Who Will Pay My Medical Bills In An Oregon Car Accident?

If you were in an Oregon car accident, you probably want to know who will pay for your medical bills. As your automobile accident lawyer will tell you, the first place to look to pay medical bills is your car insurance policy.

If the policy was issued in Oregon, it’s required to have PIP or personal injury protection coverage. This is a no-fault medical benefit that covers some of your medical expenses up to coverage limits. There also is a two-year limit from the date of the crash.

PIP is often enough to cover the first $5000 or $10,000 in medical bills if you pay for that much. However, there are car crashes with serious injuries where $5000 won’t even cover the first night in the hospital.

In this situation, your attorney may look to your personal healthcare plan to cover more expenses. The hospital may decide not to file with the healthcare plan. Instead, they will place a lien on the case.

This means that additional expenses will be paid out of your settlement or verdict amount. If that happens, your automobile accident lawyer will work with the hospital to negotiate a lower payment. A good attorney can often get a big discount on the billed amount.

If a car accident claim is resolved through settlement or trial, you will need to pay back the medical expenses that your insurers covered. That is because, in Oregon, you need to pay back insurance policies for any medical bills they paid.

Your attorney will work with the insurance companies to ensure they are paid what they’re owed from your settlement.

Also, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver and their insurance company if there are still medical bills to pay. You also can receive compensation for your pain and suffering and lost income.

Now that you know more about how medical bills are paid in an Oregon car accident, you should be more confident in the next steps if it ever happens to you. 

How To Avoid Car Accidents In Fog

Many car accidents are sudden, but if you see fog, you should know the chances of an accident are higher. That’s why you should take essential steps when you see fog on the road to avoid a crash.

If you are involved in a crash in foggy weather, talk to the best auto accident attorney today to learn if you can receive compensation.

Use Caution Early In The Morning And At Night: Fog usually happens in the early morning and at night. These are low-visibility times that you should be aware of. So, make sure you slow down during these times and be sure to really slow down if you see the fog rolling in.

Never Tailgate: Fog can be dense, so much so that it can be hard to see 10 feet in front of you at its worsts. This is a reason to always avoid tailgating.

The problem is with fog is there could be many accidents right ahead of you and it’s impossible to see them.

When you see fog coming, allow more room for the next car in front of you.

Use Technology and Vehicle Equipment: Cars and trucks today have many things installed in them to operate the car safely during fog and other hazardous conditions. For example, you should use your windshield defroster, windshield wipers, and low beams to increase your visibility when there is fog present.

While you might think high beams help you see in fog better, all they do is reduce visibility by reflecting light from the water droplets in fog. This may decrease your visibility even more.

Watch The Road: Some drivers focus too much on other cars’ headlights in fog. It’s best to concentrate only on the road and slow down. Also, fog is the worst time to multitask behind the wheel.

So, put down the cell phone, makeup, food, and drink, and concentrate on driving safely during fog.

Pull Off The Road: One of the best pieces of advice during fog is to pull off the road in a safe place. There is no reason to continue driving if it is dangerous to do so.

You should simply slow down and pull over as soon as you see a parking lot, exit, or rest stop.

Driving in fog is one of the most dangerous conditions in which you can be. If you slow down, turn on your low beams, and use extra caution, you can probably get to a safe place and wait for the fog to pass.

Remember that fog usually begins to burn off when the sun gets higher in the sky. So, it may be necessary to wait until daylight and it gets warmer before you keep going.

If you are hurt in a car accident in foggy weather, talk to the best auto accident lawyer to find out if you can receive compensation for your injuries. 

Don’t Believe These Silly Pedestrian Accident Myths

Pedestrian vs. car accidents happen every day; the CDC reports that 5,900 Americans were killed in pedestrian accidents in 2017 alone. So, about one pedestrian died every 90 minutes that year.

Sadly, there are many myths about pedestrian accidents. Below are some of the most common ones. But it isn’t a myth that you should talk to the best pedestrian accident lawyer after the accident to find out if you have a case.

Fewer People Walking Means Fewer Fatal Pedestrian Accidents: Many Americans travel by car, but more pedestrian accidents are happening almost every year. These days, there are more distractions such as cell phones, so people aren’t watching where they are going.

Pedestrians also can be distracted by their electronic devices, so it’s critical that people in cars and on the streets need to watch what they are doing to avoid accidents.

Pedestrians Who Are Hit Are Elderly: In reality, many younger people are hit by cars, too. Young Americans are the ones who tend to walk and ride bikes. Of course, older people are more likely to die if they are hit by a car; older people usually are more seriously injured and more likely to die from serious injuries.

