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The Reality of Traffic Tickets and Insurance in NC

2/8/2011

 
Ask three different people what affect a traffic ticket will have on insurance premiums in North Carolina, and you will likely get three different answers.  And that really isn’t very surprising.  The DMV and Insurance points systems can be very confusing. 

One common misconception is that the DMV points system and the Insurance points system are one and the same.  These systems are very different and each has its own consequences.  The DMV points system is based on traffic offenses, and determines the status of your driver’s license and your driving privileges.  The Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) was created by the North Carolina Rate Bureau and dictates allowable insurance premium increases based on driving records and convictions.  The SDIP system looks at a three year driving period, meaning that any conviction can impact your insurance rates for up to three years.  Any time you pay a speeding ticket or other traffic citation without consulting an attorney or negotiating a reduced plea, you plead guilty and a conviction results. 

It is very important to understand the impact of SDIP points on your insurance premiums.  The SDIP is based on 12 points which can increase your premiums the following amounts:

1 Point, 25%             5 Points, 105%            9 Points, 260%
2 Points, 45%           6 Points, 130%            10 Points, 300%
3 Points, 60%           7 Points, 160%            11 Points, 300%
4 Points, 80%           8 Points, 220%            12 Points, 340%

As you can see, depending on the point value of the charges for which you are convicted, traffic citations can be very expensive for an extended period of time. 

A simple speeding ticket can carry anywhere from one to four points.  Accidents carry anywhere from one to three points.  Based on a $100 insurance premium, one point will cost you $300 per year, while two, three, and four will cost you $540, $720, and $960 respectively.  And, remember that your insurance premiums can be impacted for up to three years, so the conviction can cost you up to triple that amount.  When you hire a North Carolina traffic lawyer, they will negotiate for a reduced plea or dismissal, which will reduce or eliminate the points incurred and the increase in your insurance premiums. 

Cornelius (28031) Attorney Kelly Myers handles traffic and speeding tickets in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.  Contact the LKN Law Office to negotiate on your behalf.  You will save money on insurance premiums and, in most cases, will never have to appear at the office or in court.

Boating Safety…Are You Prepared for Boating Season?

2/4/2011

 
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Each spring around Lake Norman, North Carolina, everybody seems to get that itch.  People start buying boats, wakeboards, wake surfboards, water-skis, life jackets, board shorts, and bikinis.  However, it is important to make sure that you not only have the proper equipment, but the proper knowledge and skill as well.

As of last May, North Carolina General Statute § 75A-16.2, requires all boat drivers under the age of 26 to complete a NASBLA approved boating safety course or meet certain other requirements.  For Mecklenburg County, the course offered by the Wildlife Resource Commission is held in at the Bass Pro Shops store in Concord, NC, and is offered as a one day or two day session.  This is a great way to introduce boating safety to new and young boaters, and is mandatory to legally drive a boat under the age of 26.  

That said, it is one thing to sit in a classroom and learn about boating safety, and it is another to master driving, docking, towing, and navigation.  It can be invaluable to have an experienced individual on board to teach the dos and don’ts of boat operation.  Local Lake Norman business Boat Brokers LKN does just that.  As part of his boat agency business, licensed Captain and owner Justin Myers will show you how to do everything from trailering and backing, to driving and docking, to towing skiers and boarders.  Boat Brokers LKN is just one local business that has set out to make sure boating season is great for novice and lifetime boaters alike.

So, if you or any driver of your boat is under the age of 26, be sure to complete the required boating safety education, and if you are a new boat owner or driver, contact Boat Brokers LKN or another local company to help you get your sea legs.  

If you have any questions about vessel laws in North Carolina, or if you have been cited for a boating law violation, contact our LKN Law Office.  Lake Norman Attorney, Kelly Myers, is experienced with North Carolina boating laws and will work for the best possible result for your situation.  In many cases, charges for boating violations can be negotiated by an attorney for a reduced plea.


Why Not Pay a Traffic Ticket in NC?

2/4/2011

 
For most people, a speeding or other traffic ticket is little more than an inconvenience and an unwelcome expense.  As opposed to consulting with an North Carolina criminal attorney, it often seems easier to just send payment and move on with life.  However, paying a speeding ticket has unnecessary and undesirable consequences.  It is expensive and it is permanent. 

The most immediate and direct consequence of paying a traffic citation is the cost.  You will pay $141.00 to $143.00 for NC Criminal Court costs, plus a fine determined by the severity of the charge against you.  But, that is not all.  Your infraction or crime will continue to haunt you when it comes to your insurance company.  Insurance companies look for any reason to increase your premiums.  One way they do this is to raise your premium when you are convicted of a traffic offense.  In fact, a simple conviction of 81 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone will result in four insurance points (which are different from DMV points) and your insurance company can increase your premium by 80%.  Based on a $100/month original insurance premium, that conviction will cost you up to $1,920 over the next two years.  All of the sudden, the inconvenience of a speeding ticket becomes a lasting and unnecessary expense.  Had you hired a North Carolina speeding ticket attorney, they would have used their experience and expertise to negotiate a reduced plea with the District Attorney.  The impact on your insurance premiums would be greatly reduced or even avoided.  When you consider the amount you save in insurance payments, the traffic attorney’s fees become a bargain.  


Beyond the extended expenses associated with paying a traffic ticket, there are more permanent consequences involved.  By paying a speeding ticket, you are pleading guilty to the charge against you.  Once you plead guilty, the conviction becomes a permanent mark on your record.  Convictions on your record will affect negotiations and consequences in future criminal charges.  If there are prior convictions on your driving record, the District Attorney’s office will be less willing to negotiate a reduced plea with your attorney should you get another traffic ticket or other charge.  By hiring a North Carolina traffic ticket lawyer to take care of your citation, you can reduce the impact of every charge on your record.

Kelly Myers is a Cornelius and Lake Norman speeding and traffic ticket lawyer.  Contact the Law Office of Kelly Myers to take care of your citation.  In many cases, you will not have to appear in court, or even visit our office.


    Author:

    Kelly Myers is an Attorney practicing in Cornelius (28031) and Lake Norman, North Carolina.  She handles  traffic and speeding tickets, divorce, and estate planning in Mecklenburg County, NC.  Contact the Law Office of Kelly Myers to speak with a Cornelius, NC lawyer regarding your legal needs.


    DISCLAIMER:
                The material and information contained on this blog is for informational purposes only and no representation is made as to its accuracy. This information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute legal advice. Transmission or receipt of information contained in this site and any related communication does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any communication, via e-mail or otherwise, may not be secure and will not be treated as confidential or privileged. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney. 

    This information does not intend to solicit the business of anyone in any jurisdiction where this web site, its content, or the use thereof, may not be in compliance with any law or ethical rule. 

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