Brian White | August 31, 2022 | Personal Injury
You were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, and you have bills coming every day. You probably have property damage and expenses and might be unable to work because of your injuries.
You wisely hired a Houston personal injury lawyer to help you get compensation from the at-fault party. You may wonder how long lawsuits take to settle and how long it will take for you to receive your money. The answer is that it depends on the details and specifics of your case.
What’s a Settlement?
In personal injury cases, a settlement is the money you get from the at-fault party. In exchange for the compensation, you give up your right to pursue the matter further.
So, typically your lawyer will help you file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Your attorney will negotiate with the company and hopefully reach a satisfactory settlement agreement.
If a settlement isn’t achieved, your attorney might suggest that you file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. How long does a lawsuit take to settle? It depends. The insurance company might be more eager to settle at this point because they don’t want to go to trial.
How Do Insurance Claims Work in Texas?
In Texas, insurance companies must respond within 15 days of receiving a claim. Once they affirm they have received the claim, they will begin an investigation. This can take some time depending on the facts of the case
If the insurance company accepts responsibility for the accident, they will come up with a dollar amount of what they think the case is worth. If you agree to the settlement offer, you and the insurance company will sign a settlement agreement.
You will also sign a release, which says you give up the right to sue the insurance company in the future. That is a big decision that should be weighed very carefully with your lawyer.
How Do I Track My Settlement Check?
Your attorney can check the status of your settlement check. They can contact the insurance company and ask if all of the necessary paperwork has been completed. If there are any issues or undue delays, your attorney will do their best to get any hold-ups resolved.
How Long After a Settlement Do I Get Paid?
The answer is that it depends on the facts of your case, but generally, you can expect to get the check three to six weeks after you sign the release. Once the release is signed and processed by the insurance company, they will issue a settlement check.
They will usually mail it to your attorney’s office. When your attorney receives the check, it is standard procedure that they deposit it into an escrow account.
Once the check clears, your attorney will use some of the settlement funds to pay any money that you owe. You might owe your health insurance company if they paid for any medical treatment related to the accident. You may have unpaid doctor’s bills or hospital liens. You might owe money to Medicare or Medicaid if they covered some medical care expenses. This money must be paid quickly, or you may be severely penalized.
After those costs are paid, your attorney will deduct their fees as decided upon in the contract you signed upon hiring them. In addition to the fee, the attorney may deduct other costs related to handling your case, like court costs and expert witness fees.
When all of the fees and costs have been paid, your lawyer will write you a check and send it to your address. When you receive it, you can deposit it in your bank account.
Consult a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer for Help With Your Case and to Recover a Maximum Settlement
Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially if you haven’t done it before. If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, an experienced personal injury attorney can answer all of your questions about the process.
Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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Houston, TX 77098
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