Check out our March/April newsletter!
MAR/APR 2022
I COME TO FIGHT. I DON’T BARK. I BITE! WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364
Spring Brings Unexpected Chores
A FAMILY MOVE OFFERS WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
Spring-cleaning kicks off in March, but for me and my family it kicked off much earlier. When we think of spring we think of new growth, flowers blooming, wildlife coming out, and enjoying the weather. Kind of like “Bambi” the movie. Remember the 1942 Disney classic? There was Bambi, Pheasant (Bambi’s mom), Thumper (he’s my favorite), Friend Owl, Mrs. Possum, and Flower (the skunk). My wife Alison and I moved last year, and we certainly had our share of spring-cleaning experiences and up-close-and-personal encounters with wildlife the past few months. We both wanted a larger yard and outdoor space, but what came with the new place were some critters. We both love animals, but we soon realized we had a squirrel invasion. The squirrels were living in our attic, running in and out at all hours of the night, yelling at us from the street and trees, upset that we moved in. A few squirrels continue to return and peer in the window staring at us. We moved into their home is what they are trying to convey in a nutshell. Pun intended. We knew we had a problem and had a company come out to seal off every area of the home where they had access. That is resolved … for now. Other wildlife including huge owls, hawks, possums, and coyotes have greeted us with a warm welcome. If you follow the firm on Facebook, or have read our previous letters, you know our Pawresident, Cleo. Cleo just celebrated her 9th birthday and goes to work with me every day that I am not in court. Cleo has so many positive traits. She is fun, provides support at the office for both staff and clients, helps out when I go to the bank to process settlement checks, and keeps us on our toes. She has the staff trained!! If food is left on the desk prior to a quick run to the copier, you can bet breakfast will disappear. Cleo loves her snacks! Aside from her loveliness, Cleo also is fascinated with the wildlife at her new home. In February she decided a skunk was not welcome on the property. We were up at 1 a.m.
CLEO SUPERVISING SPRING-CLEANING
bathing, drying, and dealing with the beginning of some spring-cleaning that we didn’t know at the time would last for a few weeks. We decided very quickly the skunk was nothing like Flower in the movie “Bambi.” As much as we love Cleo and her hunting skills, we do not like the lingering stench of the skunk. A few days after the run-in, the family got together to do some extensive yard work. We raked and filled 65 bags of leaves over the weekend. Cleo supervised very closely the entire time. We quickly realized that the skunk Cleo befriended made a den under all the leaves. It feels like between the repulsive smell, keeping up with Cleo’s high maintenance hairdo and tending the yard, that we’re participating in an ongoing spring-cleaning career. We are having fun with it though and truly look forward to all the new wildlife that will be coming in the next few weeks with spring’s debut. Stay tuned for more on Cleo’s adventures. So, with spring-cleaning kicking off this month, you could use it as a jumping- off point to talk about the biggest mess that you’ve ever had to clean up, and how it happened! This could be anything from a messy room to a work mix-up or legal matter. What did you learn from this lesson?
–Matt Aulsbrook
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When you’re the victim of a vehicle accident, the justice and insurance systems have an established process through which you can fight for the compensation you deserve. But when you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, the pursuit of justice is more complex. QUESTIONS ANSWERED YOUR BIGGEST HIT- AND-RUN
Spring is often a welcome relief from the cold, dreary, snowy days of winter, but with every change of the season, a few household chores become necessary to help protect the longevity of our homes. In March, this includes everyone’s favorite: cleaning the gutters. CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS LIKE A PRO! THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THIS MUST-DO CHORE
This season, tackle your gutters with the only guide you will ever need.
THE RIGHT SETUP If you want to be a pro, you should look the part. Dress in “work” clothes, and opt for long sleeves and gloves to protect your arms and hands. Wear sturdy shoes for support, and cover your eyes. Use a ladder that is extendable and has a strong, sturdy base. It’s always best to have someone hold the ladder for extra support, too. Experts also recommend laying a tarp below your ladder to catch any falling debris. And rather than sticking your hands into the gutters, use a gutter scoop or an old spatula to remove the gunk. If you don’t have a ladder — or fear using one — you can search your local hardware store for tall cleaning tools, like leaf-blower attachments that will stretch up to your roof. Once again, you will want a tarp below to catch debris. And anything that does come out of the gutter can be thrown away or composted. NOT DONE YET! Real housing professionals always make sure the job will be easier next time — so don’t skip these crucial steps. After your gutters are clear, spray water into them and watch the downspout. This “test” will determine if every part of your gutter is clear or if there are other concerns you need to address. Then, consider installing “gutter guards” to prevent debris from falling into the gutters. Screens or metal guards will work well, and when it’s time to clean your gutters in the fall, simply swipe any material off the guard!
Let’s take a look at some of the most pressing questions in these incidents.
‘HOW DO I GET COMPENSATED?’ Unless the driver of the vehicle that hit you can be identified, you will have to file a claim with your insurance company. This is rare in a personal injury case, as it’s usually the at-fault driver who has to make a claim with their insurance. Personal injury attorneys only target insurance companies of at-fault drivers, too. This is why it’s valuable to have underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto policy. This will not only protect you from motorists who don’t have coverage, it will also provide you with compensation if the at-fault driver isn’t found. ‘ CAN I SUE, EVEN IF THERE ARE CRIMINAL CHARGES?’ The act of fleeing an accident you cause is a crime, so there will be criminal charges. However, this does not limit your ability to sue the at-fault driver or their insurance company. If necessary, once we can identify who is responsible for the accident, we can seek compensation from the proper insurance company. The courts may also order punitive damages to be paid by the at-fault party because fleeing the scene of the accident is an intentional act of negligence. SO, WHAT DO I DO? If you are an at-fault driver, never flee the scene. This will always result in greater, more severe penalties. If you’re the victim, proceed as you normally would after an accident. Get somewhere safe, and call for help. You should always seek medical treatment after an accident, too. Then, document the scene with photos and your personal statement. Ensure witnesses share their contact information with you or the police as well. These will all prove worthwhile when the at-fault driver is named.
