August 2014 Newsletter

What Are The Top Ten Things Automobile Insurance Companies Are Not Telling You?

10. Everyone in the state of Oregon has at least $15,000 personal injury protection (PIP)  for the

treatment of their injuries if they are involved in an automobile collision. 

9. PIP also compensates for time lost if you miss work because of your injuries and even for assistance with daily activities. It doesn't matter if you were at fault, don't have insurance, weren't driving (i.e. passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist), not a legal citizen of the United States, or don't have full coverage.  This type of protection is possible because everyone is required to have insurance if they are operating a motor vehicle. The purpose of PIP is so that you will not be liable for the cost of any injuries sustained in an automobile collision. 

8. Females are twice as likely to have injuries following a motor vehicle collision than males.  Other risk factors for acute injury following an automobile collision include: females weighing less than 130 lb, having a history of neck injury, having the head restraint below the head's center of gravity, and having a history of cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injury. 

7. Outcome/prognostic studies suggest that from 12%-86% of whiplash victims will continue to be symptomatic for years after the injury.  These studies indicate that whiplash injuries do not heal spontaneously within 6-12 weeks as many people believe.  

6. There is no correlation between the crash velocity and the injury risk.  Crashes of up to 10 mph can occur without property damage and injuries have been reported from crash speeds as low as 3.7 mph.  If there is more than $1,500 of property damage then you are required to file a report with the Oregon DMV.  Always take pictures showing bodily/property damage.  Make sure to include close ups, pictures of the the entire vehicle, and pictures of the inside of the vehicle.

5. Many insurance companies will attempt to get you to settle before receiving or completing treatment.  It is more important to take care of your body so that you can work more efficiently, be healthy, and live longer.  Keep in mind that the insurance companies make money by avoiding medical bills, which can sometimes be expensive, even though they can pretend they are your friend.

4. Some insurance companies are now requiring that you testify under oath after you have been in a car accident.  This means they can record you while you answer a series of questions.  It is important to be very careful what you say to insurance adjustors. Sometimes they will call and ask "hello, how are you doing?" Most people respond with "fine, thank you."  The insurance company will assume based on your response that you are not in pain and therefore have no need for treatment. People sometimes feel they are being helpful when they talk to the insurance companies, but a lot of the time they are sharing too much information. Always tell the truth, but if you are ever unsure about a question never guess, tell them "I am unsure."

3. It is always a good idea to get a free consultation with an attorney when you are not at fault. You may be eligible for additional coverage if you exceed your personal injury protection. They will speak to the insurance company for you so that you don't have to. Attorneys will also make sure your bills get paid, e.g. property damage and wage loss.  They may even get you bills paid quicker in some cases.

2. Insurance companies sometimes send patients to Independent Medical Examinations.  Independent is defined as: not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself:  These medical examinations are not really independent because they are performed by doctors hired by the insurance company who have their financial interests in mind.

1. Common symptoms following whiplash include: neck pain, headache, interscapular pain, back pain, paresthesiae, extremity pain/weakness, cognitive difficulties, dizziness,/light-headedness, facial pain and TMJ related symptoms (clicking; closed lock; etc.), auditory symptoms, vertigo, ocular dysfunction, dysphagia/hoarseness.

Click Here for Some Great Videos of Attorneys Explaining PIP

Want to Lose Weight, But It Is Too Difficult To Do It  Alone?

The Ideal Protein® Weight Loss Method is a medically designed protocol that results in rapid fat loss

while sparing muscle mass. The program was developed in France by an Olympic physician who helped athletes metabolize their body fat without losing muscle tissue. An additional bonus is that the protocol also helps support cellulite reduction. The best part of this program, that most other programs fail to offer, is that you are supervised by  a licensed physician and personal health coach.  You are also given all the resources to eventually diet on your own and the food tastes great too!

Did you know? Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. At least 3.4 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese which is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25.

The American Institute for Cancer Research reports that 100,500 new cases of cancer are caused by obesity every year with 1/3rd of those cases involving cancer of the breast tissue. Approximately 25% of all breast cancer cases in women of all ages could be avoided by maintaining both a healthy body weight and by performing regular physical activity.

So how can you maintain a healthy body weight? A clinical weight loss program can potentially prevent type 2 diabetes and even cancer.  Studies are showing that reduced caloric intake may extend life expectancy, slow the aging process, and even prevent cancer.  In addition to helping diabetic patients, low carbohydrate diets have demonstrated to be beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis. 

So how much should you exercise? An analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative showed that as little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours per week of brisk walking reduced a woman's risk by 18%.

Ideal Protein®

Now Registered to Perform Medical Examinations for Truck Drivers!

The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) is a new Federal Motor Carrier

Safety Administration (FMCSA) program. The primary mission of the FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving larger trucks and buses.

All commercial drivers whose current medical certificate expires on or after May 21, 2014, at expiration of that certificate must be examined by a medical professional listed on the NRCME. Commercial drivers may be certified for a maximum of two years.

Only medical examiners that have completed training and successfully passed an examination on FMCSA's physical qualification standards will be listed on the National Registry.  Ott Chiropractic NW has been trained through the National Academy of D.O.T. Medical Examiners which includes 14 hours of comprehensive instruction and exceeds the NRCME core curriculum requirements.

The medical examination consists of a comprehensive patient history, physical examination, and urinalysis. 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration