Check out our latest edition!
JAN/FEB 2023
I COME TO FIGHT. I DON’T BARK. I BITE! WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364
New Year, New Additions!
WELCOME TO THE WORLD, ASHER!
As we embark on a new year, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for in 2022 and much to look forward to in 2023. The end of 2022 brought a monumental life change to Alison and me: Asher Matthew Aulsbrook was born on Nov. 17 and weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces. We have wanted and prayed for a baby for years. He is indeed our miracle. We were abundantly blessed by the outpouring of gifts that many of you gave him. I didn’t know there was so much stuff required to care for a baby. We have a changing station, bottles, a rocker, a swing, car seats, strollers, books, diapers, and clothes. There are lots of diaper and clothing changes every day because he makes a lot of messes. He’s already grown out of the newborn clothes and weighs over 14 pounds at just 7 weeks. One item I purchased on the recommendation of several new parents was a Snoo bassinet. This has been the best purchase in my opinion. The Snoo’s womb-like white noise and rocking soothe Asher when he fusses and adds sleep time, while its secure swaddle prevents risky rolling. In a nutshell, this contraption has been a lifesaver to us by helping Asher sleep more, which therefore helps us sleep more! There have been many adjustments to this new life. It’s an event just to get ready to just go out the door with Asher; we have to spend more time preparing to travel. He has his own schedule for eating, sleeping, or a lack thereof! I’m getting more accustomed to the outbursts of crying, too! Overall, even though the first few months have come with their challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I can’t believe I’m a dad and have a son. I’m looking forward to all the firsts in the coming months and years!
A referral is the greatest compliment you could ever give us! If you know someone in need of our services, we are eager to help. Please pass this newsletter along and tell them to call 817.775.5364 or visit www.TheTexasLawDog.com/contact-us. Thank you!
–Matt Aulsbrook
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According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 7,481 motorcycle crashes in occurred in Texas in 2020, with 1,856 motorcyclists seriously injured and 482 killed. This statistic is startling and incredibly sad because motorcycle riding is a joy for so many people. However, a bike’s general lack of protection makes riders prone to serious injuries in accidents, especially with four-wheel vehicles. These crashes can result in debilitating injuries such as broken bones, road rash, brain injuries, and paralysis. If you or someone you love is an avid motorcycle rider, use the following tips to stay safe and avoid injury on Texas roads. Get that gear on. One of the many reasons people love to ride motorcycles is it feels exhilarating to be out in the open, and riders look cool doing it. However, as much as you want to wear shorts and a T-shirt on your bike, always make sure to opt for pants and long-sleeve tops made of leather or reinforced fabric. On top of that, you should always wear a helmet, and if your helmet is open-faced, glasses or goggles are a must. Don’t push it. Just because you ride a motorcycle doesn’t mean you’re Evel Knievel. Know your limits on your bike, and don’t push them. This means that the bike you ride shouldn’t just look cool — it should fit your body and build. Your feet should always be able to rest flat on the ground when seated (tiptoes do not count!). Handlebars should be easy to reach, and your bike shouldn’t feel like it will tip you over. Also, don’t go over the speed limit, especially on roads you’re unfamiliar with. Even if you’re riding with others who want to go faster, stick to what you know and what feels right. 2 FINGERS DOWN: KEEP BOTH WHEELS ON THE GROUND Tips to Stay Safe on a Motorcycle
WHEN DID FANTASY SPORTS BECOME SO POPULAR?
A GAME WITH 60 YEARS OF PROGRESS
Fantasy sports continue to grow in popularity every year. It’s rare to meet someone who has never heard of or played in a fantasy sports league. For those unfamiliar, fantasy sports are games where participants build imaginary teams using real-life players. Scores are generated on individual performances from players on your team, so if Tom Brady is on your fantasy team and throws a touchdown in real life, your team also earns points. While it might seem like fantasy sports are a product of the internet, their history actually spans over five decades. Fantasy sports began in 1962 when Wilfred Winkenbach and other members of the Oakland Raiders organization created the initial rules for what would eventually develop into fantasy football. In 1963, the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League held the first fantasy football draft; George Blanda was the first pick. Six years later, the first public fantasy football league opened to Kings X Sports Bar patrons in Oakland. 1980 saw the beginning of fantasy baseball and the Rotisserie scoring system still used today in fantasy baseball, hockey, and basketball. The following year, the MLB went on strike, which caused many sports journalists to write about fantasy baseball in its place, catapulting its popularity. By 1989, over a million people were playing fantasy football. Then the internet became mainstream, allowing even more people to familiarize themselves with fantasy sports. Yahoo launched the first free-to-play fantasy sports platform in 1999, giving more people the opportunity to join a league and learn how to play. ESPN and other sites soon followed suit; by 2006, more than 12 million people were playing fantasy football. When Facebook and Twitter launched in the early 2000s, people had more platforms to share their opinions, which helped the industry grow. In 2009, FanDuel launched a pay-to-play daily fantasy sports platform that allowed fans to choose players for a specific day or game and place a bet on their lineup. Now, 59 million fantasy sports players participate across the globe, and that number continues to grow. The current global fantasy sports market is estimated to be worth around $22.3 billion and is predicted to rise to $38.6 billion by 2025. If you haven’t played fantasy sports before, now is the time to start. You may just discover a new favorite hobby.
