.

It's believed that around 660,000 drivers use cellphones or electronic devices while they are driving every day. That's a high number of people on the roads who simply aren't paying attention. Although the consequences of texting and driving are unintended, they still have the potential to lead to injuries or fatalities.

Defenses are important for underage drinking charges

On behalf of Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Driving under the influence of alcohol at any age is a problem, but when you're under 21, it's a particularly negative offense. Under Tennessee's laws, you've violated the Drug Free Youth Act. This act applies to people between the ages of 13 to 17 with certain drugs and between the ages of 18 and 21 for alcohol offenses.

This act allows you to have your license reinstated after a period of time if you've been convicted of driving under the influence. To do so, you'll have to pay a $20 fee, and you'll have to apply for a license and pay the driver licensing fee. If you did not surrender your driver's license as required, then you may face an additional $75 fee.

Waldron Fann & Parsley Attorneys at Law