we got the settlement money from my car accident injury so now the settlement check is now with my attorney, he said he wil give me the 1/3 settlement

Good morning, In California, settlements are a gross amount that us to be used to pay all the cost and bills associated with the persons injury. This breaks down as usually (sometimes amounts split will vary) 1/3 to pay all medical bills, the bills will be negotiated by your lawyer who will get agreements from each medical provider to accept a certain amount. These lien reductions are usually a pro raated amounts that will ultimately add up to approximately one third of the total settlement.  The lawyer will have his fees, Attorney fees range from 33.3% to 40% depending on the law office and the type of case. Further, the law firm will also collect any cost associated with  your case. For example, when our office request medical records from a hospital, we usually have to pay a request fee and a per page fee for those records. Some firms also charge for postage, paper, etc, while other charge a one time "admin" fee that covers all those cost.  Finally, after the medical bills have been paid, the law firm has been paid, and all cost accounted for the remainder goes to the client. Usually that amounts to one third of the settlement.  Just as a note. Your attorney's job is to make you whole. This means that we try to put you in the position you were in before the accident. This means that your special, or economic damages are paid, and that you get money in your pocket for general, or non-economic damages. Paying the bills is our requireement to care for your special damages and the money you recieve is the non-ecoomic damages.