The Haynes Firm - April 2020

The Haynes Firm - April 2020

HaynesLawyers.com

423-928-0165

APRIL 2020

HowMuch Automobile Insurance Do I Really Need?

We’re probably all familiar with the Allstate commercials featuring the character “Mayhem,” who inflicts some form of bizarre disaster upon a driver and then warns that “your cut-rate car insurance”may not cover the damage. He then tells you to get your insurance through Allstate “to be better protected from Mayhem, like me.” At our firm, we have seen firsthand how some of these “cut-rate” insurance companies really do treat their clients poorly when a crash happens, so it’s a good idea to purchase your auto insurance coverage through a reputable and recognizable insurance company. But you might be thinking: Once I’ve chosen a good company, how much insurance do I need? Hopefully, anyone reading this newsletter is covered by an auto insurance policy that provides coverage in the event that you cause an accident or injury. Liability insurance provides coverage when you, or someone driving your car with your permission, causes property damage or bodily injury to another party. In Tennessee, most of these policies start at the minimal coverage amount of $25K/$50K, which increases to a $50K/$100K policy, then a $100K/$300K policy, then a $250K/$500K policy, and beyond. As your coverage increases, so does your premium. The first number shows howmuch the insurer will pay for an injury to any“one person.” The second number reflects howmuch they will pay for any“one accident.”For example, if you have the $25K/$50K policy, the insurance company will pay up to $25K for any one person injured. If more than one person is injured in the crash, the policy will pay up to $50K total, but still never more than $25K for any one person.

Ask your insurance company to send you your “declarations page”if you don’t know howmuch coverage you have purchased. If the other person is injured in a crash and must be admitted into the hospital; requires radiological studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs; or has broken bones or other serious injuries, their medical expenses could easily surpass $25K before they are ever discharged. That could leave you personally responsible for any damages in excess of $25K. For this reason, most experts will advise that you should carry at least $100K/$300K in auto liability coverage, and more if your budget allows. Keep in mind that many auto insurers offer umbrella policies that can provide additional liability coverage in the event that your underlying coverage is not enough, but there are often conditions to qualify. You may want to speak with your auto insurance representative about an umbrella policy because those policies can often be purchased for a modest increase in your premium. But what happens if you aren’t at fault for a car crash? If someone hits you, doesn’t their auto insurance policy pay? Yes, if they have insurance and only up to the limits of insurance that they carry. That’s why everyone should carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/ UIM) coverage. This insurance provides you additional coverage over and above the policy limits of the at-fault party. However, your UM/ UIM policy will provide additional coverage only to the extent your policy limit is greater than that of the at-fault party. For example, let’s say you’ve purchased $50K in UM/UIM

coverage. If someone hits you from behind, and you are injured, the at-fault party will then offer his minimum limit of $25K. If you can prove your damages are more than that amount, then your auto policy may pay up to an additional $25K for a total of $50K. Often, there is a disagreement between you and the auto insurance companies involved as to how much you should be entitled to as a result of a car crash. In that event, you may have to take your case to trial to have a jury decide how much your claim is worth. Automobile insurance can be complicated. There is a lot more to know about how auto insurance works following an auto crash than what’s included here, but the takeaway is that it’s a good idea to purchase as much auto insurance as you can afford. You truly will be “better prepared for mayhem.”We’ll be happy to speak with you about your auto insurance and how it might apply in the event of a car crash. Stay safe out there!

REFERRALS WELCOME We thank you so much for referring clients to us over the years. We are grateful that you have trusted us with taking care of those who need our services. For any referrals, please contact us at 423-928-0165 or fill out our online contact form at HaynesLawyers.com.

-Olen Haynes,Jr.