Check the forecast. Before you leave for a ride, make sure the road conditions are right. While you may feel comfortable driving in a little rain or wind, other four-wheeled vehicles may not and can end up hitting you due to poor driving conditions.
A motorcycle wreck can leave a rider with serious injuries. Fortunately, the state of Texas allows injured riders to seek compensation from the party responsible, and an Aulsbrook Law attorney can help you do so in your case. Give a call at 817.775.5364 to schedule your FREE consultation.
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What to Do if You’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident
3 Steps You Need to Take
When it’s just you, your motorcycle, and the open road, an accident is probably the last thing on your mind. Accidents are unexpected and impossible to predict, so while we hope you never have to experience a motorcycle accident, we want to share the crucial steps you should take in case you ever find yourself in a collision. Provide first aid if necessary. If you’re uninjured, immediately check on your passengers or passengers of the vehicle you collided with. If anyone is injured, do your best to stop bleeding or provide life-saving first aid. Remove your bike from the road . After you verify that you or anyone else in the accident is uninjured, drag your bike to the side of the road if possible. Doing this will not only allow you to take better images of the bike or assess damages, but it will also prevent the road from being obstructed. Texas-Size LAUGHS
Stay at the scene. Unless you’re injured and need to be taken in an ambulance, remain at the scene until help arrives. You will need to provide police officers and other drivers in the accident with your personal and insurance information and collect that information from others. Failure to provide this information will result in fines or criminal punishment. What is the deadline to file a motorcycle collision claim? In Texas, motorcycle collisions have a two-year statute of limitations. Within the two- year period, you may be able to receive compensation for injuries that resulted in medical costs, lost wages, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. An experienced attorney can help you determine the best time to file a claim and assist you in filing. If you or anyone you know has been in a motorcycle collision, reach out to the well-qualified attorneys at the Aulsbrook Law Firm.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WHITE BEAN STEW
INGREDIENTS
•
4 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• • • • • • •
4 cups chopped kale 1 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• • • • • •
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 tsp ground pepper 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup sliced carrots
1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 4-oz Parmesan cheese rind 2 1-lb bone-in chicken breasts
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup parsley leaves
DIRECTIONS
1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine beans, broth, onion, carrots, rosemary, and Parmesan rind. Top with chicken. Cover and cook on low until the beans and vegetables are tender, about 7–8 hours. 2. Remove chicken from slow cooker. On a clean cutting board, let the chicken rest until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken and discard bones. 3. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in kale. Cover and cook on high until kale is tender, 20–30 minutes. 4. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Discard the Parmesan rind. Serve the stew drizzled with oil and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
3 YEARS IN JAIL ... FOR STEALING MY NOSE!
Inspired by EatingWell.com
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INSIDE Welcoming Asher to the World 1
How Fantasy Sports Became Popular
Keep the Rubber Side Down! 2
3 Crucial Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Stew 3
Pepsi Had the 6th Largest Military?! 4
Cases We Handle: • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death
• Car Wreck • Truck Wreck
Love at First Sip
PEPSI BRIEFLY CREATED ITS OWN MILITARY
Did you know Pepsi had the sixth-largest military for a brief period? One of the biggest soda companies acquired several submarines and other military equipment because one country’s leader loved the cool and refreshing taste of the beverage. But how did this happen? Let’s start from the beginning. In 1959, President Richard Nixon and Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev attended the American National Exhibit in Moscow, Russia. As the two conversed, they began debating the benefits of capitalism versus communism. This conversation is now known as the infamous Kitchen Debate. Some reports cite that as the conversation was escalating, the head of Pepsi’s international division, Donald Kendall, offered Khrushchev a cup of Pepsi. It was love at first sip for Khrushchev, and he encouraged his comrades to taste the delicious beverage. When Kendall became Pepsi’s CEO in 1963, his primary focus was to bring the soda to the Soviet Union. But while Khrushchev loved the drink, he had to create a game plan on how he would purchase the beverage and share it with the rest of Russia. At the time, Russian currency wasn’t widely accepted in the Western world, so it didn’t have much value to Americans. But in 1972, Khrushchev came up with a plan: In exchange for Pepsi products, Khrushchev gave the corporation vodka to resell.
But after a decade and a half, the Soviet leader had to begin trading something of more value in exchange for the beverage. Pepsi had a surplus of alcohol but no cash or revenue. So, Khrushchev exchanged 17 submarines, a frigate, a cruiser, and a destroyer in 1989 for about $3 billion worth of Pepsi. With all of the military equipment, Pepsi became the sixth-largest military in the world. But Pepsi’s military didn’t last long. They began breaking down the equipment and selling it as scrap metal. Today, Pepsi is all over Russia, but it’s not as popular as it was. Coca-Cola made its way to the country during the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980 and took the country by storm. While Pepsi’s military power was short-lived, the history of Pepsi and Russia’s relationship is fascinating. What do you think of this story? Do you think your favorite sugary beverage is worth trading military equipment for?
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