Robert M. Hammers | July 16, 2024 | Personal Injury
The timeline for receiving a personal injury settlement check in Atlanta depends on the facts and circumstances of your case. A check could arrive in a few weeks or a few months. Sometimes, a personal injury settlement check may not arrive for a year or longer.
According to Atlanta personal injury lawyers, here are some factors impacting how long it takes to get a personal injury settlement check in Atlanta, GA.
The Severity of Your Injuries and Your Recovery Period
Settling a personal injury claim before you reach MMI (maximum medical improvement) could result in a much lower settlement amount. MMI is the point during your recovery when your doctor states you have fully recovered or that no further medical treatment is expected to improve your condition. \
Until you reach MMI, you cannot know the extent of your injuries, economic damages, and non-economic damages. The duration of your recovery directly impacts how long it takes to get a settlement check.
Delay Tactics by Insurance Companies
The insurance company may intentionally delay the settlement of a personal injury claim for many reasons. The insurance adjuster may hope the longer you wait for a settlement, the more likely you will accept a lower amount to receive some money. If you represent yourself without a lawyer, the insurance company may hope you miss the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, your attorney cuts through these stalling tactics. If the insurance company continues to stall, your attorney can file a lawsuit, which may be the best negotiating strategy for your case.
Negotiating a Settlement vs. Litigating Your Claim
Most personal injury claims do not go to trial. Instead, they are usually resolved through settlement negotiations outside of court. However, the process takes longer if you file a lawsuit.
A court action could last more than a year. After filing pleadings, the parties may engage in discovery for months. At the end of the discovery period, the parties generally attempt to negotiate a settlement.
If settlement is not possible, the case proceeds to trial. Even if you win at trial, the other party could appeal the decision, which drags the case on for longer. However, it’s possible that filing a lawsuit is your best course of action in some circumstances.
Other Factors That Impact How Long It Takes To Get a Settlement Check in Georgia
Many other factors could impact the final settlement timeline for a personal injury case. Other factors include:
- The parties involved in the case
- The type of personal injury case
- The strength of your evidence proving causation and fault
- Whether you need to hire expert witnesses
- The availability of insurance coverage
- The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit
Your lawyer will work to move your case along as quickly as possible. However, experienced personal injury lawyers recognize that some cases take longer to settle – and they won’t cut corners in the process.
What Happens After Parties Agree to Settlement of a Personal Injury Claim in Atlanta, GA?
Your attorney prepares a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement outlines the terms of the settlement. Typically, the other party does not admit liability. However, they agree to pay a specific amount to resolve the dispute.
After all parties sign the settlement agreement, the insurance company sends a settlement check to your lawyer. Your attorney must allow the check to clear the bank before disbursing funds.
Before you can receive a check, the lawyer must pay outstanding medical liens and bills. Skilled personal injury lawyers attempt to negotiate a lower amount for medical bills and liens. This process could take several weeks but may result in a bigger settlement check for you.
Your personal injury lawyer pays their contingency fee and costs from the settlement proceeds after the medical liens and bills are paid. The remaining amount is paid to you.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Keep the Settlement Process Moving
There are things your attorney cannot control about the settlement process. However, a personal injury attorney understands how it works inside and out.
Call our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation if you were injured in an accident or other incident. We’ll explain the process of filing a claim in more detail.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Hammers Law Firm Today
For more information, contact the Personal Injury law firm of Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation. We have convenient locations in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville, Mableton, Smyrna, and Roswell.
We serve Fulton County and its surrounding areas:
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Atlanta
201 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW Suite 312,
Atlanta, GA 30314
(770) 900-9000
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
5555 Glenridge Con, Suite 975,
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
(678) 605-9838
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Lawrenceville
265 Culver St S. Suite A.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 916-8584
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Mableton
5701 Mableton Pkwy SW Suite 108,
Mableton, GA 30126
(706) 480-5487
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Smyrna
2400 Herodian Way Ste#220,
Smyrna, GA 30080
(678) 922-4497
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Roswell
110 Mansell Cir #111,
Roswell, GA 30075
(678) 582-8466