Legal Tips and Resources
Personal injury cases vary in several ways, from statute of limitations, the seriousness of an injury, and settlement agreements. A settlement means your case is coming to an end and the responsible party will be paying out owed monies to the victim soon. Many victims go into personal injury cases thinking that because they are injured, they will be paid, and things will conclude swiftly, this is not true. Although individuals pay insurance companies monthly or yearly premiums to protect them should they be involved in any accidents or deemed liable for any injuries, insurance companies would rather receive money than pay out money. Because of this, a huge part of your personal injury claim will involve settlement negotiations between you or your legal counsel, and the insurance company.
If liability is not entirely evident, and the person who is seen liable challenges your claim, these personal injury cases may go on far longer than they truly have to. A settlement agreement may be made between the at-fault party’s insurance company and the victim, but the individual at fault may not agree. This will then require extra steps such as paperwork signed by the insurance company releasing the funds agreed upon. Should a settlement not be reached, these cases are taken to trial. However, to avoid the risk of having to pay out even more money than discussed, insurance companies try to reach a settlement quite quickly, in many cases.
For a better understanding of the settlement process at this point, once you have sought out treatment, speak with your personal injury attorney so that you may understand what the next step may consist of. Just because treatment is completed, does not mean money will be distributed in your case. Once an agreement is made, your attorney is usually written a check and will disburse the funds to you and any other involved parties, such as the treatment facilities.
Should you or a loved one be a victim of a personal injury as of a result of another individual, and you do not have a personal injury attorney, speak with a skilled attorney, like a Dekalb County attorney, that will be able to explain to you what your options are. In the event that you have already completed treatment and are negotiating with insurance companies alone, you may need a personal injury attorney in your corner to ensure you are not taken advantage of during the final stages of your personal injury case. Statute of limitations are typically two years, do not wait until the last minute.
Thanks to the law office of Andrew R. Lynch for their insight into personal injury settlements.