Take a look at our latest newsletter!
The
Digest
MAY/JUNE 2023
407-245-7723 • DeWittLaw.com
Preparing to Ride Your Motorcycle This Summer? STAY SAFE WITH THESE VITAL TIPS
Motorcycles are incredibly prevalent in the state of Florida. Every time you get on the road, you’ll likely see at least one motorcycle on your journey, regardless of how far you have to travel. It makes sense when you consider how beautiful our weather is throughout the year. It just makes you want to get out and ride. According to Statista, Florida has the third-highest number of motorcycles registered in the country, only trailing behind California and New York. In May, we recognize Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to re-examine the ways in which motorists and motorcyclists can keep the roads safe for everyone. Motorcycle accidents are much more dangerous than accidents involving two full-sized vehicles. It’s something that I regularly see when working on cases involving motorcyclists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash. Motorcyclists are also four times more likely to be injured in an accident. Whenever we take to the road, it’s our responsibility to drive as safely as possible to ensure that nobody gets injured or worse due to our own negligence or mistakes. If you’re a motorcyclist preparing to ride throughout the summer and beyond, possibly the most important safety advice I can give has to do with your apparel. Always wear a helmet and protective gloves, boots, and jackets, as they will help minimize your chances of suffering an injury if you are involved in a collision. You should also wear bright and reflective clothing so other vehicles can see you more easily, especially if you’re riding around dawn or dusk.
Motorcyclists must keep safety at the forefront of their minds while actively riding. Follow traffic rules by following the speed limit and using turn signals when changing lanes. Avoid tailgating vehicles and stay alert for any hazards along your route, including potholes, pedestrians, and road debris. Most motorcycle accidents occur within intersections, so be cautious whenever you go through one. You may need to take evasive action, so stay vigilant. But the responsibility of safety for motorcyclists does not fall solely on the riders themselves. Motorists must also take the proper precautions to ensure the roads stay safe. When you’re driving your vehicle, stay aware of any motorcycles in your vicinity. If you’re driving behind one, give them plenty of space and be patient since (in contrast to cars) motorcycles often take longer to accelerate and brake. Use your headlights and turn signals, and always check your blind spots for motorcyclists when changing lanes. As a final note for motorists and motorcyclists, do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired riding is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Also, avoid driving distracted — this can be dangerous for everyone on the road. Checking your texts or social media can wait until you are done driving. With the proper safety precautions in mind, the roads can be safe for everyone who uses them. If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact us today, and we’ll provide guidance and help. Stay alert while on the roads and enjoy riding around our beautiful state this summer! – Moe DeWitt
| 1 407-245-7723
PERSONAL INJURY - AUTO ACCIDENT - DIVORCE
A HAM-FISTED ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY
Intruders Flee From Ludwig the Pig
On the night of New Year’s Eve in 2014, a group of burglars experienced the fright of a lifetime. Expecting to rob a quiet home in Derby, England, the intruders instead came face to snout with Ludwig, a 240-pound potbellied pig. Abandoning all thoughts of crime once they spotted the pig, the burglars instantly fled the scene and ran for their lives. The “hero ham” had already become a popular figure in his town and was well-loved for his gentle demeanor. In fact, Michael Maughan, Ludwig’s owner, is confident that Ludwig wouldn’t have harmed the intruders, even if he does look quite intimidating.
people understand that Ludwig would never hurt anyone. Some fabricated web stories made Ludwig sound more dangerous than he is, so Maughan spoke to the Toronto Star to dispute any defamations against Ludwig’s kindness. “He’s being painted as a vicious creature when he’s actually quite a sweet animal,” he explained. “He didn’t exactly bare his tusks and charge, I don’t think. I think he got absolutely, ‘Arrgh,’ and they just ran for it.” In fact, Maughan detailed that after a two-month separation during their move to England, the pig shed tears during their reunion. Adorable and affectionate, Ludwig would have probably become friends with the intruders in no time.
Local officers believe the robbers must have heard Ludwig’s Rottweiler-like “growl” and immediately hit the road, leaving the door wide open behind them.
Even if his “bark” is worse than his bite, Ludwig succeeded in keeping his owners safe while also protecting
The story of this heroic potbellied pig became a sensation throughout Europe. Countless
their home. This 240-pound potbellied pig continues to enjoy his comfortable home in Derby and is considered a town hero. Anyone
fans have applauded the Canadian-born hog for his loyalty to his owners. But the owners want to ensure
looking for a guard dog may want to consider a hefty hog instead!
THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED! We Had a Blast With Dalton Dover
We’re always looking for ways we can give back to our community. In the past, we’ve hosted fundraisers, invited our clients out for a day of excitement at Fun Spot America, and so much more. At the end of March, we had an opportunity to cosponsor an incredible concert, which did not disappoint. On March 31, we teamed up with K92.3, Orlando’s No. 1 for new country, to bring Dalton Dover to Wekiva Island for a wonderful performance. For those unfamiliar with Dover, he first gained fame singing on NBC’s “The Voice.” His popularity soared thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms. His songs “Baby I Am” and “You Got a Small Town” have been listened to over 10 million times on Spotify. We couldn’t pass up the chance to cosponsor this event!
