The majority of personal injury claims end in a settlement in which the insurance company enters into an agreement with you for the injuries you have suffered. The amount of compensation you receive is usually limited to the settlement amount, even if you later discover that you had additional expenses that stemmed from the accident or your medical condition worsens. You usually cannot sue after reaching a settlement, but there are some exceptions to this rule.

If you were injured in an accident and are being offered a settlement, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Phoenix for legal help. He or she can review your claim and determine if a settlement is in your best interest.

When You Cannot Sue After a Settlement Offer

In most situations when you accept a settlement, you are required to sign a release of liability. This document states that you are receiving a certain amount of compensation in exchange for forfeiting your right to further pursue the claim. It is a legally binding contract that you must follow to receive the settlement funds.

The release usually states that you promise not to pursue compensation for the same accident and you are releasing any claim that you have against the other party. The language may state that you are accepting the settlement funds as full satisfaction of all claims.

If you sign this release, you typically cannot take further legal action against the defendant or insurance company. An attorney can help you understand the terms you are agreeing to.

Morgan W.

I felt they were more my friends than my personal injury lawyer and that isn't something you're taught it's something you have inside. If I ever needed a lawyer again Phillips Law Group Injury Lawyers would be my only choice. I can't recommend them enough. They are professional on every level and compassionate throughout. Thank you for everything.

Blanca D.

When in pain because of an accident all you want to do is focus on getting better and that is what did thanks to this firm. My family and I were set up with a Dr and Chiro right away. The treatment we received was great. I am extremely thankful for all the help we received and the outcome on the cases. Thanks to everyone involved on my case. A special thanks the intake specialist Rosalba who was very kind on the phone when I first called. I highly recommend this firm to anyone, they treat you like family.

Erika A.

I am so thankful for Ruthann and Maria. They both were amazing throughout the process. When Maria took over my case, I felt like I was being treated with empathy about my pain and experiences while treating. She also made sure to answer my questions. Maria always responded to my communication attempts and answered questions I had as they came up. She helped me with things I needed in regards to my case and helped ease the anxiety as bills piled up and my injuries were still being treated. I was able to contact her as I was treating and she helped find providers closer to my home to make it more accommodating for me. This helped me juggle work...

Santana D.

Ruby, Jennifer, Angela did me great over at this law firm. I will recommend them to anybody that has been in an injury in Phoenix Arizona they are awesome 😎. Got paid 6 months after my accident. Then out of the blue a couple years later they still contract me with another check $$$$$🤑😎🤑. Thank you....

Yunior R.

Philips Law Group offers outstanding customer service and a profound knowledge of personal injury law. Right from the initial call through to your office visit, they ensure you feel well-supported. A special mention goes to Ilse, the client experience coordinator. Her expertise in insurance policies is remarkable, and she articulately explains them in both Spanish and English. She skillfully navigates you through the process with empathy and understanding. A heartfelt thanks for the exceptional experience!

Art R.

Phillips was able to get me a good settlement after the first law group I called completely failed. Highly recommend you give them a call after your personal injury.

Rebecca M.

Philips was an awesome choice got me into the doctors offices for visits quickly and efficiently. I also want to give a big shout out to Michael the negotiator for Philips he went above and beyond to help my case get to the finish line! Also want to thank Jason and the friendly front staff.

Vallery A

Throughout the most stressful time Carmen and Donato managed to get me to the correct doctors and get the correct care I needed to make the whole process smooth and less stressful. They always answered any question or concern with professionalism and courtesy. They always valued my time as I valued theirs. Definitely recommend this great firm!

Martin K.

I'm sincerely grateful to my noble Phillips Law firm legal experts for their integrity n intelligent work for making my accident to not go free in my paint injuries. God richly bless them, for bring settlement big cash to me.

Latosha E.

