STATE COORDINATOR'S REPORT | |
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The spring opener has just been completed. Wow, what a great event! The weather was good—not too hot and not too wet. Billi Bowen did a great job planning this event, and several changes made it a success. I want to thank everyone who volunteered for different things during the event. Phil Snow did a great job with security. There are so many people who should be thanked for this event, and I will forget someone if I try to name them all. Thank you. Planning has already started for next year's event.
Read the full update with more information about upcoming events!
Andy McAfee
State Coordinator
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STATE PRODUCTS COORDINATOR - NEEDED!! | |
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We are in need of a new State Products Coordinator. If interested, don't hesitate to get in touch with Bubba Bowen at srdeputy.abateofwashington@gmail.com. A special thank you to Cheryl Holtquist for all her hard work. | | | |
“Texas” Larry Walker is a nationally certified Rider Coach for novice, intermediate, and advanced training. He is the Senior Instructor for Navy Region Northwest, a long time motorcyclist rights advocate, with over 45 years of riding experience. | |
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Complacency, with a Side Order of Hubris
In the blink of an eye, even the most experienced among us can find ourselves humbled by the unpredictable nature of life. This article candidly reflects on how decades of expertise can sometimes breed a dangerous complacency, leading to life-altering consequences. As a seasoned motorcycle instructor, I want to share a personal story that is a powerful reminder: no one is immune to mistakes, especially when hubris and distraction creep in. This piece isn't just a recount of a near-tragic event but a heartfelt appeal to all riders to stay vigilant, continuously hone their skills, and never let their guard down—no matter how many years they've spent on the road.
“Texas” Larry Walker
ABATE of WA
Legislative Affairs
360-271-9285
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MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION | |
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LESS MONEY IN - MORE MONEY OUT
Late last month, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its projections on spending and revenue for government programs over the next decade. Included in the report was the financial outlook for the Highway Trust Fund. The Highway Trust Fund is the main source of money used to fund government surface transportation and infrastructure projects. The money in the Highway Trust Fund comes through federal fuel taxes collected on every gallon of gasoline or diesel sold in the U.S.
Read the full story here.
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UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED
In 2022, according to NHTSA, 29% of traffic fatalities involved speeding, with 12,151 people killed that year in speeding-related crashes. This public education campaign is part of NHTSA’s broader effort to tackle fatalities on our national roadways. The program known as the Safe Systems approach has five tenets: safer people, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds and post-crash care.
Read the full story here.
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MEETING OF THE MINDS & BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY
Another annual MRF event is Bikers Inside the Beltway. Here's what one attendee had to say about the 2024 gathering (similar to Black Friday in Wa state).
Summertime in the northern hemisphere is well upon us and invites us to explore astride our one track (or other) iron steed! I hope your travels are adventuresome and without incident.
Read the full story here.
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THE SILLY SEASON
Summertime in the northern hemisphere is well upon us and invites us to explore astride our one track (or other) iron steed! I hope your travels are adventuresome and without incident.
Read the full story here.
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American Income Life - FREE Accidental Life & Dismemberment | |
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Dear Members of A.B.A.T.E of WA:
You may recall receiving letters from American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL) over the years. As a member of ABATE of WA, you automatically receive a $4,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance benefit at no cost to you or ABATE of WA.
ABATE of WA has partnered with AIL for several years to offer these benefits. Each letter included a reply card, which you must complete to receive your certificate of coverage. An AIL representative will contact you to designate a beneficiary. If you do not name a beneficiary, the $4,000.00 will be paid to your estate and may be taxable.
ABATE of WA does not provide AIL with your name or contact information. The only way they have access to your information is when you send the reply card back or CLICK HERE to request your benefits. AIL offers several supplemental programs, which will be discussed when an AIL representative calls.
If you have any questions, please contact AIL at 1-800-495-1213 or Fran Christie, AIL Public Relations at 778-231-0226.
Over numerous years, AIL has helped ABATE of WA families by paying multiple claims. ABATE of WA has no financial interest in AIL in any way.
To request your benefits, click below:
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Teddy Bear Rally
August 2 - August 4, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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Foothills Fallen Chapter Fundraiser
August 10, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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Run to the Desert
August 23 - August 25, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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Gold Rush Run
August 17, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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MRF 40th Meeting of the Minds
September 26-29, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
RIDER REIMBURSEMENT
Complete a State-Approved Rider Safety Course to receive $50 reimbursement & more!
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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FOOTHILLS
This summer is flying by, did time really go this quickly when we were kids? Holy smokes. Foothills had the honor & privilege of supporting & leading the VAREP Veteran Suicide Prevention Poker Run on Saturday, July 13th.
READ MORE
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GRANT COUNTY
With high temps hitting our region, we hope everyone has been safe and hydrating. We have been working on Run to the Desert Motorcycle and Rat Rod Rally and hope to see you all there.