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SOMETHING IN THE WATER WHY ROB BILOTT TOOK ON DUPONT

Rob Bilott never should have agreed to represent Wilbur Tennant’s case.

property provided water for all the cattle and wildlife in the area. Since the sale, the stream had become frothy and discolored, and the animals that drank from it were sick, malformed, or dead, including 153 of Tennant’s 200 cows. When Bilott stumbled upon a letter from DuPont to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the real horror story began to emerge — one that went far beyond the boundaries of Tennant’s farm and into the drinking water of every American. The letter mentioned a mysterious chemical called PFOA, and Bilott requested documentation from DuPont to find out more about it. However, the company refused, so Bilott requested a court order. Soon, dozens of disorganized boxes filled with thousands of 50-year-old files arrived at Bilott’s firm.

The cattle farmer had presented evidence of the strange malady plaguing his cattle to lawyers, politicians, and veterinarians in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but no one took Tennant’s case seriously.

in the mess of documents, but soon, his time as an environmental lawyer helped him see the bigger picture. It became clear that DuPont had orchestrated a massive cover-up regarding their use of PFOA. PFOA is used in the manufacturing of Teflon, and the company had knowingly exposed workers and the Parkersburg water supply to it. Bilott filed a class-action suit as a medical monitoring claim on behalf of the people of Parkersburg, and, as of 2011, a probable link between PFOA and six health conditions, including two types of cancer, has been found.

But when Bilott saw the evidence for himself, it was clear that something was wrong.

The videos and photographs Tennant had collected showed cattle with patchy fur, growths and lesions, white slime coming from their mouths, and staggering gaits. Tennant told Bilott that the abnormal behavior and physical deformities had started after his brother Jim sold his property to DuPont, a chemical company with a big presence in Parkersburg. Jim’s property bordered on Wilbur’s, and a stream running from Jim’s

He was worried he wouldn’t be able to find anything incriminating or even conclusive Because of the medical monitoring claim, plaintiffs can file personal injury lawsuits against DuPont. So far, 3,535 people have. If it weren’t for Bilott and Tennant, the public might have never known the dangers of PFOA. DOYOUR PART TO KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL And Maintain Green Living Spaces for Everyone

Have you ever walked through a park and seen a plastic bottle or wrapper lying on the ground? If so, did you pick it up and properly dispose of it? You might not have realized it, but in that moment, you took a small step toward keeping your community — and, by extension, America — beautiful! April is Keep America Beautiful Month, and folks who celebrate aim to help each community in every state stay clean and green. Created by the nonprofit organization Keep America Beautiful, this holiday offers a perfect opportunity to roll up your sleeves and work

to better the place you live in. Here are three ways to show your appreciation for a green America this month.

jogging and picking up litter, which takes care of your health and keeps your community clean. Anybody can do it: Just throw on your running shoes, grab a bag, head out the door, and pick up any stray bits of trash you see on your morning jog or evening walk.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP.

IMPROVE RECYCLING THROUGH EDUCATION.

This event is one of America’s largest community improvement programs, with hundreds of thousands of people

participating each year. In 2019, over 550,000 volunteers participated in the GAC to bring natural beauty back into their communities. 2020 marks this event’s 22nd year, and you can be a part of it this month! Volunteer your time with a local Keep America Beautiful affiliate or another community improvement program close to home. Do your part to clean up your parks and spread awareness today.

An important goal during Keep America Beautiful Month is to spread awareness about recycling. There are various ways to educate those around you about recycling and encourage them to do their part. At work, for example, you can volunteer to lead a recycling initiative by printing off guides and fostering discussions on why recycling is so essential. At home, you can make a commitment with your family to fulfill the three R’s of recycling: reduce, reuse, recycle. To discover more ways to participate in Keep America Beautiful month, visit their website at KAB.org today!

START PLOGGING.

If you’re passionate about staying active and cleaning up your neighborhood, then this is the perfect activity for you! Plogging combines

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TAKE A BREAK

Few things change faster than the internet, and how we connect with the internet is constantly evolving. When it comes to wireless capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) networks have been the norm for 10 years. But 4G couldn’t meet demands forever, and there’s already talk of a fifth-generation (5G) network taking center stage. So, what makes 5G different from 4G, and how will it affect consumers and their internet-enabled devices? Simply put, 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that enables mobile devices like cellphones and stationary devices like desktop computers to send and receive >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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