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A collection of thoughts and stories to educate, entertain, and inspire. September 2022 P ACKARD P RESS The IT’S A MIRACLE! How My Brother Survived an 18-Wheeler Crash
Early on a foggy February morning in 2018, I woke up to a text message that made my heart skip a beat: “I’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler.” I was shocked. The text was from Sam, my brother and my business partner here at the Packard Law Firm. I called him immediately but got a quick text response: “But I think I’m going to be okay.” Dread overtook me as I thought through all of the possibilities. Hours later, when I finally got through to him, Sam told me what happened. I still can’t believe it — his survival that day is truly a miracle. That morning, Sam was on the way to a deposition in Houston. He was about halfway there when the traffic on Interstate 10 got really bad. Through the unusually thick fog and low visibility, Sam saw the red glow of brake lights in front of him and brought his car to a stop. As he settled in to wait, Sam inched his car forward a bit, trying to see if there was an exit coming up soon. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, an 18-wheeler came barreling through the fog and plowed into his car. The tremendous force rocketed the car into the side of another 18-wheeler in the next lane over. His car folded up like an accordion between the two massive trucks. A man from another car sprinted over to help. He wrenched open the door and found Sam encapsulated by crumpled metal, airbags, and a lot of broken glass. Somehow, he had miraculously survived! (That man later told me that he did not expect to find anyone still alive.) With some effort, he released the seat belt and pulled Sam out through the passenger door. A few minutes later, Sam was shivering — partly in shock at what just happened and partly because of the cold February air. That same good Samaritan was moved with compassion. He took off his own coat and gave it to my brother. To this day, Sam still wears his “Hope Hoodie” as a symbol of gratitude.
Over the next few weeks, Sam anticipated that the herniated discs in his spine, coupled with the mountain of medical bills, would be difficult. But he was surprised at how much of a toll the wreck had on his emotional health. Driving became difficult. Typical traffic noises and stops were triggering for him and would flood him with adrenaline. Sam saw how frustrating it was to be without a vehicle. He experienced how distracting his injuries and medical visits were in his work and personal life. He felt angry at the insurance company when they refused to accept responsibility for what happened. Working through all the logistics and details got to be too much for Sam. He needed help coordinating with his doctors, getting his car appraised, and negotiating with the insurance companies. So, he asked the Packard Law Firm for help. As a team, we established regular medical treatment, proved that the 18-wheeler driver was at fault, and convinced the insurance company that they were accountable for the injuries and life changes they caused. There are a lot of dangerous drivers on the road. If someone you know was injured in a wreck, point them our direction so they don’t face the aftermath of a car wreck alone. We understand firsthand what they are going through. We know how to help! We treat our clients like family, and we fight for them just like we fought for Sam.
–Michael Packard
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‘AHOY, MATEY!’ The Origin of Pirate Talk Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept. 19 has been a favorite silly holiday since it was created in 1995. But while it’s an opportunity for vloggers, radio hosts, and everyday people alike to let loose with a few hearty shouts of “arrrr,” the holiday certainly raises a couple of questions …
Did pirates really talk like that? And why do we think they do?
The truth is that nobody really knows what a typical Caribbean pirate sounded like. Historian Colin Woodard, author of “The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down,” told National Geographic, “There isn’t much in the way of scientific evidence in regards to pirate speech.” No audio recordings of pirate speech exist, and most witnesses have only written down small sets of quotes from pirates. Pirates didn’t really write, either. There’s “almost nothing written by pirates themselves, with the exception of educated people who ‘went pirate’ and, therefore, probably didn’t exhibit pirate speech patterns,” Woodard said. Our best guess? Many scholars suspect that English-speaking Golden Age pirates must have spoken exactly the same as English-speaking merchant sailors of the time. After all, large numbers in both groups tended to be from riverfront neighborhoods around London. How Disney Started It All Modern “pirate speak” can actually be traced back to a single movie: the live-action Disney movie of the 1950s, “Treasure Island,”
Have You Tried These Repair Hacks? Sometimes it’s impossible to prevent a car crash. In the situation Michael described on the cover of this newsletter, his brother could do little more than pray he’d survive the 18-wheeler bearing down on him. However, some collisions can be prevented — and one way to protect yourself is by keeping your car in good shape. You probably already know the basics, like getting your oil changed every 5,000–10,000 miles (depending on your driving habits and the age of your car) and having your tires rotated every 5,000– 8,000 miles. But have you tried these three hacks? 1. Clean your headlights with toothpaste. Are your plastic headlight covers dirty and fogged up? If so, they could make your car less visible at night and set you up for a crash. To protect yourself, wash and dry your headlights with water, then cover the plastic surface with a thin layer of toothpaste and scrub it clean with a microfiber cloth. This will wipe away embedded dirt and chemical residue. 2. Seal windshield cracks with nail polish. Over time, small windshield cracks can spread and widen, impacting your visibility on the road. To prevent that, you can use a windshield repair kit, super glue, or (in a pinch) clear nail polish. Simply coat the crack with a thick layer of polish to keep it from growing. 3. Do a DIY wiper replacement. When you take your car in for an oil change, the company may offer to replace your worn-out windshield wipers, too — for a price. You can save a few bucks by doing the work yourself. Simply check your car’s manual for the type of blades you need, snag them from your local auto parts store, and follow the “How to Check and Change Wiper Blades” instructions on AutoZone’s website at AutoZone.com/ diy/wipers. This could save your life on a rainy day! Using these tips will help you stay safe on the road. If you or someone you love is in a car crash that couldn’t be prevented, call our team for help at 210-756-5399. 3 TRICKS EVERY CAR OWNER SHOULD KNOW
starring Robert Newton as fictional pirate Long John Silver. Woodard explained,
“Newton’s performance — full of ‘arrs,’ ‘shiver me timbers,’ and references to ‘landlubbers’ — not only stole the show, but it also permanently shaped pop culture’s vision of
how pirates looked, acted, and spoke.”
