GA Injury Advocates - September 2021

GA Injury Advocates - September 2021

Auto Injury T R I B U N E

September 2021

Don’t Make the Same Mistake I Did!

The Smart Way to React to a Parking Lot Car Crash

When I was 19 years old, my most prized possession was my 1978 Ford F-150 pickup. I thought that green truck was the greatest vehicle ever. I took care of it meticulously, cleaned it, protected the seats from spills, and drove it through the car wash when it needed a bath. Keeping the truck in perfect shape meant a lot to me — so, of course, I was upset when another driver crashed into it!

when you collide, the other person is probably at fault. If you’re both moving, the person who has the right-of-way is usually the victim and the other person is at fault. Things can get more complicated if someone is driving distracted or if the parking lot is private property, but overall, the guidelines are pretty simple.

Texas has similar rules, and in hindsight, I’m sure that if I had a lawyer at 19, they could easily have proved I wasn’t at fault! That experience made it obvious that insurance companies can’t be trusted. These days, I always

The collision happened in a store parking lot in my home state, Texas. I was just pulling out of my spot when another vehicle sped across several parking spaces and slammed into me. Luckily, I was okay, and I was sure the other driver would be at fault. After all, they weren’t even using a lane. They’d crossed through parking spaces and hit me along the way. I was a brand-new driver without any car crash experience, so I turned to my insurance company for help. They told me both of us were at fault for the collision, and we’d each have to cover our own repairs. I couldn’t believe it!

advise people in parking lot collisions to hire a lawyer, even if the crash doesn’t seem like a big deal.

The truth is that simple fender-benders can still cause thousands of dollars in vehicle damage. You can also be injured in a parking lot crash, even if it happens at just 10–15 miles per hour. The risks are greatest for pedestrians, who are regularly killed in parking lot crashes, but your car won’t necessarily protect you completely. I’ve seen slow- motion collisions cause all kinds of problems, including

This memory came back to me recently when our firm took on a number of parking lot crash cases. In retrospect, I really should have hired a lawyer when I was 19. I didn’t know it, but I had certain rights and rules on my side that my insurance company never told me about. Nationwide, 1 out of every 5 car crashes happens in a parking lot. Here in Georgia, there are a couple ways to determine who is at fault in a parking lot crash. For example, if you’re parked and the other vehicle is moving

concussions, back injuries, and whiplash.

Luckily, I came out of my crash at 19 without injuries, but the damage to my car was a hassle to fix and an expense I shouldn’t have needed to worry about. If you, a family member, or a friend is in a parking lot crash here in Marietta this fall, don’t make the same mistake I did — instead of trusting your insurance company, hire a lawyer like me!

El Abogado Ramiro (El Abogado Amigo) y su equipo hablan español

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COOK WITH THE SAME INGREDIENTS WITHOUT GETTING BORED THE SECRET SAUCE

REMEMBERING THE HEROES AMID THE TRAGEDY

THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES ON 9/11

One upside to spending more than a year at home was that many people donned their aprons, learned new recipes and techniques, and began cooking meals regularly in their own kitchens. Even as restaurants reopen, over 70% of Americans say they’ll keep their new habit of cooking at home because it’s healthier and cheaper. That said, the average American can only whip up about five meals without a recipe at hand, and many people cook and eat the same types of protein and vegetables over and over. One easy way to avoid boredom is to keep your main staples but diversify your sauce routine! When in doubt, learn one creamy sauce and one herb- or citrus-based sauce. Here are a few examples that work particularly well for chicken, America’s favorite animal protein. These can be used with your other favorite meats and your favorite vegetable preparations, as well!

As we approach its 20th anniversary, Sept. 11, 2001, remains one of the darkest days in American history. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives when terrorists flew passenger airplanes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. The infrastructural damage was severe, but the damage done to thousands of families across the country was even worse. While 9/11 remains a day of remembrance of these tragic events, it should also be a day to remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to save others. These are just a few of their stories. Betty Ong and Amy Sweeney After five al-Qaida terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11, Ong and Sweeney, two flight attendants, used the crew phone to call their colleagues and give them information about their attackers, including what they looked like and what seats they had been sitting in. Both attendants perished, but the information they shared helped the FBI jump-start their investigation. Rick Rescorla A Vietnam veteran who had earned a silver star for his service, Rescorla was no stranger to stressful life and death situations. As the head of corporate security for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower, he defied orders from Port Authority to stay put and instead escorted 2,700 people out of the building before it collapsed. After that, he headed back in to look for stragglers. That was the last time anyone saw him. Passengers of Flight 93 While two planes hit the World Trade Center towers and one plane hit the Pentagon, another plane that headed for the White House never reached its destination. That’s because passengers aboard this flight, upon learning their plane had been hijacked, decided to rush the cockpit and overtake the terrorists. They caused the plane to crash in an empty field in Pennsylvania, saving the White House but killing everyone on board. Sad though their deaths may be, these heroic men and women continue to inspire people even 20 years later. We should never forget the tragedy of 9/11, but we should also remember these regular people who decided to take extraordinary lengths to save others.

