Kelly Law Offices online newsletter for December 2017
OFFICES IN NORTHWEST INDIANA AND SOUTH BEND
We’re Here to Help
N ot too long ago, I took on a case that perfectly illustrates why we at Kelly Law do the work we do. One day, a gentleman called my office. He and his wife had been involved in a brutal motorcycle accident, through no fault of their own, that would change their lives forever. Before he began telling his story, it was evident his wife had suffered devastating injuries and would be fighting an uphill battle for years after the crash. As he elaborated on this situation, he painted an all-too-familiar picture. He was hesitant to hire a lawyer because he was worried the fee would take too much of any recovery he and his wife made. It turns out the person who caused the crash only had $100,000 in motor vehicle accident coverage. This seems like a generous sum until you realize his wife owed over $594,000 in liens from medical bills. One hundred grand would barely be a drop in the bucket. Understandably, he was reluctant to hire a lawyer at all. He was already almost $500,000 in the hole, so why add on a bunch of attorney fees? In the midst of crushing debt, it’s easy to see a lawyer as nothing more than an additional expense. But what many clients often don’t realize is that this is the exact scenario in which an experienced and compassionate personal injury attorney can have the greatest impact.
As you could imagine, it can be difficult to convince these dispirited clients to invest in an attorney. Often, they’ve been jerked around by insurance companies and bogged down with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, so they find it difficult to determine who they can trust. But in this case, I assured him, we’d do everything we could to make sure they didn’t have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars that they simply didn’t have. Over the next year, we fought tooth and nail to reduce the liens filed against these clients. Through our dedicated efforts, we were able to reduce the medical liens from a whopping $594,000 to just $10,000. To further help their situation, we also substantially reduced our fees for the case, leaving them with quite a bit of money in their pocket — a lawyer reducing their fee, a process that is far from common practice in the industry.
“... in my 15 years of practicing law, no client who has ever settled their case with us has walked away empty-handed, regardless of the magnitude of their medical bills or the lack of adequate insurance coverage.”
We may not always be able to get such tremendous reductions on our clients’ medical bills and liens or slash our fees to such a degree, but in my 15 years of practicing law, no client who has ever settled their case with us has walked away empty-handed, regardless of the magnitude of their medical bills or the lack of adequate insurance coverage. Most law firms run their practice like a business. At Kelly Law, we consider it more of a service. It means a lot to know none of our clients end up shortchanged and to know I work with a firm that ensures we never end up with more money than the people we serve. To be able to have such a tangible, positive impact on the lives of injured people in desperate situations makes for consistently rewarding and meaningful work.
–Michael Massucci
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THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
Disney swore he’d never let someone else own his work ever again. From this defeat, Disney and Iwerks created one of the world’s most enduring characters, Mickey Mouse. With this new character, Disney created the short “Steamboat Willie,”which debuted in 1928 as the first cartoon to feature sound. Mickey Mouse and“Steamboat Willie” signaled the beginning
The Magical World of Walt Disney
“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing — that it was all started by a mouse.”
–Walt Disney
SERVICE HIGHLIGHT 5 Things You Need to Remember After an Accident Don’t Make a Mistake YOU’LL REGRET A split second is all it takes for a leisurely drive to turn into a traumatic accident. If you find yourself involved in an auto accident, don’t get overwhelmed. Instead, take a breath and follow these steps to protect yourself. STAY SAFE Ideally, you don’t want to move the vehicles after an accident unless they interfere with traffic. Keep your flashers on and stay out of the road while you wait for the police to arrive. CALL THE POLICE Even if it looks like there are no serious injuries or damages, you should always call the police after an accident. Never drive away from the scene before talking to a police officer in person. You may need a police report to file a claim with your insurance company. GET THE OTHER DRIVERS’ INFO You want names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information from all other drivers, as well as license plate and The legacy of Walter Elias“Walt”Disney is known across the world. Just the name“Disney”conjures up images of magical animated films, grand theme parks, and massively diverse entertainment. What better time to salute this incredible cartoonist and storyteller than December —Disney’s birthday month? Disney’s first job in cartooning was an apprenticeship with Pesmen- Rubin Commercial Art Studio in Kansas City at the age of 18. There, he met fellow artist Ub Iwerks, and the two struck up a lifelong friendship. Together, they created a series of cartoons based on“Alice inWonderland”and worked with film producer Charles Mintz to distribute the cartoons. You might be surprised to learn Disney’s first successful original creation wasn’t a certain mouse — it was a rabbit. The venturesome Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was a hit, but Mintz sold the intellectual property rights of Oswald to Universal Pictures. After a falling out,
VIN numbers of the other vehicles. Calling the police will deter other drivers from giving you false information. TAKE PICTURES Use your phone to take pictures of your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the accident from all angles. If you have visible injuries, photograph yourself, too. If you cannot take pictures at the scene, do so as soon as possible. REPORT THE ACCIDENT TOYOUR INSURANCE COMPANY Contact your insurance company right away and tell them everything you can remember about the accident. Do not lie. If the insurance company finds out you have lied to them about anything, they may deny coverage. BONUS: KEEP A COPY OF THIS LIST Being in an auto accident is stressful, so it can be easy to forget one of these important steps. Store a copy of this list in your wallet, the glove compartment of your car, or the bag on your bike, and refer to it in the event of an accident. If you’re involved in an auto accident, don’t try to handle the aftermath alone. Whether you drive a car, truck, or motorcycle, you can give us a call at 800-853-8800 . We can help you protect your rights. In addition to many other groundbreaking animated movies, Disney also ventured into live-action films and TV shows, and he even fulfilled a lifelong dream: opening his own theme park. Today, almost 150 million people visit Disney Parks all over the world every year. By the time he died in 1966, Disney had been involved in 81 feature films, won a record number of Academy Awards, and left the world with a legacy of magic and creativity that will never be forgotten. of Disney pushing the envelope with animation. In 1934, he began to work on the world’s first feature-length animated movie,“SnowWhite and the Seven Dwarves.”His experiment would become the biggest movie of 1938 and the highest-grossing sound film at that time.
