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GEORGETOWN OFFICE 121 Screven Street Georgetown, SC 29440 • Medical Malpractice
• Workers’ Comp. • Dram Shop Liability • Nursing Home Abuse • Hospital Negligence • Jail Misconduct CHARLESTON OFFICE 635 East Bay Street, Suite F Charleston, SC 29403
• Car Accidents • Personal Injury • Truck Accidents • Wrongful Death
APRIL/MAY 2023
EVANSMOORELAW.COM · (843) 995-5000
AN UNNECESSARY TRAGEDY How We Helped a Bicycle Accident Victim’s Family
We often overlook the needs of two-wheeled vehicles on our roadways, and the results can be tragic. We regularly remind our friends and family to assume that most drivers on the road are distracted, whether by their phones, radios, or other occupants. Evans Moore Law recently settled a case for $7.9 million that drove that point home. It serves as a reminder of how catastrophic distracted driving can be, particularly to bicycles and motorcycles. Our clients were the family of a 50-year-old cyclist who died in an accident. One morning, he got on his bike for a pre-work ride, and a driver struck and killed him. The decedent was a U.S. Navy veteran and did a tour of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his service, he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental studies and worked as an environmental coordinator. Most importantly, he was a husband and a father of three. Fortunately, his family acted quickly in their time of grief. Because they retained our services within 48 hours of the incident, our investigator could comb the collision area for video cameras. The investigator ultimately discovered home surveillance footage that captured the incident. Our team also obtained cellphone data, which may have been destroyed, overwritten, or lost with additional time. The evidence allowed us to construct a detailed sight-line study and speed calculation. The ironclad proof assisted all parties in resolving the matter as quickly and efficiently as possible. We also avoided a long discovery period and trial that could have traumatized the family further. The settlement in this case is more money than most of us can dream of, but even $7.9 million cannot make up for a lost life. Our clients would give up every penny to have their loved one back, but unfortunately, it’s not an option. Financial compensation is the only restitution that the laws of the United States and South Carolina provide in this situation.
But we can all do our part to make unnecessary injuries and deaths less likely. As we move into the summer, there will be a proliferation of motorcycles, bicycles, and golf carts legally sharing the roadways with us. We must all watch out for them and remember how vulnerable they are if struck by a vehicle. It’s long past time to put the cellphones down and concentrate on the road. Meanwhile, if you or a loved one are involved in an accident, we cannot express the importance of engaging with legal counsel as quickly as possible. Doing so will allow us to preserve evidence as we did in this case. The video surveillance and cellphone data ensured we could obtain fast and comprehensive justice for this wonderful family. The settlement will not remove their heartache, but we hope it will provide them with the comfort that their loved one’s life had value and should never have been taken so soon.
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Host a Murder Mystery Dinner! The Best Ways to Celebrate Mystery Month
Did you know May is Mystery Month? There are dozens of ways to celebrate this enigmatic occasion, from playing Clue to rewatching “Glass Onion” — but why not bring those experiences to life and host your own murder mystery dinner at home? Thanks to a plethora of kits on the market, doing so is easier than ever! What is a murder mystery dinner? A murder mystery dinner is essentially a real-life game of Clue. You invite friends over for dinner and turn your home into the set of “Knives Out” — without the blood, of course. Each of your friends takes on the persona of a character in the story, and when one of them is “murdered,” you compete to uncover who dunnit. Step 1: Pick your kit. Planning a murder mystery dinner from scratch would take the ingenuity of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Luckily, you have several ready-made mysteries to choose from! You can find boxes from Masters of Mystery and My Mystery Party at your local board game store, but you can find many options available online, too. Night of Mystery (NightofMystery.com), for example, sells
both in-person and virtual kits with themes ranging from ‘80s prom to Christmas homicide. If your friends and family don’t like the idea of acting and dressing up, that’s okay — you can still solve a mystery over dinner! Look into kits available through Unsolved Case Files (UnsolvedCaseFiles. com) or Hunt A Killer (Shop.HuntaKiller.com), which involve collaborative mystery-solving without the character work. Step 2: Curate your guest list. Most murder mystery dinners require at least four people, while some include characters for six, eight, or more! Check the number of players on your kit and invite your most creative, analytical, theatrical, and mystery-loving friends. Step 3: Decorate and plan the menu. If you choose a themed murder mystery, level up your event with a matching menu and decor! For games taking place in England, whip up a shepherd’s pie and make a cardboard cutout of Big Ben. For Havana Nights, plan a build-your-own Cubano bar and throw on an Afro-Cuban playlist. You can be as over-the-top as you like. Remember, it’s Mystery Month!
