Top 3 Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer after an Injury

Clearwater FL

23 June, 2021

4:41 PM

Description

Personal Injury Attorney near Saint Petersburg, FL You've probably had to wait while the legal process unfolds after filing a personal injury claim for a car accident, slip and fall incident, or other type of injury accident. A lawsuit's timeline can be several months or even years long. Injured victims have many questions about how long it takes to receive a settlement check and what the timeline is once the lawsuit or settlement is finalized. Release Forms for Settlements  After both parties have agreed to the settlement, your lawyer will notify the court, which will issue an Order of Settlement requiring the completion and signing of all necessary paperwork within 30 to 60 days. The Settlement Release form is one of the most important parts of this process. The terms of the settlement offer will be outlined in this document, which will typically include: There is no admission of fault. Even if the at-fault party pays the settlement, they are not admitting fault legally.  Confidentiality. A non-disclosure agreement may be required by the terms of a settlement agreement, which keeps the details of the settlement private and not made public.  Waiver of all future claims and liability. You can no longer file a claim against the defendant or the insurance company for additional compensation related to the incident or accident once the settlement release form is signed. By signing the release, you are agreeing to the settlement and, as a result, you are relinquishing any further claims against the defendant and, in most cases, any other defendant involved in the incident. To put it another way, once you've settled, you'll never be able to reopen the case or file a claim for additional compensation. If you're married, you may be required to have your spouse sign the release as well.  The Check for Settlement  The insurance company will begin the process of cutting the check once the settlement release form is signed. Before the check is actually issued, several departments within the insurance company are usually involved, as well as a legal review. The insurance company usually writes a check to you and your attorney and mails it to your lawyer's office.  When your attorney receives the check, he or she will deposit it in an escrow account and then disburse the funds as needed. While you should already have a payment agreement in place for your specific case, the attorney will pay any liens and other fees associated with your case so that you are not sued. Liens and fees include the following: Medical bills that have not been paid  Child support that isn't paid  Fees for lawyers  Expenses associated with your case, such as expert witnesses, filing fees, accident reconstruction, and other costs associated with constructing evidence in your case. The remainder of the settlement will be paid to you after the liens and fees are paid, which can be in the form of a structured settlement or a lump sum payment. The payment structure will be established in the settlement agreement and will not be altered once it has been agreed upon. Structured settlements are paid in regular installments, whereas lump sum payments are made all at once.  Depending on the circumstances of your case, the time between agreeing to a settlement and receiving your check can be as short as a month or as long as several months, especially if liens must be resolved. Is the money you get from a personal injury settlement taxable?  In most cases, a personal injury settlement is not taxable at the federal or state level. In some instances, however, this may not be the case. Make sure to discuss your situation with an attorney or a tax professional. Should You Have Accepted the Settlement to Begin With?  To determine whether a settlement offer is reasonable, you must first determine the value of your injuries. An offer may appear to be a large sum of money until you realize that it will not cover your medical bills, lost wages, or other potential losses. Make sure you account for future medical expenses as well as lost income from being unable to work or possibly returning to your previous position. You are entitled to just compensation for your losses. Tampa, FL | Largo, FL | Seminole, FL | Clearwater, FL | St. Pete Beach, FL | Treasure Island, FL | Gulfport, FL | Palm Harbor, FL | Bradenton, FL | Town N Country, FL | Brandon, FL | Lakeland, FL | Sarasota, FL  Services: Bicycle Accidents, Birth Injury, Boating Accidents, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Dog Bites, Medical Malpractice, Motorcycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents, Truck Accidents, Workers' Compensation, Wrongful Death. Business hours: 24/7 Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney At Law 1211 Tech Blvd suite 112, Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 548-3518 BrandonJBroderick.com