Wrongful death lawsuits are civil matters, not criminal matters. However, careless individuals who cause the death of another person may also face criminal charges. For example, someone who causes death due to drunk driving can face criminal DUI charges brought by the state while also facing a civil wrongful death lawsuit brought by the deceased’s…
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In Texas, the same family members who will benefit from the proceeds of a wrongful death suit can file suit. Those people are the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, or parents. They are the only relatives entitled to file a wrongful death suit. If eligible relatives do not file a wrongful death lawsuit within three months…
Texas defines wrongful death as one that results from a “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.” Sometimes, it helps to think of wrongful death cases in terms of personal injury lawsuits. When a careless individual causes an accident that leads to an injury, the injured victim can file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for…
Texas law states that wrongful death settlements or awards are for the exclusive benefit of the closest family members of the deceased. Those relatives include the surviving spouse, biological and adopted children, and parents.
You pay taxes on your “taxable income.” When you recover compensation for your financial losses through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, this money is not considered income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). That means you generally do not have to pay taxes on wrongful death settlement payouts. However, there can be exceptions to this rule….
Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney if you are hospitalized. Most auto accident lawyers will meet with you at a hospital or location convenient to you if you cannot make an office visit. If a lawyer insists you come to them after a crash and won’t find a way to accommodate you, speak to a…
Assigning a value to your pain and suffering can be challenging because it is an intangible loss. Often, the insurance company or the court will add up your economic losses, such as medical bills and lost income, and multiply that sum by a number between one and five, depending on the severity of your harm….
While eyewitness accounts can help, you don’t have to have eyewitnesses to have a valid claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can use crash scene photos, traffic camera footage, police accident reports, and other evidence to prove your case and help you seek compensation for your injuries. If you are involved in a car crash,…
If the insurance company says your car is totaled, that means it would cost more to repair the car than it’s worth. If you have collision coverage, the insurance company will pay to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident. How much money you receive depends on your policy and your car’s value.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an add-on to your auto insurance policy that pays for your medical bills after a crash with an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver. Most auto insurance policies sold in Texas include uninsured motorist coverage. Essentially, your UM coverage protects you if are in an accident and the at-fault driver…