In the aftermath of a serious unexpected injury, you might be staring down piles of medical bills, as well as struggling with your household budget due to missed work and lost income. With financial stress – in addition to the pain and suffering from your injuries – it is only natural that you are anxious to receive compensation for your losses from the liable party’s insurance company.

Once you receive a settlement offer, it might be tempting to accept it, so you have a check in your hand as soon as possible. However, this can be a huge mistake, and you should never accept an offer without first discussing the matter with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer.

Below are some reasons why you should never accept a first offer without legal guidance. To discuss your specific case, contact our legal team directly.

First Offers are Generally Quite Low

You might expect that insurance companies would be willing to make payments that fully cover the losses of victims. Insurance companies are just that, however – companies. Their priority is their own profits and not the well-being of claimants. This means that insurers want to minimize what they pay out, and they commonly train adjusters to offer as little as possible to claimants.

These companies will make a quick offer to claimants for a fraction of what the claim is worth. They are hoping that you want payment as soon as possible, so you might jump at the chance to accept the offer. Insurers also know that unrepresented claimants often do not know their options, and they might not know how to negotiate for a higher offer – or even know that negotiation is an option. Too many people end up with a settlement that is far lower than they deserve because they accepted a first offer without legal counsel.

What Happens if You Accept an Inadequate Offer?

You might not realize how inadequate a settlement is right away. You might use the funds to cover the medical bills you have, but then you might not have any left to pay bills for your future treatment. You might not also have enough to make up for the income you lost or compensate you for any intangible losses, such as pain and suffering.

Some injury victims assume they can simply request additional funds from the insurance company once they realize they did not receive enough to cover their losses. This is generally not possible, however, as insurers have claimants sign waivers when they accept payment.

Signing a waiver means that you give up your right to seek further compensation in relation to the accident and injuries involved in your claim. You will not be able to file another insurance claim nor file a lawsuit in civil court seeking additional damages. You are, in essence, stuck with the settlement amount you received. This means that by accepting an offer that is too low, you will be personally responsible for any losses not covered by the settlement.

How an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Can Help?

There are many things that the right personal injury lawyer can do to help improve your settlement offer. First, many injured accident victims do not have an accurate idea of what their claim is worth. They might request coverage of their medical bills but fail to take many other losses into consideration. This can result in the acceptance of much less than they could – and should – receive for their losses. An experienced lawyer will know how to determine what your claim is worth and demand the full amount you deserve right from the start.

If you have a lawyer from the beginning of the claim process, the insurance company will know that it cannot use its usual tactics to convince you to accept a low offer. However, if you started the process without a lawyer, it is never too late to seek legal representation and advice. If you receive an offer, you should not hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney who can review the proposed settlement.

If your attorney determines the settlement offer is inadequate, they will know how to negotiate with the insurance company for the settlement you truly deserve. This might involve:

1. Combatting allegations that you were partly liable for the accident
2. Presenting evidence to prove the true value of your losses
3. Getting expert opinions regarding the severity of your injuries, your future medical expenses, your future lost earnings, and more

In the face of persuasive and reliable evidence, the insurance adjuster might feel they have no choice but to offer enough to cover your losses.

Having a lawyer also serves another important purpose that can increase your settlement offer. Once you have legal assistance, the insurance company knows there is a greater chance you will file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the negligent party if you do not receive a fair offer. The insurance company is charged with covering any judgment against its policyholder, so you can expect the insurer to do everything it can to defend against the lawsuit.

The litigation process is costly for insurance companies in many ways, even if a case does not go to trial. Often, in order to avoid litigation, the insurer will increase its settlement offer to resolve the case out of court.

If you have a skilled lawyer on your side and the insurance company still refuses to act reasonably, your attorney will know the best course of action to take. You can focus on recovering from your injuries while your legal team uses their experience to fight for the financial recovery that you deserve under Georgia law.

Speak with Our Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Today

If you sustain serious injuries in vehicle crashes or any other type of accident in the Atlanta area, you want to contact Spaulding Injury Law for assistance. Our Atlanta injury attorneys can advise you of your rights and options, so please call (770) 744-0890 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.

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In this video, Georgia personal injury attorney Theodore Spaulding explains the one thing you should never do after a motorcycle accident.

In this video, I’m gonna tell you the one thing you should never do after a motorcycle accident. Hi, I’m Ted Spaulding. I’m an Atlanta personal injury trial attorney and the founder here at Spaulding Injury Law. So, what’s the one thing you should never do after a motorcycle accident? In my opinion, it’s trusting the insurance company to have your best interest at heart, even if it’s your own insurance company. Now, they may handle the property damage claim very well for you. They normally do because they don’t have any other choice. But when it comes to the personal injury side, your injuries, your lost wages, your medical bills, your pain and suffering, they are not going to do you any favors. So, don’t assume they are, and therefore give them more information than they deserve during your claim. They’re only out to use it against you. Things like a recorded statement. Sounds innocent. I have nothing to hide, why not give a recorded statement? Well, because they’re gonna try to use it against you later. All right, the attorney that’s defending the case, hired by the insurance company, is gonna listen to that tape. And if that tape is done a day or two after the wreck, and you’re there saying, “Hey, I’m really not that bad off,” because you didn’t really know at that point, seems innocent. They’re gonna use it a year later against you. Hey, two days after the wreck, you’re saying you’re perfectly fine. And they’re gonna twist things that you say. So, don’t give them that ammunition. Don’t trust them that they have your best interests at heart.

I hope this answers this question for you. Something that you can keep in the back of your mind, God forbid that you’re in a motorcycle accident, and have a personal injury claim. If you have any other questions or concerns, or if you have a claim or case you’d like to see if my firm can handle, comment on this video below. Go to our website spauldinginjurylaw.com. We have a contact form on there that you can fill out. Or give me a phone call. Call us at 470-695-9950 and thanks for watching this video.

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Atlanta is such a diverse city with so many great restaurants, parks, museums, and events that it’s hard to experience everything in one visit. Atlanta is considered the most populated metropolitan area in the United States, and its long history dates back to 1837 when the city was first founded. Since then, Atlanta has had a major impact on our nation’s history, and the city continues to affect our nation’s future. Atlanta has something for everyone. With that in mind, we present our top five picks for tours you and your group must see when visiting this remarkable city.

Atlanta City Tour by Electric Car

Whether you live in Atlanta or visiting for the first time, this fascinating tour is fun for visitors of all ages. First, you are driven in an eco-friendly electric car for a unique and comfortable tour experience. Your professional tour guide is an expert in all things Atlanta. During the tour, you will visit historic neighborhoods, like Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward, as well as some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city. You will visit a variety of historical Civil Rights landmarks that honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Your tour will also include the best restaurants and the hottest clubs in Atlanta, and the headquarters of industry giants like CNN and Coca-Cola.

Walking Tour – The Touring Dead

If you are a fan of the television series The Walking Dead or you would like to see where your favorite movies were filmed, then this tour is a must see in Atlanta. This 2-hour professionally guided tour takes fans to various filming locations throughout the city where scenes of The Walking Dead were shot. Tour-goers are sometimes able to see stars from the show and filming equipment. The route of the tour also includes filming locations from many other television shows and movies that were shot on location in Atlanta. This includes scenes in Fried Green Tomatoes, Drop Dead Diva, and Pet Cemetery 2.

Atlanta Brews Cruise

Does a cold beer on a hot Georgia day sound good to you? Then prepare yourself because you are about to be in paradise. This is a 4 ½ hour tour of 15 of the most innovative breweries in the country. These tours visit breweries within a 90-mile radius of Atlanta, and group tours can be private (less than 10 people) or basic tours of 10 or more guests. The tour guide is an expert in the world of beer, and they will show you a fantastic day. If you are a fan of beer, you do not want to miss this tour!

D-Tour

D-Tour’s will arrange private tours that are customized to fit your group. The tour guides are personable and knowledgeable, and they will work hard to give you a great experience. The tours are as unique as the culture of the city. Here is a list of the tours they offer. You will need to contact them for prices, but they are open to your tour ideas.

• Art on the Streets
• From Civil War to Civil Rights
• Rising From The Ashes Atlanta Architecture
• Walking Dead to the Hunger Games
• Where The Walking Dead Lives
• Atlanta A City in a Forest
• The Town that Coke Built

Peach tree Food Tours

You cannot mention Atlanta, GA and not talk about food. With so many award-winning restaurants in the city, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options. This tour makes picking a place for dinner easy by allowing you to try something different at multiple restaurants. There are 60 restaurants in the neighborhood where Peachtree Food Tours are located. They will take you on a walking tour and let you experience 5 of them. Just take a casual walk after each course and learn about the city. You will taste gourmet food, sample cocktails, sip some wine, and enjoy a relaxing meal in Atlanta. Private tours are available.

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Suppose you’ve recently bought a motor vehicle in Georgia. In that case, you must follow the state’s car inspection laws to the letter, and commercial vehicle drivers face even more strict inspection requirements governed by federal laws. Fortunately, Ted Spaulding has compiled information about car inspections right here.

In this post, we will guide you through Georgia’s basic vehicle inspection laws to help you stay legal on the roadway. If a driver hit you because their car wasn’t in proper working order or for any other reason, don’t hesitate to contact our law offices directly.

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Is There an Annual Safety Inspection Requirement for Vehicles in Georgia?

Driving a car on public roads and highways is responsible for ensuring the vehicle is in good working order, safe to operate, and legally owned. In many states, this responsibility is reflected in annual safety inspection requirements. These inspections test the brakes, tires, engine, transmission, lights, and steering – the most crucial components of a vehicle.

But what about Georgia? Does the Peach State have a vehicle safety inspection requirement? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Unlike many other states, Georgia does not mandate annual car safety inspections.

While this may relieve some, neglecting regular maintenance and inspections can still put you at risk. If you’re involved in a car accident, and your vehicle is found to be in poor condition, you could be in serious legal trouble if anyone is hurt. So, while Georgia may not require it, keeping an eye on your vehicle and ensuring it’s properly maintained is still a good idea.

On the other hand, if another driver crashes into you because they did not maintain their vehicle, they should be liable.

Is Emissions Testing Required for Motor Vehicles in Georgia?

In Georgia, the answer to whether or not emissions testing is required is a bit nuanced. While the state does not mandate annual emissions testing, 13 counties in the Atlanta metro area require emissions inspections yearly.

If you live in one of these counties, you must have your vehicle inspected for emissions annually:

• Cherokee
• Clayton
• Cobb
• Coweta
• DeKalb
• Douglas
• Fayette
• Forsyth
• Fulton
• Gwinnett
• Henry
• Paulding
• Rockdale

If you move to one of these counties, you’ll need to have your vehicle inspected within 30 days of your arrival.

While emissions testing may not be required in all parts of Georgia, it’s still important to be mindful of the impact your vehicle can have on the environment. Keeping your vehicle well-maintained and up-to-date on inspections can help it operate as cleanly and efficiently as possible.

Is an inspection required to renew car registration in Georgia?

For Georgia residents, renewing a car registration is a necessary part of owning and operating a vehicle. But what about inspections? Is an inspection required before renewing your registration?

The answer to this question is dependent on where you live in Georgia. Suppose you reside in one of the 13 counties in the Atlanta metro area listed above that require yearly emissions testing. In that case, you need an inspection sticker showing that your vehicle meets Georgia’s emissions standards before renewing your registration.

However, if you live in one of Georgia’s other 146 counties, you don’t need to pass an inspection before renewing your registration.

Whether you live in a county with inspection requirements or not, renewing your car registration is essential to being a responsible vehicle owner. Keep track of your renewal dates and complete any necessary inspections or tests before heading to the DMV.

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Where Can Georgians Bring Their Vehicles for Testing?

The process for Georgia residents who need to undergo emissions testing for their vehicles is relatively simple – you can bring your car to any auto shop with a sign saying they perform inspections.

The Georgia Clean Air Force oversees the state’s inspection program and recommends that drivers visit a testing station at least one month before their registration renewal date so that necessary repairs or maintenance can be completed before the registration deadline.

However, not all state vehicle inspection stations can test every vehicle model. Some stations can only inspect cars from 1996 and newer model years. If you need to test a vehicle registered before 1996, watch for a station with a sign stating “All Vehicles Welcome.”

Whether your vehicle requires emissions testing or not, it’s important to prioritize regular maintenance and inspections to keep it operating safely and efficiently on Georgia’s roads. By staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance and completing any necessary tests or repairs, you can help the chances of your car staying in good condition for years to come.

How Much Does an Emissions Test Cost in Georgia?

Auto shops and technicians are free to set their own prices for emissions testing. However, technicians in the state charge less than $25 for this service. This cost is relatively low compared to emissions testing fees in other states, where prices can range from $30 to $50 or more.

Ted Spaulding – Your Source for Information on Car Inspection Laws in Georgia

Whether you’re a new car owner in the state or simply looking to brush up on your knowledge, Spaulding Injury Law is here to help you.

Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer of Georgia auto accident lawyers can provide you with the info you need to understand Georgia’s car inspection laws and stay in compliance with all necessary requirements.

We can help answer questions such as:

• Does my vehicle need to undergo emissions testing?
• Where can I bring my vehicle for inspection?
• Can I renew my registration without passing an inspection?
• What happens if I’m involved in an accident, and my vehicle is not properly maintained?

At Spaulding Injury Law, we understand the importance of vehicle inspections in promoting road safety and preventing accidents. We’re dedicated to helping our clients navigate Georgia’s car inspection laws with confidence and ease. If you have questions about car inspections in Georgia or have been involved in an auto accident and need legal help, don’t hesitate to contact us. Spaulding Injury Law can help you every step of the way.

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Construction is an extremely dangerous profession. Workers regularly suffer injuries in a variety of accidents, including electrocutions, falls, and much more. Workers who work in road construction have even more risks to deal with every day. In turn, the workers are also at risk of causing injury to others who are passing by the construction site in their cars. For this reason, road construction accidents can result in a large number of accidents, and the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration reported¹ that 87,606 car crashes happened in road work zones in 2010 alone.

Accidents Caused by Motorists

Road construction zones generally have strict safety rules for passing motorists, including lowered speed limits, yield signs, redirected traffic, and more. Drivers must take reasonable care to follow all signs and signals and drive through the work zone safely. If drivers fail to take appropriate care, they may face serious consequences, as Georgia law² allows for up to a $2,000 fine and up to one year in jail for just speeding in a work zone. Additionally, however, negligent or careless drivers in work zones can cause serious and often fatal injuries to any workers present. In addition to any criminal consequences, such drivers should be held responsible in civil court and should be required to fully compensate workers and their families for their losses.

Accidents Caused by Workers

Just like drivers are expected to act in a manner that keeps workers safe, workers also must act in a reasonably safe way to keep drivers safe. Workers should never leave tools, vehicles, or other items in the roadway that may cause a collision. Additionally, all construction zones should be clearly marked with plenty of warnings for lane closures, detours, and more. If workers do not act appropriately, their negligence may lead to accidents and injuries to passing motorists.

Contact and Experienced Cumming, Georgia Construction Accident Attorney for Help

At the law firm of Spaulding Injury Law in Cumming, Georgia, our construction accident lawyers are committed to helping any injured victims recover from negligent parties. Please contact our personal injury attorneys today for a free initial consultation at 770-744-0890.

References:

1. https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/facts_stats/injuries_fatalities.htm
2. https://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ga.html

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Whether you call Atlanta home or you are visiting the city for the first time, there is always something new to see or do. Atlanta is known for its rich history, great sports, and award-winning restaurants, but there are also a few little-known facts that may surprise you. So, let’s explore this historic city together.

Atlanta Was Not the First Capital of Georgia

Atlanta was the fifth city to become the capital of this beautiful state. In 1776, Savannah had the honor, but during the Revolutionary War, the British captured the city, so the capital was moved to Augusta. Unfortunately, many residents claimed Augusta was too far east to be the capital, so the capital was moved once again. In 1796,Louisville claimed the honor until 1807 when malaria made the area inhabitable. In 1807, Milledgeville became the capital, and it remained the capital until 1868. Milledgeville was prosperous and growing, but it was too overcrowded, so Atlanta was chosen as the next and final capital of Georgia.

There Are More Than 70 Streets in Atlanta That Have the Words Peachtree

Peachtree Street is one of Atlanta’s major streets that connect different parts of the city. Residents and visitors might use this street often, but may be surprised to learn that the name has nothing to do with Georgia peaches! The area we know as Atlanta was once inhabited by the Cherokee and the Creek Indians. One of their main villages was called Standing Pitch Tree. As southerners do, the name was shortened and soon became known as Peachtree. This name is so synonymous with the city that is has been used for more than 70 streets in Atlanta ever since.

9 Tiny Doors

Scattered around Atlanta, hidden in plain site are a collection of tiny doors. This was the brainchild of artist, Karen Anderson. The doors are 6-inches tall. So far, nine have been found. No one knows if there are more. The idea is to get people to use their natural curiosity to look down and notice the little doors. What the doors lead to and the mysteries they hold is anyone’s guess.

They Give You Free Money

What better way to attract more visitors to the city than giving away money? Surprisingly, the city of Atlanta has decided to give every person that visits the Federal Reserve Building a free bag of money to show their appreciation. However, like most deals that are too good to be true, there is a catch. We should mention that the money is shredded! But, it is an interesting souvenir and worth a trip the Federal Reserve Building if you are in the area.

There Once Was a 780-foot Ski Slope in Atlanta!

Atlanta is not typically known for snow, but in the 1970’s Vinings Ridge Ski Area attempted to transform the city into a skiing destination for wealthy tourists. At one time, people believed Atlanta was the perfect place to visit when you were looking for some winter fun in a warm, Southern climate. The all-inclusive ski resort offered a 3-story lodge, a rooftop restaurant, and a 780-foot ski slope made of AstroTurf and plastic pellets. Unfortunately, the ski resort was not a long-term success, but the concept remains one of the interesting facts about Atlanta that most people do not know about the city.

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When accident victims try to recover from insurance companies, they often find the insurance company is unwilling to offer fair compensation. It might even say that an offer is “final” and refuse to pay more. This was the case in a recent claim we handled, but Spaulding Injury Law: Atlanta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer was able to help a client recover more compensation when we refused to settle our client’s case for less than they deserved.

About the Accident

The accident occurred on Nov. 24, 2018, when the vehicle our client was a passenger in took an exit ramp curve too fast, lost control, left the roadway, and landed upside down in a ravine. The wreck occurred on the on-ramp from Memorial Drive to Highway 78 westbound in unincorporated Tucker in DeKalb County.

The driver and our client were transported to a local hospital. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and a deep laceration to their forehead that left a permanent and prominent scar they will have to live with for the rest of their life.

Our client didn’t have any health insurance and incurred about $50,000 in medical bills for emergency treatment alone due to the traumatic nature of their injuries and the full work-up required.

Insurance Negotiations

As is so often the case, the insurance company didn’t offer fair compensation to our client. The insurance company offered to pay all of our client’s medical bills and $57,000 for pain and suffering, but our attorneys knew our client’s case was worth more.

We gave the insurance company plenty of opportunities to do the right thing, but it repeatedly refused to pay more. Their representatives said this was their “final” offer, so we sued.

Results with Spaulding Injury Law

Our attorneys went to work right away on the case, connecting our client with doctors who could provide proper follow-up care even without our client having health insurance.

Pre-lawsuit negotiations began after our client completed medical treatment. Because the insurance company failed to agree to pay fair compensation, our attorneys filed a lawsuit and kept fighting. For months during litigation, our attorneys continued to fight and ultimately secured an additional $75,000 in compensation for our client.

Even after paying all other legal and case expenses, our client walked away with more money from their settlement than the total amount the insurance company had originally offered and insisted was the most they were going to pay for pain and suffering damages. All of our client’s medical bills were also paid. This was a huge win for our client and provided peace of mind as they move forward in their life.

As you can see from this example, the attorneys at Spaulding Injury Law know what our injured clients’ cases are really worth. We will continue to fight for them to recover full compensation.

If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident, the car accident attorneys at Spaulding Injury Law can help you, too. Contact us online for your free case review and to learn more about how we can help.

We are real lawyers, helping real people.

Tags: Motor vehicle, motorcycle safety
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Construction is notoriously one of the most dangerous industries in which an individual can work, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).¹ Construction workers regularly suffer injuries due to falls, falling objects, heavy machinery, and more. However, after the workers go home each day, many hazards on a construction site still remain and pose a risk of injury to residents and pedestrians in the neighborhood. Many of these hazards exist because of the negligence of the construction crew and the company responsible should compensate any victims who suffer injury due to unnecessary hazards.

Structure and Ground Collapses

While a construction project is in progress, the ground under the project as well as any partially built structures can be very unstable. A construction crew should always build in a manner that keeps the site as stable as possible, however, mistakes can lead to the collapse of a structure, trench, or ground in or around the construction site. Such a collapse can severely injure anyone in the vicinity.

Electrocutions

It is to be expected that a construction site will have unfinished electrical systems, ungrounded wires, and more. After hours, the crew should take precautions to keep all potentially dangerous wires away from the perimeter of the site and to keep barriers around the site to shield the public from contact with these dangerous conditions. Without these precautions, bystanders and pedestrians can easily suffer injuries due to electrocution.²

Explosions

With the presence of caustic and toxic chemicals, the chance for explosions or fires is high in or around construction sites. If these types of materials are mishandled or improperly stored, explosions after-hours can occur and cause injury and damage in the surrounding area.

Contact an Experienced Construction Site Accident Attorney in Philadelphia for a Free Consultation

Construction crews should know that the site poses a risk to the neighborhood and should always follow proper health and safety protocols to protect others from injury. At the law office of Spaulding Injury Law in Atlanta, we work to protect the rights of individuals injured in construction accidents. Please call our personal injury attorneys today at 770-744-0890 for a free consultation.

References:

1. https://www.osha.gov/doc/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocution

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In this video, trial attorney Ted Spaulding explains three reasons why semi-truck accident cases are more complicated than other personal injury cases.

Three reasons why semi-truck accident cases are more complicated than other personal injury cases. Keep watching this video to find out why.

Hi. I’m Theodore Spaulding. I’m an Atlanta personal injury trial lawyer and I’m the founder here at Spaulding Injury Law.

So there are three reasons why these cases can be very complicated.

Number one, naturally, we’re oftentimes dealing with catastrophic injuries, even death, so that’s the first thing, high stakes.

Number two, because it’s high stakes, these tractor-trailer companies have what we call go-teams ready anytime one of their trucks is in a wreck. They have lawyers on retainer in that state. They have accident reconstruction experts and they go out to the scene the day of the wreck. Also, you’re gonna have DOT and others come out to the wreck as well.

So because you have high stakes, number one, number two because of the high stakes, you’ve got the defense already jumping ahead of you to get all the evidence that’s needed, they may interview you at the scene, so by the time you get to a personal injury lawyer to help you with your semi-truck case, you’re already behind the eight ball when it comes to getting evidence for your case. They’ve already got a leg up so you got to get a lawyer quickly.

The third reason is that there could be multiple companies that are liable to you for your injuries, not just the ones that you would think of, which is, most importantly, the tractor-trailer company involved, right? Or the driver um involved as well. If they’re shipping goods, there could be a broker that was involved in that shipping. There could be a shipping company that is different from the tractor-trailer company that may be liable. There could be leasing companies. I mean all kinds of companies can be involved in this tractor-trailer operating at the time of your wreck. This is one of the biggest reasons that people need to hire a lawyer quickly after a tractor-trailer semi-truck wreck. You’re behind the eight ball, big stakes, and you’ve got multiple potential entities that could be liable to you and they need to be discovered and they need to be put on notice quickly.

So I hope this helps answer your questions. If you have any others or if you have a claim or case that you’d like to see if my firm can handle, please comment on this video below or go to my website spauldinginjurylaw.com. We have a contact form on there. And I got two phone numbers for you: 770-744-0890 and 470-695-9950. Thanks for watching this video.

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In this video, attorney Ted Spaulding explains whether or not car accident settlements are taxable in the state of Georgia. 

Are car accident settlements, taxable? Hi, I’m Ted Spaulding, an Atlanta personal injury trial lawyer, and the founder here at Spaulding Injury Law. So, this is a question obviously that comes up at the end of a case. You’ve got a settlement, you’ve got a verdict from a jury, and your lawyer is getting ready to disperse monies. And the question is the money that you’re getting for your pain and suffering, and other damages that you’re taking home with you, is that taxable? Well, your lawyer, unless they’re also a tax lawyer, for some reason, and a personal injury lawyer, I’m certainly not, cannot give you legal advice on that because they’re not tax professionals. What I tell people is, at the beginning of the following year when you’re gonna be filling out taxes, so if you get a settlement or a verdict, and you receive monies in let’s say 2020, in 2021, when you go to file your 2020 taxes, you’re gonna want to have a tax professional CPA tell you, “Hey here’s, Mr. CPA, what I received, and why I received it, is that taxable?”

What I’ve heard from tax professionals, and again, this can change over time. So, why it’s not legal advice, and you’ve got to go to the actual professionals, is typically it’s not taxable if there is no lost wage component to what you’re receiving. So, either you never had lost wages as a claim, or you did, but didn’t receive monies for that claim. That’s because the only part that’s income, under the tax law is, from what we understand, is what you’re getting paid for wages.

So, that is what my understanding is from some tax professionals. Again, that can change, so you’re gonna wanna get the updated law before you file taxes. But that is the typical response that I hear when clients do reach out to their CPAs. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, or you have a potential case you would like to see if my firm can handle, respond to this video. Go to my website spauldinginjurylaw.com. There’s a contact form on there that you can fill out. We’ll reach out to you. Or call me. I got two phone numbers, 770-744-0890 or 470-695-9950. Thanks so much for watching this video.

Posted in Car Accidents | Comments Off on Are Car Accident Settlements Taxable