Ambulance Hit Cyclist, Drove Him to Hospital, Billed Him for Injuries

An American cyclist is suing an ambulance service after one of its first-response vehicles hit him and drove him to the hospital, where he was billed for injuries he sustained in the crash. William Hoesch, 71, of Rainier, Oregon, has sought $997,000 in compensation from Columbia River Fire & Rescue.According to the lawsuit, filed in October 2022, Hoesch was cycling through the town when the accident occurred. He was headed down a semi-residential street in the same direction as the ambulance, which, while attempting to turn right onto another road, crashed into him and destroyed his bicycle.The collision took place in front of the Columbia River Fire & Rescue station in Rainier, while the ambulance was coming back from a trip. The collision multiple injuries to Hoesch, reported, including a nose fracture and scrapes across his body.The cyclist was stretchered onto the vehicle and rushed to the hospital, with the ambulance provider charging him $1,862 for the ride, Attorney Travis Mayor said. The bill piled on Hoesch's other medical expenses resulting from the crash, including the $47,000 that he had already paid and an additional $50,000 the patient estimated would be due.Hoesch's suit made a case for the damages, for which Columbia River Fire & Rescue has failed to compensate him, to be covered by his motorist insurance.The cyclist said his speed during the crash was between 8–16 km/h, claiming that he had no idea the ambulance would make a turn in front of him, a police document reveals. As for the vehicle’s driver and another occupant at the time, it was going at 3-16 km/h.The ambulance stopped to see Hoesch on the ground and injured, his bicycle crushed by its wheel.The plaintiff’s lawsuit, which stated that he suffered a decreased range of motion and grip strength, seeks an additional $900,000 for “pain and suffering”.