www.chuckphilips.com • (727) 494-2008MARCH 2020

Auto Accident • Wrongful Death • Insurance Law

LAW OFFICE OFCHARLES S. PHILIPS, PLLC

Providing Personalized Representation to Those Who are Seriously Injured

What Our Clients Are Saying...Mr. Philips did an amazing job with my case. I am very happy with the outcome of my case. This Law Firm is very professional and work very hard. He kept me posted on all aspects of the issue, and guided professionally and accurately. I strongly recommended. ~ Ashley

Spring Training Game Opening Day

We appreciate your referrals!Thank you for

your trustand confidence

Community Charity Spotlight:

Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth with nearly 200 temples (chapters) in several countries and thousands of clubs around the world.

Their fraternity is open to men of integrity from all walks of life.

Shriners International also supports Shriners Hospitals for Children®, a health system of 22 locations.

www.shrinersinternational.org

Fun Fact Chuck’s grandfather and father were both 33rd degree masons with Shriners. Chuck has supported Shriners for many years.

The Cinderella Project is gearing up to take prom attire into the schools & community during the month of March. They will be open at GHS, RRHS

& CCHS after school from 2:30 - 5:30 PM. Watch https://www.facebook.com/TheCinderella_Project-Pasco-County-100289620303872 for updates!

Charles S. Philips • www.chuckphilips.com • (727) 494-2008

MARCH 2020

Add oil to large pot. Add beef and cook until well browned. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add water, broth, beer, wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire, bay leaves. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover and cook at a low simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Melt the butter in another pot over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots and sauté. Add onions and carrot mixture along with potatoes to beef, simmer. Add salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered until tender, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Spoon off any excess fat.

Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

1.5 lbs. well-marbled chuck beef stew meat, cut into chunks

1 large onion, chopped

2.5 lbs. peeled potatoes, cut into pieces

2 cups peeled carrots

4-5 large garlic cloves, minced

4-5 cups beef broth

2 cups water (can add more if needed)

1.5 cup of stout beer

1 cup of red wine

Oil

Salt to taste

2 tbsp. tomato paste

Irish Beef StewJust like Mom used to make!

Where to Find Us:

If you know someone who needs our help after an accident, we have five convenient locations throughout Tampa Bay where appointments can be scheduled by calling (727) 494-2008.

Pasco - New Port Richey (Main Office)

Hernando - Spring Hill

Citrus - Inverness

Pinellas - Belleair

Hillsborough - Tampa

1 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp. dried thyme (use fresh if have it)

1 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp. butter

1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

3/17/20

3/28/20

4/3/20

4/3/20-4/11/20

4/4/20

4/12/20

4/22/20

4/24/20-4/26/20

St. Patrick’s Day

NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade 11:00 a.m.

Traditional Food: Corned Beef, Cabbage, Soda Bread,Shepherd’s Pie, Black and White Pudding, Green Beer

Chasco Fiesta Street Parade 1:00 p.m.

Chasco Fiesta Golf Tournament Seven Springs Golf and Country Club

Hernando County Fair - Hernando County Fairgrounds, Brooksville

Florida Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade 1:00 p.m.

Easter

Administrative Professionals Day

Tampa Bay Seafood and Music Festival Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa

COMING UP IN SPRING!

MARCH 2020

Charles S. Philips • www.chuckphilips.com • (727) 494-2008

From the Desk of Chuck PhilipsTHE LAW ON ELECTRIC/E-SCOOTERS/DOCKLESS SCOOTERSAND THE DANGER OF SUCH DEVICES

In New Port Richey, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa electric scooters or e-scooters are becoming more and more prevalent. What are e-scooters or dockless scooters? A dockless scooter is an electric scooter that has a GPS and a self-locking mechanism so a user can leave the scooter at a location other than the rental facility after they finish riding. The four major suppliers of these scooters are Bird, Spin, Lime and Bolt. They charge your credit card to unlock the scooter and then charge per minute of riding. They currently travel at an approximate, top speed of 15 miles per hour.