5-Minute Honey Mustard Sauce To avoid hearing “chicken again?!” add this honey mustard sauce from PinchOfYum.com to your repertoire. Simply whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper for a delicious topper for all meats.

Simple Lemon Herb Sauce Want a lighter, healthier option? Go for an oil-and-herb sauce like FoodNetwork.com’s “Chicken With a Lemon Herb Sauce.” In a blender or food processor, add 1 peeled clove of garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup freshly chopped herbs of your choice (they recommend a mix of parsley and mint), 1 1/2 tsp ground pepper, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, and 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Pulse all ingredients together until well mixed and the herbs and garlic are coarsely chopped. Quick Miso Maple Sauce This umami-filled sauce from Kitchn.com brings a lot of flavor with just three simple ingredients: 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 1/4 cup miso paste. That’s it! Whisk the ingredients together and pour over oven-roasted, pan-seared, or grilled chicken and serve. These three sauces are a great place to start, but if you find yourself uninspired in the kitchen, just look up “simple sauces” online and the protein or vegetable you’re preparing. The internet will come to the rescue every time!

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THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME OF THE YEAR ON THE ROAD IS ALMOST OVER! Will You Survive the 100 Deadliest Days? Tips for Protecting Your Family The 100 Deadliest Days will officially end on Monday, Sept. 6. Still, you don’t have to hide at home and wait it out! You can take precautions to protect your family for the rest of the summer and the remainder of the year. • If you’re a parent … Follow AAA’s advice when it comes to teaching your teen to drive. Tell them about safe driving, create a set of family driving rules, avoid distracting them while they drive, and set a good example when you’re behind the wheel. • If you’re a driver … Practice defensive driving on the road in Marietta. Keep an eye on your surroundings, act predictably, and give young drivers a wide berth. You should also check that your lights and turn signals function so you won’t cause confusion on the road. If the worst happens and you or someone you love is in a car crash this month, give our team a call. We’ll help you seek justice and compensation.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days.” This isn’t because of the heat, swimming pool accidents, or even the chance of space junk falling on our heads! It’s the result of an annual spike in car crashes involving teenage drivers. From 2008 to 2018, more than 8,000 people died nationwide in teen- related crashes during the 100 Deadliest Days. Here in Georgia, 302 people died in similar collisions during that time frame, a full 34.9% of all fatal teen-related fatalities. Clearly, the summer months are a dangerous time to be on the road — but why? The Cause of the 100 Deadliest Days A big reason for the fatalities is that teen drivers are no longer safely in school. Instead, they’re driving to and from work, cruising with their friends, and taking road trips. This is a recipe for disaster! According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “for every mile driven, new teen drivers ages 16–17 years old are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.” Inexperienced drivers put us all at risk when they take the wheel.

SSUDOKU

ONE-PAN APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

RECIPE:

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal.

Ingredients

• • • • •

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• • •

4 tsp olive oil, divided

1 tsp salt, divided

3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

1/2 cup apple cider 2 tsp Dijon mustard

Directions 1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

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Solution from Page 3

Inside

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The Truth Ramiro Learned After His Teenage Car Crash Remembering the Heroes of 9/11 Let Sauces Bring New Life to Tired Meals Will You Survive the 100 Deadliest Days? One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken The True Story Behind Labor Day

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If you told someone in the mid-1800s that America would soon have a holiday celebrating workers, they would have laughed in your face. Back then, even basic rights and protections seemed like a far-off dream. Kids as young as 5 years old slaved away in factories, and adults worked more than 80 hours a week without breaks in unsanitary conditions. So, how did we get from that awful state to a place where Labor Day became a federal holiday? According to the History Channel, it all started with labor unions. Workers began joining these unions in the late 1700s, but they didn’t gain steam until almost 100 years later, when strikes and rallies started popping up regularly across the U.S. Slowly, these movements for better hours, wages, and working conditions inspired change. On Sept. 5, 1882, 10,000 people in New York City skipped work to hold what would become known as the first Labor Day parade. They marched from City Hall to Union Square, and their advocacy for workers’ rights inspired (and terrified) legislators across the country.

Soon, states began to recognize a “workingmen’s holiday” on the first Monday of September. But the federal government remained stubborn. We might not have an official Labor Day today if not for the Pullman strike of 1894, when workers at Chicago’s Pullman Palace Car Company walked off the job. The American Railroad Union stood by the workers and called for a Pullman boycott that brought rail traffic nationwide to a standstill. In the end, the U.S. government had to send in the military to break the strike! It turned into a deadly fight that showed the government just how serious people were about workers’ rights. That same summer, President Grover Cleveland officially declared Labor Day a national holiday. Here at GA Injury Advocates, we can’t imagine treating our team with anything less than the utmost respect and dignity. Without them, our firm wouldn’t last a day! We also fight against dangerous workplaces with every workers’ compensation case we take on. If you’re a worker who needs help and protection this Labor Day, give us a call. Thank you for all that you do.

A BELOVED HOLIDAY WITH VIOLENT ROOTS

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