Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Cyclist Struck By Ambulance Receives Bill Of US$ 1,800 For Transport To Hospital
Imagine riding peacefully and suddenly being struck by an ambulance – the vehicle that should be on its way to help those in accidents, not cause one. This story, as unusual as it seems, happened to William Hoesch, a 71-year-old cyclist, in the small town of Rainier, Oregon.
In October 2022, Hoesch was struck by an ambulance trying to make a right turn. The impact destroyed his bicycle and caused him several injuries. The ambulance? It took him to the hospital, but not before charging him for the “ride” with a bill of almost US$ 2,000.
After all, how could an accident involving an ambulance happen right in front of its own station? This was one of the reasons Hoesch and his lawyer decided to sue the company, seeking compensation for pain, suffering, and medical expenses. Let’s understand a bit more about this story.
-
Historic building in the United States reports electrical fire, calls firefighters, and exposes an issue with an appliance that most Brazilians also have at home.
-
Elevator Plummets From Tenth Floor in Commercial Building in Recife, Raising Concerns About Safety and Engineering of Vertical Transport Systems Used Daily in Urban Buildings
-
Cyclist Hit by Car in Sobradinho, DF Is Rescued After Traffic Accident This Sunday
-
Civil Defense Issues Alert and Advises Evacuation in 51 Streets of Juiz de Fora After Risk of Instability; See the Complete List of Affected Neighborhoods
An Accident Of The Ambulance And The Cyclist With Two Versions
Upon reviewing the accident, the police heard different versions of what happened. The ambulance driver claimed to be going between 5 and 16 km/h when he heard the noise and stopped, while Hoesch reported cycling at a speed of 10 to 20 km/h and said he never imagined the ambulance would make the turn right in front of him.
Regardless of the exact speed, the collision was strong enough to crush Hoesch’s bicycle and leave him with lasting effects.
Despite the relatively low speed, Hoesch suffered fractures and injuries throughout his body. The situation is more serious for someone aged 71, whose recovery may be slower and delicate.
Moreover, he now faces high medical costs: a total of US$ 47,000 and an estimated additional US$ 50,000 for future treatments.
The Bill Arrived
What really drew attention in this case was the fact that the very ambulance that struck him was responsible for rescuing him – and then sent him a bill of nearly US$ 2,000 for the trip.
In other words, Hoesch was charged for the rescue that only became necessary due to the mistake of those who rescued him. Imagine how frustrating this must have been for him and his family, who in addition to hospital bills, saw the ambulance “ride” added to the total.
To top it off, Hoesch’s insurance with Allstate (for underinsured motorists) is now at the center of a legal dispute. His lawyers argue that the coverage should cover the costs that Columbia River Fire & Rescue cannot cover. However, neither Allstate nor the rescue company has commented on the case.
A Pattern Of Incidents?
Unfortunately, Hoesch’s accident is not an isolated case in Oregon. In January 2024, another tragic incident involved an ambulance: Kelsey Seibel, 25, lost her life after colliding with an emergency vehicle while trying to make a turn.
Her family filed a lawsuit for US$ 6 million against the ambulance company. In July of the same year, another accident involving an ambulance resulted in the death of Gearldean Marin, 55, after a collision with a parked car with a flat tire.
These occurrences raise concerns about the training and protocols followed by ambulance drivers. While emergency vehicles are essential, the responsibility to ensure road safety is crucial.
This case serves as a warning about the importance of good insurance coverage and a critical analysis of the driving practices of emergency vehicles. For cyclists and motorists, Hoesch’s situation is a reminder to always be aware of our surroundings, even in situations involving emergency vehicles.
On the other hand, companies operating these vehicles also need to assess how they are training and supervising their drivers. An ambulance in motion, even if slowly, can have serious consequences in a collision, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!