Besides causing physical injuries, serious car accidents can disrupt the balance of spousal support arrangements. When one spouse is injured, unable to work, or facing long-term medical care, these existing arrangements may no longer be practical.
Ongoing treatment costs, lost income, and changes in earning capacity can easily create strain, especially during divorce or separation. Courts may need to reassess these support obligations to ensure they are fair in light of the new circumstances. Read on to discover how accidents affect these arrangements.
Lower Earning Capacity Due to Injuries
Car accident injuries can significantly reduce a spouse’s earning capacity. This can be a problem, primarily when recovery affects their ability to work or return to a previous role. Courts usually consider this reduced income when evaluating spousal support.
Long-term or permanent impairments may justify changing existing arrangements to ensure fairness. This might be to take the burden off an injured spouse or make more provision for the other.
Mounting Medical Expenses
After any type of car accident, the medical expenses can put a lot of financial pressure on an injured spouse. Ongoing treatment, medications, rehabilitation, and assistive care may eat into available income and savings. Courts may factor these costs into spousal support decisions to make sure the obligations align with the injured person’s financial reality.
Delayed Insurance Settlements
Insurance settlements after car accidents are sometimes delayed, leaving injured spouses without immediate compensation. During this period, lost wages and medical bills may further strain their finances. Courts may consider these delays when reviewing spousal support. This temporary financial hardship may justify short-term adjustments to the initial arrangements.
Extended Legal Proceedings
Lengthy legal proceedings following car accidents can prolong uncertainty for injured spouses. Ongoing personal injury claims often delay compensation as legal fees pile up. Courts sometimes consider these drawn-out processes when evaluating spousal support.
This is because prolonged litigation can affect cash flow and justify revising support arrangements. If you’re in the state, a family law firm in California like Schoenberg Family Law Group can help by filing to review the existing spousal support arrangements.
Long-Term Disability
Long-term disabilities from car accidents can permanently limit a spouse’s ability to work and earn. When injuries prevent a return to work or require constant care, courts take a second look at spousal support. Permanent impairments may justify higher or extended support to match the injured spouse’s lack of financial independence due to the injuries.
Support and Caregiving Needs
Car accident injuries may come with ongoing support and caregiving needs. When one spouse needs daily care, works less, or leaves their job altogether, the other must be willing to sacrifice. In fact, the income changes significantly. Courts typically consider these caregiving needs when adjusting spousal support to reflect the added financial impact.
Temporary Adjustments During Recovery
Spouses may face temporary income loss and incur higher expenses during recovery from car accidents. Courts may approve short-term adjustments to spousal support during this period. These changes help maintain financial stability while the injured person recovers and returns to their life after the accident.
Endnote
Car accidents can significantly disrupt spousal support arrangements since they lead to lower earning capacity and mounting medical bills, with delayed insurance settlements. These accidents may also come with extended legal proceedings, long-term disability, support and caregiving needs, and temporary adjustments.
