Many people that are in car crashes and accidents are reluctant to see a Doctor because they think they cannot afford it. Oregon is unique in that it requires all automobile insurance clauses to have a no fault insurance provision. In Oregon this is called Personal Injury Protection benefits. Most people refer to Personal Injury Protection benefits as PIP.
What Are PIP Benefits?
Generally speaking, PIP benefits will pay accident related medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses. ORS 742.524
How Much of My Medical Bills Will PIP Pay?
Generally speaking, PIP will pay up to $15,000.00 of reasonable and necessary medical, dental, surgical, and ambulance bills that were in incurred within two years after the accident. ORS 742.524 What this means is that PIP should pay your crash related emergency room bills, chiropractor bills, and other medical bills until you reach the limit of $15,000.00 or you are treating over a year after the crash. Medical care is very expensive and people are often surprised at how fast $15,000.00 is spent. You should be aware insurance companies don’t like to pay these bills and there is a process they they can go through to attempt to cut off your medical benefits early.
How Much of My Lost Wages Will PIP Pay?
Generally speaking, if you are employed and the crash causes you to be out of work for at least 14 days, then PIP will pay 70% of your lost income from work until you can go back to work. ORS 742.524. Typically the maximum lost wages PIP will pay is $3,000.00 per month. Generally PIP will continue to pay lost wages for 52 total weeks a person is out of work due to the crash.
Will PIP Pay Funeral Expenses?
Generally speaking PIP will pay funeral expenses within one year after the date of the crash. ORS 742.524. The maximum PIP will pay for funeral expenses is typically $5,000.00. If the unthinkable happens and you are forced to bury a loved one that was killed in a car crash, hit by a car, or injured in a car you should keep these benefits in mind.
Do All Oregon Insurance Policies have PIP?
Individual policies can vary, but Oregon requires all Oregon “Private Passenger Motor Vehicle” insurance policies to include Personal Injury Protection benefits. ORS 742.520 (1)
If you are injured in a car crash in Oregon you should seek medical treatment and use PIP to help you get through these tough times. If you have questions about PIP speak with Portland Oregon car accident lawyer Jeremiah Ross at Ross Law LLC. Jeremiah Ross can be reached at 503.224.1658. He is happy to discuss PIP issues and other insurance issues. Ross Law offers free personal injury consultations.
Please remember this post is for information only. The law is always changing, so consult with a lawyer and review the current law. You should not rely on this post for legal advice. Please review your insurance policy to determine what benefits you are entitled to. Insurance policies can vary.
Also, this post does not create an Attorney Client relationship with yourself and an Attorney at Ross Law LLC. If you have any questions about this post or any other post contract Portland Oregon Car Crash Attorney Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658.