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FEBRUARY 2023
Legally Brief With Kevin Patrick Automobile accidents | Daycare injuries | wrongful death
We Earned Justice for a Soldier! HENRY TAUGHT ME GRATITUDE ON PEARL HARBOR DAY
This winter, I had the privilege of handling a pro bono case for an army combat medic specialist, Henry. Henry was injured in a car accident on his way to the Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, and though I’d never wish harm on anyone, I’m incredibly thankful that crash allowed us to meet!
meant to be. I think Henry won them over the moment he walked in wearing his Army uniform. We managed to achieve the best possible outcome for him in his car crash case. Henry left the courthouse smiling, and quickly disappeared into the rainy December afternoon. Standing in the fog, I reflected on his hard work, optimism, and perspective on life in our country. My eyes wandered to the nearby Marietta National Cemetery, and before I quite knew what I was doing, I found myself turning off my cellphone, rolling up my sleeves, and setting off for the rows of gravestones. I walked between the markers and paused in front of the Pearl Harbor Monument. For a few quiet minutes, I stood in the drizzle, thinking about the sanctity of life. We all have a precious gift that can be snatched away at any moment. Why don’t we appreciate our opportunities and seize them with as much vigor as Henry has?
Henry has a fascinating life story. He grew up in Ghana but decamped from Africa for the United States to attend college — leaving his entire family behind. He fell in love with America and quickly enlisted in the military.
MY EYES WANDERED TO THE NEARBY MARIETTA NATIONAL CEMETERY, AND BEFORE I QUITE KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING, I FOUND MYSELF TURNING OFF MY CELLPHONE, ROLLING UP MY SLEEVES, AND SETTING OFF FOR THE ROWS OF GRAVESTONES.
I left the graveyard feeling inspired. It was a surprising turn of events because, honestly, I’ve gotten so used to doing my work over Zoom these last few years that I was reluctant to drive to the Cobb County Courthouse that morning. I headed home with a fresh perspective! I felt thankful for the drive, the simple pleasures of being back in court in person, and the new perspective Henry gave me on my life.
In a twist of fate, I ended up handling Henry’s case on Dec. 7 — the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Every word we spoke that day felt weighted with meaning. We talked about Henry’s time in the military, the tragedy of Pearl Harbor, the sacrifices so many people have made for our freedom, and how blessed we are to live in America in 2022.
Henry’s perspective was refreshing. It’s very easy these days to focus on the negative aspects of life in our country. Our politics are so polarized that pessimism seems to be the only story in the news! However, there are plenty of positive things about America, too. Henry told me that he believes we live in the greatest country on Earth. I said, “Amen to that!” That day, the court was incredibly courteous, accommodating, and respectful — just the way it’s
I’m looking forward to representing people like Henry for many years to come. I have the best job in the world in the greatest country in the world — who can ask for more than that?
This publication is for informational purposes only, and no legal advice is intended.
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Stay Safe Online!
GUARD YOUR PRIVACY AND PEACE OF MIND
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU’RE FOUND GUILTY OF CYBERCRIMES? Laws have been made to address criminal behavior that involves computers, computer systems, and the internet. In fact, each state has its requirements and potential penalties depending on the type of crime — and penalties may be severe, even for first-time offenders.
We live in a digital world where everything can be found online. Whether it’s storing data or gaining access to information, we tend to use the internet constantly. With so many innovations and new technologies being created, it’s no surprise that cybercrimes are becoming more frequent than ever. WHAT ARE CYBERCRIMES? Cybercrimes are criminal activities that involve computers, networked devices, or networks. These are typically committed by cybercriminals or hackers looking for ways to steal information, damage computers or networks, or make a profit — whether personal or political.
The penalties could include the following:
Fines These range widely, but a misdemeanor conviction can result in minor fees of a few hundred dollars or possibly up to $1,000. At the same time, felony convictions can have fines of up to $100,000. Jail or Prison If someone is convicted of a specific cybercrime, they can face jail or prison sentences. The most severe crimes can even result in a prison sentence of 20 years or more. Probation Depending on the case, a person can be on probation for a year or more and need to report to a probation officer, pay court costs and fines, or maintain employment. Though technology can make life a little easier, there are dangers we must avoid. So, create strong passwords, keep your systems updated, and be mindful of the information you’re giving out.
Some types of cybercrimes include:
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Email and internet fraud
• Identity fraud (where personal information is stolen and used) • Theft of financial or card payment data • Theft and sale of corporate data • Infringing copyright • Selling illegal items online As more business transactions, such as paying bills, shopping, and trading, have moved online, cybercrimes have affected more people than ever before. Unfortunately, the ill effects often lead to extreme financial ruin for businesses and individuals.
Is Your Car Insurance Good Enough? USE OUR CHECKLIST TO VET YOUR POLICY
Make sure you have uninsured/ underinsured (UM) coverage. This coverage will protect you if you’re in a crash with a driver who either doesn’t have liability insurance at all or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your medical bills and damages. Technically this should never happen because liability insurance is required by law, but we still see it all the time! To protect yourself, we recommend purchasing a specific type of UM insurance called “add-on coverage,” which will let you add the amount of insurance the other driver has to the amount of your UM policy, giving you the greatest total coverage. Do NOT purchase “reducing coverage” UM insurance, which does the opposite!
Feb. 1 is Car Insurance Day, so when you get this newsletter, take a moment to celebrate it by double-checking your insurance coverage! If you’re not sure what to look for, use this handy guide from our team of experts. When you check all of these boxes, you will be largely protected from the expense of even the worst car crash.
per incident, and property damage liability worth $25,000 per incident.
