Study finds opioids linked with some 2-car crashes

Drivers who caused deadly two-vehicle accidents in North Carolina and around the country were much more likely to test positive for opioid prescription painkillers than drivers who did not cause the crash, according to a study. The research was published in JAMA Network Open in February. For the study, researchers examined crash data from 18,321 fatal two-vehicle accidents in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which is compiled by a division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They found that “failure to keep in lane” was the most common cause of the accidents, accounting for 7,535 of the crashes studied....

13 February

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Why embezzlement is more frequent at small businesses

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense, White Collar Crimes

Embezzlement can rock a company to its core. Often, the largest sums of money stolen from companies are taken by those in positions of authority. When a company loses money at the hands of its leaders, not only are investors and board members affected but rank-and-file employees quickly lose faith in the company as well. The effect can be much more traumatizing at a small company. That’s why a recent study was so shocking: It found that more than 80 percent of embezzlement thefts occurred at companies with fewer than 150 employees, and nearly 50 percent occurred at companies with fewer...

12 February

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Drug trafficking convictions come with hefty sentences

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in drug trafficking

The effect of a drug trafficking conviction can be particularly significant for people in North Carolina. It may not be immediately clear where the line is drawn between possession, distribution and trafficking charges. While some may think that people need to be involved in moving massive quantities of drugs or cross-border smuggling to face trafficking charges, this is not necessarily the case. Trafficking charges can relate to all types of controlled substances, from marijuana to synthetic cannabinoid products to MDMA, methamphetamine or cocaine. People convicted of drug trafficking are not sentenced using North Carolina’s regular grid. Instead, they face higher, expanded...

30 January

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Riskier ways of using phones raise driver distraction levels

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Distracted driving is a widespread issue in North Carolina, and phone use is one of the largest factors. However, some ways of using a handheld phone are riskier than others. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released a study comparing observational survey data from 2014 and 2018. It found that while distracted driving rates have not drastically changed, the level of distraction is getting worse. The observational surveys focused on drivers in four Northern Virginia communities as they approached or stopped at red lights. Drivers were 57 percent more likely to use their phones for activities besides talking such...

15 January

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Most cases tried in America involve misdemeanors

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

According to data from the FBI, cases involving misdemeanor charges account for 80 percent of criminal dockets in America. There are about 13 million misdemeanor cases annually in North Carolina and throughout the country. Such a large caseload may result in individuals not getting the outcomes that they may deserve. This is because public defenders may lack the time and other resources to give a defendant the zealous defense to which he or she is entitled. There tends to be a racial element at play when it comes to how cases are resolved. White Americans charged with a misdemeanor are 75...

03 January

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Some truck drivers dangerously fighting fatigue with stimulants

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

Because of the massive weight of trucks, victims of accidents involving these vehicles in North Carolina are often drivers of smaller vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or other individuals who may be in the path of a collision. An increasing number of drivers are on long hauls at all hours of the day and night. This in and of itself presents possible hazard risks. An added danger is driver fatigue related to efforts to meet tight deadlines and delivery obligations. According to available statistics, it’s long-haul trips of 51 miles or more that account for the bulk of trucking accidents. The risk of...