Harmonson Law Firm - February 2022

Harmonson Law Firm - February 2022

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

LET’S STAY TOGETHER Celebrating 2 Decades’ Worth of Love

We make countless choices that determine the course of the rest of our lives. Some of them are made when we’re very young, and at the time, we have no idea what impact they will ultimately have. We have to cross our fingers and try our best, trusting that God has a plan for us.

to this day. After proposing, we went to the fanciest restaurant in Houston to celebrate. Some friends bought us an expensive bottle of champagne, and we had a wonderful evening.

We got married in San Angelo, in Sheri’s childhood church, so it was a meaningful place to hold the ceremony. Last August, we celebrated our 20th anniversary. It was fun and exciting being newlyweds in a big city. Sheri helped me through law school with her job at a nonprofit organization. She made just enough money to help us make ends meet, and luckily, I didn’t have to make a single hamburger last for both lunch and dinner like my former law partner did. She’s the rock of our family, keeping us all organized and running smoothly at home and work. (She’s the Harmonson Law Firm office manager.) She’s also always game for an adventure. Even though she’d never been to El Paso before when we decided to move here, she was all in, and we’re still here 18 years later. As much as we love each other, marriage is hard work, and it’s not always perfect. But at the end of the day, you have a life partner. You get to watch

My choices led me to meet my wife, Sheri. She’s from San Angelo, and she went to college at Texas A&M. I’m from Lubbock and had the opportunity to attend that school, but I chose Texas Tech instead. Ironically, selecting a different university from her is how Sheri and I met. Texas A&M is such a large school, and we studied such different subjects that our paths would never have crossed. But at Texas Tech, I made a slew of friends from San Angelo, and shortly after graduating, a large group of us went on a ski trip. Sheri was there, and we hit it off immediately. But I was still based out of Lubbock, and she was in Austin. So, our relationship began long distance. After the trip, she came back to Lubbock with me, and somehow, we knew that we would be together. It just felt right.

Back then, Southwest Airlines had dirt-cheap tickets, so seeing each other wasn’t as hard as

you’d imagine. Sometimes I would go to Austin, other times she’d come to Lubbock, and sometimes we even met in San Angelo. After a few months, I moved to Austin to be near Sheri. Then, I got into law school in Houston, and she moved to be with me. During my first year of law school, I didn’t have any money; I’d been putting everything I had toward paying my tuition. But a friend had told me to buy a penny stock, and I’d followed his advice. Thankfully, that penny stock did very well, so I had just enough money to buy Sheri an engagement ring. It was an antique from the 1930s, and though it’s nothing extravagant, she still wears it

them grow, build a family together, create a life, and in our case, start a business. Together, we have our own little world that we created for ourselves.

If you’re married, take time this Valentine’s Day to appreciate your spouse. With effort, kindness, and open communication, you can build a wonderful life together. Sheri and I have, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Many years later, I’m still grateful I went on that innocent little ski trip and met the love of my life.

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At Harmonson Law Firm, we spend a large portion of our days helping clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, that means we also see a lot of devastating injuries caused by negligence. Because of the conditions under which most accidents happen, some injuries are more likely than others. Here are the three we encounter most frequently. Whiplash When two vehicles collide, a person’s head is often forcefully moved forward and then back. It can result in whiplash, which causes injury to the neck and spine. Often, people think of whiplash as a minor injury that resolves itself, but the condition can have lasting impacts. For the unlucky, whiplash can linger for months or even years, causing severe neck pain, headaches, stiffness, fatigue, dizziness, memory problems, and depression. THE MOST COM ACCIDENT I

It’s crazy to think that being head over heels, madly in love with someone can benefit your body in the same way that broccoli can, but it’s true! Science has proven that being in love comes with myriad health benefits. Fewer colds and natural pain control? Yes, please!

Love triggers the “feel good” hormone,

dopamine. When you first fall in love — and the butterflies are flying uncontrollably

— dopamine is at very high levels, and mentally, you’re happy, healthy, and positive. As the relationship matures, oxytocin, also known as the bonding hormone, blends with dopamine and reduces stress. We all know that stress can lead to a number of health complications, so the less stress, the better!

New research has found that just being around someone you love can act as a natural

Spinal Injury When you see that an accident is about to happen, life moves quickly and in slow motion all at once. While it’s terrifying, you do have time to brace yourself for the impact. When a person can’t brace themselves — like in most rear-end collisions — their spine is not stabilized, and injuries are more likely. Most rear-end spinal What the Insurance Companies DON’T Want You to Know About YOUR RIGH

Claims was written to with vital information wheeler, work vehicle s to bear in mind that up premiums for their amount that they are E ONE GOAL— HAREHOLDERS.

pain reliever. Research has also determined that married people complain less about headaches and back pain. When your mind is happy, your immune system is stronger, making you less prone to getting a cold or stomach bug. Some research has even shown that happily married couples live longer than those who are not happily married. The hormone vasopressin helps to control your blood pressure. Being in love releases vasopressin into your body, keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. Both your heart and lungs are also impacted by the love you have for another. If you aren’t in love, you can still reap the benefits through a strong and healthy social support system. When you have friends who bring you joy and happiness, even just a hug may help to release positive hormones and keep your health

Injured in a Car Accident? The Insurance Company Is NOT Your Friend.

Written by experienced car accident attorney S. Clark Harmonson, this is a valuable resource with the vital facts you need before talking to the insurance company or hiring a lawyer. In this book, you’ll learn everything insurance companies don’t want you to know, such as: • 12 shady auto insurance company tactics • 10 common myths and

g e e e e d s y

on track. Take time to invest in positive relationships to keep your heart and body healthy and happy, both literally and figuratively.

misconceptions about your car accident claim How we hold negligent drivers accountable

“I wrote this book to help you cut through all the confusion surrounding your accident.”