What can I say about Phillips Law group. I was involved in a major car accident and sustained injuries. I looked up for Law Firms in Arizona and stumbled across Phillips Law Group. I decided to give them a call about my accident, and they were very respectful and took in my case immediately. They assigned me Tim LeDuc to represent me. From the beginning, he was very responsive and made sure to give me the proper care I deserved from this accident. Him and his team fought tooth and nail to give me the best settlement I deserved. I am so thankful, and I highly recommend Phillips Law Group to represent anyone who has been in any accident and...

Emily N.

My case closed yesterday and I RAN to make this review because of how exceptional my experience has been with Phillips Law Group! I received the best settlement I could've hoped for and am extremely happy with the outcome; but I especially wanted to shout out and give praise to Julianna, the Litigation Paralegal on my case. From the moment Julianna was assigned to my case almost two years ago, until the completion of the settlement process yesterday, Julianna's commitment to exceptional customer service, clear communication, and unwavering support truly stood out. I had so many questions -- from the legal process, to where to seek medical treatment, to questions about medical bills, to the negotiation process, and more --...

Ari

I am very impressed by how much care and effort this group puts into helping the homeless. That’s not something you see enough, especially in this time of increasing need for community. It’s important to me to work with companies that align with my views, and I would definitely go to Phillips for any future personal injury lawyer needs.

Rich S.

Just would like to share my experience with Phillips And Associates. Ever since my accident in the first of the year, it was a life changing event for me and I finally decided to go with a personal injury attorney. I contacted Phillips And Associates and they made me feel like I was an actual person instead of a lot of other firms try to go with me like a number, Phillips And Associates has reached out to me in a kind, courteous and caring way they fully understand on the circumstances of the accident So far, Phillips And Associates has been absolutely wonderful. I truly recommend going with Phillips And Associates. Thanks (RuthAnn), your the Best!!! And Thank you...

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When You Can File a Lawsuit After a Settlement Offer

There are some exceptions when you may still be able to file a lawsuit after a settlement offer, but they are rare. These exceptions include the following:

Fraud

If the settlement offer was the result of fraud or bad faith, you may be able to reopen the claim if fraud is later discovered. However, this is very difficult to prove. You may want to consider consulting with an experienced lawyer if you suspect fraud may have been involved.

Multiple Parties Responsible for the Accident

Unless the language of the settlement agreement states otherwise, it only releases the claim against one defendant. In some situations, there may be more than one defendant at fault for the accident.

For example, in a motor vehicle accident, there may be two motorists at fault for the accident or you later discovered that a defective product could have contributed to the accident. When you release the claim against one defendant, you still have the right to sue anyone else who shared fault in the accident as long as it is done before Arizona’s two-year statute of limitations expires.

What to Do Before Accepting a Settlement Offer

Because the potential stakes of accepting a settlement offer are so high, there are certain steps you should take to maximize the value of your claim:

• Seek medical attention ”“ Get medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident to determine the full extent of your injuries. Follow your doctor’s orders and abide by his or her treatment plan. If you expect more medical expenses in the future, you might want to hire a medical expert who can estimate the potential value of these anticipated expenses.
• Consider the long-term consequences of your injury ”“ Many personal injury victims underestimate the value of their claim because they fail to consider the long-term consequences of their injury. They may not be able to return to work after a serious injury, or they may experience pain and suffering that interferes with other aspects of their claim. An economic expert can calculate your expected earnings before and after the accident so that you can pursue compensation for the difference.
• Talk to a personal injury lawyer ”“ A personal injury lawyer can review your claim to help ensure that it covers your current and future expenses. He or she can also discuss whether a particular settlement offer provides fair compensation or if you should proceed to a trial.

Contact a Dedicated Attorney for Legal Help Today

If you have been offered a settlement for your accident claim, it is important that you speak to an experienced personal injury attorney before signing a release of liability. A skilled lawyer from Phillips Law Group can ensure that you understand the full extent of your injuries and the possible ramifications of signing a release.

We can discuss your claim during a free consultation. There are no upfront legal fees for our services unless you recover compensation for your case.

Talk to a member of our legal team by calling 602-222-2222 .