The Tennessee State Senate has unanimously voted to pass a bill which will become known as “Bentley’s Law” and require drunk drivers to pay child support if they kill a minor’s parent in an auto accident. The law was named after two cases involving Tennessee children whose parents were killed by drunk drivers and had already passed with unanimous support in the Tennessee House of Representatives. The bill is now on its way to the Governor’s desk to become law.
Watch this video on Bentley’s Law:
Bentley’s Law In Tennessee
Bentley’s Law will require restitution for each parent’s child until they are 18 and have graduated high school. This is the latest move by Tennessee authorities to aggressively hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions. With the advent of ride-sharing apps such as Lyft and Uber, these incidents should be a thing of the past, but unfortunately, they are not. According to USA Today, over 10,000 people are killed each year in the US from impaired driving-related accidents.
As a reminder, here are some things drivers can do to avoid becoming a statistic from this nationwide epidemic:
- Do not assume you are safe to drive, even if you’ve only had one or two drinks. It’s important to remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving.
- Always drive defensively. Be aware of how others on the road are driving. If someone is driving erratically, avoid them and report them to authorities.
- Beware of prescription medications that make you drowsy.
- If you have teens at home, stress that driving drunk or drugged can endanger them and others.
- If you have plans that involve alcohol, it’s imperative to have a designated driver who has abstained from alcohol or use a third-party transportation service such as Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
Conclusion
If you or a family member have been injured or suffered a loss due to an impaired or drunk driver, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation, and we will assist you with your case. Our law firm works on a contingency basis. Unless we reach a settlement or jury verdict award on your behalf, there is no fee.
Stay safe. Because we care…
Stillman & Friedland
Tennessee Auto Accident Attorneys