READ MORE
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SKCC
Spring Opener has come and gone for 2024 and overall it looks like it was a resounding success. We wish to thank the judges for voting SKCC camp 1st place and a big shout out to all our members that made it happen, TEAM work!! Once again it seems that Cornhole was a popular attraction and we had good participation however it could be better :), winners were walking away with $40 cash prize and a free raffle ticket...let's see if next year we can attract more participants.
READ MORE
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SPANAWAY
What a weekend! I don’t know about you however it took me 2 days to recover from a fantastic Spring Opener!
After the rain Thursday the weather turned nice for a fantastic event.
READ MORE
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STAR LAKE
We conducted our Chapter meeting July 7th, 2024, 10am at Purdy’s Public House in Sumner. We would like to welcome three new members to our ABATE-Star Lake chapter. Welcome Theresa Wilckens, Mark Patrick and Brad Croppi. The event coordinator and Treasurer (Kim Nyland) set up the date and time to present the donation check at the monthly Family Support Group meeting at Cavalry church in Kent on July 29th, 2024. The chapter discussed the Spring Opener event feedback.
READ MORE
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SPOKANE
May's Awareness Ride was very successful was very successful. We had about 50 riders. Route was North, West, South and East Spokane. Lots of riders to get the word out that Spokane has motorcycle riders and "Look Twice, Save A Life".
Washington's Motorcycle Safety Program was on site to distribute information.
READ MORE & Membership Application
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Need to reach a specific Chapter?
Get their contact information here:
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Who We Are
We’ve been helping people for almost 30 years. We’re smart, efficient, and sophisticated. We measure success by the results achieved for our clients. Most of our cases involve a motorcycle, bicycle, and auto collisions. We work on a contingent fee basis. We only get paid if there’s a recovery. Not only do we do all the work, we also advance all the costs necessary to prepare the case for trial. Clients don’t have to pay any money upfront.
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The Value of Human Life: May 1st, 2024 | |
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How much is a human life worth?
It’s a question that’s asked in every wrongful death case.
It’s also a question that’s asked when proposed regulations are evaluated. The government weighs the cost of implementing the proposed regulation and the value of the lives it will save.
For a long time, the government focused on how much people earned and equated their income to the value of their lives.
View the original newsletter here! We want to work on issues that are important to you. What kind of help can we provide to your club?
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Pinewood Derby
When you get past the surface, no one is an average or run-of-the-mill person.
That begs the question: Does it make sense to go beyond the surface? In a case with $8,000 of chiropractic treatment it probably doesn’t move the needle. And it’s probably not necessary when someone has lost limbs or been rendered quadriplegic... Click here to read more.
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The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
Not many First Amendment cases get filed. The vast majority—maybe 99 percent—get dismissed.
But ours didn’t. Last week we tried an important First Amendment case in the federal courthouse in Richland.
Click here to read more.
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Thirty Years in the Saddle
And just like that it’s been 30 years since I started practicing law.
My first job was at a law firm. But I didn’t like being told what to do. So three years (and three firms) later I started Myers & Company. My first business card read: Comprehensive Legal Services.
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity. Ever since then I’ve been narrowing my practice. At this point I just represent people who have been hurt—physically or financially—by someone else.
Click here to read more.
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Small Things Make a Big Difference
Most stories have a theme:
Fate v. Free Will
Good v. Evil
Man v. Nature
So do personal injury cases. Themes help tie together evidence and remind juries why what they’re hearing is important.
One of the big struggles is figuring out what theme really fits the facts of the case. A theme that isn’t quite right... Click here to read more.
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Filling in the Blanks
Most people have a pretty clear memory of how they got hurt. Frequently their memories are punctuated with very specific details. “That son of a bitch looked me right in the eye before turning left.” “The front door mat was a bright pastel color.” “The impact made a sound just like an M-80 going off.” But when you go through something traumatic, like a motorcycle wreck, the brain isn’t focused on making memories—it’s focused on survival. The same mechanisms that keep the brain sharp enough to escape immediate danger may also make it harder to accurately recall the event.
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He Passed Me Going 90 MPH
In just about every motorcycle case we have there are allegations that our client was speeding. There are a couple of important things to know about the issue of motorcycle speed. The first relates to the reliability of witness observations. The second deals with the way courts deal with favored drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Witnesses are almost always wrong about motorcycle speed. It may be based on the relatively small size of motorcycles compared to other vehicles. Or it may be based on witness bias.
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What the Jury Doesn't Hear
The evidence rules have a big impact on what the jury gets to hear (and what it doesn’t get to hear). Evidence can seem a lot like an iceberg: 10 percent visible, 90 percent below the surface.
A lot of the evidence rules are counter-intuitive. Here’s what the jury doesn’t get to hear in a personal injury case.
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