Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Tennessee Traffic citation lawyers help with all types of driver license problems. It is important for drivers to realize that they should be insured when driving. If not, you could be cited for violating Tennessee’s financial responsibility law under certain circumstances. The purpose of the law is to promote safety and to protect innocent members of the public from the negligence of motorists on the roads and highways.

Drivers in Tennessee involved in certain accidents regardless of fault, or cited with a moving violation within the terms of the statute, are required to show financial responsibility. According to Tennessee law, financial responsibility means:

• Documentation, such as the declaration page of an insurance policy, an insurance binder, or an insurance card from an insurance company authorized to do business in Tennessee, stating that a policy of insurance meeting the requirements of the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law of 1977 has been issued; or
• A certificate, valid for one year, issued by the commissioner of safety, stating that a cash deposit or bond in the amount required by the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law of 1977 has been paid or filed with the commissioner, or has qualified as a self-insurer under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-12-111; or
• The motor vehicle being operated at the time of the violation was owned by a carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the department of safety or the interstate commerce commission, or was owned by the United States, this state or any political subdivision thereof, and that such motor vehicle was being operated with the owner's consent. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-12-139.

A violation of the financial responsibility law in Tennessee is a Class C misdemeanor and could result in the suspension of your license. If you are cited with financial responsibility, contact a Tennessee Traffic citation lawyer. Tennessee traffic citation attorneys handle speeding tickets and other moving violations in the Knoxville, Sevierville, Dandridge, Newport, Maryville and Pigeon Forge areas.