Car Accident step by step process Part 14: Understanding MedPay

The more I treat the more I get.....not true.  Insurance companies have a pre-determined amount that each injury is worth.....so if you treat the injury more than you should than less money will come to you....unless you have a powerful Attorney to fight this!

Gotta love Colorado:  You are allowed to "sign off" on MedPay. 



MedPay:  A type of auto insurance covering medical and funeral expenses resulting from an accident for the policyholder and any passengers riding with the policyholder. MedPay also covers the policyholder for any accident in which he is a pedestrian. MedPay provides coverage regardless of who is at fault. (Investorwords.com). 

Here's what most people do not know....

.......MedPay is PAID BACK out of your settlement....UNLESS you have an Attorney who fights for you.  When I was told this, honestly, I was shocked!! 

When you sign on for auto insurance and do not "opt out" you are automatically signed up for $5,000 MedPay (Colorado....please check your state policies).  

The good thing about MedPay is it kicks in immediately.  The bad thing is it is not closely looked at so if you visit an "unscrupulous" Doctor your MedPay can be used up very quickly....and as I said earlier....it is normally paid back out of your settlement.

We talked about Policy Limits so let's assume you have the Colorado minimum requirements of $25,000/$50,000 with $25,000 MedPay.  The person who hits you has the same minimum policy limits.  You are seriously injured and your MedPay is exhausted.  You have to have surgery and will have scars the rest of your life.  Bye Bye settlement.  

First thing you need to do is check what your policy limits are.
Second check what your MedPay is.
Third:  If you are ever injured in a car accident TALK TO A Personal Injury Attorney.  They will fight for your MedPay and they will have referral Doctor's that won't abuse the MedPay so you have more money for treatment.





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Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Car Accident step by step process Part 7: Hiring an Attorney

Finding the right Attorney for you is "Feeling the Rain".  Others will just allow you to get wet!



I'm off to pick the perfect Apple off the tree.  The bottom branches have dropped some pretty bruised Apples.  The low hanging branches have some "okay" looking Apples.....but I extend my search and find some great Apples a little higher up.

Same thing goes for finding the "right" Attorney for you.  There are the one's on the ground....not saying they aren't a good Attorney but are they a good Attorney for YOU!!

Do some research!  Ask questions!  Ask people you trust!  If you take the time to search for that GREAT APPLE it will be worth the time spent finding it!!!

Shopping for shoes:  Yellow pages under Shoes
Shopping for Restaurants:  Yellow pages under Restaurants

Shopping for an Attorney:  You cannot simply pick up the phone book and look there.  If it were that simple Attorney's would not do a good job for their clients.  They would charge a retainer, charge an hourly fee and let the chips fall where they may.

So how do you find a good Attorney?  You ask people who have been in your situation.  Don't just take one person's word on the Attorney, as with all professionals and professions no one is perfect. Get the opinion of several people.  If you get several referrals, schedule a free consultation (if possible) with all of them.

Now it's time to do your homework.  Check with your State Bar Association to see if there are any complaints.  Check online referral websites:

Avvo and Colorado Bar Association are just a few links you can do some research on.

Important questions to ask when YOU are interviewing an Attorney.  Most people think that when they meet with an Attorney it is a one-way decision; "Will they take my case."  What you need to remember is that you need to also decide if "I will hire this person."

Communication is very important when deciding to hire an Attorney.  If you call and schedule an appointment to meet with an Attorney ask if the person you are meeting with IS AN ATTORNEY. When you need an Attorney it is essential you speak to an Attorney, not an assistant, not a paralegal, not anyone but an Attorney.  Your time is important.

Ask the Attorney if he/she will be communicating with you or will his/her assistant?  Please know that it is absolutely appropriate for an Attorney's assistant/paralegal to keep you updated on your case but you need to know that if you need to speak with the Attorney that you will be able to do so. (Please note that it is probably unlikely that you will get to speak with them when you call).  Ask them how long it takes for them to normally return a phone call.  I have found that if you can email the Attorney you will often get an answer quickly but it is understandable that you would want to "talk" to them.

Most important when you are trying to find a good Attorney, do not explain your situation differently than the facts.  If you meet with one Attorney who will not take your case because of XYZ do not fail to tell the next one of XYZ.  If you want a good Attorney than you must first be a good client.

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Car Accident step by step process Part 6: Contingency fees explained

A contingency fee is defined as any commission, percentage, brokerage, or other fee that is contingent upon a favorable legislative result.  (NCSL)

We've all heard on the commercials "you don't owe us anything unless we win your case."

