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THE KONECKY
APRIL 2019
JOURNAL
561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 | www.matthewkoneckypa.com 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 4440 PGA Blvd, Suite 600, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
When You Have Questions
WE HAVE ANSWERS
Our clients mean everything. We’ve always prided ourselves on being a well-rounded resource for everyone who sits down with us, even when we don’t take on their case. They may simply need an attorney who practices in an area of law we do not. In that situation, we’ll make a referral. I want to make sure that anyone who needs help gets that help. I’m also here to answer questions. The legal world can be hard to navigate. A client may ask, “Does this seem right?” or “Should I do this?” I want to make sure clients are pointed in the right direction and that they have as much information as possible in order to make informed decisions, whether those decisions are about our services, their case, a personal injury claim, or anything else that may pop up. Lately, I’ve been sitting down with folks to review their auto insurance policies. It’s a topic I’ve brought up regularly for years. In fact, it was something I wrote about in newsletters dating back to 2006. I’m adamant that people know everything about their auto policy, including whether or not they have proper insurance coverage. Right now, my focus is educating people on the difference between “full coverage” and the right amount of coverage. At a glance, you might think there is not much of a difference, but when you need to file a claim after a car wreck, that’s when you’ll notice the difference. What do I mean by this? Many insurance agents will sell you “full coverage,” which typically entails just the bare minimum requirements by law. This often does not include uninsured motorist coverage or bodily injury coverage. Scarily, a lot of drivers in South Florida are uninsured. When you’re involved in a collision with an uninsured driver, there are many different things that can happen. You may not be able to get the full compensation
you need to take care of your bills. It’s unlikely that you’ll even get anything from the other driver. Your case may simply go nowhere.
This is why I’m always recommending uninsured motorist coverage . A lot of people think that they have this type of coverage only to learn that they don’t after an accident. My goal is to make sure that doesn’t happen. Bodily Injury coverage (BI) is also very important and often overlooked by insurance agents selling “full coverage.” This type of coverage protects you in the event that you injure someone in an auto accident and they are seeking damages. BI coverage will also protect your license in the event that you cause the accident. Unfortunately, a lot of agents just want to sell policies, and they’ll push the cheap plans to make the sale. Cheap policies with confusing fine print always have poor coverage. Reviewing auto insurance policies is just one example of the resources we offer our clients. In addition to free consultations, I’ve written several books and reports, which you can find on our website. These books are all about answering the questions you may have, such as “What the Heck Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?” and “My Loved One Has Been Arrested: What’s Next?” We also have a YouTube channel that tackles some of the questions and concerns I’ve heard from clients, as well as a blog. These resources, like the books, are available 24/7, so when you do have a question, the answer may be just a few clicks away. Of course, if you have a more pressing question or concern, or you need legal advice regarding an injury or an arrest, we’re always a phone call away and can help you determine your next step.
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–Matthew Konecky
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Books to Engage the Whole Family Worlds Within Pages
For the Middle Schooler: ‘The Night Diary’
Learning to read opens up a world of possibilities. When your child walks through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia with Lucy Pevensie or rides with Harry Potter on the train to Hogwarts, they connect to something beyond their own experiences.
12-year-old Nisha navigates her world after the partition of India creates the new country of Pakistan and her family is forced to leave their home. Her mother may be gone, but Nisha finds solace in writing nightly letters to her in her diary as she discovers what the future holds. Based on author Veera Hiranandani’s memories of her own family, this moving tale lets readers experience life through someone else’s eyes.
In the U.S., April 23 is World Book Day, and the date commemorates the deaths of legendary authors Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as the birth of author Vladimir Nabokov. World Book Day is the perfect time to sit down with your family and let yourself be transported to new worlds. So, here are three great stories to help you take young readers on brand-new adventures.
For Teens: ‘Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World’
For the Elementary Reader: ‘Song of the Wild: A First Book of Animals’
While some might not think of comics as proper reading, Penelope Bagieu’s graphic novel forces reconsideration. Her clever, colorful artwork and engaging narrative take the reader through the biographies of 30 women, from Bette Davis and Mae Jemison to lesser-known but equally
“Song of the Wild” makes a great read-aloud book for beginner readers because they can get lost in the beautiful artwork while you read the text. Written in prose and rhyming poems, this book showcases sprawling landscapes — savannahs, jungles, and oceans — and features the wildlife living there. It’s worth a read simply to appreciate the colorful depictions of each animal. This book was written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Petr Horácek. YourAuto Insurance Policy Decoded A FREE Consult Just for You! Do you know all the details of your auto insurance policy? One of the worst things that can happen during your personal injury case is to experience the terrifying realization that you don’t have the right insurance or your policy is too limited. Even worse, maybe the other person doesn’t have insurance at all. I’ve blogged and written in this newsletter about the importance of underinsured motorist coverage. Despite this, a lot of people discover the pitfalls of lacking this insurance only after they’ve been in an accident. The startling truth is that a lot of people don’t.
intriguing ladies like Giorgina Reid. All in all, this book provides a great way to get kids excited about history in an entertaining form.
