A Happy Holiday & Safe New Year - Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC

Issue 1.07 Official Magazine of Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC

Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

St. Mary’s

HOME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN TIS THE SEASON

MINIMIZE YOUR TIME ON THE ROAD AND IF NECESSARY, TAKE A CAB!

5 TIPS

FOR WINTER ROAD SAFETY

5 MOST DANGEROUS TOYS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FROM YOUR LAWYER!

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Having A Happy Holiday & Safe New Year

St. Mary’s Home FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

St. Mary’s Home in Norfolk provides medical, therapeutic, educational and recreational services for children and young adults from across Virginia who have severe disabilities. This level of complex, around-the-clock care can be difficult for families to provide at home.

Most of the young people who live at St. Mary’s, and at The Albero House, which opened on St. Mary’s campus a year ago to care for

We at the Serpe Firm are hoping that you will include

St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children in your holiday and year end giving. We are giving back this holiday season, and making

a $1000 donation to support their incredible work.

adults, use wheelchairs. They may rely on methods other than speech to communicate their wants and needs. Many use feeding tubes, and almost all need regularly administered medications.

Daily care is delivered by nurses, therapists and direct support professionals who are experts at recognizing abilities and raising expectations. Staff members focus on helping each child and young adult reach his or her full potential and on providing programs and experiences, like field trips to the beach, the mall, ballgames and more, to enhance their lives.

Learn more about St. Mary’s saintmaryshome.org facebook.com/StMarysHome

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EACH WINTER, DRUNK DRIVING TRAGEDIES INTERRUPT WHAT’S USUALLY THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. IN DECEMBER 2012, NEARLY 900 AMERICANS LOST THEIR LIVES IN ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DRUNK DRIVERS. BETWEEN OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTIES, FAMILY CELEBRATIONS, AND THE BIG NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVITIES, THERE’S SOMETHING FUN AND EXCITING GOING ON PRACTICALLY EVERY NIGHT OF DECEMBER. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS TYPICALLY MEANS MORE DRUNK OR BUZZED DRIVERS TAKING RISKS ON THE ROAD.

Drunk driving is truly an American epidemic. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration found that of the 33,561 accident related deaths in 2012, as many as 10,322 of those involved a drunk driver.

Sadly, teens are the most likely to drive under the influence, even though they’re legally too young to drink. They accounted for the largest percentage 28% - of drivers killed in drunk driving accidents in 2012.

Knowing these peak times for DUI’s and accidents should suggest to you those time periods when it would be prudent to stay off the road to avoid other people who are driving under the influence. Many of our clients have been the victims of drunk drivers, and the injuries and suffering caused by these wrecks is almost always catastrophic.

You should also know your limits and be prudent when you consider whether to drive after drinking. Besides potentially endangering your life and the lives of others, DUIs are expensive and time consuming. The average DUI charge costs the driver around $10,000. This is in addition to potentially facing jail time, losing your license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees and lost wages from time off for court appearances. Court costs and car repairs, too, can drain your wallet. Even the most expensive cab ride home can’t compare to the long term costs of a DUI.

Having A Happy Holiday & Safe New Year Newsletter | Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC – Attorney Advertising

One popular misconception among drivers is that it’s okay to drive buzzed, or after just one drink. While you might feel that you know your own limits, the reality is that the legal limit is lower than you might think. It is illegal nationwide to drive with more than .08 blood alcohol concentration. Many people believe slowing your drinking or just having one or two servings will be enough to stay under that limit, but that is not always the case. Factors varying widely from person to person, including body weight, amount of food in your stomach, and alcohol content consumed. If you’ve been drinking at all, it’s best to simply not drive.

Of course, the winter holidays are a great excuse to eat, drink and be merry. If you’ve got plans to drink at holiday parties or other special events, consider taking a taxi home.

Uber, Lyft and other car services are also great on-demand options. Of course, arranging for a designated driver can be the best option saving you time and money while making sure you arrive home safely.

This Holiday season, be prudent and protect yourself and others from the risks of being on the road with impaired drivers. If you have been injured by drunk driver, we are ready to help you recover.

destination a few minutes late is better than being stuck on the side of the road dealing with an accident.

IF YOU’RE STRANDED, STAY IN YOUR CAR. Many

EACH YEAR, UNPREPARED AND OVERCONFIDENT DRIVERS FIND THEMSELVES IN ACCIDENTS DUE TO SNOWY OR ICY ROADS. KEEP THESE FIVE TIPS IN MIND BEFORE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL THIS WINTER. PREPARATION IS KEY. Much

of what you can do to keep safe on the road this winter is done before you even turn your key to start your engine.

Of course you keep your vehicle in great condition year round, but it’s especially important to do proper safety checks once the colder months hit. Check out your battery, make sure your lights are working, and consider the tread and pressure of your tires. It’s also a good idea to make sure your defroster is working well and that you’ve got plenty of antifreeze ready to go. Planning ahead will save you tons of time and money later.

If you’re hitting the road on a particularly snowy or icy

night, make sure you’ve got a fully charged cell phone ready for emergencies. Have some supplies like blankets, snow scrapers, and road flares stored under a seat or in the trunk. It’s also a good idea to have bottled water, granola bars and other snacks ready should you be stranded.

ADJUST YOUR SPEED.

Speed is one of the most common factors in winter car accidents. Use your brakes correctly - if you’ve got an anti-lock braking system on your car, there’s no need to pump your brakes.

Remember that on icy streets, you’ll need a longer distance to stop completely.

Avoid using cruise control, as sudden slippery spots can turn dangerous when you hit the brakes. You could lose control of your vehicle.

