Likewise, a settlement cannot be accepted on your behalf without your approval. You have the final say. Conversely, your attorney is obligated to inform you of any settlement offers, even if the offer is lower than what you indicated you would accept. You also have the right to be fully informed of the status of your case. Ask questions and insist on answers which you understand - your lawyer has a duty to provide clear explanations that enable you to make informed decisions regarding your case.
Good lawyers communicate with each client, particularly personal injury clients, frequently.
If months go by without word on your case, investigate what is happening. Litigation is a slow process, but an aggressive attorney usually can progress a case quickly enough to at least require monthly updates. The statute of limitations is a deadline established by statute by which time you must file your lawsuit or be forever barred. For most personal injury matters, this period is two years. Thus, you have two years from the date of your injury, or, more precisely, when you knew or should have known that you had suffered an injury, in which to file your claims.