23 November

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How DNA kits can destroy your privacy

At-home DNA kits from brands like 23andMe and Ancestry are very popular holiday gifts. They may also be destroying whatever semblance of privacy Americans may have left. It’s not the DNA kits themselves that are a problem — it’s the databases being used to store the information. While most people view these commercial DNA tests as either a novelty that can help them explore their family’s history, others use them to find long-lost (or hitherto unknown) relatives. To that end, many companies have created forums for people to upload their test results and look for genetic connections among others. Genetic investigations are getting more...

20 November

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What are some immediate signs of a spinal cord injury?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

Car accidents and slip-and-fall injuries caused by the fault of another may result in serious spinal damage. The Mayo Clinic reports that most people who suffer these injuries are in their late teens to early 30s; however, you may experience one at any age. If you experience a car accident, fall or a violent act that injures your spine, understanding the immediate effects may help you understand what kind of medical treatment you may need in the future. Loss of sensation After an accident, you may experience numbness almost anywhere in your body, depending on which bones in the spine experience trauma. Loss...

16 November

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How a DUI can hurt your education and career

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense, DWI/DUI

You might choose to party and drink socially to have fun and let go of the stresses of your academic studies or job. However, driving after such drinking is never worth the serious consequences. At minimum you face license suspension, hefty fines, jail time and even loss of your education and career opportunities. Impact on employment When applying for jobs, your employer might ask if you have a misdemeanor or felony conviction or run a background check. For instance, if you intend to work as a licensed professional such as a pharmacist, doctor, attorney or nurse, a DUI on your record may prevent you from...

11 November

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What are the symptoms of internal bleeding?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

Internal bleeding occurs due to damage to blood vessels inside your body. This often happens because of a traumatic accident. Internal bleeding can be hard to recognize at first. However, it can cause dangerous complications if not treated right away. Internal bleeding can occur in any part of the body, including the abdomen, head and joints. According to Healthline, the symptoms of internal bleeding can vary based on where it occurs. Abdomen There are several large blood vessels in the abdomen that, if damaged, can cause serious internal bleeding. Common symptoms of bleeding in the abdomen include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The...

09 November

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How do you deal with a wrong-way driver?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Wrong-way drivers sometimes get played for laughs in television and movies. However, they are no laughing matter when you actually see someone driving the wrong way down the highway. What causes drivers to end up on the wrong side of the highway? Sometimes a driver simply gets confused, mistaking an off-ramp for an on-ramp because they’re tired, unfamiliar with the area, inexperienced or suffering from some form of mental disability, like dementia. Most of the time, however, wrong-way drivers are impaired due to drugs or alcohol. That’s the reason that most wrong-way accidents happen on the weekend and in the evenings, when...

02 November

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What if I’m in a collision with an uninsured driver?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Anytime you are involved in a serious auto accident is frightening and frustrating. In the moments after the crash, you’re worried about your injuries and if any of your passengers have injuries. Then, you think about how much damage your car sustained and how long it may take to recover from your injuries. If you find out after the crash that the driver who hit you is uninsured, you face even more uncertainty. Who will cover the costs of replacing or repairing your car? Will you even receive compensation for your injury costs? What to do when in a crash with an...

26 October

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What does the ‘First Step Act’ in North Carolina do?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in drug trafficking

The North Carolina First Step Act was signed in to law this year, and it offers new hope for some people who have a prior felony conviction on their records for drug trafficking or conspiracy to drug traffic. What does the First Step Act do? Essentially, it gives the court some wiggle room when it comes to the mandatory minimum sentences that courts have previously been required to impose. This is particularly important when you realize that people can be charged with drug trafficking or the intent to traffic drugs based only on the amount of drugs found in their possession — and this policy...

23 October

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How can a brain injury affect your memory?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

As a resident of North Carolina who got into an accident, you may suffer from physical effects that last long after the incident itself. This is particularly true of brain injuries, which often have traumatic impacts lasting months, years or even a lifetime. In particular, brain injuries tend to have lasting impacts on your memory. In what way does it affect your ability to recall things and store new memories? Brain injuries and short-term memory damage The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center examines the relationship between memory and brain injury. Brain injuries, especially traumatic ones (TBIs), tend to affect short-term memory the most....

12 October

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Can you legally defend yourself using violence in North Carolina?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in assault and battery

There’s an old saying that “violence begets violence.” For the most part, that’s true — especially when someone is put into a position where they feel like they have no choice but to aggressively defend themselves against harm by another. But do you actually have the right to violently attack someone in your own defense? In some states, people have a legal duty to retreat in the face of a threat whenever possible — and North Carolina was once like that, as well. Now, however, North Carolina has “Stand Your Ground” laws on the books. Those laws greatly broaden the right of...

08 October

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Car goes over bridge due to collision with tractor-trailer

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

The stakes are high in a collision between a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer. Because of its mass, a tractor-trailer can exert much more force when the two vehicles collide. Sometimes the force is sufficient to move the passenger vehicle in an unexpected direction. Recently, a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 74 in North Carolina sent one vehicle over the edge of a bridge and struck six others. Authorities charged the driver with reckless driving. Though there was no report of any life-threatening injuries, two people went to the hospital as a result of the crash. Parting the line The accident occurred in the...

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