The short answer to this question is: not always. In some cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company will quickly offer a reasonable settlement. In others, the party deemed at fault will be provided with a court order that details the amount that must be paid, and they will pay it. In most cases, however, collecting an award that totals in the thousands or higher may be difficult. It will involve lengthy negotiations with insurance companies to arrive at a settlement, and if no settlement can be reached the case may have to advance to a lawsuit and court trial.
The defendant may not have adequate insurance coverage, either, or may not have the financial means to pay out-of-pocket. In the worst cases, the defendant may not want to pay, period, meaning they must be compelled by court order — sometimes at the conclusion of a lengthy jury trial.
It’s important to keep all of these possibilities in mind. You may reach a settlement or you may win a judgment, but it could take months or years for you to actually collect. This is part of the reason that it is so important that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will take care of the fine details and work to collect what you are owed.