Houston & Alexander, PLLC - April/May 2021

Houston & Alexander, PLLC - April/May 2021

HOUSTONALEXANDER.COM

APRIL/MAY 2021

CALL US: 423-267-6715

IMMEDIATELY AFTER A WRECK What You Need To Know

One of the difficult things about this line of work is that people usually come to me AFTER they have had an issue. Very rarely do they come to me for advice prior to making a decision.

has less coverage than you, your maximum recovery is $100,000 and not a penny more from YOUR insurance company. The “minimum coverage” in Tennessee is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. If you are truly hurt, $25,000 will not even begin to cover your medical bills, time off work, and your pain and suffering. God forbid if you actually need surgery. In a recent case of mine, the helicopter ride from the accident to the hospital was over $35,000! That alone is more than the Tennessee minimum. One more thing, if the other driver has $25,000 and you have $100,000, the coverages are not stacked and your maximum recovery is $100,000. Thank the insurance lobby and your legislators for that. Second, just after the wreck happens and you check yourself, passengers, as well as the occupants of the other vehicle for injuries, contact the police immediately. This is very important, not only because the accident itself needs to be documented, but the police can ensure accident victims receive prompt emergency care. Third, get the other driver’s contact and insurance information. Even if the other driver doesn’t have any insurance, your insurance company may need a statement from them. Always get the name, phone number, address, and email address of the other driver. Try to get the name of their employer too.

Fourth, contact your insurance company and tell them what happened. Do this EVEN IF the accident was not your fault. Your rates are not going up because someone else hit you. If the other driver’s policy is not sufficient to compensate for your injuries, you will need to put your insurance company on notice just in case you need to use your uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage. Fifth, if you are injured, seek medical treatment immediately. DO NOT wait until the next day, next week, etc. Moreover, consult traditional doctors first, meaning your general practitioner and medical specialists, such as orthopedic doctors. If your first inclination is to seek “non- traditional” treatment, it will affect the value of your case. Finally, contact your attorney. We can talk to you about the pluses and minuses of your case and possibly even represent you. It may be that you don’t need representation, but often the opposite is true. Insurance companies don’t make money by spending lots of money; they make money by NOT spending it. We can figure out the best way to deal with your particular situation and help get the settlement you deserve.

Today, we are going to change that.

Clients frequently hire us to represent them for car and motorcycle accidents. I can honestly say that no potential client has ever come to me and said, “I think I’m going to be in a car wreck tomorrow. Do you have any advice?” But if I were ever given advance notice of my client being in a wreck, this is the conversation we would have. First, if you are going to be injured in a wreck, make sure that YOU carry enough insurance. I know that everyone else is supposed to carry insurance, but the reality is that many people don’t or what they do carry is inadequate. Although it is better to carry $250,000/$500,000, at least carry $100,000/$300,000. This means that if you are in an accident, the first number represents the amount per person your insurance will pay and the second number is the maximum per accident. So if you have $100,000/$300,000 and the person at fault “Always get the name, phone number, address, and email address of the other driver.”

– Johnny Houston

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Influencer in Florida Accused of Voter Fraud

A February 2016 analysis by MIT Media Lab revealed that Twitter account “Ricky Vaughn” was the 107th most important influencer in the then-upcoming election. That’s a higher ranking than many other groups and individuals like NBC News (114), Stephen Colbert (119), and Newt Gingrich (141). Everyone had one question: Who in the world is Ricky Vaughn? As it turns out, the Florida man was really stepping up his game. Douglass Mackey, aka Ricky Vaughn, is based in West Palm Beach and gained an audience on Twitter with over 58,000 followers by 2016. Many would describe him as an internet troll, or someone who posts hurtful comments for his own amusement. While he’s posted anti-Semitic memes in the past, those offenses were hardly illegal. That changed when Mackey allegedly went too far.

Using hashtags like #go[candidate], Mackey posted false, edited campaign images to convince people to “vote” by text instead of going to the polls or using the mail-in ballot. In one instance, he posted an image depicting an African American woman holding a sign, reading “African Americans for [candidate].” The images would then include instructions on how to vote by texting a specific number. Mackey and his associates also created images with Spanish instructions, obviously targeting minorities as well. Of course, voting by text is not a legitimate way to cast a ballot, yet the deceptive campaign duped over 4,900 unique phone numbers. William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, reported in their press release, “Protecting

every American citizen’s right to cast a legitimate vote is a key to the success of our republic. What Mackey allegedly did to interfere with this process — by soliciting voters to cast their ballots via text — amounted to nothing short of vote theft.” It’s certainly fascinating and terrifying to see just how influential social media can be on an election and even go as far as to lure people into wasting their vote. We’re glad, however, to see these types of cases being brought to court — Mackey was recently arrested on federal charges of election interference for this 2016 voter disinformation campaign. Some influencers are taking their title much too seriously!

Save the Environment – With 5 Organization Hacks

NO. 2: ORGANIZE POWER CORDS WITH OLD BREAD TAGS.

NO. 4: CONVERT AN OLD WINE RACK INTO TOWEL STORAGE.

You may want to throw away your bread tags, old rakes, and shower curtain rings, but what if you can reuse them for a more sustainable, organized lifestyle? You’ll never lose your remote control or confuse your power cords again, and it won’t even cost you anything extra.

Have a chaotic power strip that’s impossible to navigate or reorganize on the fly? Luckily, you already have labels that’ll easily attach to any cord you have: bread tags. One side of your bread tag may list the “best by” date for your bread. The other side is blank! That’s where you can take a permanent marker, write down the name of the cord, and attach it to the cord near the power strip.

It can be a tough task to stow your towels in a fashionable way. But as you begin to upgrade your home decor, you may find an extra wine rack on your hands, which happens to be perfect for storing rolled towels! NO. 5: USE A HOLLOWED BOOK FOR REMOTE CONTROL STORAGE. Have a thick book that you’re about to get rid of? It might feel sacrilegious to repurpose a book, but it’s also one of the coolest ways to celebrate literature in a stylish, practical way. Hollow out a book and use it to store many things, including remote controls.

NO. 3: REPURPOSE OLD DRAWERS TO BE UNDER-THE-BED STORAGE.

NO. 1: USE SHOWER CURTAIN RINGS TO HANG CLOTHING ITEMS.

Most people will throw out their old wardrobes, but if you have leftover drawers, you don’t have to get rid of them. Refinishing them is optional — they make great storage containers as-is for under your bed! Store toys, board games, and more beneath your bed, sofa, or anywhere else that has a narrow opening.

Tank tops and delicates (like scarves) tend to scrunch and pile up in the corner of your closet or drawers. But if you’re replacing your curtain rings anytime soon, don’t toss your old ones — you can attach them to hangers and hang ties, belts, hats, and many other accessories!

We hope these tips will inspire you to reduce and reuse! See you next month!

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WILL EUROPE BE ABLE TO PAY ITS $3.2T PANDEMIC DEBT?

Millions of families in Europe have relied heavily on government aid for survival, but that’s becoming a concern for the younger generation. European debt hasn’t been so high since World War II, and it’s even outpacing national economies. In France alone, the national debt has risen to 2.7 trillion euros ($3.2 trillion) and will soon exceed 120% of the national economy. While the International Monetary Fund expects growth to bounce back this year to 5.1% in the United States, Europe will likely lag with a rebound of 4.2%. Yet, as debts skyrocket, economists wonder if it’s possible for Europe to get a “free lunch.” In the current zero-interest era, strange things are happening. Although the amount of debt companies have taken has grown, the amount that governments pay hasn’t. Countries can now roll over

their debt at low interest rates, which is akin to refinancing a mortgage. Banks are also buying government debt, effectively lending around 1.3 trillion euros during the first six months of the pandemic. This makes the debt affordable — for now. Government debt may never have to be fully paid back if central banks keep

buying it up. According to the Institut Montaigne, an independent think tank in Paris, public debt could rise to 4 trillion by the end of 2023. Some economists are worried about the risks. What if inflation and interest rates help revive growth too rapidly, forcing central banks to put a complete stop to their easy-money policies? Weaker countries may fall into a debt trap and struggle to pay. Simon Tilford, director of a strategic planning firm in London, told The New York Times, “If inflation starts to return but there’s no growth, then the situation gets a lot trickier.” When the next recession rolls around, it may be tough to stimulate their economy with this amount of debt on their hands. This worries the younger generation of Europeans, but at least for now, those troubles seem far away in the eyes of those steering European economies through the pandemic. “I was in the United States on a work visa. I had an accident and was charged with DUI. This charge caused me great trouble both personally and professionally as it affected my being able to stay in this country. It took a long time, and there were some difficulties, but Johnny’s legal knowledge and experience, as well as respect from the DAs and judges, all contributed to having my charges reduced. The staff at Houston & Alexander were also very responsive and informative and really went the extra mile. Thanks, thanks, thanks for helping me to expand my future. our clients say it best ‘My hero’

Thai Minced Pork Salad

Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com

Called “Larb” in Thailand, this popular street food comes together quickly and can be easily modified to suit your individual taste.

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice • 1 lb ground pork • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes • 1/8 tsp sugar • 1/2 tbsp fish sauce

• Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste • 4 small shallots, thinly sliced • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • Cilantro leaves, to taste • Mint leaves, to taste

Directions

1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.

–Eddy

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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3417 Dayton Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37415

INSIDE THIS ISSUE What to Do After a Car Crash Influencer in Florida Accused of Voter Fraud Reduce and Reuse With 5 Organization Hacks! Will Europe Be Able to Pay Its $3.2T Pandemic Debt? Thai Minced Pork Salad Client Testimonial The Air Inside Isn’t Always the Cleanest. What Can You Do About It? PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 4

How can you improve indoor air quality? While the sources for poor indoor air quality are varied, you can do several things to improve your air and breathe easier. Here are a few common options: Use an air purifier. You can get one for a single room or install one that will purify the air of your entire home. Read the specifications carefully to ensure it meets your needs, whatever you choose. Run your air conditioner or furnace. This is especially important for homes with central air. As air moves, it passes through the central air filter, helping reduce dust and dander. Find and eliminate mold. Mold severely reduces the air quality in your home. However, if you are having a hard time locating and removing the mold, call in a professional to take care of it. Keep your windows closed. Consider the outside air quality before opening windows. If you live near a busy road or construction, or if it’s fire season, close your windows to keep the pollution out.

What is indoor air quality? The term describes how the air in your home or place of work affects your health and comfort. Factors that influence indoor air quality include temperature, humidity, ventilation, mold from excess moisture, and exposure to chemicals. Common and persistent symptoms of poor indoor air quality include: • Airway infections • Coughing, hoarseness, or wheezing • Dizziness • Dry skin • Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat • Mental fatigue and headaches • Nausea What causes poor indoor air quality? It may be a result of an inadequate fresh air supply, a poor ventilation system maintenance, pollutants (like cleaning supplies, sprays, office machines, pesticides, or smoke from candles or poorly-vented stoves/fireplaces), micro- organisms, or various contaminants brought into the home from outside.

The air inside our homes isn’t always the cleanest. No matter the time of year, many factors can influence the quality of the air you breathe, including dust, dander, pollen, and many different pollutants. To clear the air inside your home or office, understand what impacts indoor air quality and then take steps to improve it. Here are some ideas. Clearing the Air — Indoors What You Can Do

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