After that movie, “Newtonesque” pirates were seen everywhere, from Captain Hook to Captain McCallister of “The Simpsons.” Still, there is a little truth in some pirate
phrases. Not unlike the Canadian “eh,” “arr” was an affirmation in the English West Country during the early 20th century. Some phrases, such as “me hearties,” were simply universal 18th-century nautical terms. Although “pirate speak” today is mostly Hollywood magic, it’s still fun! Give it a try this September, and we’re sure it’ll make you smile — even if the true pirate dialect is much more mysterious.
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5 WAYS TO AVOID A MOTORCYCLE CRASH Riders AND Drivers Need These Tips!
Tip No. 1: Don’t share lanes. Cars and motorcycles can technically share the same lane and drive side by side, but this is a recipe for disaster. It’s far too easy for a driver to forget the bike is there or drift slightly and hit them. If you’re a motorcycle rider, avoid sharing lanes with cars. Stay in front of or behind them and leave plenty of space between you. If you’re a driver and a bike tries to share your lane, change lanes to give them their own space. Tip No. 2: If you’re driving, treat motorcycles just like you treat cars. A motorcycle is considered a full vehicle. It may be smaller and more
agile, but it has the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges as any other vehicle on the road. While driving, give motorcycles just as much space and respect as you would give cars. Don’t crowd them. Tip No. 3: If you’re riding a motorcycle, assume other drivers don’t see you. Always drive defensively and carefully. Avoid hanging out in the blind spots of cars in adjacent lanes and position yourself in a way that makes it extremely obvious you’re sharing the road. Tip No. 4: Avoid hitting (or making) road hazards. A cardboard box on the road won’t bother a car — but a biker faced with the same hazard could end up in a deadly crash. If you’re on a motorcycle, keep a sharp eye out for debris like tire pieces, branches, or stray objects. If you’re driving, secure any items in the bed of your pickup, clean up after changing a tire, and avoid tossing trash out your windows. Tip No. 5: Be extra vigilant at railway crossings . As a rider, be ready to hop off your bike if you get stuck between railway tracks. As a driver, when you approach a railway crossing, look for bikers who may be stuck and consider stopping your car (with hazard lights on) to help them move to safety. If someone you love was in a motorcycle crash this summer during the 100 Deadliest Days, send them to our firm for a free consultation. We’ll make sure they’ll get as much compensation as possible.
FROZEN MOCHA TORTE
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
2/3 cup chocolate syrup
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• • • • •
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp instant coffee granules
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp hot water
1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream, whipped Chocolate-covered coffee beans (optional)
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
•
Directions
1. In a small bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar, and butter. 2. In a greased 9-inch pan, add the wafer mixture and press to the bottom. 3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate syrup until smooth. 4. In a separate dish or cup, dissolve coffee granules in hot water. Once combined, add to the cream cheese mixture and fold in whipped cream. 5. Pour mixture evenly over the crust. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight. 6. Remove from the freezer 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with chocolate-covered coffee beans if desired.
Apples Bookbag Cider Football
Heritage Honey Labor Literacy
Mushroom Sapphire Supplies Union
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The Packard Family Is Here to Help Your Family Personal Injury Social Security Disability Car Accidents Special Needs Planning
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Samuel Packard’s Incredible Survival Story How Did Real Pirates Talk? How to Clean Your Car With Toothpaste
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5 Ways to Avoid Hitting a Motorcycle Frozen Mocha Torte
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Your Guide to Family and Medical Leave
LIFE CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE Preserving the Balance of Work and Family Life
Workers shouldn’t have to choose between the job they need and the family members they love. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to allow employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for a particular family or medical reason so they can maintain a work/life balance. What does it provide? The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave a year with the requirement of group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees were continuing to work. They are also entitled to resume their same or equivalent job at the end of their FMLA leave. Who is eligible for FMLA? FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees. Employees can be eligible for FMLA if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location that employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. When can I use FMLA leave? An eligible employee can be granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for the following reason(s):
• Birth of and/or bonding with a newborn child • The placement of a child for adoption or foster care with the employee • To care for an immediate family member with a serious condition (child, spouse, or parent, but does not include parent in-laws) • To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work due to a serious health condition • For qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, child, or parent is on covered active
duty or call to covered active-duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces
The FMLA exists so employees can tend to their families without worrying about their job, allowing them to provide the best care for their loved ones. For more information regarding whether or not your company is eligible for FMLA, check out your local government agency for more details.
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