Law Tigers - Fall/Winter 2019
THE TIGER TIMES
Fall/Winter 2019
THE WALL THAT HEALS Steve Rides With Fellow Patriots to Vietnam War Moving Memorial E very motorcycle rider knows how powerful we can be when we band together. We transform movements and offer a community to those who need it most. This past summer, I had the opportunity to ride in yet another show of dedication and honor. On July 2, 2019, I participated in a very solemn tribute to military servicemen and servicewomen with other riders, first responders, gold-star families, and well-wishers at Woodstock Harley Davidson in Illinois. The tribute featured a signing of the U.S. national anthem as well as moving speeches. Finally, we all mounted our bikes and rode together to “The Wall That Heals” in West Dundee, Illinois. A moving monument that has traveled across the country, “The Wall That Heals” is an education center replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. At the permanent memorial, more than 58,000 names are etched onto granite walls in a simple yet powerful memoriam of the ultimate sacrifice made by our fellow Americans. In 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund — the same group that funded the permanent wall in Washington D.C. and that advocates for VietnamWar veterans — unveiled the replica. Since then, it has toured 600 communities across the nation, giving thousands of citizens the opportunity to remember, connect, and find peace. On our way to visit the replica wall in its temporary home, we noticed many patriots waving flags, saluting, and smiling. There were too many to count, but their presence was powerful. Just before the end of our ride, we passed under two firetruck hook- and-ladder units with American flags attached to the ends of the extended ladders.
members and their families make is unmatched, and seeing hordes of citizens honoring that service is something I will never forget.
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. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s event that paid a special gratitude to the organizers of “The Wall That Heals.”Thank you for bringing this moving tribute to our Midwestern home. –Steve Graef
The weather was perfect for a ride, and the event was a beautiful tribute. The dedication to this country that our nation’s military
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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 Law Tigers can help. Visit LawTigers.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 to never 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 LawTigers.com.
Using the Winter Season to Save Money INSURANCE STRATEGIES The legal experts at Law Tigers 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, 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 LawTigers. 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.
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 Law Tigers, 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 with more 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 and meaningful work. How Law Tigers Stands Up for Riders
–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
• • • •
1/2 cup onion, diced 1 red pepper, diced
• •
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
• • •
1 tsp paprika
6 eggs
•
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.
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THIS ISSUE Inside
Honoring Our Veterans Page 1
Store Your Motorcycle Safely With These Tips! Cost-Effective Ways to Protect Your Ride Page 2
Michael Massucci Shares a Story of Perseverance for Riders Paleo Breakfast Casserole Page 3
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings Page 4
LawTigers is not a law firm or a lawyer referral service, but a service mark used to identify Kelly Law Offices LLC’s membership in, and status as, a representative of the American Association of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers
Advertising Material
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Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their
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