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Texting driver caused my accident


What Happens After An Injury Case Is Settled?

Your personal injury lawyer comes to you with good news -- they tell you that the insurance company has officially signed off on your settlement. Now you might want to ask your personal injury attorney what happens next. This article answers that question by looking at four things that commonly have to be dealt with after a settlement or a judgment has been achieved.

Paperwork

The very first thing that has to be done is for both sides to sign off on the paperwork. In a settlement, this usually involves an agreement that the matter is final. That means you will never pursue a claim again based on the specific incident that led to your injuries. Some defendants may also include boilerplate statements noting that the settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

The Actual Payment

A printed check is the standard form of payment in injury cases. If the case is large enough, the defendant and the claimant might decide to arrange a payment plan to spread out the financial challenge of paying it. This is especially wise if paying the full amount risks pushing a defendant into bankruptcy.

Paying Medical Bills

You and your personal injury attorney have probably worked with doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals and organizations to keep bill collection at bay. The time has come to pay up. In some states, medical organizations even have the right to place a lien on injury settlements.

Bear in mind you have the right to demand an itemized bill before you pay. Many organizations lard up their bills with fees. For example, it's common to tack on fees for the production of the medical records you used to present your injury claim. It's prudent to review these fees, and you can challenge them if necessary. Notably, that may mean going back to court for a new fight.

Taxes

Generally, the physical injury and ailments part of a settlement are not taxed. However, non-physical injuries, such as emotional distress and defamation, are taxable. The same goes for punitive damages, and accrued interest attached to a settlement is also taxed. Compensation for lost wages and loss of future earning potential are also considered reportable and will be taxed.

For tax purposes, it's essential that a settlement or judgment includes a breakdown of what amounts covered particular forms of damages. If not, you may end up with a tax court judge making the decision for you.

Reach out to legal professionals like those at Drivon Turner & Waters PLC for more information.

About Me

Texting driver caused my accident

Have you ever picked up your phone and sent or read a text message while you were driving? Do you know just how dangerous that is? All that it takes is one split second for your life to change forever and to change someone else's life forever. I was hit from behind because a well-dressed business man couldn't wait until he was stopped to respond to a text message. I saw him coming in my rear view mirror, but there was nothing that I could do about it. This accident happened over a year ago and I still suffer every day. My blog is filled with information that can help others that have been injured by texting drivers.

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