Rainier, Ore. – A 71-year-old Oregon cyclist, struck by an ambulance while riding his bicycle, has now filed a lawsuit against the ambulance service, alleging negligence on their part, not only for the accident but also for subsequently billing him for the transport to the hospital.
The October 2022 incident unfolded in Rainier, a small town straddling the Washington-Oregon border. William Hoesch, the cyclist involved, was reportedly hit by a vehicle operated by Columbia River Fire & Rescue. Despite the low-speed collision — estimated between 2 and 10 miles per hour — Hoesch sustained significant injuries, including a fractured nose and multiple scrapes.
Following the accident, Hoesch was transported to a nearby hospital by the same ambulance that had struck him. Adding insult to injury, he later received a bill amounting to $1,862 for the ambulance ride, a charge he contends adds financial strain to his physical pain.
In seeking legal recourse, Hoesch has filed a lawsuit demanding compensation in the sum of $997,000. This amount covers not only the disputed ambulance charge but also his medical expenses and compensation for pain and suffering endured due to the incident.
At the heart of the dispute is the question of liability and responsibility. Hoesch’s legal action challenges Columbia River Fire & Rescue on the grounds that their vehicle caused the accident, questioning the appropriateness of charging a victim for emergency services rendered due to an accident in which the service itself was at fault.
Efforts to reach Columbia River Fire & Rescue for comment have so far been unanswered.
This case highlights broader issues related to roadway safety for cyclists and the responsibilities of emergency vehicle operators. It also raises critical questions about billing practices for emergency healthcare services, especially when the service provider is implicated in the circumstances necessitating their use.
The legal outcomes of this case could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in terms of responsibility and financial accountability, particularly involving service vehicles and vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
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