Our Washington Car Accident Lawyer Explains the Timeline for Getting Your Settlement Check
Trying to finalize your claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company after a car crash can be a long, drawn-out process. Unfortunately, even once the process is complete, you’ll still need to continue to be patient because a number of steps must be completed before you can accept your settlement check.
At Max Meyers Law, our experienced team understands how frustrating and stressful it is for you to cope with mounting medical expenses and bills when you can’t work because of your injuries. We work hard to settle your car accident claim as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive the damages you deserve.
How Does the Settlement Process Work in a Washington Car Accident Case?
It can take many months to well over a year to settle a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Why does it take so long? Many factors—such as how fast your injury recovery is and insurance adjuster disputes—affect the timeline. However, it’s best not to rush the process, because you could possibly trade a more comprehensive amount for a quick settlement.
Understanding how this process unfolds helps you know what to expect and gives you the strength to persevere until you receive what you’re entitled to under Washington law. Here are the steps we take to resolve your claim.
Investigation
To win your case, all the elements of a car accident claim must be proven. This includes establishing the cause of your auto collision. At Max Meyers Law, we thoroughly investigate all aspects of the other driver’s negligence.
We review the police report, interview eyewitnesses, inspect photos taken at the scene, and obtain any available traffic and business surveillance footage of the wreck. If necessary, we’ll even recommend hiring an accident reconstruction expert who can examine all the evidence and create a reenactment showing how the collision occurred. While this deliberate attention to detail takes time, it’s also your best chance of receiving a proper car crash settlement.
Calculation of Your Damages
Our team also determines the worth of your claim so you know how much money you should receive when the case is finalized.
However, we need to wait until you recover from your injuries or heal as much as you can so your doctor can give you a final prognosis and calculate your owed amount. This can only happen once we know what medical treatments you may need throughout your life and how your injuries will affect your ability to work.
Demand letter
Next, our office sends a demand letter to the negligent party’s insurance provider as notification of your claim. It explains how their policyholder caused the collision, the severity of your injuries, and the scope of compensation expected. It often takes a few weeks for the insurer to formulate a response and begin its own investigation.
Negotiation
Our legal team may need to engage in negotiations with the insurance company for months or longer before we settle your claim. Often during the process, an adjuster will most likely raise some disputes about the cause of your collision or your injuries, how serious your injuries are, and the amount the company is required to pay. We may need to collect additional evidence or hire other expert witnesses to resolve these arguments.
Litigation
One of the benefits of retaining the legal team at Max Meyers Law is that we always look out for your best interests. We’re prepared to sue the negligent driver and litigate your case if the insurer denies your claim or refuses to offer a fair settlement. If necessary, we’ll also file a lawsuit before the three-year statute of limitations under RCW 4.16.080 expires.
When to Expect Your Accident Recovery Payment
Once we settle your claim, it could take four to six weeks before you get the settlement check. Why won’t the insurance company mail your payment immediately? We must first complete the following steps to finish the settlement process:
- Signing a release. By agreeing to the amount of compensation offered, you solidify the proceedings by stating that this is a final resolution of your claim. Only then will the insurance company send your check. However, we might need to negotiate unfavorable terms before you can sign the release, which can take a few weeks.
- Issuing a check. Upon receipt of the release, the insurer approves it and sends your check. Depending on its schedule for this process, this could also take up to three weeks.
- Depositing your payment. The settlement check is initially sent to our office. We then deposit it into your client trust account.
- Paying liens. The next step is to use the settlement money to pay any liens on the settlement proceeds. Debts that may have to be paid include medical bills and reimbursement to your insurance company. While it could take a little longer, we often try to negotiate with these creditors to reduce the amount you have to pay them so you receive more of the settlement proceeds.
- Deducting attorney fees and costs. Then, we deduct attorney fees and expenses incurred to resolve your case.
- Sending your check. Finally! You’ve officially completed all the steps involved in settling your claim.
Although a lot of time passes before you receive your car crash settlement check, you can trust that we’ll keep you informed at every phase, consult with you on appropriate next steps, and never be more than a phone call or email away.
