One of the first questions we hear at Youd Law is a practical one: “The bills are already arriving; who’s paying for this?” It’s a fair worry. Treatment doesn’t wait for a settlement, and neither do collection notices.
Your PIP Coverage Comes First
In Oregon, every auto insurance policy includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP pays your reasonable medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash, and it kicks in right away. Under Oregon law, PIP covers a minimum of $15,000 in medical benefits for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident (Oregon Revised Statutes 742.524, Oregon State Legislature, oregonlegislature.gov).
PIP typically helps with:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Follow-up visits, imaging, and physical therapy
- Chiropractic care and prescriptions
- A portion of lost wages if you can’t work
When PIP Runs Out
Serious injuries can exhaust $15,000 quickly. From there, the options usually include:
- Your private health insurance
- A medical lien, where the provider agrees to wait and be paid from your settlement
- Underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage when the at-fault driver’s policy falls short
The at-fault driver’s insurer generally doesn’t pay anything until your case resolves, which is why coordinating these sources matters so much. Lance has a long record of negotiating liens down so more of your settlement stays with you.
Let’s Talk Before the Bills Pile Up
Whether your injury came from a car accident, a motorcycle crash, or a slip and fall, you shouldn’t have to sort this out alone. Contact Youd Law for a free case review. No recovery, no fee.