Post-Settlement Planning After a Trucking Injury Claim

Winning your case is just the beginning. Here’s how to protect your settlement—and your future.

You Won the Fight. Now What?

You’ve been through hell—emergency rooms, surgeries, physical therapy, depositions, and sleepless nights. And after all that, you finally secured a settlement for your truck accident injuries. But here’s what no one tells you: what you do after your settlement can make or break your future. At Fisher and Associates, we don’t just walk away after the check clears.  We believe in guiding our clients through the aftermath—because a smart post-settlement plan can mean financial security for years, while a careless one can drain everything you fought for.

Step 1: Know Exactly What’s Yours (and What Isn’t)

Not every dollar of your settlement goes in your pocket. Your final settlement amount will likely be divided into several parts:

• Medical bills or liens: If your health insurance, Medicaid, or a hospital placed a lien on your case, those debts are typically paid from your settlement.
  
• Attorney’s fees and case expenses: This covers the legal work and any costs fronted by your lawyer (like expenses for ordering medical records, expert witnesses or depositions).
  
• Net compensation to you: This is your take-home amount—the part you’ll use for future expenses, lost income, and rebuilding your life.
  

Knowing this breakdown is critical before making any big decisions. 

We will walk you through a detailed disbursement summary to explain where every dollar is going.

Step 2: Don’t Ignore Medical Liens and Bills

Unpaid medical bills can haunt you—even after a settlement.

Hospitals, insurance carriers, or government programs (like Medicare or Medicaid) may have legal rights to a portion of your settlement. These are called liens, and if they’re ignored, you could face:

• Collection lawsuits
  
• Garnished wages
  
• A damaged credit score
  

At Fisher and Associates, P.C., we negotiate medical liens aggressively—often reducing what you owe and increasing your final payout. But you have to know they exist. And you have to deal with them before spending your settlement money.

Step 3: Plan Your Payout—Before It Disappears

A big settlement can feel like a lottery win. But without a plan, it can vanish fast.

It’s common for injury victims to feel pressure—from family, friends, or themselves—to spend their settlement money immediately. Whether it’s catching up on bills or trying to enjoy a life that’s been on hold, the urge is real.

But here’s what we’ve seen too often:
Six-figure checks spent in six months. And when future medical needs arise, there’s nothing left.

Avoid These Common Traps:

• Giving loans or “gifts” to friends or relatives
  
• Making big purchases too soon (new cars, vacations, etc.)
  
• Investing in high-risk business ventures
  
• Failing to budget for long-term recovery
  

We always recommend working with a trusted financial advisor, ideally one who understands personal injury settlements and long-term disability planning.

Step 4: Consider a Structured Settlement

Want stability? You don’t have to take your settlement as a lump sum.

Structured settlements spread your compensation out over time—monthly, yearly, or in custom installments. They’re especially useful in:

• Cases involving long-term disabilities
  
• Cases where clients are unable to work again
  
• Cases involving families with young children or special needs
  

Advantages of Structured Settlements:

• Reduces the risk of blowing through your funds
  
• Helps with budgeting
  
• Can offer tax benefits (in some situations)
  

Ask your attorney if structuring part—or all—of your settlement makes sense for your case.

Step 5: Plan for Ongoing Medical Care

Your injuries may not be done just because the case is.

Even if your immediate treatment is finished, you may need:

• Future surgeries
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Long-term medications
• Mental health support
  

These costs must be factored into how you manage your settlement compensation. In some cases, a Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) or medical trust may be necessary to ensure future treatment is covered and compliant with benefits programs.

At Fisher and Associates, we work with care planners and medical experts to project long-term needs—and help you plan accordingly.

Why Fisher and Associates Goes Beyond the Check

Other law firms may treat your settlement like the finish line. We don’t.

We see it as the beginning of the next chapter in your life. One where you move forward with confidence—not fear. That’s why we continue to support our clients post-settlement, offering:

• Assistance with lien reduction and resolution
• Referrals to qualified financial and legal advisors

You trusted us to fight for your future. Let us help you preserve what we’ve fought for.

Your 3-Step Plan to Move Forward Safely

1. Call Fisher and Associates for Post-Settlement Guidance
   We’ll walk through your payout, your rights, and some smart next moves.
2. We Help You Protect What You’ve Earned
   From settling liens to finding assistance with financial planning, we support you beyond the case.
3. You Focus on Healing and Building a Future That’s Yours
   With clarity. With confidence. And without looking over your shoulder.

You Won the Case. Now Let’s Protect the Reward.

Call Fisher and Associates today.

We’ll help you safeguard your settlement—so it works for you, not against you.