Someone please explain something to me - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eddie Bronze · 06-10-2005, 06:07 PM

Some of you may remember me mentioning that I'd been in a car accident back in the middle of May. My car got smashed up pretty bad (still haven't heard a single word about what's going to happen with it) and I had some pretty bad whiplash. At the time, when it happened, the police called for an ambulance and they checked me out. They wanted to transport me to the hospital on a spinal table, but their advice was that if I felt I could get to a clinic or hosptial myself, I should because otherwise I'd have a $500+ ambulance bill to pay. Since I didn't go anywhere with them, I was under the assumption I wouldn't have a bill. But now, today, a bill shows up for $152.15. This is an accident that I was deemed to be not at fault in either being rear-ended OR hitting the car in front of me. Therefore, my injuries could not be considered my fault either. So why do I end up with the ambulance bill? Is there any way to get it back from the insurance company of the lady who hit me? It says on the bill that they can't invoice insurance companies so I'm not sure wheather that means I can myself or not. To me, the whole thing is nonsense. I get run into, my car gets smashed up, I get the injuries, I have to miss time from work hence lose income, AND I get the bill?

BlackArcher101 · 06-10-2005, 06:12 PM

I had an accident (at-fault) and an ambulance was called. However, I was fine and the other person was not (so they said). I did not get any bills for the call. Unless it was sent to the other person, and my insurance company didn't get it, then there wasn't a charge.

My understanding is you only get charged for the bill if they transport you?

Eddie Bronze · 06-10-2005, 06:18 PM

I never went anywhere with them.

Crazy Flamer · 06-10-2005, 06:19 PM

From my understanding, you can recoup the cost of the ambulance bill in your settlement, along with other things such as lost income.

Mean Mr. Mustard · 06-10-2005, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crazy Flamer@Jun 10 2005, 05:19 PM
From my understanding, you can recoup the cost of the ambulance bill in your settlement, along with other things such as lost income.

Yup, also a lot of the health care insurance through work will cover expenses like ambulance fees.

with myself I was hit pretty good on my bike (always wear a helmet) and while I was able to walk and do everything pretty much, they still called an ambulance just to be safe. The bill did come to myself and it was taken care of by the insurance company no questions asked.

Eddie Bronze · 06-10-2005, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crazy Flamer@Jun 10 2005, 06:19 PM
settlement

Wow, settlement, what's that? I haven't heard a word about any of this stuff and the accident happened on May 18th. Thanks for the info guys, I guess I'm going to have to take this into my own hands and start annoying the hell out of those insurance companies.

Crazy Flamer · 06-10-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddie Bronze+Jun 11 2005, 12:55 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eddie Bronze @ Jun 11 2005, 12:55 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Crazy Flamer@Jun 10 2005, 06:19 PM
settlement

Wow, settlement, what's that? I haven't heard a word about any of this stuff and the accident happened on May 18th. Thanks for the info guys, I guess I'm going to have to take this into my own hands and start annoying the hell out of those insurance companies. [/b][/quote]
A settlement is a sum of money agreed upon between you (or your lawyer) and the insurance company of the driver who was at fault. This will include any out of pocket costs you had, such as the ambulance bill, along with lost wages and compensation for the injuries you suffered. As far as injuries go, there is a cap as to how much you can settle for in Alberta for minor injuries. That cap is $4,500. So depending on how severely you were injured, you could easily get a couple grand on top of your out of pocket exenses. But don't start negotiating a settlement untill you have fully gone thought your rehabilitation.

Calgary Flames · 06-10-2005, 07:28 PM

Did you see a lawyer? If not, I can recommend a great firm. They did a very good job helping me through to process.

I wasn't even injured that bad and got $4000... although over the past year I've been feeling more effects. Whiplash is a bitch.

Eddie Bronze · 06-10-2005, 10:04 PM

I have not seen a lawyer no. The thought never even entered into my mind until I started reading the responses in this thread.

CaptainCrunch · 06-10-2005, 10:13 PM

If an ambulance is called and you refuse transport, your still billed for the call. for example under my companies current health insurance, if an ambulance is called for me, I'm not supposed to refuse transport because the bills coming anyways.

Calgary Flames · 06-10-2005, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddie Bronze@Jun 10 2005, 10:04 PM
I have not seen a lawyer no. The thought never even entered into my mind until I started reading the responses in this thread.

Wow, wakey wakey... The first thing's I did was go to a doctor, file a police report, then a lawyer.

It's a long process, but easy and well worth it in the end. Physio therapy, paid for, repairs, paid for, physical damages... paid.

Litwiniuk & Associates barristors and solicitors. Check the phone book. I used them.

Get on it!!

Eddie Bronze · 06-10-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Calgary Flames@Jun 10 2005, 11:05 PM
Wow, wakey wakey...

Very funny but you must understand I've never had the need to ever deal with a lawyer before in my life and also, have never even so much as been involved in a fender bender so the whole thing is something I've never gone through, nor am I sure I want to.

BlackArcher101 · 06-11-2005, 12:13 AM

In my accident, the insurance firms had their own lawyers. No 3rd party lawyers were in involved at all.

Calgary Flames · 06-12-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddie Bronze+Jun 10 2005, 11:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eddie Bronze @ Jun 10 2005, 11:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Calgary Flames@Jun 10 2005, 11:05 PM
Wow, wakey wakey...

Very funny but you must understand I've never had the need to ever deal with a lawyer before in my life and also, have never even so much as been involved in a fender bender so the whole thing is something I've never gone through, nor am I sure I want to. [/b][/quote]
I was in the same position... to me it was obvious. *shrug* It's totally worth it. I'd kick myself in the ass if I had to suffer the effects of whiplash and not get anything out of it.

I was a lawyer/accident noob aswell, call the firm above and they'll help you through everything. It just takes a while.

Prototype · 06-12-2005, 01:43 PM

And when they say "long and drawn out process"... they mean like YEARS. My mom just got her settlement from an accident in 2001. Have fun waiting. Then again, the money was worth the wait, I guess.

Eddie Bronze · 06-12-2005, 02:45 PM

It's not even worth it to me to be honest. All the BS you'd have to go through for a mesely three or four thou? No thanks. I don't want a bunch of extra money from it, I just don't want bills for something I didn't cause. Is that too much to ask? Fix my car, pay that ambulance bill and give me my lost wages and I'm happy. If dealing with a lawyer is anywhere near as frustrating as dealing with an insurance adjustor, I won't even consider it.

Calgary Flames · 06-12-2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddie Bronze@Jun 12 2005, 02:45 PM
It's not even worth it to me to be honest. All the BS you'd have to go through for a mesely three or four thou? No thanks. I don't want a bunch of extra money from it, I just don't want bills for something I didn't cause. Is that too much to ask? Fix my car, pay that ambulance bill and give me my lost wages and I'm happy. If dealing with a lawyer is anywhere near as frustrating as dealing with an insurance adjustor, I won't even consider it.

What are you that lazy? honestly. It takes time. But not alot of effort. I pointed you in the right direction... it's up to you man. But really it's totally worth it. *shrug*

Dealing with a Lawyer that is on YOUR side is what is good about the process they basically handle everything for you.

Eddie Bronze · 06-12-2005, 05:50 PM

I'm just not of the belief that the injuries are severe enough that I'd actually get anything out of it. My chiropractor feels I'm already back to at least 80% if not better. I'm not feeling bad at all and therefore don't feel it's a road I need to go down.