Florida Statute 316.2128 governs e-scooters and dockless scooters. It states that an operator of a motorized scooter has all the rights and duties applicable to a bicycle rider. The statute further states that a person operating a motorized scooter or micro-mobility device is not required to carry insurance, nor have a driver’s license. Helmets are not required for riders over the age of 16. The statute also allows people operating the e-scooter/dockless scooter to operate these devices on sidewalks and in bike lanes. Local governments are allowed to further restrict these devices with local ordinances as well.

E-scooters, because they are treated like bicycles under the law, are going to face the same dangers as a bicyclist when operating on our public roadways. Riders will be entering and crossing city streets from the sidewalk, as well as crossing driveways and alleyways where at each intersection they could be met by a car, truck or SUV that is not expecting them to buzz on by. Collisions with serious injuries will ensue as a result of these closer-than-anticipated encounters. We are already hearing reports of people who are suffering from head injuries such as concussions, and fractures, especially of the clavicle, collarbone, and extremities as a result of an e-scooter rider being struck by a motor vehicle. Pedestrians are also at risk of being hit by the e-scooters too. Do not assume that the e-scooter rider will have any insurance either as it is not required under the Florida statute governing these devices. If you are injured on an e-scooter by another motor vehicle, then your PIP would apply if you owned a motor vehicle and carried this required coverage. We also recommend carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage just in case the motor vehicle that hits you does not have bodily injury liability coverage. Lastly, as to insurance, if you are renting the e-scooter, purchase liability coverage if offered by the rental facility so that you will have coverage to protect those pedestrians whom you might strike while operating the e-scooter.

Before operating an e-scooter, make sure you have a full understanding of how the device works. Operate the scooter at a slow speed and practice turning and stopping before increasing your speed. Make sure you are aware of the bike laws in your area and any local ordinances pertaining specifically to e-scooters prior to traveling onto busy roadways. Only ride the e-scooter on smooth-paved surfaces as they are not designed for off-road use. Please wear a helmet, regardless of the legal standard, as this will help protect your head from serious injury. Lastly, keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians and give way to them when approaching.

If you should have any further questions concerning e-scooters or suffer injuries in an e-scooter accident, please contact our office for further information.

We are always here for you!

Chuck

Friends of the Firm DrawingIn appreciation for your business and referrals, we are conducting a Friends of the Firm Raffle for a chance to win:

2 Tickets to Kenny Chesney/Florida Georgia LineMay 9, 2020Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

All entries must be received via www.chuckphilips.comby March 26, 2020 and the drawing will be held on March 27, 2020.

The winner will be notified and can pick up their tickets at our office during normal business hours! Good luck!

*Reminder: 1 entry per person please

We sincerely hope you enjoy this publication. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. You are invited to discuss any legal questions with Mr. Philips by scheduling a no cost or obligation consultation.

9400 River Crossing Blvd., Suite 103 New Port Richey, Florida 34655(727) 494-2008injurylaw@chuckphilips.com

3 Things You Should NOT do When in an Auto Accident

1. Do NOT discuss fault or injuries with the other party involved. Even if you feel bad about the situation or think that you may have had some fault, do not apologize or make a statement. Leave the investigation and determination of fault in the hands of law enforcement.

2. Do NOT leave the scene before you have taken pictures, documented witnesses and before law enforcement arrives. Sometimes witnesses may not be able to stay until law enforcement arrives, so gather their information right away. Use your phone to take pictures of everything – the vehicles, any damage or debris. All this gathered information will help your insurance company process the claim and will be very helpful for your attorney as well.

3. Do NOT ignore your physical condition. Even if you think you are not injured, always seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident and get the exam documented. Sometimes people do not seek medical attention because they are not feeling any pain immediately following the accident. A few weeks following the accident they may realize that they do, in fact, have an injury. Unfortunately, since an initial exam did not occur within the two-week window, they will not be eligible to receive any personal injury protection coverage under their policy to assist with medical expenses. That is why it is always important to get checked out within 14 days no matter how well you feel immediately following the incident.