So what does this mean for you?  The most common use of contingency fees are auto accidents.  You enter into an agreement with the Attorney to take you case and the Attorney will receive a percentage of what your award is.

This is a great way for those who cannot afford Attorney fees UPFRONT to still get representation.  For example:  you are involved in a car accident and enter into a contingency fee agreement.  The Attorney will pay the expenses through the duration of your case (or set up arrangements for those expenses to be paid out of the proceeds of your award) so you are not out any money.  In auto accidents all policies are different and all claims are handled differently so I can explain by my experience.  My policy limits are $100,000.  I enter into a contingency agreement for 35%.  It cost the Attorney $10,000 to gather information.....and let me tell you this is not cheap,

see example of costs at the Letric Law Library sample number 7:   COSTS. Attorney will advance all "costs" in connection with Attorney's representation of Client under this agreement. Attorney will be reimbursed out of the recovery before any distribution of fees to Attorney or any distribution to Client. If there is no recovery, or the recovery is insufficient to reimburse Attorney in full for costs advanced, Attorney will bear the loss. Costs include, but are not limited to, court filing fees, deposition costs, expert fees and expenses, investigation costs, long-distance telephone charges, messenger service fees, photocopying expenses, and process server fees. Items that are not to be considered costs, and that must be paid by Client without being either advanced or contributed to by Attorney, include, but are not limited to, Client's medical expenses and other parties' costs, if any, that Client is ultimately required to pay.

When you win, and only if you win, does the Attorney get paid.  In this case $100,000.  $10,000 is reimbursed to the Attorney.  You now have $90,000 to work with.  The Letric Law Library has a sample agreement (see number 5 for Attorney fees).

Each Attorney and/or firm have their own agreements the agreement provided here is just to be used as an example.

Contingency fees are not allowed in all types of cases and each State regulates this.  For example:  In a divorce with children...if an Attorney were allowed to accept a contingency fee on the outcome of how much child support or alimony is awarded how would the Attorney collect on years of monthly payments and how fair would it be to all the parties to have Attorney's collect forever.

Don't be swayed by the Personal Injury Attorney commercials that say you won't pay a dime if we don't win...they all do this.  It gets your attention and you call not realizing that they all do.  Now you know....find the Attorney that YOU want and will fight for YOU!!

It will cost you NOTHING to meet with a Personal Injury Attorney!  It may cost you A LOT not to! 

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.  

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Car Accident step by step guide Part 2: watch your words

You are driving down the street and the next thing you know you are face in your airbag.  You've been hit by someone.  You don't know what happened.  What should you do?

Keep your mouth shut!!

"Insurance companies didn't get to be $15 billion and $20 billion (companies) because they give money away," says John Smith of Morgan Hubble Smith Insurance, based in Columbus, Ohio.

What happened? Is usually the first question asked by the first responders; police, fire department, paramedics, EMT's, witnesses to the accident, etc.  What you say can be twisted to whatever the insurance company wants, remember they didn't get to be a $15 billion dollar company because they want to take care of you!

No matter what the situation is.....keep your mouth shut.  When the adjuster comes out...keep your mouth shut.  They are looking for "key" words or phrases that can and will be used against you.  Don't discuss anything personal: "I just lost my job" or "I just broke up with....." NOTHING!!

"People talk too much. Your best advice is to make sure everyone is OK and then say nothing," says Smith, who's been in the insurance industry for 27 years.

Car accidents are a very stressful situation to be in.  It is natural to "talk" because you are nervous.  But....you don't want what you say to hurt your claim and, trust me, if they can manipulate what is said, to their advantage, they will.

Don't apologize...this can be construed as an admission of guilt.  I have been in two car accidents, neither of which was my fault, and I can tell you...the first thing out of my mouth on the first one was "I'm sorry" meaning just that...not that I was guilty but I was sorry the accident happened.  That was a hurdle that we should not have had to jump through....but it did teach me for the car accident that happened later.  

So, what can you do? 

• Get to a safe place
• Make sure everyone is okay
• Call the police and, if needed, an ambulance
• Have your driver's license, registration, and auto insurance (Everything they need to know about you is on these items)
• SAY NOTHING!!!
• Call an Attorney

Learn from other's mistakes!  
In every blog in this step by step process I am going to tell you to contact an Attorney!  You need someone who will fight for you.  Stay tuned for the next step.

If you are hurt in a car accident, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR INJURIES ARE, consult an Attorney!  The best way to heal is let someone else fight your battle with the insurance companies and it is a BATTLE!!  



Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

The Good In Attorneys

WOW!  Want to hear a quick, funny joke....many can be found about Attorneys.

What is 1000 Attorneys at the the bottom of the ocean?  
A good start.

We can all get a good chuckle at these jokes but for those of us who have ever NEEDED an Attorney and found a good one they are just that.....a joke.  I can laugh at most jokes that don't hurt a person.  I share jokes about Attorneys, Insurance Agents, Football teams...they are fun.

I want to look at a different side of Attorneys:  The Good Side.

As with ANY profession you will find the bad with the good.  As with ANY Attorneys you will find the bad with the good.

I have found you can determine a good Attorney by asking a few questions:

1. What do you do for a living?      I help people.
2. Why did you choose to be an Attorney?    To help people.
3. If you could do anything else what would it be?    I wouldn't because I love to help to help people and found this is the best way I can.

It's simple:  Those who become Attorneys for the "status" for the "pay" for the "Esq." behind their name....well, I don't want to say they are not all bad Attorneys, as they may be excellent Attorneys, BUT what drives them is what concerns me.  

I want an Attorney that WANTS to be my Attorney.  

I want an Attorney that sees the injustice of what happened and WANTS to make it right.

I want an Attorney that WANTS to get to know me...not just my case.

I am fortunate, in my line of work, I have met many Attorneys....some Excellent and some...not so much.  The excellent ones I have met all have the same "thread" that hold them to their career.  That thread is integrity, honesty and knowing their clients. It is the personal challenge they give themselves that make them stand out....the challenge is not for the "win" but for the client and when the challenge is for the client, more often than not, they are going to win. 

I have written a blog before about finding a good Attorney and if you missed it you can read it HERE.

If you are needing an Attorney please ask these questions.  Please do your homework.  

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt for PAWS for Life, Pueblo

It's that time again...Halloween.  This time of year is fun for all ages.  What's really fun?  Scavenger Hunts...what's even funner....doing a Scavenger Hunt to help animals.  The first annual scavenger hunt was 2011 and was a big success!  This year we want to make it even better!!

How it works:  FIRST THING YOU NEED TO KNOW...........IT IS FREE TO PARTICIPATE!!!

Saturday, October 27, 2012
We start at PAWS for Life, Pueblo at 3:00 PM.  800 N. Pueblo Blvd. Pueblo, CO
Costumes are not required but recommended!  You can work alone or in a group!
You will be given places to go on the scavenger hunt; the list is must be taken to all businesses to be signed off on.

HINT:
Pet Paradise:  1115 Pueblo Boulevard Way Pueblo, CO
PetSmart:  4230 North Freeway Road Pueblo, CO
Petco:   5843 North Elizabeth Street, Pueblo, CO
are three of the stops (imagine that)

There are three hidden clues for the other business participating this year. 
HINT:  They are all in Pueblo West

You will be given a list of items that PAWS for Life, Pueblo needs that you may purchase if you want (not required to participate).  The list is below BUT you cannot purchase any of these items to be counted towards your donations until October 20th!  The items AND the receipt must be turned in at the end of the Scavenger Hunt.

When you go to the participating business you have to EARN the donations.  They can have you do anything to earn them.  The better you do the more you earn for PAWS for Life, Pueblo.  

SIX by SIX:  This means you have six places to go by 6:00 PM.  You have to be at 
Jimmy's Tavern 324 S. Mc Culloch Blvd., Pueblo West, CO  by 6:00 PM with your donations and signed sheets.  At this time the amount donated will be tallied up (this will include any purchases you made out of the kindness of your heart from the week of October 20-27th.)  

The winning person or team will win a $50.00 bar tab at Jimmy's Tavern.  Jimmy's Tavern will also be providing food for us.  

EVERYONE is encouraged to participate, all ages.  Prizes for children will also be provided.  

At Jimmy's Tavern there will be baskets that have been generously donated for everyone to try and win!  

EVERYTHING to put this scavenger hunt on has been DONATED!  Monies have been paid by the sponsors; 100% of everything, money, donated items, etc. goes to PAWS for Life, Pueblo. 

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO OUR 2012 SCAVENGER HUNT SPONSORS!!!

American Bank of Commerce

Pueblo, CO  719-595-7300

Local Motors

Pueblo, CO  719-546-1250

Rental Services

Nick Katzer 719-240-4639

Presidential Brokerage

Robert Stanlick  719-278-9712

Legal Edge

Rhonda Sposato  719-543-7455

VS Accounting

Pueblo, CO  719-543-8680

The Hassler Law Firm

Pueblo, CO  719-544-2929

Mobile Record Shredders

Pueblo, CO  719-544-5460

Manweiler Trucking

Now Hiring Drivers  719-543-0585

Jimmy's Tavern

Pueblo West, CO  719-647-1442

American Family Insurance

The John Zanotelli Agency  719-543-8744

Farm Bureau Insurance

The Teena Dodson Agency  719-924-9049

The Cheryl Cordova Agency  719-696-8697

Southwest Motors

Hwy 50  719-545-5700

Santa Fe:  719-542-2677

The UPS Store

Pueblo, CO  719-543-5800

Bark Hill Properties, LLC

Pueblo, CO  719-696-9973

Zeisler & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PC

Colorado Springs/Pueblo  719-358-2571

American Pool Players Association

John and Barb Anderson 719-404-3277

Coats & Tails Pet Grooming

Pueblo West, CO  719-547-8599

Arly's Hang-Up

Pueblo West, CO  719-547-3009

Premier Back Rehabilitation Center 719-924-5977

Colorado Car Wreck 719-778-9340

Pueblo, CO  

Freedom Consignment & Antiques

Pueblo West, CO  719-406-8196

Hymark Motorsports, Inc.

Pueblo West, CO  719-547-3478

Ed & Irene Russell

If you are in the area of any of these business or if you know any of them please give them a great big thank you!  

If you would like to donate a basket please contact Rhonda at 719-369-3921.

We would love to have some businesses challenge other business to see who can get the most donations!  

Let's rock this scavenger hunt this year!!!

Part of the problem or part of the SOLUTION: Animal Abuse

This topic is near and dear to my heart.  I cannot stress enough how horrible and sickening abusing animals is so please bare with me in this blog as it is going to be difficult to write.


A person who would abuse an animal has no soul!!  It is one of biggest types of abuse and one of the most preventable!!  The most common animals to face abuse are cats and dogs.  People use them for target practice, they use them for dog fights, they starve them, the list goes on and on.  Animal abusers come in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds.

The following information is copied from NowPublic.com

What to Look for in Animal Abuse and Cruelty in Cats and Dogs:

• Malnutrition
• Hair Loss
• Unexplained injuries, health problems or permanent disabilities
• Being left in extreme heat for more than 15 minutes
• Animal Hoarding
• Engaging in dog or cock fighting or attending the "games"
• Shock collar, electric fences and prong collar training

Animal Cruelty Statistics

• Each year, 10,000 bull dogs die in bullfighting.
• Women in abusive relationships often don't leave their abuser because they worry what will happen to their pet if they leave.
• 13% of animal abuse involves domestic violence.
• 70% of animal abusers also have records of other crimes.
• 3 to 4 million cats and dogs (young, healthy and adoptable) are euthanized every year in shelters. 
• Animals that aren't euthanized are often sent to no-kill shelters where the animals are caged for days, weeks, months or years and the animals risk becoming insane and dying of loneliness.

Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty

• Know who to contact in your area if you suspect animal abuse. You can call your local police department for the information.
• Teach your kids and other children how to treat animals and to respect them as living creatures like ourselves.
• Support the local shelter or society and get to know the work they are involved in. 
• Take care of the animals you have. If you don't want kittens or puppies, spay or neuter your animals or don't let them around other animals while they are outside.
• Donate to local shelters, pet abuse organizations or the ASPCA.

I have to tell you a story.  A story of a beautiful dog named Corona.  Corona's owner shot her.  This owner opened her mouth and shot her.  I won't share the picture of her when she went into the shelter but I will share this video of her after many people stepped in to save her.  Although her story ended well, most don't. You can stay updated on her recovery here.  If you see any type of animal abuse PLEASE call the authorities.  Animal Abuse is a CRIME in all 50 states.  Anyone who will abuse an animal can start to abuse the people around them.  

Sign the petition today to expose animal abusers!!

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Words that can hurt you after a car accident...more than your injuries

You are driving down the street and the next thing you know you are face in your airbag.  You've been hit by someone.  You don't know what happened.  What should you do?

Keep your mouth shut!!

"Insurance companies didn't get to be $15 billion and $20 billion (companies) because they give money away," says John Smith of Morgan Hubble Smith Insurance, based in Columbus, Ohio.

What happened? Is usually the first question asked by the first responders; police, fire department, paramedics, EMT's, witnesses to the accident, etc.  What you say can be twisted to whatever the insurance company wants, remember they didn't get to be a $15 billion dollar company because they want to take care of you!

No matter what the situation is.....keep your mouth shut.  When the adjuster comes out...keep your mouth shut.  They are looking for "key" words or phrases that can and will be used against you.  Don't discuss anything personal: "I just lost my job" or "I just broke up with....." NOTHING!!

"People talk too much. Your best advice is to make sure everyone is OK and then say nothing," says Smith, who's been in the insurance industry for 27 years.

Car accidents are a very stressful situation to be in.  It is natural to "talk" because you are nervous.  But....you don't want what you say to hurt your claim and, trust me, if they can manipulate what is said, to their advantage, they will.

Don't apologize...this can be construed as an admission of guilt.  I have been in two car accidents, neither of which was my fault, and I can tell you...the first thing out of my mouth on the first one was "I'm sorry" meaning just that...not that I was guilty but I was sorry the accident happened.  That was a hurdle that we should not have had to jump through....but it did teach me for the car accident that happened later.  

So, what can you do? 

• Get to a safe place
• Make sure everyone is okay
• Call the police and, if needed, an ambulance
• Have your driver's license, registration, and auto insurance (Everything they need to know about you is on these items)
• SAY NOTHING!!!
• Call an Attorney

Learn from other's mistakes!  

If you are injured in a Colorado car accident I highly recommend (from personal experience):

Zeisler & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website for more information.

If you have a horror story about your car accident or if you have hired Zeisler & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PC please tell me about your experience.

Understanding MedPay?

The more I treat the more I get.....not true.  Insurance companies have a pre-determined amount that each injury is worth.....so if you treat the injury more than you should than less money will come to you....unless you have a powerful Attorney to fight this!

Gotta love Colorado:  You are allowed to "sign off" on MedPay. 




MedPay:  A type of auto insurance covering medical and funeral expenses resulting from an accident for the policyholder and any passengers riding with the policyholder. MedPay also covers the policyholder for any accident in which he is a pedestrian. MedPay provides coverage regardless of who is at fault. (Investorwords.com). 

Here's what most people do not know....

.......MedPay is PAID BACK out of your settlement....UNLESS you have an Attorney who fights for you.  When I was told this, honestly, I was shocked!! 

When you sign on for auto insurance and do not "opt out" you are automatically signed up for $5,000 MedPay (Colorado....please check your state policies).  

The good thing about MedPay is it kicks in immediately.  The bad thing is it is not closely looked at so if you visit an "unscrupulous" Doctor your MedPay can be used up very quickly....and as I said earlier....it is normally paid back out of your settlement.

We talked about Policy Limits so let's assume you have the Colorado minimum requirements of $25,000/$50,000 with $25,000 MedPay.  The person who hits you has the same minimum policy limits.  You are seriously injured and your MedPay is exhausted.  You have to have surgery and will have scars the rest of your life.  Bye Bye settlement.  

First thing you need to do is check what your policy limits are.
Second check what your MedPay is.
Third:  If you are ever injured in a car accident TALK TO A Personal Injury Attorney.  They will fight for your MedPay and they will have referral Doctor's that won't abuse the MedPay so you have more money for treatment.

Previous blog on MedPay

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Do you have a story you can share?

Part of the problem or part of the SOLUTION: The little things you can do

WOW!  We talked about how a smile can change someones life....and not just the person who you are smiling at...but it can change your life also.  I'm glad you came back to learn more about being part of the SOLUTION. 

I hoped you watched the video on today's topic:  Your words.  If not please watch this video first.

I don't know about you but I was raised with please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry.  I am hoping that these are part of your every day life.  I want to go beyond these words; as we saw in the video.  Changing your words can change your life and the life of another.

Changing the words to my glass is half full instead of half empty will change your life.  As in the video changing: I'm am blind please help to it's a beautiful day and I can't see it....it is the same concept BUT DIFFERENT WORDS.  Words are powerful...they can destroy or they can build.  Think about this; you are in a crowded store and someone bumps into you and as they are walking away they mutter "sorry."  OR they bump into you and say "I'm so sorry."  Both "mean" the same but they aren't the same.

Imagine being at work:  Someone walks into your office needing help and you say: "What do you want me to do?"  Now, change the words (same meaning) and say, "How can I help you?"  Powerful huh?

Negative out is negative in.  It's time to change what goes out to positive. 

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” ~James D. Miles

This is a great video on how you can change someones life and not expecting anything in return.  We are going to talk about doing things for others: Any using the words "You don't owe me a thing" when you do it. 

Grab a tissue for this one:

The Folded Napkin ..A Truckers Story
I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy.But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie.He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ" the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old kid in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty.Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met.Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they hadfallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine.Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news.Marvin Ringers, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table.Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Marvin a withering look.He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked."We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay.""I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?"Frannie quickly told Marvin and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: " Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK," she said. "But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is." Marvin nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do.After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face."What's up?" I asked."I didn't get that table where Marvin and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pete and Tony were sitting there when I got back to clean it off," she said. "This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup."She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie.""Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this." She handed me another paper napkin that had "Something For Stevie" scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply:"truckers."That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work.His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back.Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting."Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate your coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!" I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room.I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins. "First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I tried to sound stern.Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. "There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. "Happy Thanksgiving."Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well.But you know what's funny? While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table..Best worker I ever hired.Plant a seed and watch it grow.At this point, you can bury this inspirational message or forward it fulfilling the need!If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person.

Today's challenge:  The next time you see someone; a friend, co-worker, stranger or someone down on their luck, instead of saying good morning, good afternoon or good evening say this:  "I hope you have a good........" 

Next simple thing is going to be about what we touched on earlier in this blog....positive out is positive in.  Watch this video for a preview of what's to come.  Remember what you do and say defines who you are.....the road you leave behind is YOUR road and is another road you are going to have to go back down.....you can leave it with pot holes and dirt or you can pave it with good deeds.

Please share your stories in the comment section.

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What is aggressive driving

We have all gotten angry while driving.  We have all either honked, or wanted to honk, at someone who has cut us off.  Some of us have actually given a few "gestures" while passing someone who has angered us on the road.

Matthew Joint, Head of Behavioral Analysis, states that in 1995 tailgating was the most common form of "road rage" followed closely flashing your headlights at someone.

Statistics show that 250,000 people have died in traffic since 1990. It is believed that two-thirds of these deaths are at least partially caused by aggressive driving, although only 218 were found to be a direct cause of angry drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 66 percent of all annual traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving actions, such as passing on the right, running red lights and tailgating. In addition to fatalities, there have been an estimated 20 million injuries; 12,610 caused by aggressive driving. These numbers show that there has been a 51 percent increase in aggressive driving incidents since 1990. Of these incidents, 37 percent involved the use of a firearm, 28 percent involved other weapons, and 35 percent involved the use of a car as a weapon. Related to this increase in aggressive driving incidents may be the fact that the number of drivers on the road is increasing; as of 1990, 91 percent of people drove to work.

This video is a minor incident of road rage but it's these minor incidents that, if they happen with the wrong person, could lead to car accident injuries or death.

In this video it was very fortunate that no one was injured or killed by this person who displayed extreme road rage.

Dr. John A. Larson, author of Steering Clear of Highway Madness, groups aggressive drivers into five categories: Speeders, passive aggressors, narcissists, vigilantes, and competitors. Several characteristics are related to the most typical aggressive driver: being under 35, single, no education and a mid-level income. Furthermore, although women are more likely to confess to angry driving, men are more likely to participate in true “road rage”, in which an angry driver intentionally harms another driver. Whether or not an aggressive driver takes physical action depends on the degree of anger he or she feels. “If someone pulls out in front of you or cuts you off, you may be justified at four or five on a scale of 10…if you’re up to seven to 10, though, that’s an exaggerated response,” says Larson.
Redford Williams, M.D., at Duke University, points to a hostile personality type as an indicator of someone who is more likely to get angry quicker. “They are also four to seven times more likely to die of other health problems by age 50 than are even-tempered people,” said Williams. For example, people with long drives to work are found to have higher blood pressure than people who take shorter routes to work. One frustrated commuter states, “it feels unnatural to forget about the jerk riding my tail or ducking in front of me to save half a second and some drivers—not me, of course – respond to overaggressive road behavior as if piloting a car were a contest. They drive to ‘win’ rather than simply to get to their destination.”

If you are an aggressive driver pay close attention to what Dr. John A. Larson says:  there is a reason you are an aggressive driver and it could be because of other issues in your life that could lead to health problems.

If you are a victim caught in the crosswinds of an aggressive driver remain calm and get away from the driver.  Never pull over in a deserted area.  Get the license plate of the aggressive driver and if you have a cell phone call 911.

Remember, no one's life is worth a little anger.  No death is acceptable under these conditions.  Please drive safe.



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