Kelly Law Office - Fall Winter 2019
OFFICES IN NORTHWEST INDIANA AND SOUTH BEND
Dedicated to Country The 21st Annual Ride to Remember Honor Service
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very motorcycle rider knows how powerful we can be when we band together. We transformmovements and offer a community to those who need it most. This past September, I had the opportunity to ride in yet another show of dedication and honor for those who need it most. On Sept. 8, I represented Kelly LawOffice at the 21st Annual Ride to Remember in Elkhart, Indiana. For the past two decades, the ride has honored police officers, firefighters, first responders, servicemen and women, and all those who have fallen in the line of duty. The event also raises funds for charities within Elkhart County. This year’s beneficiary was the initiative to build tiny homes for those living in poverty and unable to afford traditional housing in Elkhart County. The event began at Hoosier Harley-Davidson, where 800 riders were escorted by local officers to Goshen, Indiana. Residents along the route were encouraged to show their support and stand along the edges as we rode by. Once we reached Goshen, we honored those who have served and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice with a very reverent memorial service. Those in attendance were moved by the playing of“Taps,” speeches by the mayor and other local dignitaries, a prayer, and a closing bagpipe solo. The event was capped with a return ride to Hoosier Harley-
Davidson. While we mingled and swapped road stories with other riders and were treated to live music, food, and vendors. Each year, this event leaves an impression on riders, spectators, and participants. A wise person once said,“We may not know them all, but we owe them all.”No truer words have ever been spoken about the selfless men and women who devote their careers and lives to protecting our country, our families, and the freedoms we enjoy every day. Their dedication shapes our lives and gives us the freedom to ride in their honor. A big thank-you to the organizers whomade 2019’s event possible. This includes the city of Elkhart, Hoosier Harley-Davidson, North End Cycle Shop, Elkhart Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 52, Blue Knights of Indiana VIII Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, and other event organizers. It was great to
see all the participants and vendors whomade it out this year, and I cannot wait to see what organizers have in store for 2020. (A special thank-you goes to Hoosier Harley Davidson for loaningme a Road King for the ride. Thanks for the thrill, guys!) And, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank all the police officers, firefighters, first responders, servicemen and women, and the families of those who have died in the line of duty. The dedication and sacrifice youmake every day is insurmountable, and we appreciate all you have done and continue to do for our country. –Steve Graef
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PROTECT YOUR RIDE! Keeping Your Bike Safe in Storage This Winter
Riders in cold-weather states are mourning the arrival of the end of the riding season. As the leaves fall and the snow is certain to follow, your chances to hit the open road lessen, but as you say goodbye to your riding passion for the next few months, try these storage tips to keep your bike in good shape. Your Bike Storage Checklist Keep your bike safe from the harsh and cold winter weather by adhering to these practices.
talk to your insurance company about canceling your liability and collision plans, since your bike will be sitting in storage and likely not involved in an accident all winter. However, keep your comprehensive coverage to protect your bike from theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. The caveat to this move is you must remember to reinstate your liability and collision insurance before taking that first spring ride. You should never ride without being fully covered. ‘Is my coverage sufficient?’ As you wait impatiently for spring to arrive, take this opportunity to evaluate your insurance coverage during the riding season. Will you be fully protected in the event of an accident? What if the other parties involved in the accident don’t have insurance? Adding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can protect you and get you the compensation you deserve regardless of the other drivers’ insurance. Working with insurance companies can be a pain, but trying to heal your body and get your bike back on the road without the compensation you deserve will be worse. If you are struggling with the insurance company following an accident, the legal experts at Kelly Law office can help. Visit Kelly-Lawyers.com to learn more. them regularly because the cold temperatures can decrease tire pressure. • Maintain the battery. Depending on the manufacturer of your ride, your bike’s battery may be susceptible to erosion this winter. The best way to protect it is to remove your battery and store it inside the house or another area not susceptible to cold temperatures. If you keep your battery on your bike, make sure to leave it hooked up to a battery tender (trickle charger). • Clean your mess. Leaving grime and gunk on your bike makes your motorcycle susceptible to rust, premature wear and tear, and the degeneration of your ride. Wash, wax, and cover your bike to keep it clean and sparkling all winter. • Keep an eye on it. Forgetting to check on your motorcycle all winter can spell disaster come spring. Get in the habit of checking your motorcycle on a regular basis, especially as the weather dips below freezing. • Get a makeover. Update your gear to the newest technology to ensure safety, and check your helmet for proper sizing. Remember never to keep a helmet that has been in an accident, as the materials will not be safe. Replace any worn out parts or pieces of your bike, and educate yourself on safe riding techniques. You can make this winter work for you by properly storing your bike, but if you do ride in the cold weather, the potential for accidents increases. For more riding tips and to find a legal expert to help you after an accident leaves you injured, visit Kelly-Lawyers.com.
