The Moak Law Firm - November 2019
Let’s Ride Keeping the Road Safe for Cars and Bicycles
A Bankruptcy and Personal Injury Attorney You Can Trust
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A s the weather changes, more people are outside enjoying the sunshine. This includes a lot more people riding their bicycles. Though I don’t have my bicycle anymore, at one point in time, I would have been out there riding with everyone else. My wife and I loved to ride. We could go 50–60 miles in a single weekend, riding trails and all over town. These days, I’mmore likely to represent people who ride bicycles than ride one myself. In Arizona alone, there are around 2,000 reported bicycle accidents every year. Of these accidents, at least 30 are fatal. With more bicyclists on the road, I want to share some crucial safety tips for people riding their bicycles and those driving their cars. Safety Tips for Bicyclists Stay visible. When riding a bicycle, it’s so important that you are seen by drivers in their cars. Make sure you’re visible to the extreme by making your bicycle stand out more by attaching blinking lights, or stand out by wearing bright colors, especially if you are going to ride your bike around or after dusk. Stay vigilant. Always assume drivers do not see you. If you need to turn or cross at an intersection, make eye contact with nearby drivers so you know they’re aware of you. Most drivers are trained to look for other cars, not bicyclists, so practice defensive biking and be ready to act on a moment’s notice. Have the right equipment. It should go without saying, but always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Head injuries can be costly, and a good bicycle helmet goes a long way toward keeping you safe. You should also make sure your bike is well- maintained. Your bike should be the right height so your feet comfortably touch the ground when stopped, have front and back
brakes so you can stop safely in an emergency, and include a mirror either on your handlebars or attached to your helmet so you can see the cars coming up from behind you. Follow the rules of the road. Bicyclists must follow the same rules on the road that cars do. I know many people ride their bicycles in the opposite direction of traffic because they think the cars will see them better this way. That’s against the rules. You must always ride with traffic on the right side of the road and in a bike lane if possible. Avoid riding on sidewalks. This can put you in danger of being hit by a car pulling out of a driveway. Plan your route before your trip so you can stick to as many roads with bike lanes as possible. Remember that bicycles must stop at stop signs and red lights, just like cars. If you’re stopped at an intersection, I recommend getting off your bicycle and walking it across the crosswalk. This is the best practice for safety purposes, since drivers turning don’t often see bicyclists waiting. Lastly, if you are riding with a group of people, ride single file. Riding side by side reduces the chance of someone being struck by a car if they or the person riding next to them swerves unexpectedly. Safety Tips for Drivers For drivers, there are two big rules: Look for bicycles, and assume they aren’t going to obey the rules. As I mentioned earlier, drivers are trained to look for other cars on the road. When we’re behind the wheel, we often miss bicycles. And because bicycles move much faster than pedestrians on foot, they can come up on us quickly. Drivers often hit bicyclists they swear weren’t there moments ago. When turning or crossing at an intersection, look twice for
“It should go without saying, but always wear a helmet when
riding a bicycle.”
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November 2019
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Happy Birthday, Mickey!
How Much Do You Know About This Famous Mouse?
First Cartoon Character to Speak Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to be given a voice. His first words, spoken by none other than Walt Disney himself, were “hot dog,” which soon became his catchphrase. Here’s an even more fun fact: The third person to ever voice Mickey Mouse, Wayne Allwine, eventually married the voice actor of Minnie Mouse, Russi Taylor, after they met on the set of a Disney special. A Disco-Dancing Fiend Mickey’s 1979 disco album, “Mickey Mouse Disco,” went double platinum in 1984, the first children’s album to do so. The album included disco versions of Disney songs as well as “Disney-fied” versions of popular disco hits. If you ever want to hear what all the hype was about, you can still find this album on iTunes. These are just some of many fun Mickey Mouse facts to develop over his legendary 91-year legacy. To celebrate Mickey’s birthday on Nov. 18, find your favorite Mickey Mouse movie and watch it with the whole family!
