Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

When will my Washington accident attorney receive my insurance settlement check?

Posted Wednesday, January 20, 2016 by Chris Thayer

Determining the Time from a Settlement until Payment

Accident victims who work with Washington injury lawyers are more likely to reach a favorable insurance settlement, but it still takes time for the funds to be distributed. In most cases, you’ll get a check one month after the settlement is accepted. You won’t see the money right away because your attorney must sign papers, wait for the insurance company and determine how much of the settlement will be awarded to each person.

Things That Need to Be Done

  1. First, the insurance company will ask you and other claimants to sign a release form. This document says that you are waiving your right to sue for any reason in exchange for a monetary settlement.
  2. Once the settlement papers are signed and the check is issued, your lawyer will pay any medical bills that were delayed by a letter of protection. This includes hospital bills, insurance co-pays and third-party payments.
  3. Then, your lawyer will deduct legal fees and other out-of-pocket costs. Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency basis, which means that you do not pay anything unless you receive a settlement.
  4. After all of these expenses are deducted, your attorney will distribute the remaining funds to you and any other beneficiary on the claim. The entire process usually takes four to six weeks in a perfect situation, but it may take longer if there are outstanding medical expenses and bills that have not been issued. Your attorney should advise you on the particulars that will affect your settlement.

Contact Our Washington Injury Lawyers

If you would like to learn more about the process or need legal advice from an attorney, we can help. Call 866-884-2417 to arrange a private consultation with Washington accident attorney Chris Thayer.