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Cyclist hit by ambulance receives $1.800 bill for hospital ride
Imagine you are riding your bike peacefully and suddenly you are hit by an ambulance – the vehicle that should be on its way to help someone who has an accident, not cause an accident. This story, as unusual as it may seem, 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 that was attempting to make a right turn. The impact destroyed his bike and caused him multiple injuries. The ambulance? It took him to the hospital, but not before charging him nearly $2.000 in “ride charges.”
After all, how could an ambulance accident have occurred right in front of their own station? This was one of the reasons why Hoesch and his lawyer decided to sue the company, seeking compensation for pain, suffering and medical expenses. Let's understand a little more about this story.
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An ambulance and cyclist accident with two versions
When police reviewed the accident, they heard different versions of what happened. The ambulance driver said he was going between 5 and 16 km/h when he heard the noise and stopped, while Hoesch reported that he was cycling at a speed of 10 to 20 km/h and said he never imagined the ambulance would turn right in front of him.
Regardless of the exact speed, the collision was strong enough to crush Hoesch's bike and leave scars that he still bears.
Despite the relatively low speed, Hoesch suffered fractures and injuries to his body. The situation is aggravating for a 71-year-old, whose recovery may be slower and delicate.
In addition, he now faces high medical costs: a total of $47.000 and an estimated $50.000 more in future treatments.
The bill arrived
What really caught attention in this case was the fact that the ambulance that ran him over was the one responsible for helping him – and then sent him a bill for almost US$2.000 for the trip.
In other words, Hoesch was charged for a rescue that was only necessary due to the rescuer’s mistake. Imagine how frustrating this must have been for him and his family, who had to pay the hospital bills and then have to pay the ambulance fare.
To top it off, Hoesch’s Allstate insurance (for underinsured motorists) is now at the center of a legal dispute. His lawyers argue that the coverage should cover costs that Columbia River Fire & Rescue can’t cover. However, neither Allstate nor the rescue company have 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 involving an ambulance occurred: 25-year-old Kelsey Seibel lost her life when she collided with an emergency vehicle while trying to make a turn.
His family filed a $6 million lawsuit against the ambulance company. In July of that year, another accident involving an ambulance resulted in the death of 55-year-old Gearldean Marin after colliding with a parked car with a flat tire.
These incidents raise concerns about the training and protocols followed by ambulance drivers. While emergency vehicles are essential, the responsibility to ensure road safety is paramount.
This case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of good insurance coverage and critical analysis of emergency vehicle driving practices. For cyclists and drivers alike, Hoesch’s situation is a reminder to always be aware of our surroundings, even in situations where emergency vehicles are involved.
On the other hand, companies operating these vehicles also need to evaluate how they are training and supervising their drivers. A moving ambulance, even slowly, can have serious consequences in a collision, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
