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If you suffer from serious injuries after a car accident, you may wonder how to pay for your healthcare needs. Medical treatment can be very expensive, especially if you have very severe injuries or require long-term care.
Since Oregon is a fault accident state, the driver responsible for your collision is responsible for paying for your damages, including your medical treatment.
However, your medical bills will continue to accumulate while your car accident insurance claim or lawsuit remains in progress. You will need to cover your own medical bills immediately after the collision, but there are options to help pay for this care.
As your medical bills accumulate after the accident, you are generally responsible for paying for your care until you receive a settlement. The person who caused your accident does not have to pay for your bills on an ongoing basis.
He or she is only responsible if your insurance claim or a lawsuit is successful. When your case reaches a favorable conclusion, your settlement or award will reimburse you for the cost of your treatment.
Some states offer medical payment coverage, also known as MedPay, to help car accident victims pay for treatment after a collision. Oregon does not offer MedPay, but the state does require all drivers to hold personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.
PIP coverage provides at least $15,000 in compensation per person per accident. You can use PIP to pay for medical care, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses.
When receiving medical care, you can use PIP to cover many types of procedures, including surgery, diagnostic imaging, and even medical care. You can also recover compensation for transportation to and from your medical appointments.
However, the insurer may require you to visit a doctor that the company chooses.
Although Oregon requires drivers to have at least $15,000 in PIP coverage, you can choose to purchase higher amounts of this coverage if you wish.
However, if your medical expenses exceed your PIP policy limits, you may be financially responsible for the remainder of your treatment costs. Your own health insurance will likely need to pay for your care past this point.
In these situations, the hospital will charge your health insurance for the cost of your care. The health insurance company will then attempt to seek reimbursement from your PIP carrier.
If there are outstanding costs at the conclusion of your case, the health insurance company may request a portion of your award to pay for the care that it covered. If you have a health savings account, you can also use those funds to pay for your outstanding medical bills.
After your accident, an insurance adjuster may reach out to you and ask for a statement. He or she may claim that the statement will help you receive compensation faster, helping you pay for your extensive medical bills. You should not speak to this adjuster. Instead, contact an Oregon car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Insurance companies must protect their best interests, and it is not in the company’s best interest to pay maximum compensation. If you accept an insufficient settlement at this stage, you may suffer from financial hardship later on. A Portland car accident attorney will have the skills, resources, and experience to identify your optimal path to compensation and accurately calculate your medical costs. After you seek medical attention, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
