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Getting Pulled Over Will Now Cost You More

8/3/2011

 
North Carolina has initiated two court cost increases in as many months, and they may be just warming up.  The memoranda distributed by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts regarding the increases indicate that there will be more changes to court costs before the end of the year.  

The first cost increases became effective July 1, 2011 and the second became effective Monday.  The cost increases apply to both civil and criminal matters, and heavy-footed North Carolina drivers will definitely notice.  Court costs for traffic matters increased $29 for the month of July are up $47 as of this month.  The base court costs are now $188 for traffic infractions, and $190 for traffic misdemeanors.  This is in addition to the fine assessed for the specific offense, which generally ranges from $10 to $100.  What's more, there is a new Improper Equipment fee of $50, which may come as a costly disappointment for drivers and their attorneys in Mecklenburg County, where improper equipment just became accepted as a reduced plea in certain cases at the beginning of this year.  One thing is for sure, speeding and getting pulled over in North Carolina is costing drivers more and more.  

One thing that doesn't change is that no driver should simply pay a traffic citation.  While changes are underway and court costs are increasing, many traffic ticket charges can still be reduced through negotiations with the District Attorney.  Often, these efforts reduce or eliminate the impact on insurance premiums.  Even with the new improper equipment fee, the extra $50 one spends in the short term will be preferable to the amount insurance premiums can increase for a three year period following a conviction for a moving violation.  A skilled attorney can help North Carolina drivers reduce the cost and impact of a speeding ticket both in the short term and the long term.  The lawyer will analyze charges and driving records to best negotiate with the District Attorney for a reduction or dismissal.

Meckenburg County Ticket lawyer Kelly Myers handles citations and speeding tickets in Mecklenburg County Court in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Contact the Lake Norman law office  of Kelly B. Myers to negotiate on your behalf.  While you will now pay more for court costs, you will save money on insurance premiums and, in most cases, will never have to appear at the office or in court.

TEN DO’S AND DON’TS WHEN YOU ARE INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

7/21/2011

 
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1.   DO:  Allow medical professionals to treat you and, if necessary take you to the hospital.  It is very important to assess and treat your car accident injuries from the beginning.

2.   DON'T:  Speak directly with the insurance company.  It is the adjuster’s job to try to minimize any accident settlement.  They will try to use conversations against you to reduce the value of your personal injury claim.

3.   DO:  Follow up with all medical treatments and recommendations, including medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and other care as directed by your treating physicians.

4.   DON'T:  Make statements regarding the accident, especially comments that you may have contributed to the accident.  North Carolina is one of few states with a contributory negligence tort system.  If they can prove you had ANY amount of fault, you may recover NOTHING.

5.   DO:  Keep records, including accident reports, photographs of injuries and property damage, and medical records.  Provide all documentation to your personal injury attorney.

6.   DON'T:  Sign ANYTHING that is given to you by an insurance company without consulting with your personal injury attorney.  There is no reason to provide the insurer with any waiver or authorization.  

7.   DO:  Keep a daily journal of your injuries, including pain you experience on a regular basis or which occurs while conducting normal day-to-day activities.  If your injuries make it difficult or prevent you from keeping your home, preparing meals, or caring for your family, keep note of that as well.  The impact of the accident on your daily life will affect your final settlement.

8.   DON'T:  Miss any doctor’s appointments, treatments, prescription regimens or follow up care.  If you must miss an appointment, make sure to have a good reason, and have your doctor note that reason in your file.  Failing to keep appointments and follow through with treatment indicates to adjusters and juries alike that your injuries are less severe and your medical expenses are not reasonable.

9.   DO:  Use medical payments coverage if you have it.  It will help you pay your medical bills while your claims are pending.   It will not be repaid upon settlement and it will not impact your premiums.


10.  DON'T:  Be in a hurry to settle your case.  It takes time to properly prepare a personal injury claim.  Let your attorney do their job.  

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.

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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