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My husband and I have filed a joint return. Why do people file single but married? What does that mean and what are the pros and con of each?

To make a long story short, my neighbor did not have her dog on a leash and it attacked my dog, my dog retaliated by going back at the dog and in the process I was pulled to the ground (still and never letting go of my dog's leash) and had to be taken to the hospital and I incurred a $10,000.00 doctor bill. At first my insurance company said my bill was paid and I filed a small claims case in court for my pain and suffering at the highest amount of $6,000.00. The date is set for 3 weeks from 05/17/14.

I got a letter from my insurance company today saying they are not paying because the other party is responsible because she is the cause of the accident. My question is if I go to the small claims court date BEFORE anything is settled with the insurance, will the case be over and I will owe $4,000.00 out of my own pocket towards my bill.

Also this person has a very low paying job, if she is deemed responsible, will I still have to pay the bill if she says she can't pay because she has a low paying job. She is 40 years old and as far as I know unmarried.

I am only seeking different opinions right now so I will have some knowledge of what to do in the way of suggestions to form my own decision of what to do.