On October 3, 2023, Senate Bill 452 passed and became law. It changed many things in various kinds of insurance, but the most important to our clients who have been seriously injured in car accidents are the changes regarding the minimum auto insurance liability limits. These changes go into effect January 1, 2025. Since 1999…
Commercial truck accidents happen daily on Interstates 40 and 95 in the Triangle and other highways across North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, more than 6,000 crashes involving tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks are reported to police in the Tar Heel State every year. Being unfortunate enough to be involved in…
After being injured in a car accident, you may find yourself facing unexpected medical bills and out-of-network costs for emergency care and hospital stays. Your first thought may be that the driver who caused the auto accident should pay your medical bills. This is a reasonable assumption. Under North Carolina law, the driver determined to…
North Carolina law and federal law require employers to take reasonable steps to provide safe working conditions and prevent employees from getting hurt in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North Carolina Department of Labor enforces the safety and health standards that employers must meet. Employers must: Provide employees with workplaces…
Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., is pleased to award a total of $3,000 in scholarship prizes to two deserving North Carolina students selected as winners of the law firm’s 2024 essay contest. The winners are: 1st Place, $2,000—Nyree Andrews 2nd Place, $1,000—Angela Clarke The attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., recognize the…
“Can I sue my employer for unsafe working conditions in North Carolina?” You may ask this question if you’ve been injured or developed a medical condition resulting from an unsafe work environment. Suing your employer in common law (meaning filing suit in district or superior court to get compensation for pain and suffering and full…
The ability to operate a motor vehicle is essential to maintaining independence and enjoying life for many elderly drivers. However, as people age, they may experience physical and cognitive changes that affect their ability to drive safely. So, what happens when elderly drivers cause an auto accident in North Carolina? Does the law treat them…
What are punitive damages in a car accident case? Punitive damages are a type of compensation that people may recover through personal injury lawsuits. They punish an at-fault party for egregiously wrongful acts and are meant to deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are rarely awarded in North Carolina car accident claims, but it…
In North Carolina, workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and partial lost income for employees who suffer injuries on the job. Under state law, all businesses with three or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees. Workers’ compensation covers injured workers who are injured while performing their job duties. However, questions…
Employers must pay a death benefit for a covered employee who dies within six years of sustaining a compensable injury or being diagnosed with an occupational disease or within two years of the final determination of the employee’s disability as part of a workers’ compensation claim, whichever is later. NC General Statute 97-38. Benefits include funeral…
