Hornsby Watts, PLLC Legal Blog
New study shows link between opioid use and fatal crashes
We all know about the opioid epidemic in this country. Overuse of opioids -- even prescribed dosages -- can lead to addiction and overdoses. Perhaps less attention has been paid to the impact of opioids on drivers and the safety of all of us on the road -- even when...
10 factors that make car accidents more likely
You feel safe on the road because you've been driving for decades and you've never been in a serious accident. Maybe you commute to work every single day. Eventually, despite the news stories and the statistics, you stop worrying about accident risks. It looks like...
Federal agency investigating rash of fatalities near school buses
Last November, we discussed a crash in Mississippi that claimed the life of a 9-year-old boy on Halloween. He was struck as he crossed a road to get on his school bus. That crash was one of a number of similar incidents over a short period that killed children at or...
When do doctors and nurses think it’s okay to lie to patients?
Most people assume that doctors and other medical providers are obligated to tell patients and family members the truth. After all, how else can we make informed decisions about our health care? Therefore, a recent poll of doctors and nurses (including advance...
Can a psychologist be sued for malpractice?
Psychologists typically have fewer malpractice suits filed against them than medical doctors who treat people for physical ailments and diseases. (Note that psychiatrists are also medical doctors and can prescribe drugs.)Indeed, fewer than 2 percent of psychologists...
Mississippi truck driver charged in 2017 crash that killed a man
More than a year after a crash that claimed the life of a 29-year-old Pennsylvania man, a Mantee, Mississippi, truck driver has been charged with multiple offenses including involuntary manslaughter. The chain-reaction crash occurred in Decemember 2017 on Route 28 in...
Mississippi woman, granddaughter killed in alleged DUI crash
A Mississippi woman is mourning the loss of both her mother and her daughter, killed in a crash when their car was struck by an alleged drunk driver. The three generations piled into the car for an outing, joined by the woman's son, and were traveling on Highway 35 in...
Large trucks are dangerous: Avoid a crash and stay safe
Large trucks travel on the highways every day, and they are a major threat to others on the roads. These large vehicles can be thousands of pounds, and, depending on who is driving, they could be highly dangerous. Large-truck accidents cause some of the most...
Is your doctor guilty of ‘manterrupting?’
We all know people who constantly interrupt. They think they know what we're about to say, so they finish our sentences for us. As we're speaking, they're reminded of something that impacts them, so they hijack our story and tell their own. Often, they're not even...
Some important things to know about wrongful death suits
If a family member has died because of the actions or negligence of a person or entity, you may be able to seek compensation and justice through a wrongful death suit whether there is a criminal case or not. Even if the deceased person didn't contribute to the family...