Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
Louisiana Trial Attorneys
New Orleans • Covington
www.ScottVicknair.com (504) 500-1111
June 2023
Safe and Sound
Driving Tips to Stay Protected on the Road
Every day, millions of Americans get in their cars to drive to the grocery store, the gym, work, or wherever else they need to go. These drives are usually uneventful, but danger lurks around every corner. Car accidents occur daily; if we don’t take the necessary safety precautions, we could suffer severe injuries. I work on cases all the time in which people are injured during a car accident that could have been avoided. June is National Safety Month, and there’s no better time to refamiliarize yourself with some essential driving safety tips that will help you stay safe on the road.
Here are some tips to remember the next time you hit the road:
Watch out for bicycles. Bike lanes have recently appeared throughout New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and other areas of Louisiana. If you’re a cyclist who plans to ride on the road, make sure you understand the state laws regarding bike safety and who has the right of way. An accident involving a vehicle and a cyclist can be catastrophic, so it’s vital to stay alert when riding around town. Keeping the roads safe for cyclists is also the responsibility of drivers, who need to be mindful of bike lanes. Check your blind spot and always look for cyclists whenever turning or changing lanes. Put the distractions away. We carry our phones with us at all times. They’re our constant source of entertainment and communication, but we don’t need to use them while driving. If possible, you should have Bluetooth capability in your vehicle to answer calls hands-free instead of taking your hands off the wheel to look at your phone. We’re all guilty of this from time to time, myself included, but we can change our behaviors by focusing on the road and putting distractions out of sight and mind. We have the ability to make the roads safer for all who use them. It starts by following the rules of the road and taking every safety precaution possible. So wear your seat belt, put the distractions away, and ensure your car has the necessary safety features to protect you. Doing so could be the difference between suffering an injury and avoiding an accident altogether.
Wear your seat belt. It might seem like common sense, but too many people drive without wearing a seat belt. In 2020, 23,824 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in accidents. Of these, 51% were not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can still get injured while wearing your seat belt, but it greatly diminishes your risk of severe injuries or death. In many cases, a seat belt will prevent the driver or passenger from being ejected from the car. Research before you purchase. When people buy a new or used vehicle, they don’t always think about the most important features. They look at the color or sound system of the car and make a decision based almost entirely on design and appearance. When purchasing a vehicle, you should investigate the car’s safety features and look through the safety testing that the car underwent. Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision, so you want to get something that will keep you and your family safe. I know many people who only drive Volvos because they’re assembled with a steel frame, which can withstand collisions better than other materials. If you’re purchasing a used vehicle, make sure you understand the condition of the airbags and under what conditions they will deploy. If your airbag doesn’t deploy during a bad accident, and you hit your head hard on the dashboard or steering wheel, you could suffer serious head injuries. Don’t take the chance; ask about airbags before purchasing a vehicle.
-David Vicknair
www.ScottVicknair.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Struggling to Pay Your Bills? How an Attorney Can Help
Paying your bills on time isn’t always an easy task. If you’re going through financial difficulties, it can sometimes be impossible to pay your bills on time. Yet, there are still some ways to minimize the damage that can occur when you can’t pay your debts. When your bills pile up, you should always contact your creditors to learn if you can receive any extensions on payment deadlines. Being proactive is critical when managing debt. However, if they are unwilling to offer you leniency, you may face a creditor lawsuit; if that occurs, you should contact a debt settlement lawyer. What does a debt settlement attorney do? A debt settlement attorney can reach out to creditors and negotiate a way to reduce your debt or lower your payments. Finances can be confusing, but there are plenty of protocols and strategies out there — most of us just aren’t aware of them. Debt settlement lawyers are experts in consumer rights and know precisely what lenders can and cannot do. While debt settlement attorneys can assist you in various ways concerning your debt, they will often review your financial status, income, and conflicts in order to negotiate effectively with your creditors. Hiring a debt settlement lawyer does not guarantee your debt will be reduced; however, it will give you a greater chance of doing so. What types of debt can they settle? You may not know about the multiple kinds of debt and their particular characteristics. These lawyers primarily work on unsecured debt, which is any debt that doesn’t require collateral. Some examples of unsecured debt include:
While debt settlement lawyers often work to reduce these debts, they can also provide legal assistance on other issues such as car repossession, wage garnishment, debt collection lawsuits, debt collector harassment, and more. If you’re struggling because of debt, they’ll most likely be able to help. Is it expensive to hire an attorney? There’s no simple price tag for hiring a debt settlement lawyer. Plenty of factors influence legal costs. For example, how much debt you have affects a lawyer’s total charge. Also, how many creditors require negotiation and how much you save in your settlement affect your cost. Additionally, if you need to file for bankruptcy eventually, that involves another set of charges to engage that process. You should contact a debt settlement attorney if you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and know you can’t pay them on time. Whether mapping out a payment plan or negotiating with creditors, these attorneys will work to ease your financial stress. Many of these lawyers offer free consultations so you can better understand your situation. If they can help you reduce your debts, they will be a great asset.
