Meeting and/or discussing your case with our attorney is completely free. No driver was at fault. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill ... See, Adam's a personal injury lawyer. This was just a kid who fell off a bike. And of course, the patient is caught in the middle. But he and his wife are both lawyers, and so they knew something was up. For the rest of us, it's sub, like substitution. The takeaway: The mantra of Bill of the Month is don't just write the check. The bill from the insurance company led to subrogation, a process of determining which type of insurance is primarily responsible. Simple hand signals can help, or alerting another person of potential dangers ahead. This metric is higher than all states in the country allow. Some riders will become impaled by their handlebars, which often causes life-threatening injuries. But it still came as a shock, he says, to have his health insurer deny payment because there was no third party responsible for their son's ordinary bike accident. Is California A No-Fault State For Car Accidents. Injuries can range from minor to disabling, such as limb amputations, spinal cord injuries, paralysis and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). WEISSMANN: And in the fine print, it said, we're denying this claim, but we could reconsider. WEISSMANN: Like, if you were rear-ended, the other driver or their insurance should be responsible. Spinal injuries are one of the most devastating types of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. "Time and delay can be your enemy.". Underlined for emphasis, one sentence warned that the denied claim would not be reconsidered until an enclosed accident questionnaire was filled out. Robert and his team have dealt with semi truck accidents, wrongful death cases, brain & spine injuries, and many other types of personal injury cases with soaring success. Injured bicyclists are at the greatest risk of a head injury, and these injuries occur in 22% – 47% of all injured bicyclists. And 60% of deaths are caused by head injuries. But I, from experience, know that other people do not know how to operate the system. Please sign here. Tendon and ligament injuries may also demand a surgical procedure. Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego was founded so that Robert could bring more of his skill and knowledge to personal injury victims in all types of cases. Minor Injuries Sustained in Los Gatos Accident at Riva Ridge and Mountain Charlie Road. So I think for patients, the first is our perennial lesson - don't just pay the bill. Nonsurgical treatments are ideal. Often due to adrenaline, nerves, or simply the nature of an injury, cyclists do not immediately realize the severity of an injury. Also, if you have to fill out your own claims forms, beware of that little box we often see that says, was this caused by an accident? Elisabeth Rosenthal, thank you for being here. It's not uncommon for insured patients to be questioned on whether their injury or medical condition might have been related to an accident. If injuries occur, there could be immediate and future costs as a result of the injuries. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on linkedin Share by Email Adam Woodrum was out for a bike ride with his wife and kids on July 19 when his son, Robert, who was 9 at the time, crashed. The note also directed questions to Luper Neidenthal & Logan, a law firm in Columbus, Ohio, that specializes in helping insurers recover medical costs from "third parties," meaning people found at fault for causing injuries. If an insurer denies all payment for all medical care related to an injury, suspect that some type of subrogation is at work. WEISSMANN: So people ignore those letters, and their insurance doesn't pay the medical bills. A lot of bicyclists do not follow the rules of the road. The biggest factor that isn’t talked about is negligence. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill. 4:01pm Nov 25, 2020. A person that is wearing eye protectant may be able to lessen their risk of eye injury while cycling. Surgical treatments may be needed when you have a fracture, break or a potential organ injury. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill. Adam Woodrum, who lives in Carson City, Nev., got one of those letters concerning his 9-year-old son. Adam Woodrum was out for a bike ride with his wife and kids on July 19 when his son, Robert, who was 9 at the time, crashed. Dan Weissmann, host of the podcast "An Arm and a Leg," reported the radio interview of this story. Copyright © 2021 Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego, APC. Subrogation is an area of law that allows an insurer to recoup expenses should a third party be found responsible for the injury or damage in question. This figure was up 13% from the year prior and marks the highest number of bike related deaths since 1995. Head injuries. WEISSMANN: Other people like his clients. Do not take the advice of a massage therapist or some other individual that lacks proper training. There’s a reason that everyone should wear a helmet. WOODRUM: He was cut in sort of a personal area. Who Is Liable in A California Car Accident: Owner or Driver? Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike ride near their home in Carson City, Nev., this month. ROSENTHAL: Yeah, he's great. And it just - almost instantaneously, he was on the ground crying, bleeding. Your injuries, if sustained by the negligence of another person or party, demands compensation. HealthScope Benefits reconsidered the claim. Saturday at about 3:10 am, a single-vehicle accident on US 36 happened as 50-year-old David Pickering of Kansas City was westbound and drove off the north side of the road. First, how is Adam's son? All rights reserved. What about, though, this bill - $19,000? "Then they're a year out with no payment on their bills." The insurer denied the claim based solely on the medical code indicating a possible accident. Of course, injuries can also occur from simply falling off the bike or hitting a curb. WOODRUM: People just simply have no clue what subrogation is or what that - you get a letter from a lawyer in Ohio that says, hey, we need you to come to our website and fill out some paperwork or we're not going to release your claims to be paid. Recovering After a Bicycle Accident. Or, fearing for their credit, they pay the bills. KELLY: Well, I'm glad there was a happy ending to this particular story and wise words for the rest of us. Even minor bicycle accidents can put victims through considerable pain and suffering. The only way to know for sure if a bone is broken is through imaging. During the summer, Robert had a bike accident which resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. She's the editor-in-chief of Kaiser Health News. WOODRUM: I knew exactly what to expect, and I knew exactly how to handle it because I know how to operate the system. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill It was a surprise even for a family of lawyers. They are: non-economic damages — include pain and suffering and other quality of life losses KELLY: All right. While neck injuries can and do occur, they’re far less common than head injuries and other injuries. Around 20% of people killed in bicycle crashes have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.8 grams per deciliter. Lacerations to the face, road rash, chipped teeth, and scars can all occur in accidents law enforcement deems “minor.” Major accidents can lead to permanent injuries, disabilities, and the wrongful death of a loved one. It’s a matter of a community effort, which can help save the lives of cyclists. by Julie Appleby . The patient. But also don't ignore scary bills from insurers or hospitals. Julie Appleby Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike … What should the rest of us do? Your health is more important than anything. A meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy by Attewell, Glase, and McFadden (2001) estimated that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and brain injury by 58%. By Julie Appleby | KHN Wednesday, November 25, 2020. And, no surprise to Bill of the Month followers: When insurers can't agree, who gets a scary bill? Bike accident injuries can be life-changing, and if you’ve been injured in a bike accident, a good injury lawyer may be able to help. ADAM WOODRUM: I'd mapped out kind of a 10-mile route, and we were just going to kind of make a loop of the city. And the denial came before the insurer got information about whether someone else was at fault. Between 2000 and 2012, the amount of people biking to work increased by 64%. What to Expect After a Bike Accident. But there are some cold, hard facts that provide us with information we can use to be safer when riding a bike, such as: Males are statistically at a much higher risk of being involved in a bicycle accident. Males account for 88% of all people, age 20 – 24, injured on bicycles. The teenager was a passenger on the bike. "He cut himself pretty bad, and I could tell right away he needed stitches," says Woodrum. It was a surprise even for a family of lawyers. So the health insurance company's trying to get Adam on the record. Some cyclists don't realize they've been injured until several hours after the accident. She referred questions to HealthScope Benefits about whether the program's policy is to deny claims first, then seek more information. The legal name for the process of determining which type of insurance is primarily responsible is subrogation. Before you pursue a minor car accident claim, it is important to think about how serious your injuries are, factoring in the time and effort it takes to settle a claim. CHP Investigating Minor Injury Los Gatos Motorcycle Accident. Our attorney will travel to your home, or hospital, at your convenience and request. As most insurance claims adjusters —and some parents—will tell you, teenagers are in a special risk category all their own when it comes to driving. And I'm no doctor, but, you know, right away, you can tell that this is a stiches situation. But it still came as a shock, he says, to have his health insurer deny payment because there was no third party responsible for their son's ordinary bike accident. But, he says, the average patient probably wouldn't understand the legal quagmire and might not know how to fight back. A 2013 Deloitte consulting firm study, commissioned by the Department of Labor, estimated that subrogation helped private health plans recover between $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion in 2010 — a tiny slice of the $849 billion they spent that year. Don't attempt to negotiate with the driver. And sometimes seemingly minor injuries later develop into serious and permanent problems. I'm sure that helps. There is also a risk of being impaled. The claim, it said, included billing codes for care "commonly used to treat injuries" related to vehicle crashes, slip-and-fall accidents or workplace hazards. In fact, neck injuries are quite rare in the whole spectrum of bike accidents. ROSENTHAL: Well, they knew how to handle it, and insurance paid, so they only owed their normal deductible. Quote, "You will receive an accident questionnaire in a separate mailing," or you may go to website blah, blah, blah, or call this 800 number or email subrogationlnlattorneys.com with any additional questions. Big Rig Rollover Crash Deaths Remind Us of Rural Highway Truck Accident Dangers. KELLY: That is the good news. Contact emergency services. And you go, well, nuts to you. While not ideal, the length of treatment time will vary based on the injury’s severity. WOODRUM: I mean, this LNL Attorneys - I work with them probably once or twice a month. When road rash does occur, it may require debris removal from the skin. After receiving the accident questionnaire, Woodrum filled it out and sent it back. WEISSMANN: A few weeks later, Adam's insurance company writes him. Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal is here to break it down for us. Look for blood and think about any pains you may be experiencing. Resolution: Because of his experience as an attorney, Woodrum felt confident it would eventually all work out. The problem with head injuries is that they’re very serious. When contacted, the Public Employees' Benefits Program in Nevada would not comment specifically on Woodrum's situation, but a spokesperson sent information from its health plan documents. When you hire a car accident lawyer to bring an auto negligence claim against the at-fault driver, you can only ask for two types of damages for your car accident injuries. November 25, 2020. Medical providers may have reason to hope that bills will be sent through auto or homeowner's coverage, rather than health insurance, as they're likely to get paid more. "I hear the horror stories every day from people who don't know what it is, are confused by it and don't take appropriate action," Woodrum says. It was paid in September, two months after the accident. Check others for injuries, whether they are obvious, such as blood, or obscure, such as incoherent answers to your questions. One of the most common injuries suffered in motorcycle crashes is road rash. Because they were on bikes, he called the fire department in Carson City, Nev. "They were great," says Woodrum. SAN DIEGO, CA – A motorcycle rider sustained minor injuries after a crash on State Route 94 on Tuesday morning, according to CHP.. The insurance company is trying to see if there's a way out of paying this bill. A Lakeland man died Wednesday from injuries suffered in a traffic crash that happened on Dec. 26. Long-term effects of bike accidents can be devastating, especially if the accident is severe. The motorcycle … Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike ride near their home in Carson City, Nev., on Nov. 7, 2020. Once again, if it’s anything more than just a minor bingle, refer to the article previously mentioned. During the summer, Robert had a bike accident that resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. DAN WEISSMANN, BYLINE: One Sunday last July, Adam Woodrum and his wife and their two kids took off on a bike ride around Carson City, Nev., where they live. These injuries can be as simple as scrapes, or they can be traumatic brain injuries that demand the help of a personal injury lawyer. Robert received stitches and anesthesia at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. "It's like deny now and pay later," Woodrum says. Eye injuries are less common, but they can still occur. Adam kept an eye out for it, filled it out right away. Bike accident injuries are more common than people think. Kevin Ellis, 20, was on his bicycle when he was struck by a … KELLY: And if you have a perplexing bill that you would like us to take a look at, go to NPR's Shots blog and tell us about it. Tweet Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Email. You’ll be severely injured in some bicycle accidents and escape relatively unscathed in others. The insurer paid $7,414.76 of the cost, and the Woodrums owed $1,853.45, which represented their share of