5 Things To Know about Medical Debt and Bill Collectors

Many of my personal injury clients tell me they would have never sought the help of a lawyer if the at-fault person (bad driver, building owner, negligent business) would have simply paid their medical bills.  Medical bills can quickly spiral out of control and it seems that there is no way to ever pay them off.   Thankfully personal injury lawyers and consumer lawyers can often help people with getting their medical bills paid off.  Attorneys may be able to get insurance coverage for the bills, force the negligent party pay the medical bills, or work with the medical provider to accept a reduced amount.   However, sometimes that is not possible, and the debt must be paid.  In that case, there are things you should know.  The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has published a great article that has valuable information for anyone that is dealing with medical debt. 

Below a few highlights from the article:

1. Pay Medical Debt Last: Don't ignore it, but you may want to pay off your other debt before medical debt.  This is due to the fact that it is on the lowest priority of debt.  Also, do not take out a loan or credit card to pay medical debt.   This is due to the fact medical debt often has little or no interest in it.  Credit cards and loans have interest, so you will pay more to pay off the original debt.
2. Debt Collectors Powers Are Limited:  Many medical providers will assign your debt to a debt collector.  These are the people that call to annoy and harass you into paying off the debt.  However, there bark is often bigger than their bite.   Medical Debt is unique in that credit reporting agencies will not include it in a credit report until it is over six months old. This is important because debt collectors will often tell people their credit will be trashed if they don't pay up immediately.   If debt collectors continue to call you or attempt to contact you, you also can send them a letter telling them to stop. Federal law prevents them from continuing to contact you after receiving that letter. 
3. Medical Debt is Often Not Reported to Credit Agencies:  Often, many medical providers do not report medical debt to the three major credit reporting agencies. However, debt collectors may.
4. You Can Still Go to the Emergency Room If You Owe the Hospital Money: Federal law (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)) prohibits hospitals from turning people away from the ER due to their inability to pay. 
5. You Might Be Able to Correct the Bills:  Medical bills can contain errors.  You can work with the medical provider to correct the mistake or get the bills covered by insurance.   

The article contains a lot of helpful additional information that you should read to help you understand your rights and obligations with medical debt.  If you have incurred medical debt as a result of another person injuring you call Ross Law LLC at 503.224.1658.  Jeremiah Ross represents people that have been injured by the negligence of another and consumers.  Please note the information in this article is for informational purposes only and the law is constantly changing.  DO NOT SOLELY RELY ON THIS POST.  SPEAK WITH A LAWYER to fully understand your rights and obligations on medical debt. This post could be considered attorney advertising. 

Please Drive Safe! 17 People Have Died in Portland Traffic Crashes So Far

This year has been a deadly year on Portland's roads.   According to Oregonlive, as of May, 17 2018 people have died in traffic-related crashes in Portland alone.   Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users, so far 9 pedestrians have been killed in traffic-related incidents so far.   Motorcyclists are also susceptible to injury or death due to the fact they have minimal protection in a crash.  4 Motorcyclists have been killed in traffic crashes so far.   Three people that were in motorized vehicles have also died in traffic crashes so far.  One cyclist has been killed by a vehicle this year.

These tragic deaths highlight the need for Portland's drivers to remain attentive.  Drivers need to get off of the phone, stay alert, look for pedestrians and cyclists, and slow down.  We all know we need to do this, but the consequences of a driver's "mistake" are tragic. 

If you or someone you know was injured by another driver's negligence call Ross Law LLC.  Portland Personal Injury Attorney Jeremiah Ross represents cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and drivers who have been injured in Oregon traffic crashes.  Call Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658 for your free case evaluation.   

The "Wave Through" That Causes a Crash

When I drive to work I often find myself making a left across Eastbound Powell near the Ross Island Bridge.  Eastbound traffic is pretty heavy and is usually stopped or crawling.  However, traffic is clear in the far right lane.  Cars regularly speed through in the far right lane as the two other lanes are stopped.  In classic PNW style, the good citizens of Portland will stop on Powell with enough room to allow me to make a left turn across Powell.   