Unfortunately, too many insurance agents are only interested in selling you a policy. They will tell you what you want to hear so you’ll sign on the dotted line and move on. A lot of agents don’t sit down with their clients to discuss all the details of their policy.
I don’t want this to happen to you.
This month, I’m inviting you or anyone you know with auto insurance questions to come into our office for a free meeting. I’ll take a look at your coverage and tell you exactly what you have, what you don’t have, and what you need.
They tell me, “My insurance agent said I had full coverage. I thought this was included.”
Contact us at 561.671.5995 to schedule your FREE auto insurance policy consult today!
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Appearance Matters! How You Look in the Courtroom Makes a Difference
What you wear into the courtroom matters. While it may seem trivial to some, how you look and act can influence the overall outcome of your case in small ways. Judges notice details. They, like all people, will form an opinion about you simply based on the way you dress and carry yourself. It’s a case of judging a book by its cover. When you are expected to be in the courtroom, you always want to make a good first impression — regardless of why you are in court, whether it’s a minor traffic infraction or a more serious criminal issue. There are several steps you can take to ensure you make a good impression. First, always dress for the occasion. Essentially, dress as if you were going to an important job interview. This means you should never wear shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or anything printed with offensive language or imagery. You don’t necessarily need to dress in formal attire, but a clean, respectful look will go a long way. Second, arrive early to your scheduled court appearance. This applies to anyone with a court date, including the plaintiff, the defendant, attorneys, experts, witnesses, and others. Showing up ahead of the scheduled time conveys preparation, thoughtfulness, and respect.
Third, never chew gum or hold candy in your mouth. It doesn’t matter the situation. Talking with gum or candy in your mouth is highly disrespectful, not to mention irritating for everyone in the courtroom. The last thing you want to do is irritate a judge.
Fourth, keep your cellphone out of sight. In fact, don’t bring it into the courtroom if you can help it. It invites distraction. If you are spotted using a cellphone, the judge is likely to call you out. The consequence will vary from judge to judge, but those consequences will never be worth it.
MEME CORNER
Sweet Potato Hash Cooking With Ashley
Ingredients: •
• • •
2–3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large sweet potato, diced (about 3 cups, skin on)
1 small sweet or white onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
• •
1/2 cup vegetable broth 2–3 teaspoons oil of choice
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 400 F. Wash sweet potato well. The skins should be mostly kept on because they make the hash nice and crispy. They also add fiber and nutrients! 2. In a large mixing bowl, toss potatoes with vegetable broth, oil, and garlic. Pour potato mixture into a glass baking dish and roast at 400 F until potatoes are tender but not mushy, 25–35 minutes. 3. Warm a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon oil. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes or until soft. 4. Add roasted potato mixture to skillet and toss with onions. Season with salt and paper to taste. Sauté for at least 10 minutes. Potatoes should be brown and crispy. The longer you sauté the potatoes, the crispier they will become. Serve warm.
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Recipe adapted from Lunchboxlunch.com
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INSIDE 561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 www.matthewkoneckypa.com 4440 PGA Blvd, Suite 600 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
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Keeping You Informed About Your Next Step
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Books to Engage the Whole Family
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Decoding Your Insurance Policy
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Court Appearance? Your Look Makes a Difference!
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Sweet Potato Hash
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Adventure Awaits (At Home)
Be a Tourist in Your Hometown historical tour that can teach you all about the wonders of your town. Download an app like Eventbrite, or go old-school and check for fun local events in the paper. Appreciate the Arts There are countless tiny museums and cultural attractions all over the place that most people overlook — especially those who have lived in an area for a while. Does your hometown have interesting art installations on Main Street? What about museums dedicated to strange and supernatural phenomena, parks, historical landmarks, or giant robotic farm animals? Check Yelp.com for lists of popular attractions near you, or ask your friends for suggestions. You might be surprised by what your hometown has to offer. You might be thinking, “This is would be great if I lived somewhere fun!” If you’ve ever thought your town was boring, that’s all the more reason to try being a tourist! Adventures can happen anywhere if you just take that first step out the door.
Do you dream of adventure? Do you want to see something new, discover someplace interesting, and make memories you’ll cherish forever? Do you still have to be at work on Monday? Finding adventure doesn’t have to mean packing up and trekking across the globe for six months. Being adventurous is all about changing your mindset and looking for the unexpected in the familiar.
As you start planning summer vacations, instead of spending a lot of money to be a tourist somewhere else, why not try finding a little adventure at home?
Get a Room If you really want to experience your hometown through the eyes of a tourist, try waking up somewhere new. One night in a hotel room or bed-and- breakfast can really put you in the adventuring mindset. Find Local Events Now’s the time to check out the farmers market you’ve been meaning to go to for ages! Then you can swing by that free concert in the park before going to a play at your community theater. Attending local events is a great way to visit places in town you’ve never been before. You might even find a
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