How Long Does it Take To Get a Settlement Check?

Once your case settles, the last thing you want to worry about is when you are going to get your settlement offer. After enduring the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress of an accident, getting your settlement check can feel like the light at the end of a very long tunnel — but accident victims often find themselves asking the same set of frustrating questions. How long does it take to get a settlement check? When will I actually get my money?

While settlement checks can take a while to end up in your bank account, it’s important to be able to recognize the difference between normal delays and bad faith by the insurance company. 

Calderon Law Firm gets results, fast. We pride ourselves on quick case turnaround so that you can get what you need and get on with your life, rather than waiting around for the phone to ring. 

“I met Mr Calderon in person, same night of the accident. He was highly recommended and did not disappoint. He exceeded all my expectations. The whole process went smooth and quick. His legal team was very professional and helpful. I received my settlement in no time. I highly recommend anyone to give him a chance. He made my 1st experience like this, a great one."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lewis Davis

Satisfied Client

If you or a loved one has been injured and you need a personal injury lawyer in Houston to advocate for your future settlement, Jose Calderon is here for you. Call Calderon Law Firm today at (346) 999-5673 and put an advocate in your corner. 

How long should it take to get a settlement check?

The typical timeline is 2 – 6 weeks after signing your settlement agreement, though this can vary considerably based on several key factors.

Different types of cases require varying amounts of time to process, depending on their complexity and the number of people involved.

Several key elements can speed up or slow down your settlement check delivery. In general, the following things will have a big impact on how soon you can expect your check:

• Settlement amount: Larger settlements require additional internal approvals
• Number of parties: More defendants means more coordination required
• Lien resolution: Medical liens and workers' comp claims add complexity
• Documentation completeness: Missing paperwork causes significant delays

How long can a lawyer hold your settlement check?

Your attorney should process and distribute settlement funds within 1 or 2 weeks of receiving the check from the insurance company. This brief holding period serves important legal and practical purposes.

Your lawyer has a few specific legal obligations during this time:

1. They deposit the funds into a client trust account, which ensures proper fund separation and protection.
2. They verify check clearance and confirm that funds are available before distribution.
3. They calculate liens and bills on the settlement, resolving outstanding medical bills.
4. They determine final attorney fees and calculate case expenses.
5. They prepare your distribution statement, giving you a detailed account of all funds and expenses. 

While brief holding periods are normal, watch for these red flags for unreasonable delays:

• No communication about delays beyond 2 weeks
• Vague explanations when you request updates
• Avoiding your calls or failing to return messages promptly
• Refusing to provide detailed accounting of funds

Remember: Your attorney has a fiduciary duty to handle your funds properly and promptly. While some delays are reasonable, and getting you a settlement can represent a lot of work for an attorney, getting you your settlement is not only their job: it’s their legal obligation.

How can I track my settlement check?

Staying informed about your settlement requires communication with your attorney and an understanding of the claims process. Most attorneys provide regular updates, but you should also feel comfortable requesting more information during the waiting period.

You can advocate for yourself by keeping track of these key details throughout the settlement process:

• Insurance claim number and adjuster contact information
• Date settlement agreement was sent to insurance company
• Date release forms were signed and returned
• Expected payment date from insurance company
• Check tracking number once payment is issued

When should you consider additional action? 

If significant delays occur without reasonable explanation, discuss with your attorney whether suing the insurance company for taking too long might be appropriate. This is typically a last resort, but insurance companies have obligations to process settlements quickly and in good faith.

The settlement process after an accident

The more you know about the settlement journey, the better you can anticipate potential delays and work effectively with your legal team. Each phase of the settlement process has its own timeline and requirements.

Phase 1: investigation and case building (2 – 8 weeks)

The foundation of your case determines everything that follows:

• Evidence gathering, including photos, witness statements, and police reports
• Medical record collection, including hospital records, doctor reports, and treatment summaries
• Expert consultation with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts as needed
• Liability analysis to determine fault and legal responsibility

Phase 2: medical treatment and recovery (varies widely)

It’s rare that your case will settle before you reach what is called “maximum medical improvement.” This often represents the longest phase, as rushing to settle before understanding your full recovery can be costly:

• Ongoing medical treatment until condition stabilizes
• Documentation of all medical expenses and treatments received
• Assessment of permanent injuries or long-term complications
• Calculation of future medical needs and associated costs

Phase 3: demand and negotiation (2 – 12 weeks)

Once your medical condition stabilizes, formal settlement negotiations begin:

• Comprehensive demand package submitted to insurance company
• Initial response from insurance adjuster (typically low)
• Counter-negotiations back and forth until agreement reached
• Settlement documentation prepared and executed

Certain types of accidents can significantly impact settlement timelines. For example, if you were hit by a truck in Houston, your case might involve federal trucking regulations, multiple insurance policies, and corporate defendants, all of which can extend the settlement process considerably.

The insurance company process after an accident

Insurance companies also follow specific internal procedures that can impact your settlement timeline. Knowing how insurance companies process a claim can help you spot when they might be acting in bad faith or unfairly delaying your settlement. 

Initial claim review (2 – 4 weeks)

When your attorney submits a settlement demand, several steps occur simultaneously:

• Documentation review, which includes all medical records, bills, and evidence
• Policy verification that confirms coverage limits and applicable terms
• Fraud assessment, or standard protocols to prevent fraudulent claims
• Preliminary valuation, which gives an initial assessment of claim value

Approval process for settlements

Insurance companies have different approval requirements based on settlement amounts:

For significant claims, insurance companies often conduct their own investigations to satisfy additional investigation requirements:

• Independent medical exams to verify injury claims
• Accident scene investigation to confirm circumstances
• Medical expert consultation to assess treatment necessity
• Employment verification to confirm lost wage claims

Continue reading: How long do car accident settlements take?

Should I accept my settlement offer?

Whether or not you should accept your settlement offer will depend on the circumstances of your injuries and your accident — but first offers are rarely sufficient. Insurance companies often make initial offers significantly below fair compensation, hoping to resolve claims quickly and cheaply.

Before you accept a settlement offer from the insurance company, ask yourself (and your attorney) the following questions:

• Do I understand my total current medical expenses?
• What are my estimated future medical costs?
• Have I calculated all lost wages accurately?
• Does this offer account for pain and suffering?
• What are the risks of rejecting this offer?

Sometimes it will make sense to accept an early reasonable settlement offer, but you should never accept an offer significantly below what you deserve. Wondering what’s fair? A Houston car wreck lawyer can provide valuable insight into whether an offer represents fair compensation based on similar cases and local jury verdicts.

How a personal injury attorney fights for your settlement agreement

An experienced personal injury attorney can make all the difference in your settlement, helping you get a speedy and fair deal, and protecting your rights in the process. 

They help you build the strongest possible case. Your attorney's preparation work directly influences settlement outcomes in the following ways:

1. Comprehensive evidence gathering to support all aspects of your claim
2. Medical expert consultation to validate treatment necessity and future needs
3. Economic analysis to accurately calculate lost wages and earning capacity
4. Legal research to identify all applicable laws and precedents

They employ negotiation strategies that work. Experienced attorneys use proven tactics to maximize settlements:

1. Professional presentation of demand packages with compelling evidence
2. Strategic timing of negotiations to apply appropriate pressure
3. Counter-strategy development to address insurance company tactics
4. Alternative dispute resolution when traditional negotiations stall

They use trial readiness as leverage. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your attorney is prepared to litigate:

1. Trial experience demonstrates credible willingness to go to court
2. Resource availability to fund expensive litigation if necessary
3. Track record of favorable jury verdicts influences negotiations
4. Timeline pressure can motivate reasonable settlement offers

They possess specialized knowledge for complex cases. Cases involving a Houston Uber accident lawyer require understanding of unique insurance coverage issues and liability questions that arise in rideshare accidents.

Fight for a better settlement offer with Calderon Law Firm

So, how long does it take to get a settlement check? While settlement timelines vary widely based on the circumstances of your case, if you’ve agreed to settle and haven’t gotten a check in 2 – 6 weeks, it might be time to take action. 

Waiting for your settlement check can be one of the most stressful aspects of recovering from an accident, but not getting a fair settlement can be even more devastating. If you have yet to settle your case or have concerns about delays in your current case, Calderon Law Firm can provide clear guidance based on your specific circumstances.

Call Calderon Law Firm today at (346) 999-5673 or contact us online to discuss your case and learn how we can help you through the settlement process, while fighting for the compensation you deserve.

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