Bonus : Don’t forget to repeat this cycle in the fall!
For more information and guidance, search the online directory at ConsumerReports.org. They offer advice on finding the right gutter guard and give other tips for how to clean your home.
You should never face a personal injury claim alone, especially in hit-and- run cases. For assistance, call the Texas Law Dog today!
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Science Proves You Can’t Text and Drive
Let’s Stop Distracted Driving
in just one second — or more likely, longer, if you’re looking at a text — or the length of two buses? Pedestrians could walk out, the road could bend, or vehicles could come to an abrupt stop. Plus, your brain cannot multitask! You can do two things in rapid succession, but you cannot focus on two tasks at once. This explains why you can answer your children’s questions while making dinner, or why you can knit while following your favorite TV show. Your brain switches between each task rapidly, allowing you to “multitask.” However, your full attention isn’t on both tasks at the same time. So, when you choose to text and drive, you pull your focus away from the road and onto your phone, even if you continue to drive forward and straight. WE CAN END DISTRACTED DRIVING. Make a conscious effort this Distracted Driving Awareness Month to stop texting and driving. To do so, find the method that works best for you. Some people prefer to turn their phone on airplane mode or utilize apps that limit incoming messages and information while they drive. This can eliminate the temptation. Others choose to place their phone somewhere that is inaccessible, like in the backseat or glove compartment. Whatever you choose to do, let’s pledge to make driving our only habit while on the road. You can learn more about distracted driving, its myths, and ways to stop it at EndDD.org. Our team at Aulsbrook Law Office also fights for victims of distracted driving incidents. Call the Texas Law Dog today at 817-775-5364.
We all know it’s dangerous. We’ve seen the advertisement campaigns with family members of those killed or severely injured by distracted driving, but when your phone makes that little “ping” noise, the urge to check it is just too strong. We all think we are the exception to the rule, but science proves us wrong. According to Wired, a simple math equation proves that looking at your phone for only one second while traveling just over 55 mph is the same as closing your eyes while traveling that speed for the length of two school buses. This equation uses velocity to determine how far you can travel at a certain speed in any given length of time. Imagine what can happen
Texas-Sized LAUGHS
EASY MARCH MADNESS CHILI
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
2 lbs ground beef 2 tbsp chili powder
• • •
2 16-oz cans diced tomatoes 2 16-oz cans small red beans 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
1 tbsp Creole seasoning
1 tsp ground cumin
DIRECT IONS
1. In a deep pot, brown the beef, stirring often. 2. Once beef is cooked, add chili powder, Creole seasoning, and cumin, cooking for 1 minute. 3. Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, and tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. After the mixture boils, reduce the heat to low and let chili simmer for 15 minutes. 5. Serve with toppings of choice, like cheese, sour cream, or chives.
Inspired by MyRecipes.com
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INSIDE A Different Spin On Spring-Cleaning 1
Finally — The Guide to Cleaning Your Gutters Do This if You’re in a Hit-And-Run Accident 2
The Scientific Proof You Need to Stop Texting and Driving Easy March Madness Chili 3 Duke University’s Head Coach Is Retiring 4
Cases We Handle: • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death
• Car Wreck • Truck Wreck
The History of Coach K
A LEGACY THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
As we approach March Madness, it means this basketball season is coming to a close. For Duke University’s men’s basketball team, it also means their head coach, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), will be retiring. On June 2, 2021, Coach K announced that the 2021–2022 basketball season would be his last year of coaching. In honor of one of the greatest coaches in basketball history, let’s take a look at Coach K’s history and accomplishments. Coach K was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1947. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was the captain of their basketball team during his senior year. After graduating, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army in 1969 and was discharged from active duty in 1974. Soon thereafter, he began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Indiana Hoosiers. After one year, he returned to West Point as head coach of the Army Cadets for five seasons. Then, in 1980, he was named head coach for Duke University’s men’s basketball team. Coach K has been the head coach for Duke for 42 years and has left a huge legacy.
NCAA Division I men’s basketball history. In 2015, he also became the first Division I men’s basketball coach to reach 1,000 wins. His Duke teams have won 15 ACC Championships, gone to 12 Final Fours, and won five NCAA National Championships. Paired with his impressive coaching history, Coach K also has some awards under his belt. He was awarded the ACC Coach of the Year in 1984, 1986, 1997, 1999, and 2000. Time Magazine and CNN named him as America’s Best Coach in 2001.
In November 2000, the hardwood floor in Duke’s gym was dedicated and renamed Coach K’s Court, and the area surrounding the outside of the gym was named Krzyzewskiville.
The question on every basketball fan’s mind is this: Who will be Duke’s new head coach? The university has already announced that Coach K’s longtime assistant coach, Jon Scheyer, will replace him. Scheyer used to play for Duke in 2011–2013.
He coached the USA men’s national basketball team to three gold medals, in 2008, 2012, and 2016. With the Duke Blue Devils, he has the most wins in
Coach Mike Krzyzewski will be missed by Duke fans and basketball fans around the country. His presence and legacy will forever reign in basketball history.
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