Bike Accident - Helicopter

[malkin]

Because I had been briefly unconscious the EMT said I needed to go to a hospital with a trauma center. I did not know that we don''t have one in this county. ... Basically, they told my husband that if I did not get to a trauma center in an hour, I could die.

Say this in every conversation with your insurance. Remind them often.

I really don't understand how I fell. All the damage was to my right side, yet my husband said he found me on my left side with the bike on top of me. The only damage to the bike was a few scratches and the front part of the shifters on both sides is very scraped (like I went forward on the handlebars). So, how did I fall?

Maybe you hit hard on your right and then rolled over.
Both of my crashes I have wondered about this too.

Good healing to you.

[bluebug32]

Wow, I'm just glad you're okay. Good luck with the insurance company. What a pain, but at least you walked away without any major injuries.

[tzvia]

Oh wow. That sucks at every level. Glad you are healing up well, and that is the most important part.

As for your crash, it sounds like that loose asphalt and/or the eucalyptus debris was a factor, you may have lost traction in the debris and/or hit the loose asphalt and lost control. I hate to say it too, as others have, but maybe a lawyer? The city is responsible for the bike lane as it is for the street (unless you were on private property). I hate to sound like 'Oh joy, time for a slip and fall lawyer' but there may be something here other than you just la-la'd out and fell over.

[wackyjacky1]

As for your crash, it sounds like that loose asphalt and/or the eucalyptus debris was a factor, you may have lost traction in the debris and/or hit the loose asphalt and lost control. I hate to say it too, as others have, but maybe a lawyer? The city is responsible for the bike lane as it is for the street (unless you were on private property). I hate to sound like 'Oh joy, time for a slip and fall lawyer' but there may be something here other than you just la-la'd out and fell over.

100% agree with this.

So glad you're feeling better.

[Melalvai]

I don't hate to say it: "Get a lawyer!"

In retrospect I wish we'd gotten a lawyer before doing anything else, before even talking to insurance. I've heard quite a few stories since then, and I would say no matter what, get a lawyer.

Of course, my opinion of lawyers has changed since my sister became a lawyer and my brother started law school (he graduates in a month!)

[featuretile]

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. Not sure about suing the city, but I did ask my brother who is a lawyer (but not that kind and he lives in Texas) what to do. I am also not sure if I can get the insurance company to do anything. I just got an invoice from them and all the medical costs seem reasonable (minus the big deductible) but the helicopter is not covered. I don't know if there is any recourse to get them to negotiate with the helicopter company since I was told it was medically necessary. I did get advice not to pay anything until some negotiation happens. We still have not gotten the final bill for this whole thing.

I will let you all know how it works out - whenever that happens. I'm thinking this will drag out. I did want everyone to know about the helicopter costs so that if you are in an area like mine, you could see if there is some sort of insurance. I need to check out that AirEvac. I did look at one site but it sounded more like getting you back from some foreign country rather than taking you to a nearby hospital.

[PamNY]

Glad you are healing well. Good luck with whatever negotiations/legal actions you end up pursuing.