Lance D. Youd, Attorney at Law

Timing is key to the process of managing a Personal Injury Claim. In the State of Oregon there is typically a 2-year Statute of Limitations from the date of the accident within which to settle a case or file a lawsuit. Our clients are advised to take the time to heal. We discourage our clients from settling with an insurance company before they have properly healed. It is not possible to predict how long the healing process will take, but once our clients feel that they are medically stationary we then proceed with preparing the demand documents to send to the insurance company. We typically give an insurance company 30 days to respond to a demand letter. If the case can be settled by negotiations with the insurance company this can take a few days to weeks. If the insurance company is unwilling to settle for what the attorney feels the case is worth, then a lawsuit will be filed with the court. If a lawsuit must be filed, it can take much more time to resolve a claim.

Your healing is most important after an automobile accident. It is never advised to settle with an insurance company if you are still treating for the injuries sustained from the accident. There is a statute that allows for 2 years before you must settle your case with an insurance company. If you are still treating up to the 2 year mark it is our best advice to talk with an attorney and they can walk you through the process of filing a law suit that helps extend the time if necessary. Be advised that once you settle with an insurance company the case is final.

If you represent yourself, how will you know what you are missing? An Attorney understands the process, the pitfalls, and possible financial outcome. As you represent yourself, you may miss critical steps in the process. Missing one step may be a bigger mistake than you can afford. An attorney is skilled at negotiating for the best possible settlement. We often have client's come to us after attempting to represent themselves. Our clients are relieved to have an experienced attorney help them negotiate through the difficult stages of the settlement process and are happy with the financial outcome.

Lance Youd is an excellent personal injury attorney in Salem, Oregon. With over 25 years of experience he is an expert in other areas of law such as slip & fall cases, family law like divorces and custody cases, crimonal defense and automobile accidents.

The simple answer is that no one knows. Every accident and the resulting injuries is unique. Your settlement could take as little as a few weeks or as long as several years to accomplish. The easiest way to ensure that the case is resolved as quickly yet effectively as possible is to contact a personal injury lawyer. Some of the factors that affect the time it takes for a claim to be settled include: • The severity of your injuries • The amount of your damages • The defendant's willingness to settle • The complexity of your case • An insurance companies caseload Are you filing a personal injury claim in Oregon? To ensure you receive appropriate compensation as soon as possible, contact the Personal Injury Attorney in Salem at Youd Law today.

One of the questions you may ask yourself is “does a personal injury settlement affect Medicaid?” Small- to medium-sized settlements or jury verdicts will likely not have an impact on your Medicaid or Social Security benefit eligibility. Our office is prepared, and in many cases can protect a person's right to Medicaid and Social Security benefits. To avoid the risk of losing Medicaid or Social Security benefits, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. Youd Law will counsel you on how to avoid losing your Medicaid or Social Security benefits. Get in touch with the Personal Injury Attorney in Salem today to help you work on how to protect your Medicaid or Social Security benefits.