If You Jaywalk, The Accident Is All Your Fault: Jaywalking is when you cross the street where there isn’t an intersection or crosswalk. It also occurs if you use a crosswalk and don’t have the right of way.

It’s likely that someone who jaywalks and is hit will be partially at fault for the incident. However, the driver also may be cited, so it’s possible you still could get compensation. Have the case reviewed by the best pedestrian accident lawyer to find out.

Pedestrian Accidents Usually Happen In Bad Weather: Pedestrian accidents happen in any kind of weather. However, many pedestrian accidents happen in broad daylight in good weather. Statistics show that most incidents happen when it’s day and the roads are dry.

Pedestrian accidents usually happen in good conditions. The problem is that people either disobey the law or aren’t paying attention. These things can happen in any type of weather.

Reducing Traffic Reduces Pedestrian Accidents: There are benefits to reducing traffic congestion in terms of pollution, fuel savings, and time lost. But there are not any studies that show reducing traffic reduces the number of pedestrian accidents.

There is some evidence that these incidents may happen when there is less congestion.

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, remember these points and talk to the best pedestrian accident lawyer to learn if you have  a case.

Common Myths About Auto Accidents

Many people get in car accidents at some point, but there are many myths you read about these accidents online. Below are some of the most common ones, and remember to talk to your best auto accident lawyer if you are in an accident. 

First, many people believe car accident laws are the same in every state. But that isn’t true. For example, many states follow a ‘fault’ system for car accidents. This means the liable driver is usually responsible for your injuries and damages. You need the best auto accident lawyer to prove this.

But other states have a no-fault standard, such as Oregon. This means each driver pays for their own damages up to a certain amount. You are required to have PIP or personal injury protection insurance in Oregon that covers the first few thousand dollars of damages for each driver.

However, if your damages are more than your PIP coverage, you can still sue the other driver. The differences in car accident laws for each state means you may need to approach your case differently.

Second, some drivers think it’s always best to let the insurance companies figure out who is to blame and keep attorneys out of it. Remember that both insurance companies are profit-driven and aren’t necessarily looking out for your interests.

If you have serious injuries and damages, you should always bring in the best auto accident lawyer to represent you. You will always end up getting a better settlement even after you factor in the legal fees.

Third, don’t believe that it doesn’t matter which personal injury attorney you hire. Many attorneys say they have personal injury experience but some are much more experienced and skilled than others. Some attorneys may be most familiar with slip and fall cases and only occasionally handle car accident cases.

Also, some attorneys may always settle and not go to court. It always helps to work with an attorney with a reputation of going to court and winning. The insurance company knows they are dealing with a skilled attorney and will be more likely to offer a fair settlement.

Fourth, don’t think that if you don’t sue right away, you can’t. As long as it’s within the statute of limitations for your state, you can always sue. It’s best to do it as soon as you can because crucial evidence that bolsters your case may be hard to find. Also, witness memories may fade.

Some accident victims may decide to sue after they find out they have longer-term injuries than they first thought. Those injuries can be very expensive, so they may decide they need financial compensation to handle them.

Car accidents can lead to serious injuries, and it’s important to know what you are getting into as far as a settlement or lawsuit. Keep these myths in mind so you don’t go into your case with false impressions. 

How Should You Handle The Police After A Car Accident?

Most drivers in Oregon will eventually get in a car accident. But when a crash happens, the police usually show up to do their investigation. Usually, the police want to talk to the drivers involved in the accident as well as the witnesses.

But how should you handle this situation after a car accident? After all, you probably haven’t had time to call auto accident injury lawyers in Oregon yet.

Keep the important information in mind below if you get in a car accident.

Legal Requirements: The good news is that federal and state laws do not require you to talk to the police in any situation, including after a car accident. However, it probably won’t help your cause if you don’t speak to the police after the incident.

At the least, you should provide your license, insurance, and registration information. If you don’t do that, you could face criminal charges.

Also, note that every state has implied consent laws that require you to submit to a DUI or breath test if the police suspect you are under the influence. Officers are allowed to find out this information. If you don’t provide it, you will probably be arrested and your license will be suspended.

But as far as answering their questions about the accident, it’s up to you. It mostly comes down to the situation and who is likely liable for the accident.

What The Police Want to Know: There really isn’t any reason to not provide the typical information that police want after a car accident. What they usually want to know includes: 

• When did the accident occur? 

• The contact information and names of everyone involved

• Witness statements

• Registration and license information for all drivers

• Description of road conditions

• Any injuries

The police will investigate how the accident happened and their opinion will be shared in the report.

When Should You Not Talk To The Police?

