Personal Injury Settlement Agreements Explained

If you were injured in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you could be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. Most personal injury claims are settled out of court through settlement agreements with other parties and/or insurance companies.

Below, learn more about personal injury settlements and the process involved. If you have questions about settlements and other aspects of the personal injury claim process, Phillips Law Group is here to help. Our experienced Phoenix personal injury attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for personal injury victims throughout Arizona, many of these situations were resolved through settlements.

We offer free initial consultations and there is no requirement to hire us. We only bill you if we win compensation on your behalf.

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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Personal Injury Settlement Agreements Defined

A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between you and another party that you filed your claim against or have a dispute with. In cases involving personal injury, this may be referred to as a mutual or general release, which is usually an agreement for a certain amount of financial compensation to be paid to the injured party for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property losses and other damages.

If you were injured in a car crash that was caused by another driver’s negligence, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to negotiate a settlement to pay for your damages. However, far too often insurance companies try to save themselves money but not offering the full amount of compensation victims may be eligible for, which means you or your attorney will need to continue negotiating and make a counteroffer.

If you and your lawyer feel you are not getting the offer you deserve, you may need to file a lawsuit and let a judge and jury decide the outcome in a trial. However, insurance adjusters are more likely to meet your demands once they learn that you and your lawyer are serious about going to court. They would rather not spend the extra time and money for a trial and would rather settle. For example, they may agree to settle at mediation, which usually happens before the trial.

What is a Release?

Most settlement agreements will include a release of liability, which prohibits you from bringing additional claims for medical expenses or automobile coverage for the same accident. The release document commonly includes the settlement amount, the parties being released and the claims that are being released (for example, personal injury claims or property damage claims).

This release document is prepared by the defense lawyer and he or she will then send it to your lawyer for approval. Although these documents are usually straightforward, there may be certain stipulations and wording that may be disputed. Disagreements about the language in the release document can go back and forth between the lawyers until a mutual agreement is reached. If an agreement cannot be reached, a judge may need to step in and resolve the issue.

Once the terms in the release are completed, your lawyer will give it to you for your review and signature. Be sure to read the entire agreement and discuss questions with your lawyer before you sign. Once you sign the agreement, the claims process is over.

What Happens After the Settlement?

After the settlement agreement is finalized and you have signed the release documents, a check will be issued and deposited into your lawyer’s trust account. Once the check clears, your attorney will pay off any outstanding legal fees and any other debts you may have related to your injuries.

It is critical to have an experienced lawyer on your side to review your settlement agreement and make sure the settlement agreement provides you the maximum compensation available for your damages.

Talk to an Experienced Attorney Before You Settle

Before agreeing to a settlement with the insurance company, it is important to talk to an attorney about your case. An experienced lawyer can help determine if a settlement offer provides the compensation you need and help negotiate another offer if necessary.

If you need legal help, contact a licensed lawyer at Phillips Law Group today. Our firm has secured over $1 billion in compensation. Give us a call today to set up your no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.

Phillips Law Group. No Fees Unless You Collect. Ph: 602-222-2222