the deductibles and copays. The law firm sends out their own letter with the questionnaire. Give us a call at (619) 550-1355. Hamparyan Personal InjuryLawyers San Diego, APC275 W Market St #1000San Diego, CA 92101(619) 550-1355, Hamparyan Personal InjuryLawyers San Diego, APC2221 Las Palmas Dr, Suite HCarlsbad, CA 92011(760) 444-9006. "They took him on a stretcher to the ER.". ROSENTHAL: Well, this one involves what seems to be a growing problem - different types of insurers arguing about which one should cover your medical costs. So let's - we're going to hear what happened to Adam Woodrum and his son. Be clear about what happened. As of January 2020, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 201 localities had bicycle helmet-use laws, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. Common injuries suffered include road rash, facial fractures and disfigurement, broken bones and burns. A bicycle is no match for a motor vehicle. Health insurers, by contrast, have networks of doctors and hospitals with whom they negotiate lower payment rates. But in the Woodrums' case, as in others, it was an automatic process. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. If you ride a bicycle, you know that you’re at a much higher risk of injury if an accident occurs. Knee pain. He's since recovered nicely. To see more, visit, National Association of Subrogation Professionals. If you believe that you might have a broken bone or fracture, this may be seen with the following symptoms: If you do believe that you’ve broken or injured your bone, you’ll need proper imaging to confirm. KELLY: So a medical bill and lawyers - I feel my blood pressure going up already. A process called "subrogation" began with a … What gives: The Aug. 4 explanation of benefits (EOB) document said the Woodrums' claim had been rejected and their patient responsibility would be the entire sum of $18,933.44. Cyclists can make the road much safer if they all looked out for each other. Robert's bike crash led to an $18,933.44 hospital bill for stitches and anesthesia. Not all bike accident injuries are traumatic, but the ones that are account for the worst injuries. If you've been injured in a car crash or your kid has broken an arm, requiring a trip to the ER, you might just get a legal document in the mail asking for more information before your health insurance will pay the bill. During the summer, Robert had a bike accident that resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. Getting thrown off a motorcycle or colliding with another heavy vehicle can cause serious damage to the spine and lead to partial or total paralysis. https://www.wemu.org/post/kid-minor-bike-accident-and-19000-medical-bill Instead, traumatic injuries are directly attributed to an accident. An accident involving three semi-tractor trailers caused minor injuries and closed down state Highway 91 near County Road 9 on Monday morning north of Arlington. Biker’s Arm. Contacting a Lansing bike accident attorney at our firm will help you avoid the consequences of defending claims alone. The hospital received less than half of what it originally billed, based on rates negotiated through his health plan. https://www.hamparyan.com/blog/common-bike-accident-injuries Adam Woodrum, who happens to be a personal injury attorney, runs into subrogation all the time representing his clients, many of whom have been in car accidents. A process called "subrogation" began with a Nevada family's health insurer denying their claim for an ER visit after their 9-year-old fell off his bike. Another letter also dated Aug. 4 soon arrived from HealthScope Benefits, a large administrative firm that processes claims for health plans. The insurance company thinks maybe somebody else should be on the hook for this bill and sub out for them in paying 'cause there's been an accident. A person may suffer from overuse injuries, but these are often not serious and do not occur due to accidents. While the insurers are duking it out over who will pay, the hospitals and doctors are often sending patients bills and threatening them and maybe even threatening collections. "Let's say a young person falls off a bike," she says, "but the insurer was thinking, 'Did someone run him off the road, or did he hit a pothole the city didn't fill?'". On some claim forms, there is even a box for the patient to check if it was an accident. I don't have any idea who you are or what this is. Could another policy — say, auto or home coverage or workers' compensation — be obligated to pay if someone was at fault for the accident? If you’re wondering about intoxication, it does play a major role in the death of bicyclists. In 2015, 817 bicyclists were killed by motor vehicle crashes. ROSENTHAL: For the rest of us, it's important to learn a lesson from them. Despite consumers' unfamiliarity with the term, subrogation is common in the health insurance industry, says Leslie Wiernik, CEO of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, the industry's trade association. It's a ridiculous place to