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These policies are required by Georgia law, and they’ll help you pay for any injuries or damage you cause to other drivers if you’re in a car wreck. You can invest in more coverage if you want, but you’re not allowed to have less. Check for physical damage insurance. There are two different types of physical damage insurance: collision, which covers the damage to your vehicle if you’re in a crash, and comprehensive, which will reimburse you if your car catches fire or is damaged by a thief or vandal. Neither of these insurance types are required, but they’re good to have if you can afford them!
Check whether you have active insurance coverage. It’s possible your coverage has expired, or you forgot to update it when you moved to Georgia from out of state. If that’s the case, you’re breaking the law and need to invest in a policy right away. Make sure your policy includes these two types of liability insurance: bodily injury liability worth at least $25,000 per person and $50,000
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You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cellphone is 404.409.3160.)
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Your Truck Accident Questions Answered! 3 FAQs Every Driver Should Read
Most people think of Kevin Patrick Law as a car accident law firm, but we actually handle other types of cases, too, including day care injuries, nursing home and abuse accidents, premises liability cases, and trucking accident cases. Right now, we’re getting a lot of questions about trucking accidents that happened over the holidays. Hundreds of extra truckers were on the road ferrying Christmas presents back and forth, and some of them didn’t make it home safely. To help answer those questions, we’ve put together a short trucking accident FAQ. If you or someone you know has been in a trucking accident recently — or you’re on the road a lot — you should definitely read these tips! Q: IF I’VE BEEN IN A TRUCKING ACCIDENT, WHAT KIND OF COMPENSATION CAN I EXPECT? A: The type of compensation you’ll get depends on how badly you were injured in the accident and how much damage your property suffered. However, in most trucking accidents, insurance will pay for one or more of these five things: medical expenses, future medical expenses, property damage, lost wages (from time you missed at work), and punitive damage (if the
truck driver was drinking or taking drugs). These aren’t the only possibilities, but they are the most common! Q: HOW ARE TRUCKING ACCIDENT CASES DIFFERENT FROM CAR ACCIDENT CASES? A: Trucks are subject to different federal motor carrier rules and regulations than cars, and because truck drivers are professionals, they’re also held to a higher standard of care than your average person. This can work in your favor if you’re hit by a truck! Many commercial vehicles also have cameras on board, which can capture useful evidence of the crash. Q: IF I’M IN A TRUCKING ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE, WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE? A: We recommend taking five steps, in this order. First, call 911 for help. Second, if you feel well enough, gather information, like the names, phone numbers, and emails of other drivers involved. Third, take photos of the scene to use as evidence. Fourth, see a doctor and ask them to document your injuries and mental state. Fifth, call your lawyer! We’re happy to be that phone call for you or any of your friends or family who need help.
Take A Break
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats
Celebrate your four-legged valentine this month with these adorable and delicious treats! Ingredients • 2 eggs • 1 1/2 cups almond flour • 1 tbsp coconut oil • 1/2 cup dried cranberries • 3–4 tbsp coconut flour Directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 2. In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside. 3. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and dried cranberries. 4. Once combined, pour in eggs and mix with your hands. (The dough will be very wet.) 5. Add coconut flour 1 tbsp at a time; mix well after each addition. You want to achieve a consistency that is easy to roll, is not super sticky, and easily forms a ball. 6. Roll out dough and cut treats using bite-size cookie cutters. Tip: Sprinkle a little coconut flour on top of your dough to keep it from sticking to the cookie cutters. 7. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, place your treats. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until crisp. Let cool before giving to your pooch!
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Inside This Issue 1 Kevin’s ‘Aha!’ Moment in the Cemetery 2 Understanding Internet Crime Laws How to Double-Check Your Car Insurance Coverage 3 Truck Accident Q&A Valentine’s Day Dog Treats 4 3 Family-Friendly Valentine’s Day Activities
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Spending Valentine’s Day With the Family?
Try Out These Activities
Valentine’s Day demands most of the attention in February. This holiday is designated for couples to share their love and do things they greatly enjoy together. While this usually consists of dinner dates, a movie, and possibly even some dancing, some
fun and educational activity for your kids as you can help them with their spelling and grammar.
HAVE A FANCY DINNER.
parents have a difficult time getting away. Maybe they can’t find a babysitter, or one of the kids is ill, causing them to cancel plans. You might think there’s no point in celebrating the holiday if you can’t do so with just your significant other, but you can turn Valentine’s Day into a family-friendly event. Here are a few activities to try if you’re spending Valentine’s with the kids this February. WRITE LOVE NOTES TO EACH OTHER. Valentine’s Day is all about love, so what better way to celebrate it than by sharing your love with those closest to you? Take a moment and have every member of your family write love
You don’t need to go out to have an extravagant Valentine’s dinner. You can make one at home
by incorporating the same ingredients as the dishes you would get at a restaurant. Or you can order from your favorite restaurant and pick it up. Use a fancy tablecloth, light some candles, and have fun with it. Don’t forget to include a special dessert; you can even make mocktails to amp up the fun.
FINISH THE NIGHT WITH A MOVIE. Valentine’s Day is often one of the busiest nights of the year for movie theaters, but you don’t have to go out to enjoy a movie during the holiday. Head to your favorite streaming service and find some family-friendly romantic comedies to watch together. “The Princess Diaries,” “Lady and the Tramp,” and “Gnomeo and Juliet” are all great options.
notes to each other. Encourage your kids to share their happy memories and explain why they love each person. This can be a
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