18 APR
Road to justice
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How Do You Choose an Injury Attorney?
If you’ve ever driven down the highway, you’ve seen
them — huge billboards with bold, ALL-CAPS text. These billboards, which are often placed in high-traffic, accident-prone stretches of road, advertise personal injury lawyers. The messages vary, but they usually feature a question: INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? GOT
WRECKED?, etc.
These billboards might be the most in-your-face way to promote a firm, but they are far from the only marketing strategy. In fact, attorneys’ offices spend millions of dollars every year advertising for injury law cases. This money not only goes to billboards, but also to TV spots. Many commercials run during daytime hours — the thought is that injured people are at home or at the hospital watching TV. With all of this advertising, it’s easy to be confused when it comes to selecting the attorney that’s right for you. In fact, some people get so confused that they don’t hire any lawyer, even when they really should have. This is really unfortunate, because in many serious cases, a lawyer can add a lot more value to the case than their fee. You may also be surprised to hear this, but I do not believe that everyone who was injured actually needs a lawyer. In fact, for many people hiring a lawyer when they don’t need to, it can actually add a lot of frustration and unnecessary expense to the process. A lawyer, even a good one, can’t always add enough value to smaller cases to make their involvement worthwhile. (By the way, we’ll tell you if your case would or would not benefit from hiring a lawyer. Just ask!) Knowing these facts, it’s clear that many law firms heavily market themselves as being able to resolve just about any case with lightning- quick speed. There is a risk that they may take a fee on a small case without actually adding value. Or, they may settle a large case too fast, leaving a lot of money on the table. But to many, the constant advertisements promising fast, easy money can be too good to pass up. It’s up to you to decide whether you want the matter resolved quickly with few questions asked or whether you are seeking the highest total amount.
At The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we take the second approach. We pride ourselves on working on substantial, meaty cases and exploring all avenues for restitution. For example, if you were injured by a drunk driver, we would try to find out where that person came from and whether they were oversold. If so, there might be a claim against that establishment. We undertake this mission because a bar or restaurant frequently has much more liability insurance than even the most well-insured driver. We also make use of a database that has records of previously paid claims based on specific data like the county of a case, specific injury type, and insurance provider. That way, we know when a settlement is too small. Basically, what I am saying is that we are not a fast-food practice. We don’t try to represent people who weren’t actually hurt or who are trying just to scam the system. We also don’t promise to get people the fastest
settlement, because all too often the first offers aren’t going to be the best. Instead, we want to give our full attention to help people who really were injured and who have a serious case. What’s important to you? –Jim Snell
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Family Time in the Great Outdoors
requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love.
HIKING
A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came.
FISHING
Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river. While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three-headed monster for your next family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lasting memories with your family that will draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.
CAMPING
Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars — and that’s just for the basics! But camping only
An Investigator You Can Trust MeetBrannonSlice
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From Earlier, More Trusting Times 3 April Fools’ Pranks
SWISS SPAGHETTI GROWERS ENJOY RECORD HARVEST Ah, to be as naive as we were during the early days of television. In 1957, a BBC news show called “Panorama” conducted a special report on a massive spaghetti harvest in Ticino, Switzerland, following a remarkably mild winter.
The black and white images showed farmers pulling huge strands of noodles off tall trees and prompted hundreds of viewers to call into the station and ask how they might procure their own spaghetti tree.
THOMAS EDISON’S AMAZING FOOD MACHINE When Edison was in his prime, Americans truly believed he could create anything— even a machine that transformed air, water, and dirt into biscuits, vegetables, meat, and wine, as reported by the New York Daily Graphic in 1878. The article was reprinted in newspapers across the country. Thousands of people bought the trick. When Buffalo’s Commercial Advertiser ran an editorial on Edison’s genius in the endeavor, the Graphic reprinted it in full, along with the headline,“They Bite!”
NIXON FOR PRESIDENT, 1992 When NPR’s popular “Talk of the Nation” program
announced in 1992 that former President Richard Nixon had announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, listeners were shocked. Never mind that he’d been the center of the largest presidential scam in history, but his campaign slogan,“I never did anything wrong, and I won’t do it again,” left something to be desired. NPR even brought political experts on the show to discuss the ramifications of such a move, and listeners flooded the station with outraged calls — until host John Hockenberry revealed that the on-air Nixon was actually comedian Rich Little.
trivia
Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli
Law School
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!
Which French artist, famous for paintings like “The Dance” and “The Red Room,” also held a law degree?
Send your answers to Shannon (shannon@snelllaw.com).
INGREDIENTS
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2 cloves garlic, chopped
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3/4 pound pasta (shells or orecchiette)
1. The first correct answer wins a $25 gift card to Starbucks.
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2. All other submissions are entered for a drawing to win a second $25 gift card to Starbucks. 3. The funniest wrong answer will be chosen by Shannon and will also win a $25 gift card to Starbucks. All entries must be received by Shannon by 4/13/18 and the winners will be announced in our next monthly issue.
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2 cups broccoli florets
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Salt
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3 tablespoons olive oil
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Parmesan cheese
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1 pound ground turkey
INSTRUCTIONS
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 of olive oil in a skillet over medium-
and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.
high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook
Recipe inspired by realsimple.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC 123 Harmon Street Lexington, SC 29072
Don’t hesitate to give our office a call! 803-753-1476
Inside this Issue
How Do You Choose an Injury Attorney? PAGE 1
3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting Memories Snell Law’s Favorite P.I. PAGE 2 April Fools’ Pranks From the Pre-Internet Age Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli PAGE 3
Snell Law Office Update PAGE 4
A Busy 2018 in Court and Beyond There’s nothing that means more to our team than compliments and referrals from our clients.The only way we get plaudits after a case is through a job well-done. Recently, in addition to these flattering remarks from clients, we’ve been getting referrals from a surprising source: insurance adjusters. To be perfectly honest, this puts smiles on our faces. These adjusters are folks we’ve argued against on numerous occasions.When their loved ones are injured or face criminal charges, they are going to recommend an office that they’ve seen fight for their clients. It makes us proud to know that we are regarded as a quality practice by people who have worked against us. Maybe these referrals have been rolling in because Jim Snell and Vicki Koutsogiannis have spent a good portion of 2018 in the courtroom.With the year just barely underway, we’ve already brought nine cases to trial.A lot of attorneys try to avoid going to court except as a last resort. In our opinion, you should always do what’s best for your client. If that requires a long, protracted trial, then that is the price you have to be willing to pay for justice.
In addition to the time spent on cases, Jim’s new book, “South Carolina DUI Defense: The Law and Practice,” has been released.We’re happy to report the text, co-written by attorney Jim Nesci, has been selling well. While this book is aimed more at practicing lawyers than common citizens, we encourage you to leaf through a copy the next time you’re in the office. Speaking of our office, we recently had our official ribbon-cutting ceremony.The move to our new space took a long time and gave us plenty of headaches along the way, but the ceremony made us feel like all of that effort was worthwhile.We love our new home and hope to be here for decades to come.
Office Happenings
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