If you didn’t cause the accident, there isn’t any reason you shouldn’t talk to the police. But most accidents have a question about liability. So, you could be at least partially responsible for the accident and not know it.

This means you should avoid saying anything to the police that could incriminate you. It’s easy to say too much; people tend to be upset and outspoken after an accident. If you have any doubts about whether you should reveal something to the police, it’s best to stay quiet. Only reveal this information to the auto accident injury lawyers you hire.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you are making yourself look guilty if you don’t talk to the police. It’s ok to not say anything about the accident if you think that you could be partially responsible.

The best thing to do in this case provides all of your personal and contact information and call an attorney after that.

If you weren’t responsible for the accident, it can help to provide information to the police and this will be included in the police report, which can help your case. 

Car Crash Myths You Never Should Take Seriously

It’s vital to know what you’re up against if you are in a car accident in Oregon. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad information online that can mislead you. Please beware of the car crash myths below. 

If you have serious injuries from the accident, the best thing to do is contact skilled auto accident injury lawyers.

First, many believe that their auto insurance will pay for all their injuries. You may think that if you didn’t cause the accident, your insurance will pay for your injuries, lost work time, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

But you should remember that your insurance company is trying to pay as little as they can, even though you’re their client.

In Oregon, your insurance will probably need to pay for the first few thousand dollars of coverage for your injuries. But after that, they will likely fight to pay anything else, and you will need to go after the other insurance company for compensation.

Second, if you were hit from behind at a red light, you may assume that the other driver will be fully responsible. Again, it’s not always true. If you stopped suddenly for no reason or didn’t have a working brake light, they may argue that you were to blame.

Even if the other driver is clearly at fault, it’s not unusual for the insurance company to drag their feet and try to find you partially at fault. This is another time when you should have auto accident injury lawyers ready to fight for you.

Third, you’re a responsible person and have auto insurance, but not everyone does. In fact, some states have up to ¼ of drivers who don’t have insurance. Some drivers get insurance when they renew their registration and cancel it the next day.

This is why it’s important to have uninsured and underinsured driver coverage. If you have this important coverage, your own policy will pay for your damages, up to a certain amount.

It’s usually wise to have extra coverage in this area, especially if you have a lot of assets. You never know when an uninsured driver will hit you and you’re stuck with the bill.

Next, you shouldn’t believe that even your OWN insurance adjuster is on your side. Yes, he or she will be nice to you, but they want to have the insurance company – their employer- pay as little as possible. In fact, adjusters usually get bonuses for ensuring a case results in a lower payout.

You should use good auto accident injury lawyers in your case if you have serious injuries that require weeks of recovery and a hospital stay. You will end up with more money and less stress if you have a professional help you. 

Should You Hire A Wrongful Death Attorney?

Losing a loved one is always tough, but it can be even more devastating if it was an accident caused by someone’s negligence.

It’s usually not recommended to handle your own wrongful death case because you’re upset and probably aren’t experienced with the lawsuit process. It’s often a better idea to hire the best wrongful death attorney to represent you.

Below are some good reasons to hire an attorney.

First, a wrongful death lawyer understands how the legal process goes. The attorney will have a lot of experience with the Oregon wrongful death statute. This ensures that the attorney knows all of the paperwork requirements and that all deadlines will be met.

It’s important that these legal deadlines are met so that your case can proceed.

Second, the best wrongful death attorney can save you a lot of time and money. The wrongful death legal process takes months, even when an experienced legal professional handles the entire thing.

If you have a lawyer handling the case, you can focus on your mental and emotional well-being. You’ve just had one heck of a shock and you will need time to process it and heal.

Next, your attorney knows what the case is worth. For example, your attorney will have access to cases similar to yours in Oregon and will know about what you should receive for medical costs, funeral expenses, loss of wages now and in the future, and pain and suffering.

Fourth, your attorney can give you the support you need in a traumatic time. The best wrongful death attorney will be compassionate and empathetic and what you are going through. Attorneys in the wrongful death field deal with these situations all the time and often are very supportive and understanding to their clients.

Fifth, your lawyer can negotiate aggressively with the insurance company and can threaten to take them to court if necessary.

It is important that you choose a wrongful death lawyer with a good reputation and record going to trial. Stingy insurance companies tend to become more generous when they know they are going up against an effective and aggressive trial lawyer.

Insurance companies know that the jury may take a dim view of an insurer trying to bilk the grieving family of money they deserve. They could wind up paying more than they would in a settlement, so the insurance company may decide to make a better offer.

Remember that wrongful death lawsuits are complicated and you aren’t in your best frame of mind after the tragic loss of a family member. So, you should strongly consider having an attorney handle your wrongful death claim so you can focus on yourself and your remaining family.