A settlement is when a resolution is negotiated between the parties. For example, in a NC car accident case, your attorney may negotiate with the insurance companies and, based on the evidence of liability and damages, reach an agreement for the insurance company to pay your claim.
A settlement can happen before a lawsuit is filed or after the lawsuit is filed. A case can settle at any point – during discovery, on the eve of trial, during the trial, or even while your case is on appeal.