start from. This case involves an all-too-frequent dance between different types of insurers about which one should pay a patient's bill if an accident is involved. The rider crashed in the westbound lanes of SR-94 near Interstate 805 at about 8:57 a.m. Is he OK? Seek appropriate medical attention for any injuries sustained from the bike accident. Before we go into the actual bike accident injuries that cyclists need to worry about, let’s learn a little more about the accidents. Statistics on how much money health insurers recover through passing the buck to other insurers are hard to find. Your injuries may have long-term consequences. You’ll often feel a shooting pain if a bone is broken or fractured. Adam Woodrum, who happens to be a personal injury attorney, runs into subrogation all the time representing his clients, many of whom have been in car accidents. Here's your $18,000 bill.'". We are available to discuss your case anytime. And let the hospital and doctors know why you're not paying the bill so they won't go after you. It was a surprise even for a family of lawyers. These issues often present themselves days or weeks after the accident. We're going to get that story from Dan Weissmann of the podcast "An Arm And A Leg." You may not be able to move the extremity without pain, or you may not be able to move it at all. The man was driving the motorcycle and suffered serious injuries, Burke said. The Little Rock, Ark.-based firm did not return emails asking for comment. And they end up in collections. Every month, NPR and Kaiser Health News take a close look at medical bills that you send us. But while deaths do happen far more often than people hope, injuries are far more common. You might fit … Play. "Do not ignore it," says Domnick. The total charges are $19,000, and, they say, you are on the hook for all of it. Accidents, insurance claims - this is his everyday professional world. WEISSMANN: At the ER, they actually had to put the poor kid under. When a teenage driver causes a car accident, their parents or legal guardians can be on the legal hook for injuries, vehicle damage, and other losses resulting from the crash. The dad is a personal injury lawyer married to another lawyer. Health insurers say subrogation helps hold down premiums by reimbursing them for their medical costs. WEISSMANN: But a couple miles in, their 9-year-old son hit a snag. KELLY: Yeah. I mean, I know who they are. What that means to an insurer may be, hey, maybe we don't have to pay, which is not what you're thinking when you check that box. View Slideshow. Bicyclists account for 2% of all traffic-related deaths and injuries per year. The only way to know for sure what injury you have is to have a medical professional conduct imaging on the area. These are damages that you would not be entitled to receive through your no-fault insurance benefits. The most common injuries in this category, include: Your musculoskeletal system may also face injuries, and these would include your basic strains (not much of a concern), dislocations and fractures. Woodrum received an accident questionnaire from his insurer, which he filled out and sent back to provide clarity on what had happened during the accident. The patient: Robert Woodrum, covered under his mother's health insurance plan from the Nevada Public Employees' Benefits Program, Total bill: $18,933.44, billed by the hospital, Service provider: Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, part of not-for-profit Carson Tahoe Health, Medical service: Stitches and anesthesia during an emergency department visit. About two weeks after the accident, Robert's parents — both lawyers — got the letter informing them of the insurer's decision. Elisabeth Rosenthal, stay with us. Elisabeth Rosenthal is still with us, listening in. Minor Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents That Can Become Serious; Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be an extremely scary matter, and the idea of escaping without serious injury is sometimes all you can ask for. See, Adam's a personal injury lawyer. Fill out the forms they send you. NPR A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill. What If My Motorcycle Accident Was Caused By a Defective Part? A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill. Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? The majority of long-term disabilities from bike accidents have to deal with head injuries. ", Attorney Matthew Anderson at the law firm that handles subrogation for the Nevada health plan says he can't speak on behalf of the state of Nevada, nor can he comment directly on Woodrum's situation. Pelvic fractures and rectal trauma are also major causes for concern. The relationship between the … He thought sending in his bill would be a good way to give more of us a heads-up. People are trying to save money and limit their impact on the environment, yet it does come at a much higher risk of serious, traumatic injuries if an accident does occur.
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