Check out our December newsletter!
Every Statistic Tells a Story
FIGHTING IMPAIRED DRIVING IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The Hard Numbers in South Carolina • In 2022, alcohol-related vehicle deaths in South Carolina rose to 474, representing a steep jump and ranking the state as the fifth-highest for drunk- driving deaths that year. • One study found that an astonishing 43% of all traffic fatalities in the state are attributed to drunk drivers, well above the national average of around 32%. • Another review lists South Carolina with 8.82 drunken-driving deaths per 100,000 residents, and 11.55 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both significantly higher than U.S. norms. • Over the years, the state has also seen dramatic rises: Between 2019 and 2022, fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving climbed by approximately 72%. • As of the latest data, more than 16,000 DUI arrests were made across South Carolina in a single year. These aren’t just statistics. They represent people, families, and futures cut short or changed. What This Means for Your Family When an impaired driver strikes, the ripple effect is devastating. Injuries can be life-altering: traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, loss of livelihood. Families find themselves navigating medical bills, emotional trauma, and legal complexities. Here at Holland & Usry, we’ve represented people who have suffered significant injuries that were life-altering because someone decided to drive impaired.
Enjoy the Season Safely Here’s where the power is yours. The holidays are meant for joy and
Imagine cruising down a local back road, windows down, tunes cranked up, and in the blink of an eye, that carefree moment turns into a headline. This month is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and an important reminder that impaired driving isn’t just limited to holiday parties; it’s about lives forever altered in fractions of seconds. Yes, the season of get-togethers and celebrations is upon us, and with it comes a higher risk of impaired driving. But the notion of “impaired” extends beyond the drink in hand. It also covers fatigue, distractions, drugs, and anything that dulls a driver’s reflexes. When we think about impaired driving, we tend to focus on drinking and partying, but it should also include exhaustion, smartphone distractions, and the all-too-common “just this one” mindset.
togetherness, not tragedy. So, this month (and beyond), take meaningful actions. • Designate your driver before the first toast. • Avoid driving while fatigued. It impairs you just like any other substance. • Limit distractions. No “just checking” one more text or social-media scroll. • Party responsibly. If there’s drinking, plan your ride accordingly or stay overnight. • If you’re involved in a crash caused by an impaired driver, know your rights. Legal support can make a difference in recovery and future protection. If an impaired driver has harmed you or someone you love, don’t wait. Speak with an attorney who understands the stakes, both the legal complexities and the personal journey of healing. Advocates and lawyers alike emphasize that while we can’t erase what happened, we can pursue accountability and support for the road ahead. This National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, let’s stop treating impaired driving as an inevitable risk and start treating it like the preventable tragedy it is. Because behind every statistic in South Carolina is a human story, and with intention, awareness, and action, we can write a different ending.
Do a good deed! Be part of a solution! We’re here for you and your family and friends to answer questions about these cases:
• Wrongful death • Serious accident injuries • Work injuries
• Family law —
consultation fee required, we’ll explain when you call.
Give the gift of peace of mind, and make sure callers tell us you sent them so we can thank you! Call 864.898.6458.
864.582.0416
Smart Fitness Tips for Packed Schedules NO TIME? NO PROBLEM
Between back-to-back meetings, overflowing inboxes, and endless to-do lists, staying fit can feel like a luxury reserved for people with extra hours in the day. But here’s the secret: You don’t need hours, you just need strategy. With the right hacks, you can incorporate fitness into your routine, no matter how hectic your schedule looks. Sneak in micro-workouts. Your calendar may be jam-packed, but fitness doesn’t always mean hitting the gym. Think micro-workouts: pace during phone calls, squats while brushing your teeth, or squeeze in a quick plank before bed. These small bursts add up over time and keep you moving without derailing your schedule. Use interval training wisely. Instead of committing to long, draining sessions, try short intervals of intense activity paired with light recovery moves. Ten
minutes of push-ups, squats, or stair sprints can leave you feeling energized without the guilt of skipping a “real” workout. It’s efficient, effective, and surprisingly doable. Treat exercise like a meeting. If you wouldn’t cancel a client call, why cancel on yourself? Block out short fitness breaks in your calendar, whether a 20-minute lunchtime walk or a quick yoga stretch after work. When you schedule it, you’re more likely to follow through. Prepare your environment for success. Keep a ready-to-go fitness bag with sneakers, a water bottle, and workout gear. Having everything within reach reduces excuses and makes it easier to stick to your plan. Rely on bodyweight basics. If you don’t have any equipment, it’s not a problem! Push-ups, squats, lunges, and
planks deliver serious results using only your body weight. They’re portable, adaptable, and efficient, perfect for hotel rooms, living rooms, or even the office. Don’t skip hydration and sleep. Drinking enough water and getting enough rest are two underrated hacks. Hydration keeps your brain sharp and muscles ready to perform, while quality sleep ensures your body can recover and push harder the next day. Sometimes, the healthiest move is choosing sleep over another late-night grind. Celebrate small wins. Progress isn’t just about six-packs or running marathons. Did you manage five push-ups between meetings? Celebrate that. Took the stairs instead of the elevator? That counts. Recognizing these victories builds momentum and helps create a lasting habit.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“Can’t say enough about Mr. Usury’s thoughtfulness and attention to details during the process. He stayed in contact and kept me informed throughout. Definitely recommend if you are pursuing legal action or just need information!”
