After a car accident, many people delay seeking out the medical help they need to get back on track because they fear the costs. But in Oregon, you need not wait. Oregon drivers have mandatory insurance called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It doesn't matter who is at fault in the accident for PIP coverage to apply. Your PIP insurance policy must provide a minimum of $15,000 coverage per person injured in an accident. Individuals can also purchase a policy with higher limits.

PIP insurance pays for:

• Medical expenses like X-rays, surgery, dental treatments, chiropractic care, etc.
• Medical “mileage” (transportation costs to your treatment)
• Lost income
• Funeral expenses
• Other expenses stemming from your injury, like childcare costs

Specific PIP insurance benefits may vary by insurer. Policies may include a small deductible or are subject to an assessment by the insurer's doctors. However, in Oregon, PIP insurance must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be available for a claim for up to two years past the car accident;
• Cover a minimum of $15,000 for reasonable and necessary crash-related medical treatment;
• Cover you for loss of up to 70 percent of your wages (up to a maximum of $3,000/month). This benefit is triggered after missing 14 days of work;
• Reasonable and necessary funeral expenses, up to $5,000 if incurred within one year of the car accident;
• Child care costs if the injured person is hospitalized for more than 24 hours, with a maximum of $25.00 per day for a total of $750.

If you're experiencing pain, mobility, or quality of life decline after an auto accident, start by opening a PIP claim through your insurance coverage, regardless of who is at fault. Then, if you haven't already, get a medical assessment.

In addition to visiting a medical doctor, many people choose to see a chiropractor after a car accident. Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and can help to relieve pain and improve mobility. In Oregon, insurers cannot enter into a managed care contract with medical providers, so your PIP claim can be managed from the medical office of your choosing, including your chiropractor.

At TPC, our office team is trained to help handle PIP insurance communications to minimize denials and advocate for you to receive the care to which you are entitled.

Care at TPC is administered with a complete set of x-rays examined by our partner radiologist. From here, our chiropractors will develop a co-treatment plan with other specialists you may need to see, as well as with the on-site licensed soft tissue specialists.

Our extensive list of resources will help you navigate referrals for other local medical specialists for co-treatment or reliable legal representation concerning your injury.

If you are experiencing any of the common injuries associated with a car accident (whiplash, concussion, headaches, dizziness and nausea, difficulty sleeping, radiating pain, numbness, or tingling, jaw issues, neck pain, back pain, or extremity pain) your PIP insurance will cover you for the chiropractic care you need.

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get the medical attention you deserve. At TPC, we’ve got your back with PIP insurance claims.

Call us today at (503) 574 – 4872 and get started on your journey to wellness.

DISCLAIMER: All situations vary, and this blog post is for informational purposes only. Insurers have individual and evolving policy restrictions. If you feel you are being wrongfully denied PIP insurance coverage, it is best to consult an attorney to determine your rights and obligations. The law is constantly changing, and this post may be outdated in reading. Please review the current state of the law in Oregon regarding PIP benefits.