Take a look at our newsletter!
JUNE 2021
What I Love and Hate About Social Media AND MY ADVICE FOR USING IT
I have a love/hate relationship with social media. To be perfectly honest, I’m probably addicted to it in some ways. (I’d argue many of us are.) I don’t post a ton on social media, but I do love to scroll through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, watching people’s stories and pictures, laughing at memes, and reading news articles. I also love seeing vacation photos! But there’s another side to social media, a side that, as an attorney and business owner, I truly loathe. From a personal perspective, I struggle with our societal need to gain validation and attention through “likes.” Social media has also created a discourse that is so vile and spreads misinformation, and honestly, that scares me a little bit. No one can have a real conversation anymore, and being a “keyboard warrior” to shut someone down on social media who disagrees with you rarely changes anyone’s mind about the topic of debate, so it’s somewhat pointless. Moreover, many people use social media to act like everything is “perfect” in their lives or just to seek affirmation from others. As we approach National Selfie Day on June 21 and World Social Media day on June 30, I’d like to offer some guidance for properly engaging on social media — especially if you’re involved in a legal case. Far too often, social media is dragged into our legal cases. It’s most commonly involved in our family law cases, during which one spouse will complain about the other spouse on social media. This knee-jerk reaction can have big consequences — on both parties — and can make the divorce process that much more difficult. The same goes for personal injury cases. A photo
of you hiking isn’t going to help your personal injury case in which you claim to have sustained a broken leg. The biggest reminder we give our clients is that anything on social media is discoverable. Once you put it out there, it can be used by the other side against you — either fairly or by twisting your words. There is nothing positive you can post about your case that is going to help. The best approach is to be very, very cautious on social media and post very little during the course of your legal case. (And don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know.) As a small-business owner, I’ve also seen the damage social media and reviews can do. We’re not perfect at Douglass & Runger, but we do our very best to support our clients with expert advice and representation in the courtroom. Unfortunately, we have experienced negative reviews from individuals whose cases we may reject or other parties who are opposing our clients. It’s very discouraging as a small-business owner because anyone can just post anything about a business regardless of whether or not there is any truth to it, and there is little that we as attorneys can do about it. The reality is that attorneys are not ethically allowed to divulge client confidences, and even in situations where a client or former client mischaracterizes aspects of our representation or is dissatisfied with the outcome of their case, we aren’t allowed to respond publicly in a way to defend ourselves. With how popular social media is these days, people rely on those reviews. Someone who is badly injured in an car accident, facing a divorce, or interested in estate planning may see bogus or
factually incorrect reviews and choose not to seek our legal help, despite how knowledgeable our team is in those situations and the dozens of other good reviews we have. We have also received phone calls from other business owners wondering what legal steps they can take for defamation as the result of false bad reviews. Yet, like anything in life, there’s a flip side to this. The good reviews we receive, of which there are many, are so cool and help us accomplish our mission, which is to serve as many individuals in need of our legal services as possible. We even make getting good reviews a little competition at the firm to see which of us can get called out by name the most! It’s so fun. There really are some great parts about social media that I am so glad are part of our daily lives. We just need to approach social media with caution and be considerate of the person on the other side of our screens.
Speaking of Reviews …
We want to hear from you! If you want to share your experience with our law firm — and help your attorney gain points in our internal review contest — visit the links below to leave your review. We appreciate your feedback!
Google: https://rebrand.ly/douglbf3fe Facebook: https://rebrand.ly/yyyh0e
901-388-5805 • 1
DIY OR BUY?
LAWN GAMES FOR FAMILY SUMMER FUN
Classic Horseshoes: Intermediate DIY Tossing horseshoes is a great way to pass an afternoon. To play, you’ll just need to set up two sand pits in your yard. Get a handful of horseshoes, and you’re ready to go! Many DIY plans are available online, including one from HousefulOfHandmade.com/ultimate-diy- horseshoe-pit.
