Once you have hired an attorney and proceeded through the personal injury claim process, you will get a settlement offer. If you find it reasonable, you will then sign a release and receive your settlement amount and you can finally settle your bills and focus on getting your life back on track. But is it that simple? How long does it take to get a personal injury settlement check?
On average, the settlement process could take up to 6 weeks. This can seem a long time, especially after the tiring personal injury claim or lawsuit process. Nonetheless, knowing what to expect can make the process easier to navigate.
Have you been injured in an accident through no fault of your own? Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone to discuss your legal options with a Hudson County Personal Injury Attorney.
Personal Injury Settlement Process
The personal injury settlement process includes several steps. After receiving a reasonable settlement offer, you will be required to sign a release form. Next:
- The settlement release form will be sent to the insurance company for processing. Once processing is complete, the insurance company will close out your claim.
- The insurance company will send your attorney a settlement check for the agreed-upon amount.
- When your attorney receives the check, they will place the amount in trust or escrow. They will then pay off your debts, including medical bills.
- If any liens have been asserted against your settlement by medical providers or auto insurance companies, your attorney will pay them from the settlement.
- Your attorney will then deduct their fees and costs from your settlement amount. Depending on your agreement, this could be a percentage of the settlement or a fixed hourly rate.
- Finally, your attorney will send the remaining amount to you via a check.
Possible Delays
On average, the whole personal injury settlement process could take 5 to 6 weeks from when you signed a release form. However, some delays could arise, which could hold up your payment. Possible reasons for this could include:
- The insurance company is taking longer to process your settlement. This could be because they are handling multiple settlements or an official is out of the office.
- An entity has asserted liens against your settlement. This will force your attorney to confirm and pay them or challenge the liens to get them reduced or dropped.
- Your attorney is negotiating multiple liens. As not all liens asserted against a settlement must be paid, your attorney could decide to challenge or negotiate the liens.
- Your attorney has not yet received your settlement check due to a hold up at the insurance company or a delay with the mail.
Talk to a Hudson County Personal Injury Attorney
The best answer to how long does it take to get a personal injury settlement check is ‘it depends.’ After your settlement amount has been set, the insurance company won’t just drop off a check in your mail. You will likely need to wait a few more weeks before you receive your settlement.
During this time, your attorney will need to cover your outstanding bills, including their attorney fees. You could even face delays from medical liens filed against your settlement.
If you are worried about the delays in your settlement, consult an expert Hudson County Personal Injury Attorney today.