Law Offices Of William F. Underwood - February 2022

SHOULD YOUR CHILDREN PLAY FOOTBALL?

Physical activity always comes with risks. It’s important to remember that all forms of sports can induce injury. Your child can sprain their ankle running in track and field,

February is host to a sports tradition that dates back more than half a century: Super Bowl Sunday! Whether your team is playing or not, the Super Bowl is the NFL’s biggest stage, and it’s arguably one of the most- watched events on the sports calendar.

NFL players had CTE, often categorized as a complex brain injury. That’s terrifying news for any parent. But knowing the risk can reduce the exposure. Since these findings have been made public, the NFL and youth football leagues have made changes to their concussion protocols, equipment, and tackling techniques. In fact, concussion reports in the NFL dropped by 24% in 2018. Furthermore, parents can arm themselves with this information not to discourage their children from playing football but to instead encourage safer play styles. For example, flag football can be a safer, healthier alternative for young players. If you’re concerned about your little footballer hitting the field, talk to your child’s physician about risks and preventive measures. trip to the grocery store. Regain some of the muscle memory you may have lost over the winter and help your bike get used to running again. Vehicles are a lot like humans; they need a little warmup after months of inactivity. If you need extra assistance, consider signing up for a motorcycle safety course or review your bike’s handbook for more instruction. Bonus : Clean your bike! While you may have done everything right to store it for the

just as they can while running down the football field. Proper technique, great coaching, up-to- date equipment, and clean play can all deter potential injuries. But fear of injury is not reason enough to keep a child out of a sport that can teach discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. However, prolonged exposure is the issue. This is where football deviates, however. While any sport increases the risk of injury, football’s consistent exposure to contact is what makes it more dangerous. A 2017 Boston University study first exposed this, citing that more than 99% of the 202 former

For impressionable kids, watching players on the world’s biggest stage can be like watching their heroes duke it out, inspiring many to join their own peewee leagues. But is that safe? In recent years, increased reports of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among retired players have some parents questioning if this great American tradition is worth it. Here’s what you need to know. 3 THINGS YOU MUST DO BEFORE YOUR FIRST RIDE Prep for Motorcycle Season With This Guide February is the last full month of winter, and for motorcycle riders, that means one thing: It’s almost riding season! Some Georgia bikers prefer to ride their motorcycle all year round, but if you winterized your bike, it’s time to prepare your ride for the road again.

plan. Do you need more coverage, like to protect yourself from under- or uninsured motorists? This is an important question to ask when you re-up your plan!

Examine your bike. After months without use, your

motorcycle could have a little “rust” — figuratively and literally. Examine your bike for signs of rust, deterioration

on the engine or battery, and rodents. (Some like to burrow wherever it’s warm!) Then, inflate your tires again, check the brakes, and clean out any air filters or fluid compartments that may have leftover deposits from last season. Once those are clean, fill it up! Take a test run. Before you make a big trip this season, start small. Go for a ride around the neighborhood or on a quick

winter, it can still accumulate grime. A good cleaning and wax job will protect the exterior.

Consider this your official checklist for motorcycle preparedness!

No matter how well you prepare for the open road, accidents can happen. Contact our team at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. today if you need legal assistance after a motorcycle accident. Stay safe this season!

Update your insurance. Before you go on that first ride this spring, add your bike back onto your insurance plan. This will protect you and other drivers should you get into an accident or experience a breakdown. Furthermore, this is a great yearly opportunity to examine your insurance

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