The warm summer sun may be enough to beckon your family outdoors, but lawn games will guarantee hours of fun outside. If you’re handy, there are plenty of great lawn games you can make yourself. If not, buy an off-the-shelf alternative and enjoy the easy setup. Giant Jenga: Easy DIY All you need to build a giant Jenga tower are two-by-fours that are cut to length. If you’re handy with a saw, you can do this at home. If not, ask to have the wood cut at your local lumberyard. Be sure to sand down the edges before stacking the boards to create a classic Jenga tower! For extra fun, pick a few paint colors and paint each board. Visit ABeautifulMess.com/make-this-giant-jenga to see a complete set of instructions. Buy: Skip the project and buy GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower online, which retails for about $70 and stacks over 5 feet high.
two-by-fours, some hardware, and a variety of tools including a drill, jigsaw, and sander. Visit DIYPete.com/cornhole-board-plans to get both written and video instructions. Buy: Ready to play ASAP? Cornhole sets are available from many large retailers around summertime, or you can order a customized set featuring your favorite team, family name, or characters from your favorite movies by looking at Etsy.com. Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun and always supervise your children while playing outdoors, especially when it comes to yard games!
Buy: Check out the kid-friendly rubber horseshoe set from Wayfair.com, which
requires no installation, can be used indoors or alongside your outdoor game, and is safe for younger children. Cornhole: Advanced DIY The humble beanbag may be the most versatile backyard game piece. It’s used in the popular game commonly known as cornhole. To build your own cornhole set, you’ll need a couple of sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood along with
Why You Need an Attorney After an Accident With a Semitrailer
A vehicle accident of any kind can be traumatic and complex; an accident with a Semi-Tractor- Trailer Truck can be even more devastating. While it may be their job, truck drivers are just as susceptible to drowsy driving — although time limits on trucker shifts do help — making a wrong split-second decision, distracted driving, and merging or crossing traffic when it’s not safe to do so. They may even experience unique situations, like “jackknifing” their vehicle when braking too quickly or overloading their trailer. Each scenario is dangerous to the truck driver and others on the road. When you’re involved in an accident with a truck driver, your main priority is your well-being. Unfortunately, these accidents can be deadly and
collection and investigation isn’t done swiftly after an accident, the information can get lost, ruined or destroyed, and gaining a clear image of what occurred will be difficult. Furthermore, these cases are not always as simple as seeking compensation from the driver. Some drivers are independent contractors for larger trucking companies who supply their own vehicle and insurance, picking up loads from companies across the U.S. They are like the freelancers of truck driving. Other drivers are employees of a company, be it trucking, shipping, or a products company, and some could be employees of a municipality. Their employer may shoulder the responsibility. Who is responsible for your compensation can be a complex web to untangle if you don’t know how to do it correctly.
can cause life-threatening injuries that can have lifelong consequences. This can make the discovery portion of a Semi-Tractor-Trailer-Truck collision much more dire. It’s vital that we know exactly what happened and how the collision with the truck factored into your injuries. Witnesses, statements from the driver and their employer, and information from the vehicle itself — from logbooks and camera data, for example — can help us piece together exactly what happened and where the fault lies. However, if this
In all instances of vehicle accidents, it’s wise to seek legal help almost immediately, but it’s imperative to call an attorney immediately following a collision with a semitrailer. They will understand the time crunch and legal battle, allowing you to focus on your healing journey. At Douglass & Runger, we have experience representing clients in these devastating accidents. If you would like to learn more, including other legal areas we represent, please visit DouglassRunger.com.
