How Oregon Automobile Insurance Covers You After an Accident

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you may have a lot of questions about what happens next. How much does Oregon automobile insurance cover for vehicle repairs? How is liability determined? What role do you play, and what role does your automobile insurance company play? If you sustained personal injury on top of vehicle damage, you may have even more questions. Will your insurance cover your medical bills? Do you need to consider legal assistance to ensure proper compensation?

If you’ve been asking any of these questions, keep reading to learn how accident claims are handled in Oregon and what you can expect your Oregon automobile insurance to cover. Understanding these details can empower you during a difficult time so you know the steps to take to receive fair compensation. Insurance companies don’t always represent your best interests; the more you know, the better equipped you are to receive fair compensation.

Auto Insurance Claims Process

If you have been in an accident, Oregon law requires prompt notification to your insurance company. Make sure to complete these tasks:

• Seek medical attention. Keep copies of receipts and medical documents.
• Gather evidence. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and personal injuries, and make sure to collect contact information for any witnesses.
• Notify your insurer. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate the accident and determine fault.
• File a claim. If you filed a police report or sought treatment for injuries, you will need to include copies of the police report and medical records.

Oregon Automobile Insurance Requirements

Oregon automobile insurance provides coverage after an accident through its required personal injury protection (PIP) and liability coverage. Regardless of fault, PIP can cover injury-related costs such as medical bills, lost wages, and essential services. Since Oregon is an at-fault state, the driver who is responsible for the accident is liable for these damages. If you are at fault, your liability coverage pays for the other driver’s medical bills, property damage, and other accident-related expenses.

To further understand the roles of PIP and liability coverage, follow this breakdown:

Personal Injury Protection

In the state of Oregon, PIP is mandatory for all auto insurance policies. It provides no-fault coverage for injury-related expenses after an accident, which means you and your passenger can receive medical care before fault is determined. Keep in mind, however, there is a time limit, and the coverage is not unlimited. You can receive up to $15,000 per person—unless a higher limit has been selected—within two years of the accident.

Regardless of who caused the accident, your PIP can cover medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, and essential household services.

Specifically, PIP covers:

• Medical expenses: Medical expenses resulting from your accident are covered by PIP as long as they are “reasonable and necessary.” These often include, but are not limited to, doctors’ appointments, hospital stays, prescription medications, and surgery.
• Lost wages: If you are unable to work 14 consecutive days, you can be reimbursed for 70 percent of your lost income, up to $30,000 per month and for 52 weeks.
• Funeral expenses: PIP helps cover funeral expenses in the event of a death due to the accident.
• Essential services: PIP can cover essential services such as household and yard work, as well as childcare costs. If you are unable to perform essential tasks due to your injury, you can receive up to $30 a day to hire someone to help with these essential tasks.

What Does PIP Not Cover?

Though PIP is designed to help the driver and passengers receive medical care and recover lost wages, it is not comprehensive.

Here are the key accident-related costs PIP cannot cover:

• Vehicle damage: If your vehicle needs repairs, this is not covered through your PIP. To receive compensation for vehicle repairs, you will need to have collision coverage (regardless of who was at fault). If the other driver is at fault, their property damage liability coverage can cover your vehicle repairs.
• Pain and suffering: Accidents can lead to chronic physical pain as well as emotional and mental distress. If you believe you are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, you will have to file a personal injury claim against the other driver and may need to seek legal assistance to represent your interests.
• Injury to others: If someone is injured in another vehicle, PIP may not extend to their injuries.
• Criminal Acts: If you were engaged in illegal activities that led to the accident, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, PIP may not cover damages.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is also mandatory for all Oregon automobile insurance policies and is classified into two categories: bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD). If you are responsible for the accident and found to be at-fault, your liability coverage pays for the other party’s damages, including costs resulting from injury, death, or property damage. This can include medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Keep in mind, liability insurance will not cover damage to your own vehicle.

What if someone else was driving your vehicle with your permission? Your liability coverage typically covers an accident they cause. However, liability limits in Oregon are considered low:

• $25,000 per person
• $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others
• $20,000 per crash for damage to others’ property

So you may want to opt for a higher limit.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

What if you are hit by a driver without auto insurance? Don’t worry, uninsured motorist coverage (UM) protects you so you and your passengers can still receive medical care and compensation for injury-related costs. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured (doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries), UM coverage can cover damages up to the limit of your auto insurance policy.

Note that UM applies to bodily injury and does not cover damage to your vehicle. To receive compensation for vehicle repairs, you will need to have obtained collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage before the time of your accident.

What If My Insurance Isn’t Enough?

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize the amount of money you receive, as they represent their own interests and not the interests of the injured party. If you believe you are entitled to more compensation, and your insurance is insufficient to cover the extent of your injuries and injury-related expenses, legal assistance may be necessary. A personal injury attorney works to help you receive fair compensation and the best resolution possible. If you are looking for legal representation in Oregon or Washington, or simply need advice, contact our expert team at Warren Allen LLP. We provide solid legal advice, exceptional service, and can help you understand what your best options are.