Understanding the Personal Injury Settlement Timeline in Texas
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If you or a family member have been hurt in an accident and you’re waiting on a settlement check, it’s understandable to feel anxious. The period after an injury can be overwhelming – medical bills are piling up, and you’re counting on that settlement money to stay afloat. At Adley Law Firm, we know how critical that compensation is for your recovery. Our Houston-based personal injury attorneys have helped clients statewide navigate the settlement process. We want you to get your funds as soon as possible without settling for less than you deserve. In this post, we’ll explain the settlement check process in Texas, why delays happen, and how an experienced lawyer helps speed things up while protecting your rights.
If you have questions about your own case or feel your settlement payout is taking too long, give us a call for a free consultation. We’re here to help, and we don’t get paid unless you do.
Most Settlement Checks Arrive Within Six Weeks
Once you reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company, you’re eager to get your check and put the accident behind you. However, receiving your money isn’t as simple as the insurance adjuster dropping a check in the mail the next day. There are several important steps that have to happen between agreeing to a settlement and actually having the money in your hands.
Here are the typical steps before you can receive your settlement funds:
- Sign the release forms. You and your attorney review and sign settlement release documents to finalize the agreement.
- Insurance issues the check. The insurance company processes the signed release and sends out the settlement check (usually within a few business days).
- Check is deposited & liens are paid. Your lawyer deposits the check in a trust account, and pays any liens out of the funds (medical bills and any reimbursements to insurers like BCBS).
- Legal fees deducted – you get the rest. Your attorney deducts their contingency fee and case costs, then gives you the remaining settlement money.
Why Might My Settlement Check Be Delayed?
Even when everything is done correctly, sometimes settlement checks are delayed beyond the expected timeline. If you’re frustrated that you haven’t received your money yet, it might be due to one of these common reasons:
- Paperwork issues: Missing signatures or errors in the paperwork can slow things down. For example, if a release form has a typo or wasn’t signed by all necessary parties, it may need to be corrected and re-signed, adding extra days or weeks.
- Insurance company delays: Large insurers (like BCBS, Geico, or Progressive) sometimes move slowly due to high claim volumes or internal backlogs. Your check might be waiting on final approval within the company.
- Outstanding liens or negotiations: If your attorney is still negotiating with a medical provider or insurer over a lien amount, they might hold off giving you your portion of the funds until that’s resolved. While this can delay your payout a bit, that negotiation can save you money by reducing what you owe.
Your lawyer can often pinpoint the cause of a delay and take action to resolve it. For example, they can put pressure on a slow insurance company or arrange a partial payout if one big lien is holding up your money.
How a Lawyer Helps You Get Paid Faster
An experienced personal injury lawyer can speed up the process and prevent unnecessary delays. We make sure all paperwork is completed correctly and submitted right away, and we keep close contact with the insurance company to ensure the check is issued promptly. We negotiate and resolve liens efficiently so they don’t hold up your payment. Since we only get paid when you get paid, we’re motivated to move your case along quickly while protecting your interests.
Don’t Wait – Contact Adley Law Firm for Help Today
You’ve been through enough after an accident. Waiting on a settlement check while bills pile up only adds to your stress. Let the Adley Law Firm take that burden off your shoulders. We’re based in Houston but serve clients statewide, providing personalized service (se habla español). Our team will handle the paperwork, negotiations, and follow-ups needed to get your settlement paid as quickly as possible. With free consultations and a no fee unless we win policy, you have nothing to lose by reaching out – don’t let insurance delays keep you from the compensation you need. Call us today at (713) 999-8669 or contact us online to get started. We’ll fight to get you the money you deserve as fast as possible – and we’ll be by your side every step of the way.
