Auto Accidents as a Pedestrian

Walking is a healthy and common way to get around in Oregon's beautiful cities and towns. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents involving vehicles can happen, often resulting in significant injuries. If you've been struck by a car while on foot, your immediate concerns are likely your health and well-being. The financial stress of medical bills shouldn't be another burden.

The good news is that Oregon's auto insurance laws are designed to protect you. A system called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) provides a direct path to getting your medical treatments covered, including chiropractic care. What many people don't realize is that even as a pedestrian, you have robust coverage options, often starting with an auto insurance policy within your own household.

In Oregon, after a motor vehicle accident, PIP is your first line of defense for medical coverage. It is a "no-fault" benefit, meaning it pays for your medical bills regardless of who was at fault for the collision. This allows you to seek immediate treatment without waiting for a lengthy fault determination. For pedestrians, the key is knowing which policy provides this primary coverage.

The primary source for your PIP benefits will typically come from an auto insurance policy that is closest to you. This hierarchy works as follows:

• Your Own Auto Insurance Policy:If you have an active Oregon auto insurance policy, it will be the primary source for your PIP benefits. This is true even though you were a pedestrian and not in your own car. Your policy follows you, providing protection, in various auto-related accident scenarios.
• A Resident Family Member's Policy: But what if you don't personally own a vehicle or have your own auto insurance policy? Oregon law provides another crucial layer of protection. If you reside in a household with a family member, such as a parent, spouse, or other qualifying relative, who has an Oregon auto insurance policy, you are typically covered under their PIP benefits as a resident relative. This is a vital aspect of the law that ensures even more people have a direct path to medical care after an accident.

This broad coverage is especially important for students, young adults living at home, or anyone in a household who doesn't have their own policy. The goal is to ensure that an injured person has a quick and accessible source of funds for necessary medical treatment. Your own, or a family member's, PIP coverage is there to provide immediate financial support for your recovery, allowing you to focus on getting better without the initial worry of mounting medical bills.

While your own or your resident relative's policy provides the primary PIP coverage, the at-fault driver's insurance also plays a critical role. If the driver of the vehicle that struck you was at fault for the accident, their auto insurance policy also provides PIP benefits to you as the injured pedestrian.

In this situation, the at-fault driver's PIP coverage generally acts as a secondary source of benefits. This means that if your medical expenses excess the limit of your primary PIP policy, whether it's your own or a family member's, you can then open a claim under the at-fault driver's PIP to cover additional treatment costs.

This dual-coverage system is designed to provide a robust safety net, ensuring that injured pedestrians have ample financial resources available for their medical recovery. It means that even if your primary PIP coverage is exhausted, you are not left without options for continued care. The at-fault party's PIP can step in to provide that next layer of coverage, up to their policy limit, ensuring you can complete your treatment plan.

After being hit by a vehicle, which can weigh thousands of pounds, the human body can sustain significant trauma. Even seemingly low-speed impacts can cause serious musculoskeletal injuries, including whiplash, neck pain, back injuries, joint damage, and widespread soft tissue inflammation. These are precisely the types of injuries that chiropractic care is designed to address.

At our clinic, we specialize in treating individuals injured in auto collisions. Our goal is to diagnose the root cause of your pain, and create a personalized treatment plan to restore proper alignment, reduce inflammation, and promote natural healing. Through gentle adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and other non-invasive techniques, we help our patients recover function and find lasting relief from their injuries.

Crucially, your PIP benefits- whether from your own policy, a family member's, or the at-fault driver's- will typically cover 100% of your chiropractic treatment expenses that are deemed reasonable and necessary for your accident-related injuries. In Oregon, PIP coverage usually does not have a deductible, making it incredibly accessible. You can begin your path to recovery without any upfront, out-of-pocket costs for your care, up to your available PIP limit.

If you have been injured as a pedestrian in an auto accident, do not delay seeking care. The complexities of insurance should not be a barrier to your health. Our team is experienced in working with auto insurance claims and can help you navigate the process. Contact us today for a consultation to learn how chiropractic care can be a vital part of your recovery journey.