The stopped drivers will often use their hands to wave me across in front of them.  This welcome signal is greatly appreciated.  However, it can also be disastrous if the Eastbound driver waves a person through and a car traveling Eastbound in another lane fails to stop.  A serious collision will result if that is the case.    

I have represented people in "wave through' crashes that have sustained serious injuries.   These crashes are heartbreaking because the person waving the vehicle across was simply trying to help. However, their actions caused someone to be injured.   As a result, they may be responsible for causing the crash.  

The bottom line is, do not wave a vehicle across in front of you until you confirm that it is safe for the crossing vehicle to actually cross.  If you do direct a vehicle to come across and a crash is caused as a result, you may end up being responsible for the crash.   

If you or someone you know has been involved in a crash where a driver or pedestrian waved you across the street then call Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer Jeremiah Ross. Ross Law will give you a free case evaluation if you call 503.224.1658.   Please remember everyone's situation is unique and that results may vary.  Please do not solely rely on this post for information and contact an Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer if you have questions.     

Ross Law PDX is Proudly Sponsoring Sellwood Baseball

Ross Law PDX is proudly sponsoring the little ball players at Sellwood Baseball.   As a local personal injury and consumer law firm, Ross Law believes it is imperative to give back to the community.  

If you or someone you know need a lawyer, feel free to call Portland Personal Injury lawyer Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658.  Ross Law PDX also represents crime victims and consumers in various cases.    Please note that this post could be considered attorney advertising and the views espoused on this blog do not reflect those of Sellwood Baseball in any way. 

Jeremiah Ross Named Member of Oregon's Autonomous Vehicle Task Force

Jeremiah Ross was named by the Director of the Oregon Department of Transportation to serve on Oregon's Task Force of Autonomous Vehicles.  The Task Force is comprised of 31 members with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interest.   Jeremiah and other task force members will work toward the goal of drafting legislative recommendations that address Autonomous Vehicles and issues of licensing and registration, insurance and liability, law enforcement and accident reporting, and cyber-security.     Click here for more information on Oregon's Autonomous Vehicle Taskforce.   

If you or someone you know have been injured in an Oregon Car Crash please call Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658 for your free personal injury case evaluation. 

Cascade Auto Inc.'s Arbitration Agreements May Be Unenforceable

We currently represent a client against Portland Oregon Car dealer Cascade Auto Inc.  Our client attempted to initiate arbitration against Cascade Auto Inc. under the "Arbitration Agreement" that Cascade forced him to sign.  However, Cascade Auto Inc. refused to pay for the arbitration and refused to comply with the American Arbitration Association's ("AAA") rules. As a result, the arbitration case was closed. This allows our client to pursue his matter in Court. This letter is also important to future consumers as AAA specifically noted:

"Further, because the business' failure to remit the foregoing constitutes a failure to adhere to our policies regarding consumer claims, we may decline to administer future consumer arbitrations involving Cascade Auto, Inc. The AAA's consumer policies can be found on the AAA's website, www.adr.org. We request that the business remove the AAA name from its consumer arbitration clause so that there is no confusion to the public regarding our decision." 

"Further, because the business' failure to remit the foregoing constitutes a failure to adhere to our policies regarding consumer claims, we may decline to administer future consumer arbitrations involving Cascade Auto, Inc. The AAA's consumer policies can be found on the AAA's website, www.adr.org. We request that the business remove the AAA name from its consumer arbitration clause so that there is no confusion to the public regarding our decision." 

This letter may affect future consumer's rights and remedies against Cascade Auto Inc. The language of the letter may provide sufficient facts for another consumer to avoid arbitrating a matter with Cascade Auto Inc. If you or someone you know has been ripped off by a car dealer, or believe you purchased a lemon, please call Portland attorney Jeremiah Ross.  Please call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658. 

Please remember that all cases are different and case results may vary.  The April 24, 2018 letter may or may not be beneficial to your case in the future.  Please consult with an attorney if you have questions about your rights, remedies, or arbitration against an Oregon Car dealer.  

