Ross F. Mann | December 19, 2025 | Personal Injury
After you have accepted a settlement agreement, you may be wondering how long it will take for your check to arrive. If you’re dealing with medical bills, missed work, or just trying to get back on your feet, waiting can be tedious.
The truth is, the timeline can vary significantly. Some claims wrap up quickly. Others take months or longer. Here’s how the process usually works in Kentucky.
Step 1: Reaching a Settlement Agreement
Before anyone writes a check, you and the insurance company have to agree on a final settlement amount.
That can take time because it’s challenging to accurately value a claim while you’re still recovering. Insurers often won’t make a reasonable offer until they understand the full picture of your injuries, treatment, and recovery. If you settle too soon, you usually can’t come back later for more money if you end up needing additional care.
Minor injury claims may resolve faster. However, if your injuries are severe, fault is disputed, or the insurer is resisting, it can take longer to reach a fair settlement.
Step 2: Signing the Settlement Release
Once you agree on an amount, the insurance company will send a release. This paperwork essentially confirms, “I accept this settlement amount and forfeit the right to file any future claims related to this accident.”
This step may seem simple, but it’s crucial. If the release contains mistakes, unclear wording, or missing information, it can slow down the process. Nothing moves forward until the signed release is returned.
Step 3: Insurance Company Issues the Check
After the insurance company receives the signed release, it typically issues the settlement check within two to six weeks. In many cases, the check is sent to your attorney’s office, not directly to you.
Placing the Funds in an Attorney Trust Account
When the check arrives, it’s usually deposited into an attorney trust account. This is a separate account that helps keep things clean and transparent. The funds are tracked and recorded, and they can only be used for your legal matter. It also prevents any “commingling,” meaning your money isn’t mixed with the firm’s operating funds.
Step 4: Paying Medical Liens and Case Costs
After the settlement check is received by your lawyer, there are typically a few final steps and administrative matters to resolve before you receive your ultimate payment.
Depending on your case, that might include:
- Paying medical bills or medical liens (like a hospital, a health insurer, or Medicaid)
- Reimbursing case expenses (records fees, filing costs, etc.)
- Attorney’s fees (if you hired a lawyer on a contingency fee basis)
This part can move quickly, or it can take time—especially if there are liens that need to be negotiated or verified.
Step 5: You Receive Your Settlement Funds
After liens and costs are handled, you receive what’s left—your portion of the settlement.
In many cases, clients receive their funds within a few days to a couple of weeks after the lawyer receives the insurance check. From the time you settle, a standard overall range is 30 to 90 days to receive payment, although some cases may take longer.
What Can Delay a Settlement Check?
Common delays include:
- You’re still getting medical treatment.
- The insurance company is questioning who caused the accident.
- More than one insurer is involved.
- Medical liens take time to resolve.
- There are paperwork errors or missing signatures.
If something feels slow, it’s often because one of these steps is still in motion.
How a Lawyer Can Help Speed Things Up
A lawyer can’t magically make an insurance company comply, but having an attorney usually helps keep things from dragging out longer than necessary.
A lawyer can help by:
- Pushing the insurer for the release and check
- Making sure documents are filled out correctly
- Tracking liens and negotiating them when possible
- Keeping you updated so you’re not left guessing
A lawyer is also crucial in preventing you from accepting a fast settlement that might seem appealing initially but ultimately fails to cover your future needs.
Call Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Lexington Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re waiting on a settlement or wondering what your case could be worth, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Call Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Lexington personal injury lawyer. We can explain what’s happening, what comes next, and how long it may take to receive your settlement check.
We proudly serve Fayette County and the surrounding areas.
Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers – Lexington
501 Darby Creek Rd UNIT 48
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 413-3900