It’s true what they say: Everything gets better with age. For 91 years, Mickey has brought laughter and joy to both children and adults all over the world. November is Mickey Mouse’s birthday month, so let’s celebrate with these fun facts about our favorite cartoon mouse. A Mouse by Any Other Name ... Walt Disney originally named the mouse “Mortimer,” but his wife suggested “Mickey.” Disney later introduced a character named Mortimer, who had little in common with Mickey besides a shared last name and romantic interest in Minnie Mouse. The Most Popular Write-In Candidate It’s true; Mickey is the most popular write- in candidate during election season. As one Georgia election supervisor noted in 2012, “Mickey always gets votes. If he doesn’t get votes in our election, it’s a bad election.” But he’s not the only Disney character who gets unwavering support. According to a California election worker, “Donald Duck is a close second.” So, if you’re one of the many who believe Mickey Mouse would be an excellent U.S. president, you’re not alone.
Can’t File for Chapter 7? Think Again!
Why Bankruptcy Lawyers Overlook Nonconsumer Debt
Consumer vs. Nonconsumer Debts
a person who needs to file for bankruptcy will often have a lot of student loan debt to deal with. Most of the time, student loans are consumer debts, but there are exceptions. For example, if you had to take on student loans in order to get a degree to keep your job, then those loans would fall under nonconsumer debt. It’s important to remember that while debt might be nonconsumer, that doesn’t make it dischargeable even through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Even if your student loans fall under nonconsumer debt, they still can’t be wiped away through bankruptcy. That said, being able to discharge the rest of your debt can help ease the burden and let you focus on paying off those loans quicker. Need to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy? Be sure to talk to a bankruptcy lawyer who will look at the difference between consumer and nonconsumer debt. It might make a huge difference to your financial future.
Consumer debts are classified as any debt incurred for personal, family, or household purposes. If you bought something for personal use, then the debt is considered consumer. Nonconsumer debts are also called business debts. This is anything that doesn’t qualify as a consumer debt. Examples of nonconsumer debts include these: Credit card debt used mostly to pay for business expenses Car loans for a truck used in a construction business • •
If you find yourself overburdened with debt, bankruptcy is a path to start fresh and get a second chance. Most people who have to file for bankruptcy want to file for Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, also known as liquidation bankruptcy, all of your dischargeable debts are erased in as little as three months. However, there’s an income limit for Chapter 7. If you make “too much” money, you have to pay back at least a portion of your debt through a repayment plan that can last up to five years. High-income earners frequently assume they can’t file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and they’re often right. But there is an exception to this rule. If you have more nonconsumer than consumer debt, then you don’t have to take the income test.
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Mortgages on a rental property
Tax debt
Injury debts caused by the debtor’s negligence
What About Student Loan Debt?
Americans struggle with around $902 billion in student loan debt, so it’s no surprise that
Do you know anyone overwhelmed with debt o
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‘Just Put Some Ice on It!’ Giving Burn Victims the Respect They Deserve
Burns are some of the most difficult injuries a person can endure. While a burn might not leave a victim paralyzed, the scarring, disfigurement, or psychological trauma from a burn may last a lifetime. Since small burns can be commonplace, like accidentally brushing against a hot pan or flat iron, some people assume these injuries are “less serious” than others. This cannot be further from the truth. The American Burn Association (ABA) reports around 486,000 burn injuries require medical treatment each year. The Arizona Burn Center alone treats more than 5,000 children and adults annually. When we hear about burn injuries, most people picture fire. However, while the ABA reports that 43% of burn injuries are caused by fire, there are many other common causes, including scalding, electrical currents, chemicals, or defective products, such as e-cigarette explosions. It’s important to realize that the cause of the burn does not automatically determine the seriousness of the burn. Any accident can cause a first- degree or a third-degree burn, depending on the circumstances.
