Harmonson Law Firm - July 2022

Harmonson Law Firm - July 2022

HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND JULY 2022

A STROKE OF LUCK HOW AN EARLY JOB INFLUENCED MY CAREER

From ice cream stands to amusement parks, there is no shortage of summer jobs available to teenagers looking to learn responsibility and make money. Many young people will be entering the workforce for the first time this season, and I know from experience that early encounters with employment can have a lasting impact. I received my first job from a youth pastor at my church when I was in middle school. His family owned a business that made fried pies and sold them to local restaurants. He paid me to come in on Saturdays and wash all of the pie- making equipment used to make that week’s inventory. It was hard work, and I remember only making about $25 for the whole day. But getting that cash in hand was a pivotal moment for me. It was the first time I’d ever earned anything for myself, and I loved the feeling of accomplishment. After that, I always had a job of some sort. My next gig was at the bingo hall my uncle managed. I would work there after school in high school and sell new daubers to the players before bingo started and during intermission. I was paid about $25–$30 a night, and even better, I could do my homework while everyone played. Many people worry that an after-school job might hurt a student’s grades, so I was very fortunate it only helped mine! Once I turned 18, I became an “official” employee and worked there through college. It was back before the Texas lottery, so bingo was particularly popular as the only legal way to gamble. Still, there were strict rules we had to follow. All of

the profits had to go to charity and the state only allowed two bingo sessions in a building per day, but the charities found a creative way around that.

The bingo hall was in an old shopping center, and the charities rented out two of the storefronts. We’d play two bingo sessions from 7–11 p.m. in one building, then move to another for midnight bingo starting at 12:01 a.m. The strategy allowed us to get in four sessions on Friday and Saturday nights. Believe it or not, midnight bingo was a massive hit. These were diehard bingo players, and they weren’t the stereotypical older bingo crowd we think of today. That was one of the best things about the job — it introduced me to people from all walks of life. The bingo hall was on Martin Luther King St. in Lubbock when the city was still segregated by default. We had some wealthy elderly ladies and rich farmers and their wives who would play every week, but the vast majority of the bingo crowd were everyday folks trying to have a little fun and win a little money. As a result, I had the opportunity to interact daily with people from all walks of life who I otherwise wouldn’t have met. Some of the patrons were wealthy, but others were on food stamps. I got to know people of different races, educational backgrounds, and belief systems. I think it helped make me the lawyer I am today. When I first graduated from law school, I worked at a big firm with almost 500 lawyers in suits and ties. Our clients were multinational corporations and insurance companies. I did that for about a year, but I never felt comfortable or like I fit in. I identified more with the bingo folks than with the ivory tower attorneys. I decided to leave and find a way to help people like the ones I knew growing up rather than help businesses pad their already-fat wallets. Not everyone has a positive experience at their early jobs as I did, but I think we all take away something just the same. Some of us learn about the kind of people we want to be, while others learn about hard work, the value of a dollar, an appreciation for the service industry, or just what they don’t want to do in life. A teenage job is worth the effort as long as you learn something — and I certainly did.

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THINK TWICE LOANING YO UNDERSTANDING NEGLIG

When you were growing up, you probably dreaded going to school as much as any other kid until your parents taught you the value of education. And now, your child may be going through that same phase. Perhaps they’re struggling to understand specific concepts, or they’re falling behind their peers and are embarrassed. Whatever the case may be for your child, you can use summer to teach them how to love learning and value education as much as you do. First, you can start by explaining the reasons why education is vital in a relatable way. Use examples from your own educational journey to show how your school experiences developed your critical thinking skills, enhanced your creativity, and put you on a career path that was best for you. If your child enjoys more hands-on activities to learn, engage them in projects or field trips that allow them to touch and interact with materials alongside others. They’ll develop a love for learning in a mode that connects with their ideal learning style. Another way to instill the value of education in your child is to cultivate their passions while teaching them. Take them to the library and check out books about what they love. If they’re interested in a certain animal, take them to the zoo or to an aquarium to see it in real life. You can even take them to museums to explore science and history. Keep in mind that your child is going to mimic your behaviors, so be open-minded when it comes to education and learning. Read your own books alongside your child to motivate them to continue reading independently. Talk about the zoo animals and museum exhibits with your child to further encourage fun conversations about each topic to keep them interested. Finding activities that encourage your child to grow as a young learner will benefit them, no matter what time of year it is, but fun summertime educational experiences will keep your child entertained and prepared for the next school year!

If you’ve ever loaned a car to a family member, friend, or neighbor, you probably didn’t consider that you could be responsible for what they do behind the wheel. But Texas law can hold you liable for lending your vehicle to someone else under the wrong circumstances. It’s called the negligent entrustment doctrine. Negligent entrustment comes into play when a person loans their car to a driver who is unlicensed, incompetent, or reckless. You have the right to lend your vehicle to whomever you choose, but you also have a responsibility not to provide a car to someone you know is unfit to drive. And ignorance may not even be an excuse — if you should have known of the person’s recklessness, you could be liable. Allowing someone without a license to drive your vehicle is considered inherently negligent. So, never loan your car without seeing a current license first. But negligent entrustment most often comes into play when a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Never encourage an intoxicated driver to get behind the wheel — especially not in your vehicle.

To prove negligent entrustment, the plaintiff must demonstrate several points, starting with the owner willingly loaning the vehicle. Next, they must show

SUDO KU

SOLUTION ON PG. 4

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E BEFORE OUR CAR GENT ENTRUSTMENT

WHEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY COMES KNOCKING

that the driver was unlicensed, reckless, or incompetent at the time and that the owner knew or should have known the driver was unfit. Finally, as with any personal injury case, they must prove that the driver caused the accident due to negligence. In proving the owner’s negligence, the timing of the loan is critical. Say you hand over your car keys to your licensed brother in the morning to run errands, but he unexpectedly stops at a bar and has several drinks. You likely will not be liable for an accident since your brother was sober and competent at the time of the loan. However, if you watched him have several drinks, then loaned him your car, a plaintiff could pursue a negligent entrustment case against you. Lawyers typically use negligent entrustment when the driver is uninsured or underinsured or cannot be found. It helps ensure accident victims are compensated for the injuries they’ve suffered. If you were injured by someone else’s negligence, rest assured that Harmonson Law Firm will use every avenue possible to find you justice.

You pay good money for your car insurance premium. So, when you’re involved in an accident, you expect the insurance company to be on your side. Unfortunately, the insurance company is primarily out to make money, and if they can find a way to decline a claim, they will. That’s why it pays to be on high alert when talking to their representatives and know what not to say. To file an insurance claim, you will need to answer several questions. The insurance company will ask you about the date, time, and location of the accident, what damage occurred, and whether anyone was injured. They’ll also inquire about who else was involved in the accident and whether you filed a police report or sought medical care. Perhaps most importantly, they’ll ask you what happened to cause the accident. Never lie to the insurance company, but give them as little information as possible. The more you talk, the more likely you will say something they can use against you. State the facts plainly; leave out any guesswork. When you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” Whatever you do, don’t admit fault — that’s for the experts to work out later. And never say you were uninjured; say instead that you are seeking medical treatment. Most importantly, never give a recorded or written statement or sign documents without talking to an experienced personal injury attorney. If they ask you to provide an “official” statement, allow the insurance representative to record you, or sign anything, politely decline until your attorney tells you otherwise. Also, remember that you do not need to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Tell them you have nothing to say and notify your lawyer. Here’s What You Should and Shouldn’t Say

Mouthwatering Southern BBQ Inspired by JustAPinch.com

INGREDIENTS

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3 lbs boneless pork loin roast, trimmed

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18 oz barbecue sauce

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp hot pepper sauce 10 hamburger buns, split Deli coleslaw (optional)

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1 cup water 1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp pepper

1/4 cup brown sugar

Finally, never tell the insurance company you don’t have an attorney or accept a settlement offer without a lawyer reviewing it first. Instead, work to find representation as quickly as possible. A personal injury expert can help you understand your rights before making any decisions. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, call Harmonson Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. We know the insurance companies’ tricks well and can beat them at their own game.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a 4-quart slow cooker, add the roast and 1 cup of water. 2. Cover and cook the roast on high for 7 hours or until tender. 3. Once tender, shred the meat. 4. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker. Stir in salt, pepper, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce. 5. Cover and cook on the lowest setting for an hour. 6. When finished, serve barbecue on buns with coleslaw (optional).

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5505 North Mesa St., Suite 3 • El Paso, TX 79912 WWW.CLARKHARMONSONATTORNEY.COM 915.584.8777

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How Clark Hit the Jackpot With His Teenage Job

Encourage Your Children to Learn

How Negligent Entrustment Could Affect You

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Mouthwatering Southern BBQ

What to Know When Talking to Insurance Companies

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Oceanside Activities to Try This Summer

Oceanside Activities the Entire Family Can Enjoy

The summer season is officially underway and many Americans are planning to take a trip to the beach to celebrate the occasion. If you’re going on a family vacation to the ocean for an extended period of time, you may be worried about keeping everyone entertained. That’s why we put together a list of some of our favorite oceanside activities to try this summer. Your summer vacation will be filled with fun and excitement after trying some of these great activities! Get active. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on the beach and listening to the calm repetition of the waves, but maybe you want a little more excitement by the ocean. If that’s the case, there are plenty of sports to try. You can bring a football and throw it around in the water or on the beach. You can buy a net and set up a game of beach volleyball to get everyone involved,

or you can try one of the many new beachside sports hitting the market like TidalBall, pickleball, and Spikeball. TidalBall is the beach version of cornhole, so if you haven’t played it yet, you definitely want to check it out. Experience nature. The wildlife and environment of the beach are most likely drastically different from what you can experience back home, so make an effort to see all you can. At many beaches, you’ll be able to see dolphins, whales, and sea rays from the shore. You can also look in the sand for crabs and small crustaceans. By simply standing still and taking in all of the sights and sounds of the ocean, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the surroundings. Ride the waves. You don’t need to be an experienced surfer to venture into the water on a board. Of

course, you can take surfing lessons at many beaches, but you can also get in the water on a bodyboard for a thrilling

experience. Additionally, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards if you want to be on the water, but not necessarily in it.

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