Approximately one in eight drivers do not have auto insurance. While not having insurance is illegal in most states, this does not prevent people from getting behind the road and driving without it every day.
But what happens when you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver? Who pays for the damage to your vehicle, and will you be able to receive any payment or reimbursement for your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering? Here is some information on how you may get some of these expenses covered.
If you have submitted an auto accident claim, some insurance companies may try to dismiss or reduce your damages. The more the insurer reduces your damages, the more money they will save. Read on to learn some of the claims the insurance carrier might use in their endeavor.
Driving advice offered throughout the years often influences what you think is legal and illegal on the road. While some of the given counsel may be valid, other advice may be myths. Unfortunately, if you do not know the difference between what is legal and illegal, you may need the services of a traffic attorney. Here are four common driving myths in North Carolina.
A truck modification on the highways and byways of North and South Carolina is squatting trucks. While this is popular with some, this will soon be illegal in North Carolina and, if not quickly corrected, could land you in traffic court, where you could lose your driver’s license.
If you have considered squatting your truck lately, think again. With the changes in the law, you may find yourself quickly undoing the modifications. Learn more in this brief overview.
What Is Truck Squatting?
Squatting is when you modify your truck’s suspension so the truck’s front elevates more than the rear, which gives the vehicle the appearance of squatting or sagging. This practice in North Carolina is referred to as the Carolina Squat.
Driving while impaired can potentially lead to traffic fines and the loss of driving privileges. Impairment can mean drunk driving, but it is more than alcohol that can cause an officer to initiate a stop. Many seemingly harmless actions can also cause drivers to appear impaired. Here are a few things to think about before getting behind the wheel.
Get More Sleep
Falling asleep while driving or being too tired to react safely to common situations on the road could also cause a stop for impaired driving. Life is often busy, and long work hours or other responsibilities can make it impossible to get enough rest. The law requires every driver to be safe behind the wheel regardless of their schedule.
Look for alternatives to driving home after a long day. Consider public transportation or call someone for a ride. Avoid non-stop road trips when long-distance driving. Either share the driving responsibilities with someone else or plan to stop every few hours to rest and refresh before continuing.
Approximately 16,438 auto accidents take place daily in the United States, resulting in significant damage and mountains of paperwork. Car crashes are a prominent cause of personal injury and vary in the location, vehicles involved, severity, and impact on the individual’s life.
The type of accident that has occurred can help establish who is at fault while its severity and scope of injuries determine a claim’s worth. Learn seven types of auto accidents so you can file your auto accident claim confidently.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the mandate to revoke or suspend your license depending on a few factors like age, traffic offenses, or medical conditions. This means that once your license is revoked or suspended, you can’t legally operate a vehicle as your license is now invalid.
Note that license revocation is not the same as suspension, as one is a permanent action while the other is temporary. Read about the differences between a suspended license and a revoked license below.
What Is a Suspended Driver’s License?
A suspended driver’s license means the driver’s license is invalid over a temporary period, and while it’s invalid, you can’t legally drive.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can increase the risk of accidents. Not only do drugs and alcohol slow your reaction times, but they hinder your decision-making ability. If you would like to know more, check out these four commonly asked questions about DWI.
1. Will Your License Be Suspended?
In North Carolina, your license may be suspended for six months after a DWI, but it can be taken away for longer if you have multiple DWIs or were grossly negligent. You can usually get a hardship license, which allows you to drive to certain places, such as work, school, court-ordered treatment, community service, and church.
When it comes to crimes, there are many different levels and categories. One of the most basic ways crimes are categorized is through felony and misdemeanor classifications. If you would like to learn more about misdemeanors vs. felonies, keep reading.
Types of Misdemeanors
In North Carolina, misdemeanors are categories into four different groups: Class A1, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. Class A1 misdemeanors are the most serious offenses. They include domestic violence, assault, sexual battery, using a deadly weapon, etc. Class 3 offenses are less serious and include crimes like shoplifting.
Traffic violations are common, and nearly every driver has committed at least one. However, some traffic violations come with severe consequences, and the more traffic violations you rack up, the more consequences you may face. If you would like to learn more, check out these four possible consequences of traffic violations in North Carolina.
1. Fines
Traffic violations nearly always come with a fine, but the exact amount depends on the violation and the location of the violation. In North Carolina, however, there is an absolute speed limit, so even if you go one mile over the speed limit, you may get a ticket and fine. In most cases, the fine is $100 to $1,000.