2 • DouglassRunger.com
Sometimes the Great Outdoors Is Not So Great 4 CAMPING TIPS YOU NEED THIS SUMMER Summer is here, which means it’s time to load up the camper, grab the s’mores stuff, and hit your favorite outdoors spot. There’s nothing better than an evening around the campfire, but camping can turn dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. Keep these safety tips in mind before you head off! Double- and Triple-Check Your Hitch A travel trailer or fifth-wheel camper can bring all the luxuries of home to the campground, but hauling these vehicles requires focus to prevent deadly accidents. Before you take off down the road, do a safety inspection. Are all the items on your camper, like the awning, doors for storage, and the front door, locked and secured? Is the coupler latch on your hitch and the hitch pin properly secured, keeping it in place? (Or is your gooseneck properly secured?) Are your chains, spring rods, and electrical lights connected and tightly bonded? Finally, is your vehicle and camper level with one another? Answering “yes” to each of these questions is required before you can leave! Beware of Carbon Monoxide Because you’re often using alternative sources of heat and energy, you may run the risk of being exposed to carbon monoxide. Before you begin your camping adventure, test all your carbon monoxide monitors within the camper. Then, never use heaters, lanterns, or grills inside your camper or tent. Enjoy the Campfire Without Guilt From Smokey Bear The campfire is peak camping experience, and without it, you’re just living in the woods! But for as fun as it can be, it’s important that you remember to respect nature and the dangers of fire. For starters, always have water and a shovel nearby in case you have to remove items or put the fire out quickly. Build your fire away from trees or structures and never leave it unattended. (Douse it in water and spread it out before going to bed!) Be Cautious in a Tent Some people believe you’re not really camping if you’re not tent camping! And to those people, we say: You may be right. But you have to be safe! If there is a threat of bears, cook away from your tent and store your food in a bear canister. Keep your car close by in case of inclement weather or an emergency and pack backup chargers.
Easy Tuna Poke Bowl
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
This protein-packed recipe is the perfect dinner for two on a hot summer night when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tsp soy sauce • 1 tsp sesame oil • 2 tbsp orange juice • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced • 10 oz canned tuna, drained • 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 scallion,
finely chopped • 1 cup rice, cooked and cooled • 1/4 cup avocado, cubed • 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
DIRECTIONS
1. First, make the dressing. In a jar, add soy sauce, sesame oil, orange juice, and ginger. Secure the lid and shake until emulsified. 2. In a small bowl, empty the drained tuna and pour the dressing over top. Add the cilantro and scallions and stir until well coated. 3. Divide rice between two serving bowls. Top with the dressed tuna, avocado, tomatoes, and sesame seeds. INSPIRATION “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”―
–Camille Pissarro
901-388-5805 • 3
2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 www.DouglassRunger.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Advertising Material
1 How to Use Social Media During Your Case 2 Summer Lawn Games Why You Need an Attorney After an Accident With a Semitrailer 3 4 Camping Tips to Keep Summer Fun and Disaster-Free! Easy Tuna Poke Bowl 4 Pro Tips for a Motivating Workout Playlist Inside This Issue
Orchestrate Your Workout Pro Tips to Create a Motivating Playlist
Whether summer temperatures drive you to work outside or simply make you want to move indoors where the air conditioner is blasting, having an upbeat playlist can help you quickly pass the time and feel good, too. There’s no better way to learn how to put together a motivational playlist than to ask a pro. Peloton’s bikes and treadmills are wildly popular, but now, users are working out through their app because of the high-energy instructors, many of whom have become known for their amazing playlists. Here are two instructors’ tips to put together a killer playlist. Mix It Up Instructor Leanne Hainsby is known for the eclectic, feel-good songs that keep people pedaling hard in her cycling classes. Hainsby credits her vast musical tastes to her time as a dancer, which expanded her playlist for workout music.
Which songs make the cut? Ones that inspire. "I think people will be so surprised by how much they will push themselves when they're moved by the feeling of a song or how the music makes them feel,” she says. It doesn’t matter if it’s ambient electronic music or a lilting Johnny Cash tune, both of which can be found routinely on Hainby’s cycling playlists. Make It Themed Whether you’re obsessed with ‘90s pop, classic rock jams, or David Bowie, you can use a theme to create workout playlists you’ll love. This is a great trick pros like Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole use. D’Ercole is beloved by many for her themed classes, which range from an indie rock beginners’ ride to a fan-favorite all ‘90s ride. She also has holiday-themed playlists, like the one for her Women’s History Month ride in March that featured only female artists.
You can always hop onto Spotify and check out the Peloton page to see all of their instructors’ recent playlists. Use this for inspiration to create your own list or stream whichever compilation catches your attention for your next workout.
4 • DouglassRunger.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online