Using the Winter Season to Save Money INSURANCE STRATEGIES The legal experts at Kelly Law Office work with insurance companies every day as we fight for our clients and their right to proper compensation following accidents and injuries. We know that navigating motorcycle insurance is a tedious task that most people don’t enjoy, and we understand why. But winter can be the perfect time to check in with your insurance company and discover how you can save money and keep yourself and your bike protected. Learn more by asking yourself these two questions. • Check the fluids. Store your bike with a fresh, full tank of nonethanol gas, and top it off with the correct measurement of fuel stabilizer, and don’t let old oil wreak havoc on your bike’s system all winter. Change the oil and oil filter, and if your bike is liquid-cooled, check your bike’s antifreeze to prevent engine damage in cold temperatures. • Avoid tire troubles. Ideally, you should store your bike in a heated location with the tires off the ground to prevent flat spots. But if you are unable to do this, move the bike every so often to avoid constant weight and compression on the tire surface. In addition, keep your tires properly inflated, and check
‘Should I cancel my insurance?’ Everyone wants to
save money, but don’t be so quick to cancel all of your motorcycle insurance as the temperature drops. Instead,
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Fight ing For You Not too long ago, I took on a case that perfectly illustrates why we do the work we do at Kelly Law. One day, a gentleman calledmy 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 suffered devastating injuries and would be fighting an uphill battle for years. As he elaborated on this situation, he painted an all-too-familiar picture. The person who caused the crash only had $100,000 inmotor vehicle accident coverage. This seems like a generous sumuntil you realize his wife owed over $594,000 in liens frommedical bills. One hundred grand would barely be a drop in the bucket. Understandably, he was hesitant to hire a lawyer because he was worried the fee would take toomuch of any compensation he and his wife made. He was already almost $500,000 in the hole, so why add a bunch of attorney fees? Amid the crushing debt, it’s easy to see a lawyer as nothingmore than an additional expense. But what many clients 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.
How Kelly Law Stands Up for Riders
But in this case, I assured himwe’d do everything we could tomake sure they didn’t have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars 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 reduced 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 themwith quite a bit of money in their pockets. A lawyer reducing their fee is far from common practice in the industry. 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 inmy 17 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 withmore 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 andmeaningful work.
–Michael Massucci
Paleo Breakfast CASSEROLE
This easy-to-make, protein-packed casserole is a killer way to start the day, and it’s easy to make in bulk and reheat. Make it on Sunday and enjoy healthy breakfasts throughout the week.
INGREDIENTS
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1/2 cup onion, diced 1 red pepper, diced
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2 cups spinach
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth (optional: substitute with water)
2 strips bacon, cut into squares 1 large sweet potato, spiralized or grated
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1 tsp paprika
6 eggs
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2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté onion, peppers, bacon, and sweet potatoes until bacon is completely rendered and onions are translucent. Then, add garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. Finally, add spinach and continue cooking for another 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer to a greased casserole dish. 4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and pour them over casserole. 5. Bake for 20–30 minutes, let stand for 5 minutes, and serve.
Inspired by TheLeanGreenBean.com
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THIS ISSUE Inside
Honoring Those Who Have Served Page 1
Store Your Motorcycle Safely With These Tips! Cost-Effective Ways to Protect Your Ride Page 2 Michael Massucci Shares a Story of Kelly Law Fighting for Riders Paleo Breakfast Casserole Page 3
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings Page 4 Advertising Material
AMERICA’SWEIRDEST AIRBNBS
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional
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apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.
Brand New Studio Earthship Taos, New Mexico
Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reusedmaterials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charmof truly getting away from it all withmodern amenities likeWi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.
Dog Bark Park Inn B&B Cottonwood, Idaho
As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
ManCave Apartment/Airplane Hangar Geneva, Florida
Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their
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