Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.Moore County Criminal Defense Attorney | Personal Injury Lawyer2026-01-06T05:54:40Zhttps://www.thigpenjenkins.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1602036/2020/11/cropped-favicon-thigpen-jenkins-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Why a car crash settlement may not be the best option]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476412025-12-22T01:03:09Z2025-12-22T01:03:09ZSettlements save companies money
The purpose of a settlement is not to provide a claimant with compensation as quickly as possible. Instead, the true goal is usually to limit what the insurance company pays. A settlement usually requires absolving the insurance provider of any future responsibility for collision expenses.
While people may need compensation promptly, they also need to ensure that they receive an appropriate amount of financial support given the extent of their losses. To evaluate a settlement offer effectively, there are several steps necessary.
First and foremost, the party in need of compensation typically needs to review the insurance policy to determine how much coverage is available. They can then add up their current losses and create a list of estimated future losses, such as ongoing medical expenses or reduced earning potential.
Having an accurate idea of the total financial impact of a collision is critical when evaluating a settlement offer. If the offer is lower than the policy limits and the estimated losses of the injured party, then negotiations may be necessary.
Those with serious car crash injuries often work with lawyers to settle their claims. A lawyer can manage the negotiation process and help the injured party optimize the financial relief that they receive. In cases where the insurance company refuses to compromise, litigation is sometimes necessary.
Proper financial guidance and legal support can help people cover their medical expenses, address their property damage losses and replace their lost income. Talking about a recent car crash with an attorney can help people understand their rights when dealing with insurance companies.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[3 tips to avoid real estate scams in North Carolina]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476402025-09-22T07:29:48Z2025-09-22T07:29:48ZHire a home inspector
North Carolina statutes require sellers to disclose a house’s defects, informing a potential buyer before they make a decision. Unfortunately, there are sellers who fail to do so in order to sell the property at a higher value.
Buying a home with undisclosed material defects is costly due to the repairs needed. To avoid this problem, consider hiring a home inspector to identify potential defects not listed in the seller’s disclosure statement.
Meet the seller in person
Scammers often target first-time home buyers by impersonating sellers and real estate agents. Although some fraudulent individuals are obvious in their tactics, others may appear genuine enough to trick buyers. Protect yourself from fraud with these recommended actions:
Meet the seller personally.
Ask for their personal credentials.
Verify their information.
Request ownership details.
If a seller or agent refuses to comply with these reasonable requests, it would be best to avoid them.
Consult with a real estate agent
Searching the internet for available home listings in North Carolina can be a good way to find prospects. However, it is possible to encounter fake listings. Instead of solely relying on online searching, consider consulting with a licensed real estate agent. These individuals can steer you away from scams by providing you with genuine home sellers.
Protect yourself during the home-buying process
Staying informed is one of the optimal ways to avoid real estate scams. Along the road, you may encounter challenges that may require professional guidance. A real estate agent can help you navigate the sale process, while an attorney can offer legal clarity on your situation.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Get personal injury help near Fort Bragg]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476392025-09-18T03:15:14Z2025-09-18T03:15:14ZWhy local personal injury guidance matters to you
After an accident, local representation provides your case with the attention it deserves. Working with a lawyer nearby gives you confidence that someone is accessible, attentive and familiar with local legal practices. Guidance that fits your situation can include:
Easy access to your attorney: Meet in person for one-on-one consultations.
Tailored guidance: Receive advice designed for local courts and insurance practices.
Personalized attention: Receive focused attention for your case every step of the way.
With this support, you can focus on healing while your attorney handles the legal complexities.
Common types of personal injury cases
Accidents can happen anywhere, and being aware of common scenarios helps you respond appropriately. These types of injuries are frequently reported:
Vehicle accidents: Car, truck, or motorcycle collisions
Slip and fall injuries: Incidents at stores, homes, or public spaces
Workplace accidents: Injuries occurring on the job or during commutes
Other injuries: Incidents caused by negligence or unsafe conditions
Addressing these issues early helps preserve your rights and maximize recovery.
How personalized legal attention protects your rights
Every injury is unique, and a lawyer who focuses on your specific needs can make a significant difference in the outcome. Your attorney provides clear guidance, keeps you updated throughout the process, and develops practical strategies tailored to your situation. By relying on professional guidance, you can ensure your rights are protected and your case is handled with care.
Take action to protect your rights after an injury
If you suffer a personal injury in Moore County, consider consulting with a local lawyer to review your situation and understand your options. Early guidance can help protect your rights and support your recovery every step of the way. Taking prompt action can make a meaningful difference in safeguarding your interests and moving forward with confidence.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Why you should pay attention to NHTSA safety updates ]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476342025-07-02T23:46:15Z2025-07-02T23:46:15ZThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a federal government agency expressly tasked with doing what it can to keep American drivers and passengers safe. From issuing vehicle recalls to updating safety standards and sharing data on crash risks, NHTSA’s work directly affects everyone on the road. Yet many drivers overlook its updates, often because they are unaware of how much these notices can protect their families and reduce the risk of serious injury.