We’re Revving Up for Bike Week How to Stay Safe While You Ride It’s that time of year again — Myrtle Beach is gearing up for its annual Bike Week beginning on May 12. Fittingly, May is also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. With hundreds of thousands of attendees expected, everyone in the area has reason to be extra cautious, patient, and alert. There may be strength in numbers, but large groups of motorcyclists can still find themselves in danger. The top thing anyone on a bike can do to protect themselves is to avoid distractions and ride defensively. Accidents are particularly likely to occur at intersections. So, don’t assume a driver sees you or will stop when they should. Many collisions occur when a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. We know it’s warm in our area, but riders should still use full protective gear. Don’t get on a bike without a denim or leather jacket and pants. You should also wear boots and gloves for better grip and control over your motorcycle. Finally, never go without a Department of Transportation -approved helmet. These items will provide some protection in an accident, which is far more uncomfortable than dressing warmly. Larger motor vehicles aren’t the only risk. Ensure you’re respectful to other riders and give them room. While riding two to a lane is legal in South Carolina, experts say it’s dangerous, and a staggered approach to riding in groups is better. Further, trying to prove you’re faster or more skilled than another rider is a recipe for disaster. You can still have lots of fun without one-upmanship.
Motorcycle safety isn’t only for bikers, though. Everyone on the road is responsible for traveling safely and watching out for each other. If you’re driving a larger vehicle, you should never forget that people on motorcycles and bikes are more vulnerable than you. They don’t have seat belts, airbags, or metal surrounding them that can absorb an impact. What might be a fender bender to you can be deadly to someone on a bike. So, give your two-wheeled road companions some extra room. Avoid following too closely, and allow extra space when passing. Look twice at intersections and ensure you’re aware of any objects in your blind spots. If drivers and riders work together, the roads can be safer for everyone.
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TAKE A BREAK!
MAKE MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL
3 Ways to Celebrate at Home
Mother’s Day is right around the corner — and if you don’t have reservations yet, you’re probably not going to find a place to dine on one of the biggest restaurant days of the year. But there is no need to worry. An expertly prepared meal is nice, but you can create memories that are just as meaningful at home. Here are a few ideas to inspire your celebration.
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DIY Wine Tasting If novelty wine glasses and wall hangings are any indication, moms love wine. Treat your mother by purchasing several bottles of wine she probably hasn’t tried and might enjoy. You can uncork and enjoy samples together, share some laughs, and compare tasting notes. Not every mother is the wine type, and you can do the same thing with cheese, chocolate, or another favorite indulgence. The point is to pick something your mom loves, give her an abundant variety to enjoy, and share it with her. Game Night “I don’t see you enough” is a near-universal complaint among mothers everywhere. More than anything, your mom probably wants to spend time with you this Mother’s Day! One way to give her what she craves is by organizing a family game night. Pick options that will play to your mom’s strengths: classic, party, trivia, or strategy games. You’ll know you’ve done a good job if everyone around the table ends up talking and laughing together. Home Cooking A restaurant may be out of the question at this point, but you’ve still got to eat! Whether your mom is a culinary wonder or DoorDash’s best customer, she’ll appreciate the time and care put into preparing her meal yourself. Do an honest assessment of your abilities and pick a recipe you know you can handle — or even ask family members to help. Then, enjoy the meal together!
GINGER PORK STIR-FRY Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil • 1 small onion, sliced
James and Scott are both self- professed mama’s boys and feel incredibly blessed to have wonderful mothers who have been heavily involved in their lives. They can attest that it doesn’t matter what you do with your mom on her special day, but that you do it with love and care. Everyone at Evans Moore wants to wish you and your mom a very happy Mother’s Day — no matter how you spend it.
Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
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GEORGETOWN OFFICE 121 Screven Street Georgetown, SC 29440 (843) 995-5000
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SOLUTION TO SUDOKU
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2. 1. Behind a $7.9 Million Settlement Host an Unforgettable Murder Mystery Dinner Motorcycle Safety Reminders for Bike Week
4. 3.
Celebrate Mother’s Day Without a Restaurant Reservation
Ginger Pork Stir-Fry
How Children Benefit From Playing an Instrument
THE INSTRUMENTS FOR SUCCESS How Learning to Play Music Benefits Children
What are your children’s favorite activities when looking for something to do? Some might prefer reading, while others like to draw, write, or play with friends. While all of these will benefit your children, an activity that is often overlooked is playing musical instruments.
be frustrating, but with effort and persistence, children can gradually improve their skills and master complex pieces. Likewise, if children play in a group, they may have to wait their turn to play their part in a song, which also helps them develop focusing skills and patience. Proper Responsibility and Time Management Musical instruments are costly and require maintenance to ensure they stay in good condition. By entrusting your child with an instrument, you’re giving them the responsibility of taking care of it. Teach them how to clean their instrument and store it properly. Additionally, they’ll have to learn how to follow a practice schedule, which teaches time management skills and how to avoid procrastination. Enhanced Self-Esteem Learning to play a new song or chord can make any music student proud! They accomplished something they set their mind to, making them feel more confident about themselves and fostering a desire to keep improving. As they continue playing, their confidence and self-esteem will bloom. This will also give them an outlet for their creative endeavors, which will help them be more comfortable with who they are.
Many kids get their first taste of music when they enter middle school and show interest in playing in a band or orchestra. But you don’t have to wait until your child is in school to get them started with music! Starting at age 4, your child will be in the perfect state to begin learning how to play, and you’ll quickly notice the benefits they gain, such as these three. Improved Patience Learning to play an instrument for the first time is not easy. Developing the skills necessary to play takes time, effort, and practice. This process can sometimes
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