Law Offices of Driggs, Bills & Day April 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

Apr 2018

The Advocates Injury Attorneys • www.UtahAdvocates.com • (801) 783-3555

When our client — let’s call her Robin — was injured in a serious car accident, she didn’t know where to turn. Though the collision wasn’t her fault, Robin was MY UNCONVENTIONAL CAREER PATH AND WHY I FIGHT FOR MY CLIENTS From the Force to the Courtroom

driving an uninsured vehicle, and it looked as if she’d have to cover these enormous medical bills on her own. There was just no way. Money hadn’t exactly been abundant even before the accident. She was stuck in that liminal space between working full time and not yet qualifying for Medicare. With all her new injuries, the future seemed impossible to face. Luckily, she heard about the Advocates and our office out in Missoula, Montana. She came in full of anxiety and uncertainty, unsure whether we’d be able to do anything to help her out. But after we took a look at her case and offered her a few options, she decided to hire us. Over the coming months, we fought like dogs to establish liability in the collision, going back and forth in a tense exchange

“Helping people has always been at the forefront of my career, frommy 10-plus years in law enforcement to my work here with the Advocates.”

was getting older, and I decided to pull the trigger on fulfilling my dream of attending law school and becoming a lawyer. While law enforcement and personal injury law are completely different fields, I’ve found that much of what I learned in my years on the force helps me connect with my clients. When you’re working day after day as a street-level police officer, encountering

with the insurance company. In the meantime, we helped her to stay afloat until we secured the settlement she deserved, putting her in touch with the right medical providers and once even putting gas in her car. Throughout the process, I did absolutely everything I could to help Robin get back on her feet. Helping people has always been at the forefront of my career, from my 10-plus years in law enforcement to my work here with the Advocates. While I found my time as sergeant detective for the Criminal Investigation Bureau in Colorado deeply gratifying, there came a point when I felt like I’d accomplished everything I ever wanted to in that line of work. While I was far from burned out, I found myself thinking back to the legal internship I’d completed right out of undergrad. Law enforcement had given me so much, and I didn’t want to get to the point where I felt exhausted, disillusioned, or stuck in my career. While taking a shower one day, I thought about how I

the most downtrodden, victimized individuals, it grants you a level of human understanding and empathy. I’ve said before that I don’t know if you can fully grasp the human condition until you’ve stood in a stranger’s living room and talked them down from a bitter domestic dispute. It gives you perspective and allows you to understand the real cost of the problems that weigh on people. In the end, we were able to get her the policy limits she needed to pay off her medical bills, fix her car, and most importantly, focus on recovery. I remember the day we handed her the settlement check. You could see the relief as it washed over her. When you’re a personal injury attorney, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, keeping your nose in stacks of papers. But when I actually see the look of relief on a client’s face, I’m reminded of the reason I do this work in the first place. –Josh Hotchkiss

www.UtahAdvocates.com • 1

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SEARCHING FOR SPRING

FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNTS MADE EASY

TAKE PICTURES Since everyone has a camera on their phone, why not use it? By taking pictures, you don’t have to worry about losing anything you find, and your teams can more safely collect certain items. For example, bird feathers are a great item for a spring scavenger hunt, but you don’t want your kids to touch them. Make a rule that a team member must appear in every picture so no one can cheat by finding photos online. CUSTOMIZE YOUR LIST There are plenty of scavenger hunt lists online, but it’s more fun to brainstorm with your family. Have everyone think of three to five spring- related items, like yellow flowers, a kite, or a rabbit-shaped cloud. Do some research into your local flora and fauna. If you put a bluebird on the list, you might want to make sure there are bluebirds in your area. DON’T FORGET THE PRIZES! Prizes don’t have to be elaborate to be fun. It can be something simple, like Popsicles or fake medals, or maybe the winning team gets to pick a restaurant for dinner. Scavenger hunts are one of the best ways to create lasting family memories this spring without breaking the bank. Just get your list, gather your family, and have fun. Happy hunting!

Spring is in bloom, and there’s no better time to get some fresh air. If you are looking for a way to get your family outside and away from their screens, why not plan a spring-themed scavenger hunt? More than just a fun way to spend the afternoon, scavenger hunts build problem- solving skills, encourage teamwork, and get your family to exercise their minds and bodies. Here are some tips on how to plan a memorable family scavenger hunt. PLAY IN TEAMS Your whole family can participate together, but it can also be fun to strike up some friendly competition with teams. Have at least one parent or an older, responsible sibling on each team to make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“Good communication and very good to work with.”

I call and leave a message or have any questions, I get a call or email back that same day. So easy to work with!”

–Brooke Denkers

–Danielle Ruiz

“The Advocates are great people and very helpful. I explained my car accident to them online and had someone call me 10–15 minutes later. They have helped me so much. Thanks so much to the Advocates!”

“They have been very helpful with the process. We have been working with the American Fork office. Steven Day was very kind and explained everything that would take place. So far, it has been a pretty worry-free experience. There is so much to worry about when you get into an accident. Going through the Advocates lets you just worry about getting to feel healthy again.”

