05 December

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Reducing winter driving risks in North Carolina

Blizzard-like and icy conditions sometimes take North Carolina drivers by surprise during the late fall and winter months. But new safety technologies, such as traction control capabilities, that are used properly, and some commonsense precautions may reduce driving and accident risks in inclement weather. This is why the National Safety Council is making an effort to educate drivers by stressing the importance of being as prepared as possible when getting behind the wheel in winter. Checking the forecast before driving and properly warming up vehicles are some of the steps the NSC recommends. The most effective way to avoid car accidents...

28 November

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What the First Step Act tries to accomplish

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

The First Step Act is intended to be a method in which the criminal justice system becomes more equitable. It was created through a joint effort from President Trump and the American Civil Liberties Union. However, it is unclear how it will ultimately help those with cases in North Carolina and other states. It is also unclear what its final form will be or if it passes over the objections of those in Congress. One of its goals is to make it easier for judges to use a safety valve mechanism to get around mandatory minimum sentences. It would allow those...

07 November

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Tips for safe driving in the bright sunlight

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Most drivers in North Carolina understand that heading out in the early morning or late afternoon means driving in bright sunlight. If possible, commuters could try waiting until the sun completely rises or sets below the horizon. In any case, it is important to keep safe during these conditions since bright sunlight can create visual illusions. Drivers raise their fatal accident risk by 16 percent when in bright sunlight. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the hazards. Wearing sunglasses is an essential first step as these can reduce the brightness and protect the eyes from harmful UV rays. Drivers should...

23 October

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Teens driving teens have higher fatality risk

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

Many North Carolina drivers are wary of cars full of teens. They may believe that these drivers are more likely to be careless or distracted. While some of these ideas are based on stereotypes about teen drivers, they may also be backed up by reality. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study for National Teen Driver Safety Week showing that when teen drivers have only teen passengers in their vehicles, the fatality rate for everyone involved in a car accident can rise by 51 percent. The risk can often be the greatest for people in other cars involved in...

18 October

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Where to keep your car to protect it from hurricane damage

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in Car Insurance

Last month, North Carolina residents suffered through Hurricane Florence together. Towns lost their structures, people lost their lives and the state lost billions in property damage. If you were fortunate enough to receive little to no damage from the storm, do not count yourself lucky yet. We still have one month to go before the 2018 hurricane season ends, so we could still get hit with more heavy winds and rainstorms. If your town experiences heavy downpour, car companies generally recommend that you avoid going through deep water to avoid your vehicle breaking down or drowning. Instead, you should think about...

15 October

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Many North Carolina doctors have stopped prescribing opioids

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in drug trafficking

The opioid crisis has affected millions of people throughout the United States. Last year, President Donald Trump declared the prevalence of opioid addiction a national emergency. The over-prescription of opioids for disproportionately mild injuries contributed to the crisis. In response, many doctors—including over 1,000 in North Carolina alone—say that they have stopped prescribing opioids altogether. Curbing the opioid epidemic, one doctor at a time According to the North Carolina Medical Board, numerous patients throughout North Carolina say that their doctors have stopped prescribing opioids for pain. The board surveyed its members and found that of the 2,661 physicians who responded, 43 percent...

12 October

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Tesla releases voluntary Vehicle Safety Report

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Cars with automatic driving features are becoming more common on roadways in North Carolina. One of the most notable is Tesla’s Autopilot feature. In its recently published Vehicle Safety Report, Tesla asserts that this pseudo self-driving feature prevents crashes. According to the voluntary report, Tesla drivers using the Autopilot feature between July and September of 2018 were involved in “crash-like events” once every 3.34 million miles. Meanwhile, drivers not using the Autopilot feature experienced car accidents once every 1.92 million miles. Tesla’s Autopilot feature combines adaptive cruise control and steering assistance. Adaptive cruise control keeps a set distance between vehicles,...

23 August

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When should a family pursue wrongful death litigation?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in Civil Litigation

When a North Carolina family is navigating the aftermath of the unexpected loss of a loved one, it is a complex and challenging time for everyone. From the sudden expenses associated with medical bills and a funeral, the family also has to navigate the emotional turmoil as well. Grieving families often find it difficult to think about potential legal options that could be available to them. It is not always abundantly clear if a death was the result of the wrongful actions of another person. If you are mourning the loss of a loved one that you think may be the...

29 June

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Here’s what college students say about their drinking habits

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense, DWI/DUI

You’d be hard-pressed to find a North Carolina college campus where zero percent of the student-body drinks alcohol. Even dry campuses report issues that are alcohol or drug-related. In order to better understand alcohol statistics in colleges throughout the nation, it helps to analyze why students drink in the first place. Your reasons for consuming alcohol on or off-campus may not be the same as your roommate’s; however, many students agree that certain factors significantly impact their choices. If you’re age 21 or beyond, you may legally drink alcohol, provided you are adhering to your own campus’s rules. However, many students...

22 June

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Fighting back against allegations or charges of robbery

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

Facing criminal charges of any kind are a serious threat to your personal freedom and your future interests. Regardless of whether the charges against you are serious felony charges or a minor misdemeanor offense, it is critically important to shield your interests to the best of your ability, fight these charges and work to keep your record clear. Robbery charges are particularly serious criminal charges in North Carolina. A conviction could lead to time behind bars and other penalties that can permanently alter the course of your life. Every robbery case is different, but you will find it beneficial to understand the applicable laws...

Author: Chris Proffitt