Protect Evidence for Your Personal Injury Claim

Being involved in an accident can be nerve-wracking for anyone. If you are a victim in an accident and think you have a legitimate personal injury claim, it is important to preserve evidence that can strengthen your case. As soon as you are able, make sure to do the following:

1.    Document Your Injuries

Your injuries are perhaps the most important evidence in the case. Seek medical attention at once. Be sure to photograph the visible effects, such as cuts, swelling, bruises, bandages, and casts, before they heal completely. 

When Does DWI Become a Felony?

Most traffic offenses are considered misdemeanors. Unlike crimes like drug trafficking, sex offenses, or burglary, which are given relatively longer imprisonment terms and heavy fines, misdemeanors have substantially less severe penalties. However, there are cases when a traffic offense, like DWI, can be charged as a felony.

How many past convictions have you had?

 
Previous DWI convictions can make a new DWI charge much more serious. In North Carolina, if you are charged with DWI and you’ve previously been convicted of DWI three or more times in the past 7 years, you will likely be charged with felony DWI. 

What to Do Right After a Car Accident

If you get into a car accident, what do you do? Who do you call? Do you check your injuries and property damage first? If you’re injured and once your injuries have been treated, who will you attempt to talk with first: the other driver, the police, insurance representatives, or a lawyer?

Sort out safety issues.

Do not leave the scene, for you may be accused of a hit-and-run. Ensure your safety and the safety of others (e.g. your passengers or pedestrians, if any). Call the paramedics, and get proper medical care, especially if you were severely injured, but also when there are no apparent injuries, to stay on the safe side.

Raleigh Criminal Lawyer Explains Open Container Laws in North Carolina

Have you been cited for an infraction under the open container laws of North Carolina? Make sure you talk to a practiced Raleigh criminal lawyer who can help you better understand these laws, the guidelines (and exclusions), and exceptions. The laws of the state are quite specific, but there may be complicated technicalities that you (and any normal person) may not fully understand. Even if you have not been cited, you should endeavor to know what the law actual says about transporting an open container in the state of North Carolina so you don’t find yourself in trouble in the future.
http://www.kurtzandblum.com/criminal-defense-attorneys/blog/raleigh-criminal-lawyer-explains-open-container-laws-in-north-carolina

How Body Cam Footage May Help in Criminal Trials

Videos or surveillance footage can confirm a crime and help trials go more swiftly. However, they can also make the proceedings more complicated because of issues that could arise, such as tampering with the video, concealment or destruction of the footage, and admissibility of the evidence. When it comes to traffic crimes like DWI, footage taken from CCTV systems along highways or roads and from police dashboard cameras is usually considered key evidence.

Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer Talks About Recent Train Accidents

There seems to be plenty of accidents involving trains recently. Last March in North Carolina, an Amtrak train crashed into a tractor-trailer that was stuck in the railroad crossing tracks. The truck driver was trying to make a left-hand turn onto a Halifax highway but failed to navigate the crossing. He was also unable to back away from the tracks since other cars have already stopped behind him. When the driver saw the approaching train, he abandoned the truck to save his life, but several Amtrak passengers got caught in the collision and suffered injuries. More than 53 passengers were injured in total, and investigation is still ongoing to determine if the train went above the authorized speed. An experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyer can discuss more about these types of accidents and the possible cases or legal issues that could arise.
http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-personal-injury-lawyer-talks-about-recent-train-accidents

Raleigh DWI Attorney Talks About Implied Consent in North Carolina

In North Carolina, if you’re driving then if charged with certain offenses you’ve given the state your “implied consent” to submit to a chemical test to check for the presence of alcohol in your system. You probably would not be surprised to learn that such an offense is known as an “implied-consent offense.” Ah yes, Big Brother at its best. The implied consent law (GS 20-16.2) makes it “easier” for law enforcement officials to require drivers suspected of driving while intoxicated (DWI) to submit to a chemical test to determine their blood alcohol content (BAC).
http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-dwi-attorney-talks-about-implied-consent-in-north-carolina

Raleigh, NC Attorney Can Help You Fight an Underage Drinking Ticket

North Carolina’s underage drinking laws are clear: You must be 21 or older to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic drinks. College students tend to put themselves at risk the most, so we’ve compiles a short lesson on what students need to know about the drinking alcohol and the laws in North Carolina so they are better prepared if confronted by campus security or law enforcement.
http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-nc-attorney-can-help-you-fight-an-underage-drinking-ticket