400 people in attendance. It was a perfect night for a concert, and everyone who attended had a great time. We even passed out some cool merchandise to the listeners in attendance. What made the night even better was seeing so many of our clients enjoy a night full of music and relaxation. We hope to host or sponsor many more shows like this in the future, so be sure to check our newsletter and Instagram account (@JustCallMoe) to stay up to date on upcoming events. They often sell out quickly, so you’ll want to reserve your spot shortly after we announce each event. From concerts to comedy shows, we have a whole list of events coming up throughout summer and into fall that you don’t want to miss. We hope to see you at our next event, and thank you to everyone who made our most recent event such a success!
To say this show was a success would be an understatement. It got sold-out — with over
2 | WWW.DEWITTLAW.COM • 407-245-7723
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HB 837
IS IT REALLY GOING TO HELP THE AVERAGE FLORIDIAN?
If you read our last newsletter, you might remember our article about the
for their own damages. So, if you were 95% at fault, you could still get money back for the remaining 5%. This is no longer the case with HB 837. Now, anyone who is 51% liable or more cannot seek reparation for the remaining amount, even if the opposing party was responsible for the other 49%. In addition to the comparative negligence change, HB 837 also introduced changes to the statute of limitations for general negligence actions (from four years to two), admissible evidence related to medical damages, bad faith actions (giving insurance companies more leeway), and one-way attorney’s fees. Proponents of the new law claim that these reforms will help bring down insurance costs. Florida has been ranked the most expensive state for property and automobile insurance over the last two years, so it seems like this
comprehensive reforms proposed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In March, DeSantis signed Florida House Bill 837 into law with the hope that it would “decrease frivolous lawsuits and prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys who prey on hardworking Floridians.” Those who watched the news and heard the governor’s words on the topic or read through what other politicians are saying might assume that this is a win for the average Floridian. But that is not necessarily the case. One of the most significant changes from HB 837 is the switch from pure to modified comparative negligence. In the past, Florida had pure comparative negligence, which meant if a person was considered not responsible for any portion of an accident or incident, they could recover that percentage of compensation
would be a win for most Floridians. Still, there’s no guarantee that these reforms will actually lower the average Floridian’s insurance premiums. It’s much more likely that fewer people will be able to sue their insurance companies, and attorneys will be less likely to take on high-risk cases. Only time will tell what will result from these reforms, but things don’t look very promising for the average Floridian.
Rhubarb Crisp
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Set rack in the center of the oven. 2. In a food processor, place all topping ingredients. Pulse until the mixture is crumbled to the size of small peas. Do not over-process. Set aside. 3. Into a large, shallow baking dish, pour the rhubarb and sprinkle with sugar and flour, coating the rhubarb evenly. Spread crisp topping over entire filling mix. 4. Bake until crisp is bubbly and the top is golden brown, approximately 30–40 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. Enjoy!
Topping: •
1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts
•
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats (not instant)
• • • • •
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp unsalted butter
Filling: •
2 1/2 lbs rhubarb, cut into 1/2- inch pieces
• •
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
| 3 PERSONAL INJURY - AUTO ACCIDENT - DIVORCE
135 W. Central Blvd., Ste. 320 Orlando, FL 32801
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.DewittLaw.com
407-245-7723
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
PHONE AVAILABLE 24/7 (OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9 A.M.–5 P.M.)
Stay Safe While Riding Your Motorcycle
1
Potbellied Pig Terrifies Burglars
2
A Very Special Night With Great Music
2
Is HB 837 Beneficial?
3
Rhubarb Crisp
3
Did You Know? 5 Facts About Thurgood Marshall
4
PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN The First African American Supreme Court Justice
FIGHTING FOR EQUAL PAY Thurgood Marshall’s mom was an African American teacher, and while he attended Lincoln University for undergrad, she struggled to pay the hefty tuition. It wasn’t uncommon for his family to be late on making payments to keep him enrolled. Once he graduated law school,
Thurgood Marshall was the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court and was a powerful attorney, but did you know Thurgood wasn’t always his first name or that he held a second job while practicing law? Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing facts about this amazing lawyer. THE REASON BEHIND THE NAME CHANGE On July 2, 1908, Thoroughgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. As a young child, friends often teased him about his long name — not to mention it was difficult to write and spell out! When he was just 6 years old, he had his name changed to Thurgood. THURGOOD, A DENTIST? When Marshall was attending Lincoln University, he first aspired to be a dentist but went on to receive his degree in literature and philosophy. Then, he attended law school at Howard University. LAW BY DAY, HEALTH CARE BY NIGHT Early in his legal career, times were tough. So, Marshall took a second job working at Baltimore Health Clinic at night to make ends meet. Even while working large cases, he continued to put in long hours at the clinic.
Marshall began seeking equal pay for African American teachers, and six years later, he won a big case that got rid of unequal teacher pay. NOT ONLY CIVIL RIGHTS CASES While Marshall is commonly recognized for monumental civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, which went on to shape our society, he also took on many other police brutality, death penalty, and women’s rights cases.
4 | WWW.DEWITTLAW.COM
PERSONAL INJURY - AUTO ACCIDENT - DIVORCE
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator