VanMeveren Law Group - May 2021

VanMeveren Law Group - May 2021

Foundations

OLD TOWN 123 North College Ave., Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524 MAY 2021

If I Hire a Lawyer, Will My Injury Claim End Up in Court?

A car crash involving personal injuries can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. A surefire way to amplify that stress is by hiring the wrong attorney. I’m continually amazed by the number of TV and YouTube lawyers who boast about fighting for justice, brag about their tough-guy litigation skills, or talk about getting you that multimillion-dollar verdict at trial, which is not a common outcome. The reality is that almost all cases settle before trial. What happens between the time the claim is filed and the actual settlement is critical to achieving the best possible outcome. When a case is worked up properly by an experienced attorney who regularly communicates with their client, the case should settle for a fair amount. The case that is handled by a TV lawyer who’s juggling hundreds of cases — and rarely communicates with their clients — will also likely settle. But the settlement amount can be drastically different. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys are quick to spot the TV lawyer who accepts low-ball offers and is out of touch with the details of their client’s case.

How does a good lawyer effectively work up a case? They start with the end in mind. In other words, skilled attorneys prepare the case for trial from day one. Attorneys who boast about going to court all the time are usually there because they couldn’t get a fair settlement offer due to their failure to proactively develop their client’s case. An experienced attorney who specializes in injury law thoroughly develops the case in a way that puts pressure on the other side to recognize the importance of making a fair settlement offer based on the full value of the claim. When the insurance company knows a skilled and prepared advocate is on the other side, they’re more likely to make a good settlement offer because they do not want to run the risk of losing a lot more at trial. You need a partner in your corner. You don’t need a boastful lawyer who’s only interested in their bottom line or in it to make a name for themselves with the next big settlement or verdict. You don’t need an attorney who rarely contacts you — and when they do, it’s to tell you what they’ve already decided to do (or more likely, what they’ve delegated to an assistant). Hiring an attorney with compassion, integrity, and experience is critical to the success of your case. When I opened the firm 19 years ago, I set up solid core values of having honest and regular communication with all of our clients. One glance at our 120-plus five-star reviews indicates that folks are very appreciative of regular communication with the attorneys and staff at VanMeveren Law Group.

These lawyers rarely get a fair settlement offer. Why? The other side knows they’re unprepared and unwilling to put in the work to properly develop the case for trial. And what about those “multimillion-dollar verdicts”? Those are incredibly rare one- in-a-million deals for these lawyers and not always what they seem. Of course, when they get one, you can be sure they’ll reference it in all of their marketing material, with the actual details of the case nowhere to be found.

A good lawyer who properly works up your case will usually keep your case out of the courtroom by achieving a favorable settlement long before the first day of trial. One of the most important steps to achieving success before trial is to get to know you, your hopes, your fears, and your aspirations. We accomplish this through regular contact with every client. We’re your partner and we want you to feel valued, informed, and involved every step of the way.

–Bryan VanMeveren

970-495-9741 • 1

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time. GET FIT WITH YOUR FAMILY 5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

‘Amazing Staff and Results’ “Amazing staff and results! Everyone was always willing to help out with any questions through the process, and my lawyer was always there to take any calls or respond in very short order. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a good firm to work with.” –Ross Davenport

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll.

2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy.

3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun.

4. Incorporate simple exercises

into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps

or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks.

5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

2 • www.vanmeverenlaw.com

Integrative Sports Medicine A Higher Level of Treatment for Injury and Pain:

Dr. Brad Abrahamson has a keen understanding of how pain works. As a sports medicine specialist in Fort Collins — and the owner of Integrative Sports Medicine — Dr. Abrahamson has an extensive background in treating all kinds of injuries, including sprains and strains, tendinitis, knee pain, and back pain. Integrative Sports Medicine also offers concussion care as well as advanced treatment options, including plasma-rich platelet (PRP) therapy and stem cell therapy. If you’ve been injured or you’re dealing with pain, Dr. Abrahamson may be able to help. Whether it’s pain following a car wreck or a sports injury, Integrative Sports Medicine has the tools to make a difference. As a pain specialist, a large part of Dr. Abrahamson’s focus is to home in on the source of the pain — which isn’t always where you feel the pain. For instance, you may suffer with pain in your lower back, but the pain may be caused by something occurring outside of the lower back.

The true source of the back pain might be caused by poor walking stance or an ankle injury. Pain can be deceiving. Dr. Abrahamson and the team at Integrative Sports Medicine strive to stay up to date on the latest studies in sports and musculoskeletal medicine. They know how the mechanical components of the human body work and how one system impacts another. This is the kind of insight you need when looking for a physical therapy care provider following an injury or when you’re dealing with pain. The bottom line is that you can get back out there doing what you love. You can put pain in its place. Integrative Sports Medicine is here to help.

Integrative Sports Medicine

2020 S. College Ave. Unit C1 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

970-825-6825 IntegrativeSportsMed.com

SUDOKU

Easy & Healthy Green Rice

Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

This rice recipe is perfect for getting your kids to eat their greens without realizing it!

Ingredients:

•

1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves

•

1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced

•

1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk

• • •

1/2 cup green peppers, diced 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• • •

3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 tsp kosher salt

•

1 cup long-grain white rice

Directions:

1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluffwith a fork before serving.

970-495-9741 • 3

123 North College Ave, Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-495-9741 www.vanmeverenlaw.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE This Issue

If I Hire a Lawyer, Will My Injury Claim End Up in Court? Page 1 5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness Client Testimonial: ‘Amazing Staff and Results’ Page 2 Put Pain in Its Place Green Rice Recipe Page 3 The Mother of All Running Days Is Coming Up! Page 4

Mom Gets Her Day This May in Fort Collins!

Celebrate Mom May 9 Downtown

Loveland Classic 5K & 10K May 1 The Lakes at Centerra

42nd Annual Colorado Run May 31 Spring Canyon Park

Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9. You could celebrate with a card, some flowers, a phone call, or a trip to Downtown Fort Collins. A number of shops and restaurants will be running specials on the 9th, so you’ll have the pick of the litter. Enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner — or maybe just a lovely dessert somewhere! Check out DowntownFortCollins. com/event/celebrate-mom/2021-05-09 to see the latest specials and the various goings-on for Mother’s Day.

We highlighted this run last month, but with so many cancellations and reschedules over the past year, you never know. As of this writing, the Loveland Classic is happening. The 5K and 10K races are available virtually or in person. The in-person event will once again take place at the Lakes at Centerra. As always, be sure to monitor the website for updates and to register, if you’re interested at LovelandClassic.com .

This is another race that moved around last year, but it’s once again on the calendar for Memorial Day! So, you’ll have your choice of race that day — the Loveland Classic or the Colorado Run! It’s a great day for runners and anyone looking for something to do that day. The 10K run/walk/ ruck, 5K, and kids’ 1-mile race (both virtual and in-person) honors our veterans. In fact, proceeds from the run support Veteran’s Plaza of Northern Colorado. You can find updates, details, and registration at ColoradoRun.com .

4 • www.vanmeverenlaw.com