Law Tigers Summer 2019

THE TIGER TIMES

Spring/Summer 2019

LET’SRIDE! Anticipating the 79th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

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or the 79th year, riders and motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world will gather in the Black Hills of South Dakota for 10 days of racing, concerts, and, best of all, riding. The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is slated to officially rev its engines Aug. 2, with rally-related events scheduled throughout July and August. As a rider, you know the lowdown on Sturgis, but its impressive history is worth detailing. Clarence “Pappy” Hoel is credited with creating this nationwide phenomenon. In 1936, he purchased an Indian Motorcycle franchise in Sturgis, South Dakota, and later founded the motorcycle club Jackpine Gypsies. On Aug. 14, 1938, this group created a racing and stunt festival where the best of the best could show off their skills and talents. The rally would remain this way until 1961, when more events were added to the annual lineup. Since then, hundreds of thousands, and sometimes even millions, of riders descend upon Sturgis for 10 days of celebrating, with the exception of a few years when the event was canceled. For example, in 1942, gasoline rations were implemented by the United States due to the WorldWar II effort, which caused organizers to cancel the still-new event. Today, this impressive gathering swells the population of South Dakota, some years even going so far as to exceed the number of people who actually live in the gorgeous state. Nothing beats the passion of motorcycle riders!

In anticipation of the 79th year, Sturgis organizers are pulling out more stops tomake this event one to remember. Dubbed“the year of the ride,”2019 already has six group rides available for attendees to register for during the festival. Support female riders at the Angel’s Ride on Aug. 8, led by ride captain andTravel Channel- and American Iron Magazine-recognized racer, Brittney Olsen. If you’re a new rider at the Sturgis Rally, join one of the three“Ride with a Local”outings and see the sights and sounds that must not be missed at Sturgis. You can also join the thousands of riders in the fight against sex trafficking at the Fast Ride on Aug. 7. With races, concerts by rock, country, and rap artists, and classic sites that make Sturgis the legendary rally that it is, there is no shortage of events to check out this year, nomatter what kind of bike you ride. But there is one place at the Sturgis Rally that resonates with all riders regardless of their background, income, or riding style: The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. It doesn’t matter if you are an Indian Motorcycle rider, prefer the Harley-Davidson style or sport bike; all riders come together and appreciate the legends, the stunts, and the passion of the phenoms at this museum. Make sure this is on your list of attractions to check out at the rally this year! As with any gathering, we encourage you to have a safe trip to Sturgis this summer. Remember safe riding techniques as you trek to South Dakota, including loading up on extra water, carrying an emergency kit with you, and always prechecking your bike. Discover safety tips, traffic reminders, andmore in this newsletter. Remember, ride to live another day and have a great riding season! See you out there.

For more information on Sturgis, visit SturgisMotorcycleRally.comor follow the event on Facebook.

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SAFETY TIPS AS YOU BEGIN RIDING SEASON EARLY SEASON CHECKLIST At LawTigers, we believe a safe motorcycle is the best defense against accidents. After all, even the most skilled rider can fall victim to a poorly runningmotorcycle. So before you hit the road, tackle the following checklist and have a safe riding season. AreYour Tires Ready? Colder weather depletes the pressure in your tires, whichmeans when you hop on your ride come spring, the tires won’t be as full as they were this past fall. Fill your tires to the proper operating inflationmeasurement andmonitor the tire status as you ride. Additionally, your tire tread depth shouldmeasure at least 3/32 inch for proper function. Does EverythingWork? Examine your brakes, turn signals, lights, horn, and all other necessary components of your ride. Be sure to check the brake fluid, oil, and coolant levels if you own a water-cooledmachine. During this process, ask yourself some questions. Are there fuel odors? Do the fuel lines and connections need to be checked? Did you fill up the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer before storing your ride? (There could be condensation in the tank, which could lead to a rough runningmotor if you didn’t do this.) Lastly, when you finally roll that bike out of storage, be sure to use top-grade gasoline; never use ethanol. Youmust be positive that everything is in perfect working condition—not just“good”— for a safe season. Use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oils and Fluids, Chassis and Stands) checklist before you head out. Reminders as You Hit Traffic This Season SHARING THE ROAD Now that warmer weather has finally hit the Midwest, motorcyclists are itching to begin riding again — if they haven’t already! Still, there are a few reminders the motorcycle injury lawyers at Law Tigers want riders to be mindful of when you join other drivers on the road this spring and summer.

At Law Tigers, we want to stress the importance of motorcyclists taking charge of the road. Remember to be extra cautious at all times, be a defensive driver, give cars extra space, use your turn signals, and don’t succumb to road rage. Don’t come up too fast behind a car, don’t lane-split, and don’t fly past slower moving traffic just because you are faster than they are. The list goes on, but the goal remains the same: We want you to be a responsible rider. Motorcyclists may feel frustrated, especially since it can feel like the onus is on us to keep roads safe. But safety is our responsibility, and unfortunately, most car drivers can’t be trusted. Give drivers the space to feel comfortable around you and your bike. Law Tigers urges you to be safe this riding reason by practicing control, riding IsYour Paperwork inOrder? It’s not uncommon for motorcyclists to pause their motorcycle insurance during the offseason, but it can be easy to forget to reinstate it once you begin riding again. Call your insurance company and make sure you carry an up-to-date insurance card when you ride. Make sure you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and visit lawtigers.com to learn why this is the most important insurance coverage for motorcycle riders. The time to make sure you have the right insurance is not after an accident, so don’t forget this crucial step when preparing for the new season. Goodmaintenance in the offseason and before the first ride will prepare you for a wonderful season. Still, even the most prepared rider can find themselves injured or in an accident, and that’s why our experts are here to help. Visit lawtigers.com for more information. Now get out there and ride!

Think back to the first snowfall of winter. Did you notice how many drivers didn’t properly clear their windows, straddled two lanes, and

seemingly forgot how to use turn signals? When the road gets slick, everyone seems nervous. Keep this in mind when you hit the road this spring. Just like in the winter, those car owners and operators will forget how to share the roads with motorcyclists, too. They may forget to use turn signals, drift into your lane, blow through stop signs and intersections, or take many other dangerous actions.

defensively, and being friendly, even if the car operator is not.

Motorcyclists’ presence on shared roads isn’t respected by everyone, so be safe. If you do find yourself in an accident with another vehicle this riding season, our legal teams can help. Visit lawtigers.com to learn more.

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Helping Injured Riders Nationwide

Fight ing For You

MeetThe Lawyers of LawTigers

At Law Tigers, we don’t just say we’re experienced, aggressive, and want you to win; we live it every day. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for helping those injured in motorcycle and vehicle accidents obtain the compensation they deserve. We’re not afraid to stand our ground, especially when it comes to fighting insurance companies who do not pay our clients’ valid claims.

The Law Tigers also handle all personal injury litigation, nursing home abuse,

wrongful death suits, and other issues. It is always FREE to talk with one of our attorneys.

Fundamentally, we don’t believe insurance companies’ greediness is fair, and that’s why we fight for justice for our clients every day.

This isn’t something we could do without our dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals. Our attorneys are members of the American Association of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers. They don’t just practice law to help motorcyclists find the compensation they deserve, but as some are motorcyclists themselves, they understand the unique needs of riders everywhere. Beyond motorcycle injury cases, Law Tigers offers its clients a variety of legal advice, including free legal representation for property damage claims to your bike.

Learn more about how Law Tigers can help you with your Illinois legal needs by visiting LawTigers.com

Opening Day HAMBURGERS

INGREDIENTS

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1 pound ground chuck, 80 percent lean

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4 small leaves iceberg lettuce 4 1/4-inch-thick yellow onion slices

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4 soft, white hamburger buns, split 4 1/4-inch-thick tomato slices

1 teaspoon vegetable oil Salt and pepper, to taste Condiments of your choice

12–16 pickle rounds

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly grease a small nonstick skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high. 2. While heating, gently shape meat into four patties 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Be careful to handle the meat as little as possible to prevent tough burgers. Season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Searpattiesoneachside,about1minuteperside.Reduceheattomedium-lowand continue cooking until desired doneness, about 1 more minute per side for medium-rare, 2 more per side for medium-well. 4. Let meat rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. 5. To assemble, place patty on bottombun and topwith tomato, pickles, lettuce, and onion (in that order). Spread condiments on top half of bun and place on top of onion. Serve.

Inspired by Saveur Magazine

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MOTORCYC L LAWYER S

THIS ISSUE Inside

See You in Sturgis! Page 1

Welcome Back, Motorcycle Season! Sharing the Road With Vehicles Page 2

Meet Your Law Tigers Opening Day Hamburgers Page 3

3 Great Rides This Summer Page 4

LawTigers is not a law firm or a lawyer referral service, but a service mark used to identify Kelly Law Offices LLC’s membership in, and status as, a representative of the American Association of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers

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3GREAT RIDES THIS SUMMER

These rides are among the many throughout the Chicagoland area this riding summer:

Then on Sunday, July 28, 2019, there is the 5th Annual Ride for Hope/Ovarian Cancer Awareness. This

On June 15, 2019, it is the 17th Annual Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run from the Grundy County Fairgrounds to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial. Lineup is at 6:00 a.m., and the ride begins at 10:30 a.m. The dedication ceremony is at 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit MiddleEastConflictsWall.org. Another ride in early summer is the 4th Annual Ride to Remember on June 29, 2019. The cause ride supports the Alzheimer’s Association. Register online at Bit.ly/Ride2Remember4 or contact Nick Vogel at 224-800-5201 ([email protected]). Kickstands up at 11 a.m. at Fox River Harley-Davidson, 131 Randall Road, St. Charles, and ending at WildFire Harley-Davidson, 120 North Avenue, Villa Park.

50-mile-plus escorted ride begins and ends at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, 1999 South Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, 60193. There will be epic food and an after party. Please see the flyers posted at many of the area Harley-Davidson dealers. Register at RideForHope2019.eventbrite.com and see the event details at RideForHope.org.

Please participate and take a Law Tiger with you! Ride safely.

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