Investigating a Car Dealer's Reputation Before You Buy a Car

Purchasing a vehicle is stressful.  It is usually one of the largest purchases a person can make. That is why many people do their homework prior to purchasing a vehicle.  Many consumers will research a particular car and visit blog posts (like my recent blog post) to obtain information on how to research a particular vehicle.  However, many people fail to investigate the reputation of the dealership that they are dealing with.  This is usually pretty easy, but you would be surprised at how many people that were ripped off by a car dealer call me and say after the purchase they learned the dealership had numerous consumer complaints.  Here are some places to look for information about an Oregon car dealership before you purchase the vehicle.  Please remember the list is not exhaustive.  Also, Ross Law does not have any affiliation with the businesses or entities below.

Do an Internet Search for the Dealerships name and the Dealer:  Whether you use Google, Yahoo, Bing, or some other search engine, you should always search the dealer's name for information about the dealer.   These internet searches will reveal good reviews, bad reviews, and any other information about the dealer that may reflect on the dealer's reputation.

Search the Oregon Department of Justice's Website for Consumer Claims:  The Oregon Department of Justice keeps an on-line database for consumer complaints against a particular dealership.  It is not complete, and sometimes there are issues with whether the complaint is filed under the proper name, but it is a very useful tool to determine if another person has had a negative experience with the car dealer.  Click here for access the database to review consumer complaints.

Search the Better Business Web-Site for Complaints: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) also has an online database that will provide limited information regarding the dealership.  It is not complete or comprehensive, but it may provide information regarding a particular dealership and the types of complaints the BBB receives about that dealership. Click here to access the Better Business Bureau website. 

Review old issues of the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles Dealer Details Publication:  The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles publishes a newsletter that has a section that reports sanctions imposed against a dealership.  Click here to access the Dealer Details Publication.

Please remember that Ross Law does not have any affiliation with the above businesses or entities.  Also, please note the data and the information on the websites may not be complete.  Also, be aware that some businesses and dealerships will post fake reviews, or provide an incentive for a person to post a positive review that may not accurately reflect the transaction.  Also, even if you research the dealership you may get ripped off.  In the event, you, or someone you know, are ripped off, sold a lemon, or have been defrauded by an Oregon car dealer call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658. Jeremiah Ross is an Oregon Consumer Lawyer that regularly represents consumers who have been ripped off by car dealers or other businesses.  This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult with an attorney.  This post and blog could be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 

12 Things Car Buyers Should Know

Dealing with car dealers is usually at the bottom of everyone's list of fun things to do.  Depending on where you are purchasing the vehicle from it can be a miserable experience or a tolerable experience.  It is rarely a great experience.   However, you can have a better experience if you follow some of the tips below. This list is not exhaustive.  It may not work in every situation, but these are some tips I have learned over years of representing clients that have been ripped off by car dealers or people that have bought a Lemon. It is my hope, these tips may assist you in getting a good deal and prevent you from buying a jalopy. 

1) Research the Vehicle Price before going to the dealership:  If you are thinking of buying a new or used vehicle you should be able to price the vehicle through various internet sources.  You can use the Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds guide online to compare prices of vehicles.  You can also compare prices of similar vehicles on Craigslist or Auto-Trader.  If you do this before ever setting foot on the car lot, you will know whether or not the vehicle is over-priced. Once you have a price in mind you stick to it no matter what. If the dealer refuses to accept your offer, then WALK AWAY.  If you are shopping using the "monthly payment" as the maximum amount you will pay then use a payment calculator.  That will tell you the maximum amount of the price you can pay based on the monthly payment and the likely interest rate.

2)  You Don't Have to Tell The Dealer The "Payment Amount" You Are Looking For or Other Information:  Many people end up paying too much for vehicles because they shop for a vehicle based on the payment amount.  The way this typically occurs is the consumer goes to the lot with a price and vehicle in mind.  Most people finance vehicles, so the dealer asks, "What are you looking at keeping your payments at?" The consumer then responds with a number. That number then becomes the starting point.  The dealer knows that if you say you want to keep your payments at $200.00 a month then you will probably agree to a $275.00 a month payment.  Also, the dealer knows that they can tweak the financing and add-ons (see below) in order to keep you at your payment.  For example, they may extend the loan term for a few years at a higher interest rate.  On paper, your payments are what you want, but you end up paying thousands of dollars in interest and you may get locked into a loan on a vehicle for seven or eight years on a used car.   The bottom line is that you can tell the dealer you don't want to discuss financing until after you have agreed on a final price of the vehicle.  If the dealer refuses, then you can walk.  You may also be able to obtain financing from your bank or a local credit union.  If you get pre-approved financing for a certain amount of money, you can focus solely on the price of the vehicle.  This enables you to steer clear of dealer shenanigans. 

