What fees will come out of my car accident settlement check?

When settling your car accident claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company, you must complete several steps before receiving a check. This includes paying any expenses you owe out of your settlement proceeds. It is best to have an experienced car accident lawyer negotiate your settlement and deduct these expenses from the payment from the insurance company if you want to receive all the compensation you deserve under Virginia law.

Expenses That Will Be Deducted From Your Settlement Proceeds

Your attorney should explain the fees you owe and provide you with an itemization of the charges so you know the amount of your settlement check. Common fees owed in car accident cases include:

• Police report. If your attorney obtained a copy of the police report, they would deduct the cost from your settlement proceeds.
• Medical records. Your attorney will also order your medical records. They may provide them to the insurance company to prove the seriousness of your injuries, the medical treatments you need, and the amount of compensation you are entitled to for your medical bills. You are responsible for reimbursing your lawyer for the cost of obtaining copies of your medical records.
• Medical liens. Your health care providers, health insurance companies, and other agencies may have placed a lien on your settlement to pay for expenses you incurred while you were waiting to settle your claim. These liens will have to be paid out of your settlement before you receive your check.
• Court costs and expenses. Court filing fees, service fees, expert witness fees, and other costs of litigating your claim would be deducted from your process if your attorney fronted these expenses for you.
• Attorney fees. When you retained your lawyer, you agreed to pay them their attorney fees on a contingency fee basis. They will deduct their fees before sending you your check.

If you were injured in an auto collision in Virginia Beach or Norfolk, our skilled car accident lawyers can go up against the insurance company so that you receive the maximum recovery in your settlement. To learn more about how we can assist you, call our Norfolk office at 757-265-1214 or complete our convenient online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.