When Will I Receive My Personal Injury Settlement?

How long after an accident a person receives a personal injury settlement check will depend on the circumstances of the case, including the type and severity of the accident and the amount of compensation received. Generally, the check will arrive anywhere between a few weeks and a  few months after negotiations have concluded, although in some cases, it could take a lot longer.

Factors that Will Affect Your Settlement Timeline 

Whether or not an accident victim is able to settle his or her claim without going to trial will depend on a number of factors, including:

• The severity of the injuries sustained;
• The degree of fault exhibited by both parties;
• The number of parties involved in the case;
• The strength of the evidence proving causation; and
• The availability of insurance coverage.

Generally, the more serious the injury and the more convoluted the issue of liability, the less likely an insurer will be to settle for the full value of a claim and the longer they will take to make a decision. If, however, the parties are able to reach an agreement, the terms will be put into writing and will dictate the amount received. Once all of the parties have signed the agreement, the insurance company will prepare and eventually send the settlement check to the claimant’s lawyer. As soon as the check has cleared the bank, the funds will be disbursed in the form of a settlement check, which will first be used to pay any outstanding medical bills and liens, as well as legal fees. The remaining amount will belong entirely to the claimant.

Delay Tactics 

It is not uncommon for insurance companies to delay settling a personal injury claim, even when the policyholder was clearly at fault. There are a number of reasons for doing so. The adjuster may, for instance, hope that the longer they wait to settle, the more likely the injured party will be to accept a lower amount out of necessity. They may even drag their feet in an effort to cause a person to miss the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit, which would significantly increase the insurer’s power to deny the claim. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, accident victims can improve their chances of holding unscrupulous insurers accountable for these kinds of tactics, which are both unethical and illegal in Georgia.

Contact Our Atlanta Law Office Today 

The settlement process can be confusing, although it often ends up being the best way for an accident victim to obtain compensation for his or her losses in the quickest way possible. Having an experienced attorney on one’s side can make all the difference in how long it takes to settle a claim, so if you or a loved one were injured because of someone else’s negligence, consider reaching out to one of our dedicated Marietta personal injury lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell, for advice. You can set up an initial review of your case by calling our office at 404-593-0020 or by completing one of our online contact forms. A member of our legal team is standing by and prepared to get started on your case right away.

Sources: 

law.cornell.edu/wex/final_settlement

forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/auto-accident-settlement-timeline/