The screech of tires, the jarring impact- a car accident is a traumatic event, both physically and emotionally. In the moments and days that follow, your mind races with a thousand concerns: the damage to your car, filing a police report, and dealing with insurance. But the most important concern should be your health.

Even low-speed collisions can exert tremendous force on the body, leading to injuries that may not be immediately apparent. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours or even days, but underlying damage to the soft tissues of your neck, back, and shoulders may have already occurred.

Unfortunately, many people hesitate to seek the medical care they need, especially if they believe they were at fault for the collision. They worry about out-of-pocket costs and assume that if the accident was their fault, their own insurance won't cover medical treatments.

Here in Oregon, that assumption could be a critical mistake that stands between you and a full recovery. Thanks to Oregon's auto insurance laws, you have a right to medical care, including chiropractic treatment, regardless of who was at fault.

Understanding Your Lifeline: Oregon's Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

If you hold an Oregon auto insurance policy, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, called Personal Injury Protection, or "PIP". This is a mandatory part of every standard auto insurance policy issued in the state, and it was designed for one primary purpose: to ensure that anyone injured in an auto accident has immediate access to medical care without having to wait for a lengthy fault-based settlement.

The image shows emergency responders assisting a person on a stretcher at the scene of an incident, with police and fire trucks nearby.

How PIP Works: the

The most crucial feature of PIP coverage is that it is "no-fault". This term can be confusing, but it simply means that your own insurance company will pay for your medical expenses up to your coverage limit, no matter who caused the accident.

If you were at fault: Your PIP coverage pays for your treatment.
If the other party was at fault: Your PIP coverage still pays for your treatment.
If fault is unclear or disputed: Your PIP coverage pays for your treatment.

The system removes the primary financial barrier to seeking care. You don't have to worry about proving the other driver was negligent before you can see a doctor. Your access to care is immediate. You can walk into our chiropractic clinic, begin an evaluation, and start a treatment plan to address your injuries right away, and we would bill your auto insurance directly.

Two drivers man arguing after a car traffic accide

What Exactly Does PIP Cover?

Oregon law mandates that every auto policy include a minimum of $15,000 in PIP coverage per person, though many people opt for higher limits. This coverage is available for up to two years from the date of the accident, and is designed to cover a wide range of "reasonable and necessary" medical expenses, including:

Chiropractic care: Comprehensive examinations, spinal adjustments, and rehabilitative therapies.
Medical and Hospital Bills: Emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging like X-rays or MRIs, and appointments with medical doctors.
Massage Therapy: When prescribed as part of your treatment plan.
Physical Therapy: To restore strength and mobility.
Dental Care: If your teeth were injured in the collision.
Lost Wages: If you are unable to work due to your injuries, PIP can cover a significant portion of your lost income (typically 70% of your wage loss up to a maximum of $3,000 per month).
Other Essential Services: Such as household help if your injuries prevent you from performing daily tasks.

A common question we hear is, "What about my deductible?" While health insurance plans often have high deductibles, this is extremely uncommon for PIP coverage in Oregon. In nearly all cases, your PIP benefits will kick in to cover 100% of your treatment expenses from the very first dollar, right up to your policy limit, with no deductible required from you.

Your Path to Recovery Starts with a Simple Step

Now that you understand that your medical care is covered, it's time to focus on your physical recovery. The forces involved in a car accident, particularly the rapid acceleration and deceleration, are notorious for causing whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries.

Why Chiropractic Care is Essential After a Collision

Symptoms like neck pain, headaches, dizziness, back stiffness, and radiating pain in the arms or legs are all red flags indicating a potential injury to the musculoskeletal system. While pain medication can offer a temporary relief, it doesn't address the underlying problem: spinal misalignments, inflammation, and muscle damage.

Chiropractic care excels at treating the root cause of these injuries. Through a combination of precise spinal adjustments, therapeutic modalities, and rehabilitative exercises, we can help:

Restore Proper Motion: Realigning vertebrae in the neck and back alleviates pressure on nerves and discs.
Reduce inflammation and Scar Tissue: Proper alignment and movement help the body's natural healing processes work more efficiently.
Alleviate Pain: By correcting the underlying mechanical issue, we can provide lasting relief from pain and stiffness.
Prevent Chronic Conditions: Addressing injuries promptly is the best way to prevent them from becoming long-term; chronic problems that can impact your quality of life for years to come.

Cropped image of male patient lying down with female healthcare provider performing stretching exercises on man's leg

We Handle the Paperwork, You Focus on Healing

We know that navigating insurance claims can be intimidating, especially when you're not feeling your best. Our experienced team is here to make the process seamless. When you come to our clinic for your initial consultation, all you need to bring is your ID card, auto insurance policy information, and any claim numbers that you may have.

From there, we take over. Our staff will communicate directly with your insurance company to verify your PIP benefits and handle all the necessary billing. Your job is simple: show up for your appointments and focus on your recovery!

Don't let a simple misunderstanding about fault and insurance coverage prevent you from getting the care you deserve. Your health is your most valuable asset. If you've been in an auto accident that occurred in Oregon, remember that your PIP benefits are there to protect you. Contact our team today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Let us help you take the first step on the road to a pain-free recovery.

At-Fault in an Oregon Car Accident?