If you, or a loved one, have been in a car accident in Portland or in Oregon, you know the devastating effects that this can have on you and those around you.
Work time, wages and income will likely be lost. Moreover, the injuries sustained may be so traumatic that it is not possible to work again, resulting in a permanent loss of income. We know that the recovery process itself can be challenging, but while you recuperate your bills still need to be paid – including, now, hefty medical bills.
Financial burdens may not be the first thing on an auto accident victim’s mind, but they become increasingly important in the aftermath of the crash. Fortunately, Oregon law requires auto insurance policies to have Personal Injury Protection. This protection will pay for medical bills and income loss for the first year after a car accident.
Personal Injury Protection
How does Oregon’s Personal Injury Protection work?
- $15,000 in medical expenses for all medical bills necessarily caused by the accident will be paid so long as they are incurred within one year of the wreck.
- After an accident victim has missed 14 consecutive days of work, $3,000 per month or 70 percent of wage loss, whichever is less, will be paid for up to one year.
Knowing this protection exists provides some peace of mind to those who have suffered an injury. However, given that Personal Injury Protection is only available for one year and the money it pays out is capped may require creativity to help those who do not fully recover within one year.
Many motor vehicle accidents can result in severe injuries that may take many years of medical treatment before recovery. If one sustains permanent disability and loss of ability to work exists, Personal Injury Protection provisions will be of limited help.
What to do after Personal Injury Protection runs out?
A professional and experienced Portland auto accident attorney will assist you in securing the financial compensation you deserve for the damages that you, or your loved one, incurred as the result of someone else’s negligence.
With the right legal representation, a strong case can be made to recover the following from a negligent third party or their insurance company:
- Past, present and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Past, present and future wage loss
- Past, present and future pain and suffering
- Compensation for past, present and future interference with your ability to perform your usual daily activities
The Law Offices of Jon Friedman have been helping auto accident victims to claim the full and fair compensation for thirty years to which they are entitled. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle crash, we welcome your call for a free consultation on (503) 242-1440.
