As April 15 nears and you are receiving your tax forms, you may be wondering if your judgment or settlement from your auto accident case could mean you will be forking over more money to Uncle Sam than usual. While no two settlements are exactly alike, your taxes are not likely to be affected.
In these cases, you are being compensated for the loss or damage of something that you already had, or simply being reimbursed for expenses that you already paid. Neither would require that taxes be paid, and since a huge majority of cases fall into this category, most accident victims will not be taxed on any amount of compensation or settlement money directed to property damage, injury, or pain and suffering.
Lost-wage compensation is meant to replace the income that you would have earned had you not been injured. Since your standard income is taxed, it stands to reason that compensation for income would be taxed, as well.
Most auto accident injury cases do not involve punitive damages, but occasionally these damages are still awarded to the victim as a means of punishing the defendant and discouraging future similar behavior. These awards are almost always taxed, but as it is unlikely that you received punitive damages, you should not have to worry much about it.
As always, with questions like this it is best to consult with your “tax guy” to ensure that you are in the clear, but in general, expect to pay taxes only on the compensation for your lost wages and income.
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The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that allows the leg to move in almost any direction. The ball portion of the joint is at the top of the femur, or thigh bone. The socket is a cup-like depression in the pelvis. A broken hip is a fracture—either total or partial—somewhere near the top quarter of the femur.
Approximately 90 percent of hip fractures fall into two major categories: femoral neck fractures or intertrochanteric hip fractures. A femoral neck fracture is a break in the femur just below the head. The bone there is narrow and looks like the “neck” on which the head sits. This type of fracture can be very challenging to treat due to the following:
Hip fractures are quite painful, difficult to treat and can result in a very long recovery. Have you suffered a serious hip fracture or other injury in a car accident due to the negligence of another party? Contact an experienced car crash lawyer in Harrisburg at Schmidt Kramer to discuss your legal options. The toll-free number is (717) 888-8888 and the case evaluation is free.
You may also wish to download a free copy of the book Who Pays the Bills When You Are Injured in an Automobile Accident? for more information.
You’re probably already taking all the steps that are necessary.
Most runners are well aware of the risks they take from vehicle collisions, and so they are especially cautious in the places where pedestrians and vehicles mix. You should already be following these rules:
However, the vehicle driver bears most of the burden to prevent car collisions with pedestrians. Basically, driver negligence falls into three broad categories—any one of which can cause a tragic auto accident in Harrisburg. Those categories are:
Those categories are not mutually exclusive; someone who is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol might be negligent in all three ways.
Sharing the streets with passenger vehicles is always going to be risky. As a runner, you will find that being alert to the situation around you is your best defense, but you have to trust car and truck drivers to act responsibly all the time. The sad fact is that sometimes, they will fail to be worthy of your trust.
If you have been involved in a Pennsylvania vehicle accident while running, jogging, or walking, you need the services of a trusted Harrisburg accident lawyer to get you the settlement you deserve. The Schmidt Kramer law firm maintains an office in Harrisburg to serve the needs of injury victims in Dauphin County and the surrounding area.
Call us at 717-888-8888 or (717) 888-8888 toll-free to request a FREE copy of our book, Who Pays The Bills When You Are Injured In An Automobile Accident?, or to sign up for our client newsletter.
We offer FREE, confidential case reviews for injured pedestrians or their survivors, and we never bill for legal services unless we are able to get you a financial recovery.
Pennsylvania’s Yellow Dot Program was created to assist citizens in the “golden hour” of emergency care following a traffic accident when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves. Placing a yellow dot in your vehicle’s rear window alerts first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need.
The program is a cooperative effort among the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation, Health and Aging; the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and First Responders and local law enforcement.
How does it work?
Participants complete a personal information form, which includes the participant’s name, contact information, emergency contact information, medical history and medications, allergies and the participant’s doctors’ names. A photo – showing only the participant’s head and shoulders – is then taped to the front of the completed information sheet.
The yellow dot decal provided in the program kit is placed in the lower left corner of the participant’s vehicle’s rear windshield. The decal should be no higher than 3 inches from the bottom of the windshield. This decal alerts first responders that vital information can be found in the vehicle.
Place the completed information sheet, with the attached picture, into the Yellow Dot folder, and then place the folder into the vehicle’s glove box.
For more information go to the Commonwealth’s website at https://www.yellowdot.pa.gov/
If you, or a loved one, are injured or killed in a Harrisburg car accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact an experienced auto accident lawyer at Schmidt Kramer.
The toll-free number is (717) 888-8888 or dial 8 at 717-888-8888 and the case evaluation is free. We can meet you at our main office in Harrisburg, another office or drive to your home or the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Alternatively, you may wish to download a free copy of our book Who Pays the Bills When You Are Injured in an Automobile Accident? for additional information.
We are very sorry to hear about the injuries suffered by all parties in this accident, and we wish everyone a speedy and quick recovery.
Most law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania are diligent and competent investigators. We feel confident in saying that they will not automatically assume your son was the responsible party in this accident just because of his age. However, it’s quite possible the fact that your son was a teenager with limited experience as a driver will color their investigations and their report about the accident.
Police know that studies have shown teen drivers are about four times more likely than adult drivers to be at fault for an auto accident in Pennsylvania. Now, that’s an interesting statistic, but it proves nothing about any particular case. One must approach the investigation into a traffic accident with an open mind, and not leap to a conclusion based only on statistical trends.
From the tone of your question, and the fact that you’re contacting us, we believe that you’ve spoken to your son (and possibly his girlfriend) and that he has convinced you he’s not responsible for last night’s car collision on I-81. If the other driver was negligent or reckless on the road, then he—and his insurance company—might be responsible for compensating your son and his passenger for their injuries, property damage, and other losses. If you have been thinking along those lines, we have a few reminders for you:
Call the legal offices of Schmidt Kramer today at 717-888-8888 locally or (717) 888-8888 toll-free to schedule a free and confidential review of your son’s case. At the same time, request a FREE copy of our client book, Who Pays the Bills When You Are Injured in an Automobile Accident?, which we will gladly send you at our expense.
The good news is, yes, pothole damage is usually covered—providing you have collision coverage. Collision coverage, an optional portion of a standard auto insurance policy, covers damage to a car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a pothole, lamp post or guard rail), another car or as the result of flipping over. However, it does not cover wear and tear to a car or its tires due to bad road conditions.
We can answer any questions or concerns you have about a Harrisburg injury car accident in Carlisle, Middletown, Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Hershey, Harrisburg, Lebanon and all of Pennsylvania.
The toll-free number is (717) 888-8888 or 717-888-8888 and the case evaluation is free.
Alternatively, you may wish to download a free copy of our book Vital Information For Your Financial Recovery After A Pennsylvania Vehicle Crash for additional information.
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), car accidents occur every minute of the day. Yes, you read that correctly. Every minute of every day, someone is involved in a car accident.
While not all of these accidents result in a fatality, the overwhelming majority of them result in some type of injury, property damage or legal litigation.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact the Harrisburg, PA car accident lawyers at Schmidt Kramer for legal representation by calling (717) 888-8888 today.
The vehicle insurance industry estimates all motorists are likely to be involved in at least four auto accidents in his or her lifetime. Additionally, very young or novice drivers are more likely to be involved in a car accident, as opposed to more experienced drivers.
Other factors that may also increase the risk of being involved in an car accident are:
Also, it is important to note that data from the Annual United States Road Crash Statistics journal suggests fatal car accidents are more likely to occur during specific days of the week, as well as during specific times of each day. The following is a breakdown of the days of the week and times of day when a fatal car accident is most likely to occur:
There are also additional facts to consider when discussing the frequency of automobile accidents, such as:
If you have been injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, or if a loved one has been killed in a Pennsylvania car accident, contact the experienced car accident lawyers at Schmidt Kramer today. We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the auto accident, your legal rights and any compensation you may be entitled to due to personal injury and losses.
Call (717) 888-8888 or fill out our FREE Case Review Form today.
An airbag is a flexible fabric envelope designed to inflate rapidly during a collision to protect occupants from injuring themselves on interior car objects such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows.
An airbag deploys quickly and with great force. In the past, experts raised concerns that the impact of an airbag on a pregnant woman’s abdomen could cause a uterine or placental rupture—leading to pregnancy loss. However, a recent study at the University of Washington compared car accidents involving pregnant women, both in vehicles with and without air bags. They concluded that airbags do not seem to elevate the risk of pregnancy complications.
Furthermore, both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women wear a three-point safety belt and use the airbags installed in their vehicle.
The leading cause of death to fetuses is the death of pregnant women in crashes. The combination of an airbag along with a properly worn seat belt is the best way to protect both mother and unborn child. If you have been involved in a serious car accident and need expert legal advice, contact a Harrisburg car accident lawyer at Schmidt Kramer. The toll free number is (717) 888-8888 and the initial consultation is free. You may also wish to download a free copy of our book, Who Pays the Bills When You Are Injured in an Automobile Accident? for additional information.
You were in a car accident and suffered serious injury. You expected the insurance company to pay out and they did—barely. As you look at the settlement they’ve offered, a little bit of panic starts to rise along with a lot of indignation. Do they really think that’s all your pain is worth? That amount doesn’t even cover your medical bills! Now what are you supposed to do?
First of all, don’t panic. Sadly, it’s actually quite normal for insurance companies to lowball victims of car accidents in Central Pennsylvania. Rarely will an insurance company start the negotiation process with the highest amount they are willing to pay. Yes, it’s a negotiation and a process. Victims don’t always understand that.
Just because the insurance company has told you the amount that your injury is worth and asked you to sign the check doesn’t mean the conversation is over. You have every right to hold out for a better compensation offer if you believe it is justified. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate a better settlement on your own. More often than not, however, having an experienced Harrisburg car accident attorney on your side will make the insurance company more willing to work with you.
If you’ve suffered injury in a car crash along the Capital Beltway or anywhere else in the greater Harrisburg area, you may be in need of significant compensation. We may be able to help you get a fair settlement.
Call us today at (717) 888-8888 to set up your free consultation or to request additional information on car accidents and related injury claims.
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It is natural for an expectant mother to be nervous, especially in the car. Many pregnant women get apprehensive about wearing a seat belt or sitting in front of an airbag that could deploy because of the negative effect it could possibly have on their unborn baby. Unfortunately, it is true that in an accident, a seat belt or airbag has the potential to cause the placenta to separate from the uterus. This is something that could not only be fatal for the fetus, but for the mother as well. However, it is also important to note that while these safety devices could have the opposite intended effect, they will more frequently than not save someone’s life in an accident, not take it.
If a pregnant woman is riding in a car, she can take a few easy steps to protect herself from potential dangers. When it comes to the seat belt, make sure the lap band is under the belly (not across it) and that the shoulder belt is between the breasts and pushed to the side of the belly (again, not directly across it). And, although an air bag could harm the fetus, they should never be turned off. If a pregnant woman is in a seat that has an air bag in front of it, she should try to move her seat as far back as possible, away from the air bag. That way, it can still save her life, but it won’t be able to hit her in the stomach with such great force.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, you need an auto accident attorney. Harrisburg and Camp Hill drivers trust the law firm of Schmidt Kramer to take care of them—call today for a free consultation at (717) 888-8888.