If you have been hurt in an accident, you likely want to get your settlement check as quickly as possible so that you can pay your medical bills and other outstanding expenses. Many victims receive their settlement check within 6 to 9 months of filing their claim. However, more complex claims can take 12 to 18 months or longer to resolve.
Keep reading below to learn more about personal injury settlement timelines and the factors that can affect how long you might have to wait for a check.
Personal Injury Settlement Timeline
The timeline of a personal injury case in Phoenix can vary widely, though most injury claims follow a similar process. Understanding the details of this process and the factors that can affect the timeline can start to give you an idea of how long it might take to get a personal injury settlement check.
Medical Treatment (1 to 12+ Months)
One of the factors that will have the biggest impact on your settlement timeline is your medical treatment. Claims are typically not settled until the victim has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). Once you reach MMI, your doctors and your lawyer can fully understand your complete medical outlook and whether you will be left with any permanent effects.
Minor injuries may require medical treatment lasting only a month or two. However, victims who suffer serious or catastrophic injuries may require medical treatment for a year or more before reaching MMI.
Investigation and Demand Letter (1 to 3 Months)
Once your medical treatment is complete, your lawyer can start to put together all the evidence necessary to support your claim, which includes gathering evidence such as:
- Medical records
- Paystubs and other wage documentation
- Police and accident reports
- Bills and receipts
All of this evidence allows your lawyer to put an accurate value on your claim. Once they do, they will send a formal demand letter to the insurance company. The demand letter specifies how much compensation your lawyer is demanding to settle your claim.
Negotiation (1 to 2 Months)
Upon receiving the demand letter, the insurance company will perform its own investigation of the accident.
After their investigation, they may:
- Pay the claim.
- Deny liability and refuse to pay the claim.
- Make a counteroffer.
Several back-and-forth negotiations are common during this part of the process. If a settlement is reached, then you will need to sign a formal release and settlement agreement.
Litigation (9 to 18+ Months)
If a settlement cannot be reached, then you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your case goes all the way to trial, it can add 12 or more months to the process.
Many personal injury claims are settled without going to trial. However, sometimes it is necessary to take your case to a jury in order to get the compensation you are legally owed. It is still possible for a case to settle once it is taken to court and before a final decision is made.
What Happens After My Case Is Resolved?
After a settlement has been reached, you might expect to receive your settlement check within 30 to 60 days. Once your settlement agreement and release have been signed, the insurance company may issue the check within 7 to 14 days, although very large checks could take longer.
The settlement check will be sent to your lawyer, and your lawyer will manage the final distribution of the funds. Remember that your lawyer’s fee will be taken out of the settlement, as well as potential case expenses, medical bills, and other expenses.
Your lawyer will issue you a check for your net settlement amount once all expenses have been deducted, and that usually happens within 1 to 2 weeks of your lawyer receiving the settlement check.
Contact the Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers at AJ Law, PLC for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in an accident, having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can help ensure that your case continues to move forward as efficiently as possible. Remember that settling your case too soon could mean that you are leaving money on the table, so a quick settlement is not always the best option.
At AJ Law, PLC, we can help you understand the value of your claim and help you reach a settlement that adequately covers your losses. Contact our Phoenix personal injury lawyers today at (602) 671-2363 to schedule a free consultation and let us go to work for you.
AJ Law, PLC – Phoenix 7201 N 7th St Suite B, Phoenix, AZ 85020 Open 24/7 (602) 671-2363
AJ Law, PLC – Glendale 5800 W Glenn Dr. Suite 130 Glendale, AZ 85301 Open 24/7 (602) 512-1280
AJ Law, PLC – Bullhead City 2580 AZ-95 #108, Bullhead City, AZ 86442 Open 24/7 (602) 507-9901
AJ Law, PLC – Tucson 300 N Main Ave #102, Tucson, AZ 85701 Open 24/7 (602) 512-1933
