Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC Metro Personal Injury Blog

Officers throughout North Carolina are out in force this week as part of the state's annual "Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker" campaign to stop drunk drivers over the Fourth of July holiday. Checkpoints and increased patrols began on Monday and will continue through July 4. During last year's program, officers' efforts led to 1,200 arrests for DWI.

Impaired Drivers Can Cause Serious Injuries

It is no secret that drunk driving is a problem in the U.S. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 11,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes nationwide in 2009, the last year for which statistics for available. The number of alcohol-related car accidents tends to spike around holidays such as New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving and Independence Day. By some estimates, 53 percent of fatal car crashes around July 4 in the U.S. involve at least one intoxicated driver.

Most companies dread being contacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) because it often means that they are being investigated for a workplace safety violation. Many investigations are launched following the occurrence of a workplace injury or filing of a workers' compensation claim. If an OSHA investigation uncovers a workplace safety violation, employers are usually issued a fine and ordered to correct the violation.

According to recently released statistics, the top 10 most frequently cited violations in 2010 each brought in over a $1 million in penalties and fines:

This blog is sixth in a series of blog posts intended to bring insight into basic auto insurance policies, insurance coverage and what motor vehicle drivers should know.

Tip #4: Know What Your Car is Worth

Sometimes cheaper insurance rates are due to the auto insurance company undervaluing your car. If your auto insurance company does undervalue your car, and you end up totaling it in a car accident, you might not receive enough money to replace it with a car of comparable value.

When insurance companies total cars (usually when the cost to repair the vehicle is 70 percent or more of the vehicle's value), they offer you fair market value to replace the car. Instead of using a service like Edmonds or Kelley Blue Book, insurance companies use a claim servicing firm that will value your car based on similar used vehicles available in your area. That does not mean that the value is always fair. If you think the number offered is particularly low, come up with your own comparable list or hire an outside adjuster. You have the right to appeal an insurance company's offer.

This blog is fifth in a series of blog posts intended to bring insight into basic auto insurance policies, insurance coverage and what motor vehicle drivers should know.

Tip #3: Dealing with Insurance Adjusters After An Automobile Accident

While the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim may seem like a friendly person who simply wants to help you out during a difficult time, keep in mind that they are not looking out for your best interests. They have been hired by the insurance company to protect the insurance company's interest. Often they will pressure you into signing a settlement agreement or check and giving a recorded statement. It is a good idea to speak with an attorney experienced in dealing with insurance companies before you give a statement or sign anything.

The insurance industry is a for-profit industry, with highly trained negotiators whose goal is to reduce costs for their employer. As a way of reducing costs, insurance adjusters will try to settle your claim as soon as possible. While you may think, "I just want this over with," and feel like you should agree to everything the adjuster says, that is not always in your best interest. While some motor vehicle accidents may be straightforward, not all are - sometimes it can take time before you know the full extent of your injuries (and see all of the related medical bills).

This blog is fourth in a series of blog posts intended to bring insight into basic auto insurance policies, insurance coverage and what motor vehicle drivers should know.

Tip #2: Read the Fine Print

Many policies have restrictions and coverage limitations buried in the fine print. You may be surprised at what is covered and what is not. Some of the common coverages and restrictions that people aren't often aware of include:

• Many car insurance policies will cover injuries to your pet if it is riding in the car with you during an accident.
• Unless you carry comprehensive coverage, damages to your car due to vandalism, theft or caused by the weather are not usually covered.
• Lending your car to someone does not mean that that person is covered by your insurance policy. Drivers not explicitly listed on your policy (or added in a rider that covers anyone you lend your car to) are not usually covered by your insurance, so if they cause a car accident your insurance company might not pay for the damages to your vehicle.
• Many policies have strict notification requirements, such as notifying the company within 30 days if your car was damaged in a hit-and-run accident.
• Your health insurance policy and your auto insurance policy may have overlapping coverages. If you are injured in an accident the two insurance companies may argue over who has to pay the bill. Check your policy to see what medical coverage is provided.

Understanding the fine print of an auto insurance policy can be a daunting task. If you don't understand something or think your insurance company has not given you a straight answer, talk to an attorney who is experienced in handling auto accidents. They can help you understand what is covered and what isn't to make sure that you are protected.

This blog is third in a series of blog posts intended to bring insight into basic auto insurance policies, insurance coverage and what motor vehicle drivers should know.

Tip #1: Shopping for Auto Insurance

You can change auto insurance companies at any time. If you decide to change companies and you've already pre-paid for the period, the insurance company has to refund you the pro-rated amount upon your cancellation. Sometimes it might make sense to switch insurance during your current policy, especially if you've gotten married, turned 25 or had a traffic violation cleared off your record during the current period of coverage.

If you seek advice directly from an insurance agent (rather than an online shopping comparison website), keep in mind that insurance agents often work on commission and may simply try to get you to sign with them rather than making sure that the coverage is the best coverage for you. And what is "best" for one driver may not be "best" for another driver. Be sure to carry enough insurance coverage to protect your home and your assets in the event of a serious accident.

This blog is second in a series of blog posts intended to bring insight into basic auto insurance policies, insurance coverage and what motor vehicle drivers should know.

In addition to bodily injury liability and personal injury protection (PIP) which cover medical bills and treatment following an accident, most car insurance policies provide several different types of coverage for damage to property and vehicles involved in an accident.

Coverage for Property Damage and Vehicle Damage

When you or someone driving your car with permission runs into someone's yard, a fence, lamp post, telephone pole, building or other structure, property damage liability will cover the damages to the property. In North Carolina, you are required to carry at least $25,000 in property damage liability.

This blog is the first in a series of blog posts intended to bring insight into basic auto insurance policies, insurance coverage and what motor vehicle drivers should know.

While not everyone's auto insurance policy is exactly the same, most have the same six basic types of coverage - coverages that cover everything from vandalism and property damage to injuries caused by car accidents and uninsured drivers.

Coverage for Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

In the event of an accident, injuries caused by drivers listed on the policy (typically you, your spouse and older children) to anyone else are covered under bodily injury liability. Bodily injury liability also covers injuries to anyone listed on your insurance policy when you are driving someone else's car with their permission.