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As ice blankets the roads and bitter gales blast across the highways, many motorcycle riders decide to pack it in for the winter season. For good reason, too — there’s no denying that winter riding can be hazardous. But for a select few, braving the chill is a badge of pride. If you’re dead set on cruising around in freezing temperatures, there are a few preparations that could potentially spell the difference between a bracing ride and catastrophe. WEAR WINTER GEAR, AND LAYER UP. The first thing you’re going to want is some cold-proof clothing. Make sure you’ve got a full-leg, full-sleeve base of either long underwear or specialized motorcycle apparel that will wick away moisture as you begin to sweat. On top, a light jacket with an additional mid-level coat, just in case, works great. Top it all off with waterproof outer gear, including gloves and a neck warmer, and you’ll be sure to stay toasty, even if it starts snowing. PREP YOUR BIKE. After prepping your bike for snow and ice, you’re not going to win many points for style. But your bike, body, and wallet will thank you. Equip your ride with a large windscreen to keep vision
unobstructed and handguards to prevent your hands from freezing. Heated grips are often a good idea, as well, and are a cinch to install. Keep in mind that your tires are going to suffer reduced traction due to the frosty temperatures. It never pays to skimp on your tires, but this is doubly true in the winter. Check your tread and pressure before every ride. Check the integrity of your hoses, as they’ll undoubtedly take a beating in the cold. Finally, for water-cooled bikes, ensure that the antifreeze you’re using has been changed recently, at least within the last year. RIDE SMART. Besides avoiding salt and black ice, you’re going to need to ride more safely
than you do at any other time. Maintain extra distance between yourself and other motorists and keep your eyes farther down the road than usual. If conditions get dicey, don’t be stupid. Get home before you do serious damage to both yourself and your motorcycle.
Easy Holiday Party CHEESE FONDUE
Scrambling to find something for the holiday potluck? This fondue is sure to impress!
INGREDIENTS
• • •
¾ cup dry white wine 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• • •
1 clove garlic Salt to taste
1 (8-ounce) package sliced Swiss cheese
Foods to dip (apple slices, bread cubes, roasted vegetables, etc.)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk together wine and cornstarch. 2. Chop cheese slices into small, uniform pieces. 3. Rub clove of garlic all over the sides and bottom of a heavy- bottomed pot, then discard. 4. Heat wine mixture over medium-
slowly whisk. When nearly smooth, add more cheese and whisk gently. Repeat until all cheese is melted. If mixture seems too tight, add 1 tablespoon wine.
5. Season with salt and serve
immediately. Keep pot on low heat to keep the fondue dippable.
low heat in the pot until thick and bubbling. Add some cheese and
800-859-8800 (Recipe inspired by PinchofYum.com.)
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
5521West Lincoln Highway Suite #101 Crown Point, IN 46307
THIS ISSUE Inside
When All Seems Lost, Call Us Page 1 This Month in History Should You Call the Police After an Auto Accident? Page 2 Winter Riding 101 Easy Holiday Party Cheese Fondue Page 3 New Year’s Around the World Page 4
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From Every Corner of the Globe NEWYEAR’S CELEBRATIONS
When you think of marquee NewYear’s Eve parties, New York is probably what comes tomind. The Times Square ball drop has
a night of world-class bands and spectacular fireworks. Oh, and the after-parties last well into the morning.
become an iconicmoment that closes out the calendar, but it’s far from the only mega celebration. Let’s take a globe-trotting tour of some of the world’s biggest and best NewYear’s Eve parties, time zone by time zone. Sydney, Australia Due to its location, Sydney is the first major city to close out one year and begin another. With this honor comes the dignified responsibility of getting the party started, and the city doesn’t hold back. The world’s largest fireworks display illuminates the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House, drawing over 1 million visitors every year. On Bondi Beach, there’s also a dance party that wouldmake a music festival blush. Hong Kong, China China’s most cosmopolitan city recreates the famed ball drop in its ownTimes Square shoppingmall. From there, locals go toVictoria Harbor, partying on boats and the city’s many rooftop and terrace bars. The grand finale? A stunning pyrotechnic dragon slithering across the sky. Berlin, Germany Celebrations in this capital begin with a wacky tradition: the Berliner Silvesterlauf. It’s a race where runners deck themselves out in their holiday best and flip pancakes as they run through the streets. When the sun sets, more than 1 million people gather at the Brandenburg Gate for
Reykjavik, Iceland This time of year, the world’s northernmost capital only gets four hours of sunlight, so residents love an excuse to go wild. Beginning around 4 p.m., bonfires light up the city, burning off the past year’s negative vibes. It only gets more festive from there. And there’s no better way to cure a NewYear’s hangover than visiting one of Iceland’s picturesque hot springs. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Just before celebrations reach their apex in America, Brazil’s most famous city puts on a party like no other. Revelers dress up in white and go to Copacabana Beach for an all-night celebration. Boats filled with flowers are put out to sea to honor the oceanic goddess Yemanja. Music, dancing, fireworks, and an unrivaled atmosphere—Rio has it all. If you follow the new year fromone end of the world to the other, youmight be a little tired by the time 2018 hits our shores. Partying with the entire world, however, makes the effort worthwhile.
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