3) Research the Vehicle's History Before Going to the Dealer:  In Oregon, the dealer should have the vehicle's identification number (VIN) on the online advertisement.  This allows you to run a carfax or auto check before you ever meet with the dealer.  The vehicle history report may show the vehicle's maintenance history, if it was a fleet vehicle or rental car, and if it has a clean title.  This is invaluable information.   However, be careful and do not rely solely on these vehicle history reports.  Many times it takes the reports a few months to obtain relevant data to include in the reports.  The reports are also not always complete. Dealers know this.  As a result, it is common for a dealer to give a "clean carfax" report and then later a crash shows up that pre-dates the sale to you.  That is why you should have a mechanic inspect the vehicle. 

4) You Can and Should Have the Vehicle Inspected By an Independent Mechanic:  The best way to prevent from buying a used vehicle that is a piece of junk (aka a Lemon), is to have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle BEFORE you purchase the vehicle. Mechanics can tell you what you are getting into if you are buying a used car.   There are a few different inspection services here in Portland that will actually drive to the vehicle (PDX Inspections, PDX Autoworks, Portland Motor Cars, Etc.)  I don't recommend or endorse any particular mechanic or inspector, but you can contact them.  Also, most dealers will let you drive the vehicle to a mechanic's shop for the inspection.  If you have a mechanic you trust, take the vehicle there.  Be Careful:  Do not use a mechanic recommended by the dealer! 

5) Dealers Are Not Required to do a Thorough Vehicle Inspection:  I often get calls from people that purchased a vehicle that broke down shortly after the purchase.   They often say "the dealer was supposed to do a [insert number here] point inspection."  There is no requirement in Oregon for a dealer to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle.  Unless the dealer agrees to do an inspection or advertises one, The Oregon Administrative Rules and other laws dictate the dealer's obligations.  That is why YOU should have the vehicle inspected.

6)  Dealers Make Most of their Money on Add-Ons, So Be Careful:  If you did your homework on the price of the vehicle, then you know the maximum amount you are willing to pay before you go into the dealer.  Once you have that number in mind you have to stick to it.  Dealers are masterful at convincing people to go over that number by adding on various things that are financed into the price of the vehicle.  Common Add-Ons are warranties, service contracts, paint protection, door edge guards, glass etching.  The dealer maximizes profits on these items by marking them up as high as they can.  If you feel it is necessary to purchase an add-on, remember you can negotiate the price of it.  The dealer should tell you what the actual cost of the add-on is to the dealer.  Also, Oregon law prohibits the dealer from conditioning the sale of the car on buying an add-on.  For example, "the dealer cannot say I won't sell you the car unless you buy the warranty."  You should not negotiate add-ons until AFTER you agreed on the final purchase price of the vehicle.

7)  Dealers May Try and Fudge the Financing, So Review the Documents:   Usually once a dealer has you in a car they turn things over to the F&I manager.  This is the person in the "back room" that is unreasonable on price and financing.   Many times at this point you have been at the dealership for hours and just want to get out of there.  Dealers know this.  That is why they will throw dozens of documents in front of you and tell you where to sign.  I have had dealers admit under oath that they are trained to make it difficult for the customer to take the documents off of the table and read them.  They do this by holding the document as it is laying on the table, pointing out where to sign, and then flipping the document over immediately after it is signed. They do this so you have no idea what you are signing.  To prevent this, you have some options.  You can ask the dealer to leave you alone with the documents so you can read them.  You can also have the dealer hand you the documents prior to signing them.  If they refuse, then you should walk out.  You want to review the documents to ensure the purchase price is correct, the trade-in, if any, the amount is correct, the add-ons are things you actually agreed to purchase,  the financing amount is correct, the interest rate is what you agreed on, the term of the loan (number of payments) is correct, and you agree with all of the terms.  Click here to learn more about The Retail Installment Contract.  

