Beaverton Medical Bills Lawyer
After a car accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver, it is very normal for the injured person to have concerns regarding their injuries and medical bills. If you are worried about how to pay the medical bills you have, or that you will have, as a result of the accident, our Beaverton medical bills attorney can offer guidance to ease some of your worries.
At Weimar Law Offices, we understand that you did not plan for your injuries and the resulting medical bills. While you may feel like many problems are being thrown at you all at once, we want you to know that, in most cases, your personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance will cover your medical bills.
Do you have questions about how your medical bills will be paid after an auto accident? We offer free initial consultations to discuss the accident, your injuries, your concerns, your rights and your options. Call us locally at 503-575-9672 or toll free at 888-546-6231. You can also contact our Beaverton and Clackamas personal injury protection (PIP) lawyer online.
When you go to the ER after an accident, it is important that the medical provider does not send the bill to the at-fault driver's insurance company. Rather, they should send it to your own automobile insurance carrier. In most cases, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier will refuse to pay any medical bills until a settlement or jury award are reached.
Frequently Asked Questions About PIP and Medical Bills
- What is PIP? Personal injury protection (PIP) is part of your own auto insurance policy and will cover you for medical costs and other losses in the event of an accident. Oregon law requires your own auto insurance carrier to provide minimum benefits up to $15,000 for medical bills for up to one year. Under Washington law, PIP coverage is optional and you may or may not have such coverage. Your auto insurance carrier may have a lien against the at-fault driver for reimbursement out of any settlement.
- How do I get lost wages? If your injuries prevent you from working more than 14 consecutive days, you may be able to obtain wage loss benefits under your PIP coverage. You must obtain a doctor's note, stating that you have a permanent or temporary disability or are unable to work. In Oregon, coverage is for 70 percent of lost wages, up to a maximum of $3,000 a month. Of course, you are entitled to 100% of your wage loss from the at-fault driver, but in most cases that at-fault driver's insurance company will not pay your wage loss until the claim is settled or a jury award.
- What if PIP is denying payment of my medical bills? In this case, it may be due to the Independent Medical Examination (IME). IMEs are, in fact, defense medical exams, often resulting in biased and inaccurate medical opinions by doctors specifically hired by the insurance companies to aid in denying your claim. If your claim has been denied, our law firm can help you with the IME as well as combat any bad faith insurance practices. Denied claims, denied payments and denied coverage are common bad faith insurance practices that our clients encounter.
- Who pays my medical bills if I was a passenger in someone else's car? If you were injured as a passenger, the driver's automobile insurance (under the PIP coverage) will pay first. If the driver has no coverage, or the coverage amount is exhausted, your own motor vehicle insurance will pay. If you do not have motor vehicle insurance, we will work through your private medical insurance plan.
- Who pays if I live in Washington and the accident happened in Oregon? Contact experienced attorney, Linda Weimar, who is licensed to practice law in both Oregon and Washington to discuss this scenario and your rights.
Free Consultations With an Oregon and Washington Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Attorney — No Recovery, No Fee
Beaverton area: 503-575-9672
Greater Portland and throughout Oregon and Washington toll free: 888-546-6231
If you've been seriously injured or have lost someone you love to a fatal car accident in Oregon or Washington state, contact us for a free consultation.
Our firm handles personal injury lawsuits on a contingent fee basis; you won't be asked to pay any legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf.