If you do not currently take a few minutes once a month to catch up on NHTSA news, it’s time to start integrating this practice into your routine. Why? Doing so just may save your life or the life of someone you love.
Potentially life-saving notifications
One of NHTSA’s most important functions is monitoring vehicle safety defects and issuing recalls when necessary. Automakers are required to fix safety-related defects free of charge, but they are not obligated to track down every owner beyond initial notifications. If you move, buy a used car or ignore mailed notices, you might never learn about a defect that could cause injury or death. Checking NHTSA’s recall database regularly can help you catch missed notices. Recalls often involve critical issues like brake failures, steering problems or airbag defects—problems that could cause a crash or escalate the effects of one should it occur for reasons unrelated to a defect. NHTSA also updates safety ratings for new vehicles, evaluating crashworthiness, rollover risks and advanced safety features. If you are buying a new or used car, reviewing these ratings can guide you toward models with better occupant protection. Vehicles with higher safety ratings tend to perform better in real-world crashes, reducing the severity of injuries when accidents happen despite everyone’s best efforts.In addition to vehicle-specific information, NHTSA provides broader safety updates, such as data on seasonal driving risks, impaired driving trends and pedestrian dangers. For example, its annual reports on crash statistics highlight common causes of accidents and can help drivers make safer choices. Staying informed about these trends encourages proactive safety habits, which can be easy to “lose” if you’ve been driving for a long time and are starting to take certain approaches for granted.Another reason to pay attention is that NHTSA often announces new regulations affecting vehicle safety technology. As features like lane departure warnings, automatic braking and driver monitoring systems become standard, understanding how they work—and their limitations—can prevent overreliance and misuse. No technology replaces the need for alert, responsible driving, but learning how to use these tools properly enhances safety.Finally, when crashes do happen, NHTSA updates can be important when evaluating potential legal claims. If a crash involved a defective part that was under recall or failed to meet federal standards, for example, this could influence liability and compensation for victims. In short, if you aren’t staying up to date with the NHTSA, it’s time to start.
]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Protecting earnest money during a residential real estate purchase]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476302025-03-30T23:10:56Z2025-03-30T23:10:56ZBuyers can add contingencies to their offers
Crafting customized offer documents and negotiating appropriate terms for a purchase agreement can protect a buyer by limiting their financial exposure. They can include certain contingencies in their offer. If unusual circumstances arise, they may be able to cancel the closing without endangering their earnest money.
People often include financing contingencies in their offers. If circumstances change and they cannot obtain final approval for a mortgage, the financing contingency protects their earnest money. Appraisal contingencies are common as well. If the appraisal comes back too low, the buyer can cancel the closing or try renegotiating with the seller without risking their earnest money.
It's also common for buyers to have inspection contingencies in place in case there are surprise issues with the property. The integration of the right contingencies and other key legal protections in real estate purchase offers can help buyers confidently navigate what is a complex and somewhat risky transaction.
Having help when crafting real estate transaction documents and reviewing paperwork before a closing can help buyers protect themselves. People who take steps to limit their risk can feel more confident about making a commitment to purchase a property.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Why do people sometimes overlook injuries after a crash?]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476262025-01-07T01:12:56Z2025-01-07T01:12:56ZThe body covers up symptoms
It is common for people involved in car wrecks to have an intense stress response. A car crash is a potentially life-threatening incident. The brain responds by flooding the body with chemicals that can help the person escape a dangerous situation.
The stress response allows an individual to get out of the dangerous scenario by giving them a surge of energy and hiding their pain initially. However, they may realize after the chemical response wanes that they are actually in a significant amount of pain. Many people only realize that they have a stable fracture or soft tissue injury hours after a crash or even the day after they get hurt.
Delayed symptoms are common
Many of the worst injuries possible after a car crash are internal injuries. For example, people with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may not notice any warning signs initially. As the bleeding or inflammation inside their skull continues, they may eventually develop very concerning symptoms.
The same is true in cases involving internal bleeding in the torso. It may be several days before people notice the signs of their injuries, and they may then have a more difficult time getting compensation from the party at fault for the collision.
Realizing that it is easy to overlook crash injuries can help people protect themselves after motor vehicle collisions. Seeing a doctor to identify potential injuries is a crucial step to take after a car crash. People need treatment to have the best prognosis, and their medical records can also prove beneficial if they pursue compensation against responsible parties later.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[3 potential sources of car crash compensation]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476192024-10-01T13:41:43Z2024-10-01T13:41:43ZLiability insurance coverage
Under state law, every driver should have an insurance policy in case they cause a crash. That liability coverage pays for the losses other people incur in a wreck. The current requirements for liability coverage are low when considering the cost of a vehicle or medical care. Drivers only need $25,000 in property damage coverage. The state also requires $30,000 in bodily injury liability protection that doubles in cases where two or more people have injuries.
The driver at fault
When drivers don't carry the mandatory insurance required by the state or when they cause damage beyond the coverage they have available, they may be directly liable for any residual expenses. The people affected by the collision may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. The driver at fault may have to compensate the people hurt because they violated traffic statutes or behaved negligently in a vehicle.