suffers from a burn, it’s important to act quickly to increase the chances of recovery. The Mayo Clinic recommends seeking medical attention immediately for burns that: • Cover the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, a major joint, or a large area of the body • Affect all layers of the skin or even deeper tissues • Cause the skin to look leathery • Appear charred or have patches of black, brown, or white • Are caused by chemicals or electricity • Cause difficult breathing or burns to the airway Like with any injury caused by an accident or negligence, burn victims deserve the utmost care and respect when seeking compensation. If you or someone you love has suffered from a serious burn, call 480-755- 8000 immediately! The compassionate attorneys at The Moak Law Firm have experience dealing with delicate cases and can help you get the compensation you deserve. While the scars may last forever, your future doesn’t have to be defined by your burns.
Burn injuries can occur in the home, at work, on the road, or while enjoying your favorite recreational activity. If you or someone you know
The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich Thanksgiving may be held on Thursday, but the food often lasts at least through the weekend. To make the best use of the excess, grill up some killer turkey sandwiches.
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bicyclists and check farther down the road for bicycles in oncoming traffic.
While bicyclists are supposed to follow the rules of the road, they often don’t. If you see a bicyclist approaching a stop sign or red light, assume they’re not going to stop, and give them plenty of time to go by. If you’re backing out of your driveway, go slow and take care that there are no bicycles on the sidewalk behind you. Children especially tend to ride on the sidewalks because their parents are terrified to have them ride in the street. As a driver behind the wheel of a bigger, heavier vehicle, it’s up to you to avoid injuring someone if possible. A little bit of extra caution can go a long way to avoid deadly accidents. Though I’m a personal injury lawyer, I would be much happier if no one ever came into my office with a personal injury case because that means no one ever got hurt. If everyone stayed safe, I’d focus on bankruptcy cases! I hope these tips help make our roads a little safer. –Walter E. “Pete” Moak
Directions:
Ingredients:
1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place
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2 slices sourdough bread 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other.
2 slices Swiss cheese
1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey 3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce 1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing
2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown.
2 tbsp leftover gravy
1 tbsp butter, room temperature
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.
4. Slice and serve.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
who was injured in an accident? We can help!
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We are ranked by Ranking Arizona as the #2 Law Firm that deals with Creditor’s rights and Bankruptcy.
INSIDE This Issue
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Do You Want to Ride Your Bicycle?
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Fun Facts About Mickey Mouse One Trick to Help You File for Chapter 7 Caring for Clients Who Have Been Burned The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich
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Life Lessons From ‘Lady and the Tramp’
Explore the world around you.
Embrace change.
With Disney+ launching this November, you’ll get access to tons of great classics as well as new original series and movies, like the live-action “Lady and the Tramp” remake. While Disney fans are excited about this, the original film is still perfect for the whole family and has some great life lessons for your kids. Here are some of the best takeaways.
“There is a great big hunk of world down there with no fence around it.” This underrated quote, said by Tramp, perfectly encompasses one of the main lessons of the film: explore! Life is all about seeing what’s out there and testing your limits. Without Tramp’s ambition to explore, Lady would never have discovered her love of spaghetti or the joy of running carefree through the city. This film celebrates differences and encourages viewers to do the same. Tramp rouses hen houses and avoids dog catchers. Lady was pampered with a fancy dog collar and cushy places to sleep. Despite coming from different ends of the dog park, they find a shared love for adventure and, of course, Italian cuisine. Celebrate your differences.
Early on in the movie, Lady’s comfortable life slips away from her as Jim and Darling Dear welcome their new baby into the household. Jim starts to refer to Lady as “That Dog” shortly after the baby’s arrival. After getting lost and meeting Tramp, she gains a new life partner and creates a family of her own, showing children that, while change can be a daunting thing to face, it’s often for the best and comes with a silver lining. These are only a few of the lessons highlighted in this Disney classic. Gather the whole family for a fun night in and see what other lessons you can learn. The original film was such a cult classic, but the remake is sure to deliver. It’s expected to release on Nov. 12, 2019, so mark your calendars.
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