After settling an offer for a car accident case, let's say...?

Question

...a ten thousand dollar offer, how long does it take to get that money? and will the lawyer take some out of it or not?

Answer 1

Depends on whats going on in the claim.

First off - no negotiations happen until the injured party has stopped treating - and all medical bills/records have been received. Then:

If you don't have an attorney and no lawyer is involved -- I'll have the injured party come to my office - I'll make them an offer - if they agree- they sign the release and I hand them the check right then.

If there is an attorney- once an agreement is reached the adjuster sends the check and release to the attorneys office. He has the injured party endorse the check and sign the release.  He deposits it in his trust account. He takes 1/3 of it as his fee. He pays the medical providers - the injured person gets the rest.  

If there is a law suit involved- the insurance company has to send a release and a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice to the plaintiff attorney with the check. The Stipulation has to be signed by the insurance company attorney and the plaintiff attorney. It then has to be filed with the clerk of court and a copy sent back to the adjuster. The attorney will have the injured party sign the release - he deposits the check into his trust account. Usually the fee is 50% if there is a law suit. The attorney takes out his fee - pays the medical providers and the injured party gets the rest.

There is no set amount of time. Just depends on what is involved and how long it takes to complete the process.  

Answer 2

Not long at all. And there is a fee from lawyers and whatever money you need to pay off any medical bills applied to the lawsuit and watnot. I got my check a week after the lawyer said it was settled.

Answer 3

If you used a lawyer then yes about a third of it. As for the time If you signed all the papers within no more than 2 weeks would be my guess. I got mine in 3 days.