Businesses with some liability
Occasionally, the people injured in a car crash have the option of pursuing litigation against a business rather than an individual. Maybe the driver who caused the crash was a delivery professional who was on the job. Employers can be liable for damages caused by their workers on the clock. Perhaps the cause of the crash was a defective vehicle component. The manufacturer might be partially responsible. In drunk driving cases, violations of liquor law might even open a business up to liability if they serve the person who caused the crash. Businesses often have more resources and better Insurance than individual drivers, making third-party lawsuits a viable option in some cases.
Exploring every possible source of compensation can help people defray the costs caused by a car crash. Insurance claims and lawsuits can lead to appropriate compensation for the people who aren't to blame for an accident.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Could the fluctuating home market cause a large appraisal gap?]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=476022024-07-09T10:57:52Z2024-07-09T10:57:52ZWhat causes an appraisal gap?
An appraisal gap is what occurs when the professional who evaluates the property determines that it is worth less than the amount the buyers offered to pay for the property. An appraiser looks at the condition of the property and the sale prices of comparable properties on the local market to set a fair market value for the home. If the appraiser determines that the amount offered is higher than the fair market value, the gap that results can complicate the real estate transaction. Lenders typically do not move forward with full financing for scenarios involving an appraisal gap.
How can buyers respond?
There are a few potential solutions available when an appraisal gap suddenly threatens a real estate closing. The buyers and the seller may be able to renegotiate the price to move forward as planned with the transaction. In some cases, the buyers may need to look for ways to cover the difference between what they offered and what the appraiser believes the property is worth. Occasionally, looking into a different financing option and securing a second appraisal could correct the situation. However, there's never any guarantee that a second appraisal is certain to eliminate the appraisal gap.
The best protection comes from making an offer that reflects the fair market value for the property as the local market fluctuates. That can be a very challenging undertaking for the average buyer. Including the right protections in offer documents can also be important for those at risk of a potential appraisal gap. Buyers also want to include language in their offers and purchase agreements that can protect them from the loss of their earnest money if an appraisal comes in too low for them to close on the transaction.
Being prepared for various challenges caused by the current real estate market can minimize the financial risk involved in acquiring real property. Contractual protections and an understanding of the market are crucial for risk such minimization.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[Why do home buyers often have to pay for 2 title insurance policies?]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=475912024-04-14T15:30:47Z2024-04-14T15:30:47ZThe lender and the buyer both need coverage
Unless someone comes to the table making a cash offer, they have to make certain concessions to their mortgage lender throughout the transaction. Lenders often insist on inspections and appraisals. They also expect the buyer to pay for certain types of insurance.
Buyers have to carry homeowner's insurance on the property. If they don't have a 20% down payment, they pay for mortgage insurance. They also have to pay for a lender's title insurance policy. That policy pays the lender back for the amount financed if there is a successful title claim against the property later.
Buyers do have the option of giving up their title policy. However, that would leave them in a situation where they could lose their home and the investments that they have made in it after a surprise claim against the title. A buyer's policy can help them pay for an attorney to respond to a title dispute. It can also compensate them for their down payment, property investments and equity accrued if the courts rule in favor of a party bringing the title claim against the home.
Buyers who are familiar with the obligations of a real estate purchase may feel less shocked by closing costs. Knowing what triggers some of the biggest expenses on a settlement statement can help people feel more confident about moving forward with a transaction.]]>On Behalf of Thigpen & Jenkins, L.L.P.<![CDATA[What is fatigued driving?]]>https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/?p=475822024-01-17T16:57:38Z2024-01-17T16:57:38ZCauses of fatigued driving
Drowsy driving can be caused by various factors, including lack of adequate sleep, long work hours, driving at times when they would usually be asleep and certain medications. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea also contribute to fatigued driving.
Dangers of driving while fatigued
The dangers of fatigued driving are significant. Drowsiness slows reaction time, reduces attentiveness, and impairs decision-making skills. Fatigued drivers are less able to judge their level of tiredness, often underestimating the impact on their driving capabilities.
There’s also a chance that a tired driver will fall asleep behind the wheel. A microsleep can last a few seconds, but that’s enough to cause a catastrophic crash. In just five seconds, a vehicle moving at 55 miles per hour can go the length of a football field. If the driver is sleeping, the vehicle isn’t under anyone’s control during that period.
Prevention strategies
Preventing fatigued driving involves several proactive steps. Drivers must get enough sleep before driving, especially long trips. Temporary measures, such as drinking caffeine or turning up the radio, don’t work to prevent fatigue long-term. Instead, those are just short measures that might enable the driver to get someone to a place where they can sleep.
The role of technology
Modern vehicles increasingly come equipped with features designed to combat fatigued driving. These include lane departure warnings, collision warning systems and other driver-assist technologies that can alert drivers to potential issues caused by drowsiness. While these technologies can provide valuable assistance, they aren't substitutes for attentive driving.
Victims of drowsy driving crashes will likely need urgent medical care. They should ensure they get this and seek compensation for the financial damages they’re dealing with. North Carolina law limits these victims' time to file their case, so swift action is critical.]]>