• Car loans • Student loans • Medical bills
• Credit card bills • Personal loans
2 | (504) 500-1111
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
We are excited to announce our new podcast “Overruled with Scott Vicknair” has arrived with your hosts, attorneys Brad Scott and David Vicknair. Join us online for topics and guests discussing success, leadership, and growth in business and life in general. Check back often New Orleans’ Best New Podcast!
PUPPY POWER IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN How Do Cute Images Affect Your Mind?
at OverruledPodcast.com for more details. We look forward to having you there!
“Kawaii” is the Japanese word for “cute,” which apparently alters our brains more than we thought! During The Power of Kawaii study, Hiroshima University researched the effects of viewing images of cute animals, and what they discovered was shocking. Researchers found that these adorable animals can help us improve our concentration, especially on detail-oriented tasks. Participants who viewed images of puppies and kittens could accomplish tasks with greater care and attention than those shown other pictures. How did they measure concentration, and why cute animals? What method was used in the initial experiment? In the first experiment, researchers split a group of 48 participants and had each person play a surgery game similar to “Operation.” Using tiny tweezers, the participants had to grasp small objects without touching the edges. Afterward, one group observed images of puppies and kittens, and the other viewed photos of adult dogs and cats. After viewing the pictures, both groups played the game again. The result? The first group had a significant improvement when playing the game. They approached the game more deliberately and at a slower pace to carefully remove the objects without touching the edges. Meanwhile, the second group showed no difference in their performance. Why do these cute images affect us? After more experiments with increased difficulty, the researchers concluded that the sweet animals made a noticeable impact on our brains. Participants showed higher levels of focus, concentration, and carefulness both mentally and behaviorally. The reasoning may be that seeing baby animals triggers our nurturing side and, in turn, makes us more careful and alert. We sense something needing protection, care, and focus. At a subconscious level, you likely will become more cautious in how you think and behave after looking at pictures of baby animals. So, the next time you need to do something tedious or detail-oriented, prep yourself with a cute puppies and kittens slideshow to ensure you get the job done right!
Scan Me!
GOAT CHEESE AND THYME STUFFED CHICKEN
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts • 3.5 oz firm goat cheese • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus 2–3 sprigs
• 4 pieces of thin-sliced bacon • Olive oil • 2 zucchinis, thinly sliced • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Split the chicken breasts almost in half along the long side, open them like a book, then flatten the sides out. 3. Put the goat cheese on the “open book” side of the chicken and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese, then wrap each breast in 2 slices of bacon. 4. Lightly oil a shallow gratin or casserole dish, then arrange overlapping rows of zucchini and tomatoes on the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set chicken on top. Place thyme sprigs on chicken. 5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and the zucchini is tender.
www.ScottVicknair.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(504) 500-1111 www.ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 2025 New Orleans, LA 70112 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Drive Safe During National Safety Month
1
Do You Need a Debt Settlement Lawyer?
2
3
Goat Cheese and Thyme Stuffed Chicken Cute Puppies = Concentration
You’re Legally Obligated to Walk Your Dog?
4
Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT:
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing
with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make declawing a cat for aesthetic
reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone- paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
4 | (504) 500-1111
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator