Attorney Fran Haasch
December 2008 Newsletter
www.LawFran.com

I would like to start by saying thank you and Happy Holidays to all the loyal readers of our newsletter; my sincerest wishes for health, prosperity and happiness in the coming New Year.

A lot of things have happened since the November newsletter and has resulted in this long overdue December newsletter.  We finally opened our doors to our new office on December 1st.  Although it was a long and arduous 18 months, it was definitely worth the trials and tribulations of renovating a historical building.  Many of our friends and clients have stopped by just to say hello while they were out for a ride.

On November 22nd, the 6th Annual Palm Harbor Bike Fest was held just a block away from our new office.  The cold morning ride was not a good indicator of the beautiful warm afternoon that followed.  The bike show was filled with gorgeous one-offs, customs, sports and cruisers.  Congratulations to Jeri from Jeri’s Springer Front End (http://www.jeris-springer.com/) for winning Best In Show.  The Defendants, ZZ Not and Bobby Friss kept the party going all day.  Click here for event pictures.

            We sponsored and participated in a lot of charitable events this holiday season, Full Throttle’s Teddy Bear Toy Run, Biff Burger’s Toys For Tots, Vietnam Vets Toy Run, to name a few.

The Full Throttle Teddy Bear Toy Run was a huge success.  The Toy Run began at Wild Wing Café with the destination being the beautiful children’s center at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  The bikers were met with open arms by the sick children receiving the generous amount of presents.  Please take a look at the pictures on our website of these beautiful children (and the bikers on the ride.) Click here for event pictures.

Suzanne Kovach, Secretary of the Suncoast Brotherhood Organization, told me they had their best Toy Run ever with almost 3000 bikes!  There were literally mounds of toys and three large trailers full of brand new bikes.  Click here for event pictures.

Again, the biker community never ceases to amaze me.  Even in these difficult times, our community came out by the thousands to help the less fortunate have a Merry Christmas.  Without you, none of these special charitable events would be possible.

A big thank you goes out to Ron Galletti and Born To Ride for the awesome article recapping our trip to the Playboy Mansion in the December issue of Born To Ride magazine.  Be sure to watch the Born To Ride TV show this Sunday 1/4/09 at 11:30pm on  MYTV 38 as there will be a spot on the show about our trip to L.A, the charity ride, and (of course) the Playboy Mansion.  Click here for event pictures.

I finally had a chance to stop by Grass Flats and check out their great Friday night bike night.  Click here for event pictures.

With Many Thanks,

Attorney Fran Haasch
Palm Harbor

INSURANCE COVERAGE

One of last month’s articles addressed potential problems if you were involved in a motorcycle accident and the driver causing the accident did not have the appropriate insurance coverage to repair the property damage to your motorcycle

So, what can you do to protect yourself in this situation?  Collision Coverage.  Collision coverage on your own insurance policy will pay for the damage to your motorcycle or vehicle.  When you are purchasing this coverage please carefully consider the deductible that you choose they generally are in amounts of $250.00, $500.00 or $1,000.00.   If you decide to use your own insurance for your Property Damage (PD), your deductible will be subtracted from a “reimbursement” check you are issued to cover the damages.  Some insurance companies will subrogate against the at-fault insurance company, which means your insurance company will attempt to collect your deductible for you which can take up to several months.  If you have custom parts on your motorcycle, i.e. pipes, chrome accessories or custom paint, you may want to purchase extra insurance coverage in addition to Collision.  Custom Accessories or Optional Equipment coverage will cover these “extras”.  As a rule of thumb, figure out how much you have invested in customization to your motorcycle, for instance, if you have $5,000.00 you would want to purchase $5,000.00 in custom coverage.

If damages to a motorcycle or vehicle are approximately 80% of the value of the motorcycle or vehicle the insurance company is allowed, under Florida Law, to declare that motorcycle or vehicle a total loss.  Insurance companies pay book value, not necessarily replacement value or what you might owe to your lien holder.  What can you do to protect yourself in this situation if you owe more than the bike is worth?  Gap Insurance, which will be the topic of one of next month’s articles.

If you have any questions about your insurance coverage or need any additional information regarding a motorcycle or automobile accident please contact our office at (727) 784-8191.  We will be happy to answer your questions free of charge.  You may also find any back articles on our website under the Born To Ride or Motorcycle Newsletter tab.

SHARE THE ROAD

A new safety campaign called “Share the Road,” has been initiated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  The goal is to promote safe driving habits, encourage courtesy towards others, and remind motorists to watch out for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

It seems that the alarmingly high rate of motorcycle fatalities in Florida is finally getting the attention needed to really make a difference.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2007 saw Florida at the very top of the deadly states, with 530 motorcyclist fatalities.  “Florida’s roadways are busy with more than 18 million residents and approximately 88 million visitors each year,” said Electra Theordorides-Bustle, executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  “As more of us explore cost-saving and environmental-conscious commute options, it is important that we are aware and considerate to everyone on the road.  Share the Road is a basic reminder of driver courtesy and safety.”

Through the use of radio public service announcements, posters, flyers, and bumper stickers, this campaign will hopefully curb the frequency in which a motorcyclist’s right of way is ignored.   The campaign also gives safety tips for motorcyclists, which include; training to ride safe, getting a motorcycle endorsement, wearing appropriate gear, dressing loud with bright/reflective clothing, and being alert.  For more information on the “Share the Road” awareness campaign, visit www.flhsmv.gov.

TEAM SPIRIT

If you are looking for a way to show your support for a favorite college football team while riding, then look no further.  Monarch Sports has launched a new line of motorcycle and scooter helmets offering the officially licensed colors, logos, and marks of some of the most popular collegiate teams.

The helmets, which are being manufactured by Pyrotect Safety, will carry the approval of the SNELL Memorial Foundation.  Monarch Vice-President Geoff Nathanson stated that “[w]e applaud socially responsible schools for their participation.  Many students opt for two-wheel transportation to campus and this product offers a smart option to accessorize licensed school apparel and headwear with an approved helmet that shows school spirit and increases safety.”

To get your hands on one of these helmets just go to www.helmetman.com and begin showing your college colors.

 ‘TIS THE SEASON

            The holidays are really a time to show the generosity that the motorcycle community is capable of.  With more families being hurt by the lagging economy, the gesture of donating a toy can really mean a lot.  There are countless charities and drop-off locations catering to toy donation, pick one of your choice and try to make a difference in the lives of others. 

As always, ride carefully and keep an eye out for others.  The holidays are a wonderful time, however, there is increased traffic and drivers may be more worried about their shopping lists than the motorcyclist in their blind spot.  Ride safely and have a happy holiday.       

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