8)   You Can Cross Things Out and Refuse to Sign Certain Documents:  We live in a world of pre-printed forms.  Many times people sign things without reading them.  If you reviewed the documents then you will see language that you don't understand or you don't want to agree to.  This is where you can use your phone to look up any terms you don't understand, and you can cross out the conditions and terms you don't want to agree to. For example, you should ALWAYS cross out any language saying you are agreeing to binding arbitration and/or forfeiting your right to a Jury trial.  This is often buried in the "fine print," but you should always cross it out or refuse to sign any clause or stand-alone document that is forcing you into arbitration.   Click here to find out why Arbitration is bad for Oregon consumers. 

9) Negative Equity in Your Trade-In WIll Make Your Payments Much Higher:  Assume you did your homework on vehicle price, you refused the add-ons, and are sticking to your bottom line and you have a trade-in that is worth less than the amount you owe on it.  Dealers have a difficult time rolling in negative equity into a new loan because many finance companies are leery of extending credit to folks in this situation.  This is due to the fact that the collateral on the loan for the new vehicle won't cover the full cost of the loan in the event of a default. However, dealers are crafty and can usually get financing if needed. They may get a co-signer, fudge numbers, claiming non-existent down payments, or other schemes to get the negative equity rolled into the new loan.  If the negative equity is rolled into the new loan then most likely your payments are going to be MUCH higher than you anticipated.  I get calls from many people that get home and review their paperwork only to find out that they have agreed to a $400.00 car payment when they thought they were only agreeing to a $250.00 car payment.  Many times the reason for this is the consumer agreed to roll in the negative equity into the new loan.  

10)  There is No Automatic Right to Return a Vehicle In Oregon: There is a myth that many consumers propagate that if you buy a car you automatically have [insert number here] number of days to return a vehicle.  I have heard people say it is 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days.  Under Oregon law, there is no automatic right to return a vehicle that you purchased at a dealership.  However, your contract or agreement with the dealer may allow you to do so.  

11) The Dealer May Have 14 Days to Complete Financing for the Vehicle:  Many people drive off of the lot in their new or used vehicle and then get a call from the dealer a week later.  The dealer says financing fell through so they need to come back and agree to new financing terms.  Usually, the dealer wants more money for the down payment or may want to increase the interest rate. This is called a Yo-Yo Scam or a bushing scam.  This is legal, but only if, the dealer follows the law to the letter.  This includes, but is not limited to, telling you that you have the right to immediately receive your trade-in back and/or your downpayment back. At the dealership, the dealer should have the trade-in ready for you to pick up and your downpayment ready for you to get if you do not agree to the new financing terms. Click here for more information on Yo-Yo Scams.  If you review the documents (see above) you will know exactly what the dealer is doing and prevent the dealer from sneaking in new additional terms.

12)  If It Isn't In Writing It Doesn't Count:  Dealers make a lot of promises.  Many dealers will tell a consumer that they will fix something on the car, or make an oral agreement about when the downpayment is actually due.  These agreements typically are not binding, because the Purchase Agreement or the Retail Installment Contract has a clause that says that those documents contain the entire agreement.  The bottom line is if the dealer promises something then get it in writing.  If they refuse, then walk out. 

The list above is not complete and everyone's situation varies.  You MIGHT STILL GET RIPPED OFF even if you follow the recommendations above. Also,  please keep in mind I do not advise clients who are in the middle of purchasing a car.  I am a lawyer that represents Oregon Consumers, I am not a car buying advisor.  This blog could be considered Attorney Advertising.  If you think you have been ripped off by an Oregon Car Dealer or were sold a Lemon then call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658.  Jeremiah Ross represents Oregonians in consumer cases, personal injury cases, and other cases where people are harmed by the negligence or intentional acts of others.