•

WITH: 12 Dirty Tricks the Insurance Adjuster Will Use to Wreck Your Claim

• What you need to do immediately after an accident • Top five worst auto insurance companies in Texas

Get your free copy at ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com or by calling our office at 915.584.8777 .

So, what are you waiting for? Let the love flow!

AR ACCIDENT… ET THIS RIGHT!

2 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com

MMON CAR INJURIES

Usually, we know who was involved in a car crash. Therefore, we can determine who was at fault and pursue their insurance company for the damages they’ve caused. But sometimes, the person who caused the accident was driving without insurance. Even worse, they might flee the scene, preventing anyone from knowing who they were. In these cases, what happens to the victim? The law requires all drivers to have insurance, and hit-and-runs are, of course, illegal. But as we know, not everyone follows the law; if they did, there would be a lot fewer car accidents in general. Unfortunately, an estimated 14% of drivers in Texas do not have car insurance — that’s over 2 million people. Luckily, you follow the rules, so you almost certainly have uninsured/ underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM). Every insurance policy has UM/UIM unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. As personal injury attorneys, we urge you never to decline your UM/UIM — not a month goes by when we don’t meet a client who needs it. Uninsured motorist insurance covers you if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver. Hit-and-run accidents are also covered since the other driver’s insurance status is unknown. Under state law, the minimum policy must cover $30,000 per person in personal injury, WHO IS HELD RESPONSIBLE? Dealing With Hit-and-Runs and Uninsured Motorists

injuries we see are in the lower or mid-back, and the conditions can result in chronic pain, surgery, or even permanent disability.

Head Injury A car accident exerts an extreme amount of energy on a person’s body, and it can actually cause the brain to move inside their skull. Sometimes, only a concussion occurs. But in other cases, the brain cells are permanently damaged. Traumatic brain injuries often cause impairment of a person’s cognitive abilities or prevent them from physically functioning as they have in the past. Frequently, the sufferer experiences a dramatically reduced quality of life. Though these are probably the three most common injuries we see, they are far from the only ones. We also meet clients with broken bones or rib cages, shoulder or knee injuries, severe lacerations and puncture wounds, and even paralysis. Whatever injuries you’ve suffered, a good personal injury attorney will help you receive the treatment you need and hold the responsible parties accountable. At Harmonson Law Firm, we can’t undo the past, but we can help our clients prepare themselves for the best possible future.

HTS

Vegan Red Velvet Cake Inspired by LovingItVegan.com Share this luscious red velvet cake with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day!

up to $60,000 per incident, and $25,000 in property damage. It may not be the amount you deserve, but it’s a lot better than nothing. You can also purchase increased protection. Meanwhile, underinsured motorist insurance covers you if the at-fault driver does not have enough liability insurance to cover all the damages caused during the accident. If your damages exceed their insurance policy limits, UIM kicks in to help make up the difference. If UM/UIM is denied or does not cover all of your expenses, you may have additional recourse through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage. If you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, or if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you need an attorney who is familiar with the law and knows how to get you every dollar owed. Call us today for a free consultation, and we’ll be glad to review your options.

INGREDIENTS

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2 cups flour

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1 cup soy milk

1 cup white granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup canola oil

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp distilled white vinegar

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp red food coloring (gel works best)

1 tbsp lemon juice

Frosting of choice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease baking pans of choice. Line bottoms with parchment paper. (Two 8-inch round pans work best.) 2. In a large bowl, sift flour and mix in sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. 3. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and soy milk. Leave the mixture to sit for about a minute so it can curdle into buttermilk. 4. Add milk mixture, vanilla, oil, vinegar, and food coloring to the flour mixture, stirring well to break up large clumps. 5. Pour batter into pans and bake for 20 minutes. 6. Cool cakes completely before frosting with icing of choice.

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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Clark and Sheri’s Love Story

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Health Benefits of Being in Love

The Car Accident Injuries We See Most Often

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Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Hit-and-Runs and Uninsured Motorists

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Include Mother Nature in Your Next Date

You, Me, and the Great Outdoors

3 OUTSIDE DATE NIGHT IDEAS

Hit up a drive-in movie. If you’re looking for a way to be extra comfy while still sitting outside, a drive-in movie is the best destination! The best part about a drive-in is that you can view both new and old movies as well as bring your own snacks and drinks. If the weather permits and if you have a truck, you can load the bed with blankets and pillows and have a cozy night while watching a movie. These date night ideas are perfect for Valentine’s Day, but they don’t have to be limited to just the holiday! You can also consider these for any date that you have with your significant other. Nothing brings couples closer like being together with nature.

Did your significant other leave it up to you to come up with a romantic date idea this Valentine’s Day? Luckily for you, there are tons of date activities that are easy and affordable for you to enjoy with Mother Nature. While the possibilities are endless outside, here are three popular outdoor date ideas! Watch the sunset. Sunsets are intuitively romantic: The sun paints the sky in calming reds, pinks, and purples, creating a beautiful backdrop. While watching the sunset, you and your partner can have a romantic picnic with the sky in view. Or you can embrace the scenery with your other half and create memories you both will never forget. Go stargazing. If you live in the city, stargazing is a good chance to escape for the night and get away from the light pollution in the city. If you already live in a location where you can easily see the stars, take advantage of the peaceful privacy with your loved one. Maybe you’ll spot a shooting star you can wish upon while you’re out there!

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