–Matthew
“Mr. Usry called me back without hardly any wait time. He gave me great advice and I would recommend him to anyone.” –Lisa M.
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A Broken Neck and a $150K Settlement
A DUI PASSENGER’S LEGAL VICTORY
If you’re injured while riding with a drunk driver, you can still recover a settlement, but it’s rarely simple. That was the challenge we faced helping Lee, a 23-year-old who broke his neck in a crash caused by an intoxicated driver. Lee came to me through his father, a former client, after a late-night wreck left him seriously hurt. On Sept. 9, 2017, around 9:45 p.m., Lee accepted a short ride from a friend after a party. The driver, speeding about 10 mph over the limit, lost control near Lyman and slammed into a ditch. Both airbags deployed. At first, Lee declined an ambulance, not realizing the extent of his injuries. Pain set in within minutes. A hospital visit failed to catch the problem, but a neurosurgeon later diagnosed a broken C7 vertebra, a neck fracture that would take months to heal. Surgery wasn’t required, but the injury caused relentless pain, limited mobility, and forced Lee to wear an uncomfortable neck brace for three months. The legal hurdles were obvious: Lee had willingly entered a car with a drunk driver, and reports suggested he might have been drinking himself. I argued that none of that changed who caused the crash: The driver had complete control of the vehicle, and evidence clearly showed he was impaired. His blood alcohol tests and behavior
toward the investigating trooper, including failing sobriety tests and mocking the officer, confirmed it. Even though Lee’s medical bills totaled less than $10,000, his injury was life-altering. He couldn’t run, work normally, or sleep comfortably for months. His physical and emotional suffering became a central part of the case. We also pursued punitive damages to hold the driver accountable for his reckless behavior, something insurance companies rarely agree to discuss. By compiling the police evidence, medical documentation, and visual proof of Lee’s daily struggles, we persuaded the insurer to take the case seriously. Ultimately, we secured a $150,000 settlement, covering all medical costs and fairly compensating Lee for his pain and disruption. When it was over, Lee told me, “If I could go back, I’d do things differently, except hiring you.” That moment made every step of the battle worth it.
*Past outcomes don’t guarantee future results. Every case is different, and all cases depend on unique facts and laws.
Good News
BAKED FETA, TOMATO, AND WHITE BEAN SKILLET
Ingredients
“I remain confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” –Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:3-6 (NIV)
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes • 2 (15-oz) cans no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed • 4 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/4 tsp salt • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 oz feta cheese, packed in brine, cut into 4 pieces • 1 tbsp hot honey • Basil leaves, for garnish • 4 slices toasted whole-wheat country bread, optional, for serving
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large, oven-safe skillet, combine tomatoes, beans, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. 3. Drizzle with 5 tbsp of olive oil and stir gently. 4. Add feta pieces 2 inches apart in the mixture and drizzle with remaining olive oil. 5. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst. 6. Remove from oven and drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with basil leaves, and serve with toast if desired.
864.582.0416
Inspired by EatingWell.com
* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
101 W. St. John St. Suite 206 Spartanburg, SC 29306
INSIDE this issue 1. The Reality of Impaired Driving in South Carolina 2. Quick Workouts for Hectic Lives Client Testimonials
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3. Legal Wins for DUI Passengers Baked Feta, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet 4. Pancho Becomes Lifesaver in Wilderness Rescue
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When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster. The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area. Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path, which led down a 70-foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby. Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email Rob@bhollandlawfirm.com . TINY PUP, BIG HERO Trailblazing Chihuahua Led Searchers to Lost Owner
hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out. Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings. This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats.
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