DON’T TAILGATE. Drivers tend to slowdown during winter storms, which can drive impatient people to ride their bumpers. There’s no quicker way to land yourself in a fender bender than to tailgate on icy or snowy roads. Even if you’re in a rush, arriving to your

people make the mistake of abandoning their car in favor of walking or hitchhiking to find help. The reality is that walking in a storm can be very disorienting and it’s easy to get lost. Instead, find a piece of brightly colored clothing to tie to a door handle or antennae to act as a flag. If you’re stuck overnight, be sure to crack your window for a bit of fresh air. You might get chilly, but it’s worth it to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning – snow can often plug your exhaust.

KNOW WHEN TO CALL IT QUITS – OR TO STAY HOME. If the weather is

really bad, sometimes it’s best to just stay home.

Even the most confident of drivers can become quickly overwhelmed or stranded in strong storms.

Our firm always stays busy in the Holiday season helping clients who were struck by other travelers who were not taking these important steps to protect themselves and other motorists. Please let us know if you have been injured by a driver who ignored the dangers presented by wintery conditions.

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Trampolines.

These bouncy energy burners are responsible for an estimated 100,000 injuries per year. They also can increase your homeowner’s insurance premiums.

Easy Bake Ovens.

This one seems pretty obvious. The oven is a child size rendition of the real thing. Just like the real thing, it gets really hot so that it can bake food, namely cakes and other sweet treats. If you want to teach your little one how to bake, do it with them. There is no need for a smaller size oven when it burns just the same.

EMILY BRANNON

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING A NEW FAMILY PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS, MAKE SURE TO AVOID BREEDS WITH VIOLENT PROPENSITIES. DANGEROUS DOGS FREQUENTLY ATTACK SMALL ANIMALS AND CHILDREN. According to DOGSBITE.ORG the two most dangerous breeds in America are pit bull terriers and rottweilers.

BAH HUMBUG! TIS THE SEASON TO SPOIL OUR LITTLE ONES WITH GIFTS GALORE. FOR THOSE OF US WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, WE KNOW THAT TOYS WILL TOP THE LISTS OF TODDLERS AND PRE-TEENS. TO KEEP YOUR HOLIDAYS FULL OF JOY AND FREE OF DANGER, CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF THE 5 MOST DANGEROUS TOYS TO AVOID THIS CHRISTMAS. If your child has been injured by a defective toy, the product liability lawyers in our firm are ready to investigate your case immediately.

Flutterfly toys.

These toys, usually a fairy or similar figurine are propelled off of their base by the pull of a string. The danger is in where the fairy lands. Furthermore, what does a child gain from this toy? If you want to teach your kids about propulsion, wait until they are old enough to understand that when something is propelled, you might not be able to control where it lands.

Dress up Wings.

This one is on my personal list. As a mother of little girls, we have lots of dress ups in our house. Many of those outfits included wings. I am surprised at how quickly the wings deteriorate revealing wire, similar to that in a hanger. This wire becomes incredibly dangerous to little ones who are wearing or grabbing the wings. Make sure to keep a close watch on the condition of your little one’s wings.

Lead Hazards.

The 2013 Trouble in Toyland report from the PIRG indicates that lead continues to be a hazard in toys. A Captain American Soft Shield for ages two and up was found to contain 29 times the standard for lead.

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EVERY NEW YEAR WE ALL THINK OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR LIVES. THE CROWD FAVORITES ARE; EATING BETTER AND WORKING OUT MORE. WHILE WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE A MONTH OF EFFORT TO EAT MORE KALE, THERE ARE NUMBER OF LEGAL ITEMS THAT WE DON’T WANT TO THINK ABOUT. THIS YEAR WE CHALLENGE YOU TO FACE THOSE RESOLUTIONS THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE FIRST DRAFT PICK. BELOW IS OUR LIST OF 5 IMPORTANT BUT OFTEN IGNORED RESOLUTIONS.

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Get a medical directive.

Let’s face it, you are a grown up now. You have come so far. You have children or loved ones who would be lost without you. Don’t leave them to decide how to handle your medical care. Take the time to think about how you would want to be treated if tragedy strikes. Give your family the gift of peace.

Because we believe that this is important, we are inviting our former and current clients to join our free advance medical directive program which includes a free keychain and key return service.

Contact us at info@serpefirm.com for more information.

Insurance coverage.

We hear it every day. “I should have increased my limits”. It is a common misconception that increasing your limits is for other drivers on the road.

Increasing your limits ensures that you and your family have adequate protection in the case of a severe and catastrophic accident. Don’t be blindsided. Call your insurance professional today. You might be surprised at how little it costs to increase your coverage.

Check out the recalls on your vehicle.

If you are going on a long road trip, check out the recalls on your vehicle before you embark. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a very user friendly website for your use in checking for recalls on your vehicle. It only takes a minute. www.recalls.gov

Implement a Zero Tolerance policy for texting and driving.

You and your family members can sign a family contract to never text and drive. Impose severe sanctions for violations of the family contract. No message is worth the risk.

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Having A Happy Holiday & Safe New Year Newsletter

Issue 1.07

SETTLEMENTS & CASES OF INTEREST

$17.4 Million

Class Action Defective Products Settlement

Currently accepting cases for those seriously or fatally injured by the blood thinning drug Xarelto®.

Currently investigating Trinity ET-Plus guardrail accidents that led to serious or fatal injuries.

For more information visit GuardrailInjuryLawyer.com or call us at 877-544-5323.

DISCLAIMER

580 East Main Street, Suite 310, Norfolk, VA 23510

All cases are different and the results of one case cannot be used as an indication of what our firm may obtain for a similar case.

info@serpefirm.com www.serpefirm.com

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Having A Happy Holiday & Safe New Year Newsletter | Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC – Attorney Advertising