–Paublo Maestas

“My experience with the Advocates has been so positive. It is incredibly important to me to be informed about what is going on with my case, and I feel like I am never in the dark as far as that is concerned. Not to mention, if

–Lori Leszczynski

If you would refer our services to a friend or family member, please leave a review on our Google or Yelp pages.

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Before the Next Ride WHAT NO MOTORCYCLIST CAN AFFORD TO FORGET

EVERY DECISION MATTERS When you drive a car, the decision to wear a T-shirt doesn’t matter much. But when you’re on a bike, not covering up can be disastrous if you wreck. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best decision a motorcyclist can make is to wear a helmet. In 2015, helmets saved 1,772 lives, reducing the chances of death by 37 percent and the risk of serious head injury by 69 percent. These frightening statistics aren’t meant to keep people off their bikes. Rather, when motorcyclists are aware of the dangers they face, they can practice safe driving techniques to reduce their risk of accident or injury. Unfortunately, even the most careful motorcyclist can be the victim of another driver’s negligence. And because motorcycles tend to be involved in so many accidents, insurance companies often use these statistics as an excuse to blame accidents on motorcyclists or refuse to pay them the compensation they are owed. For this reason, every motorcyclist needs to have a capable team of attorneys to help them in their time of need. When you’re in an accident, there’s no time to waste. Before your next ride, be sure you have the number of your personal injury team at the Advocates saved. Calling (801) 783-3555 after an accident could be your best decision since you decided to put on a helmet.

Summer will soon return, and there’s nothing like taking your motorcycle out in the warm weather to enjoy the

beautiful Utah scenery. Unfortunately, motorcyclists face risks that drivers of other vehicles don’t have to worry about. This reality becomes painfully obvious when you

look at Utah’s motorcycle accident statistics.

A HIGHER DEATH TOLL The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that death in a motorcycle accident is 27 times more common than in other vehicles. As more people are drawn to the thrill of riding a motorcycle, the number of fatal accidents continues to rise. The Insurance Information Institute found 4,976 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2015, an 8.3 percent increase from 2014. ON YOUR LEFT The biggest threat to a motorcycle on the road is the person behind the wheel of a car. If a driver isn’t paying attention, they can fail to notice a motorcycle entering their blind spot. Cars making a left turn regularly hit motorcyclists who are going straight through an intersection or passing the car. These collisions account for 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents.

MAKE THE CALL

PASTA WITH TURKEY AND BROCCOLI Recipe inspired by realsimple.com

In the digital age, it’s pretty convenient to communicate

with your partner through texts and social media. But to be really close, nothing compares to hearing your loved one’s voice.

This simple, delicious recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s also a great way to encourage kids to eat their broccoli. The next time you make pasta, leave the canned sauce in the pantry and make this instead!

Ingredients

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2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

3/4 pounds pasta (shells or orecchiette) 2 cups broccoli florets 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound ground turkey

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Salt

Research shows that direct communication is seven times more effective than something digital. 1 Couples who call each other often report feeling more certainty and commitment in their relationship than those who did not. A strong foundation of love is built with many small acts of connecting. Call your sweetheart every day just to say hi and ask them how they are. 1 Jin, B., & Peña, J. F. (2010). Mobile Communication in Romantic Relationships: Mobile Phone Use, Relational Uncertainty, Love, Commitment, and Attachment Styles. Communication Report.

Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt.

and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.

www.UtahAdvocates.com • 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

331 South 600 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

Inside This Issue

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Josh Hotchkiss’ Career Journey This Season’s Best Family Activity Hear From Satisfied Clients Danger on the Open Road Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli The Message Behind Kindness Rocks

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Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? You wake up late, you can’t find your keys, the kids aren’t ready, and the day continues to unfold in a negative fog. A SMALL TOKEN WITH A BIG MESSAGE Kindness Is Contagious

Those difficult days are the reason Megan Murphy started the Kindness Rocks Project. After her parents passed away, she found comfort in finding heart-shaped rocks and sea glass on the beach. She realized that these small tokens might make other people feel better, too. Megan’s friend, one of the first to pick up a rock Megan had left behind, sent her an encouraging message after finding it: “If you did drop this rock, you made my day.” Since then, Megan has inspired others with randomly placed messages of kindness. She finds a rock, paints a kind message on it, and leaves it on the beach for others to find. And the idea has spread. As the project has grown, so have people’s stories about finding kindness rocks. When people find a kindness rock, they get a boost to their day, but they also feel inspired to pay the kindness forward. HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN KINDNESS ROCKS If you want to spread kindness, start with a few smooth 3- to 5-inch rocks. Part of the adventure is in finding the rocks, so take the time to explore

outside to find them. Maybe take the kids for a trek to a nearby park or beach.

Once you have your rocks, use nontoxic paint or spray paint to color them. Use bright colors so that others can spot them. After the paint has dried, use paint pens to write your messages on the rocks. These can be as simple as one word or as big as an inspiring quote or verse. After you’ve written your message, use a clear nontoxic sealant to protect your artwork so it will be there when others find it. Find an outdoor space to leave your rock — maybe even in the original spot you found it.

In a world that often seems dark, your message of kindness will serve as a beacon of hope for others.

“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.” –Gautama Buddha

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