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 Nevada health plan's documents say state legislation allows the program to recover "any and all payments made by the Plan" for the injury "from the other person or from any judgment, verdict or settlement obtained by the participant in relation to the injury. 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. The law firm sends out their own letter with the questionnaire. Statistics on how much money health insurers recover through passing the buck to other insurers are hard to find. The insurer denied the claim based solely on the medical code indicating a possible accident. The dad is a personal injury lawyer married to another lawyer. Resolution: Because of his experience as an attorney, Woodrum felt confident it would eventually all work out. Or, fearing for their credit, they pay the bills. Every month, NPR and Kaiser Health News take a close look at medical bills that you send us. Bike accident injuries are more common than people think. But remember, they understood the game that was going on here. The knee (the cap of which is called the patella) is a joint between the upper and lower … Recovering After a Bicycle Accident. HealthScope Benefits reconsidered the claim. Between 2000 and 2012, the amount of people biking to work increased by 64%. WEISSMANN: So people ignore those letters, and their insurance doesn't pay the medical bills. 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. Please sign here. To see more, visit, National Association of Subrogation Professionals. Knee pain. Adam kept an eye out for it, filled it out right away. About two weeks after the accident, Robert's parents — both lawyers — got the letter informing them of the insurer's decision. Underlined for emphasis, one sentence warned that the denied claim would not be reconsidered until an enclosed accident questionnaire was filled out. WOODRUM: It's just ridiculous. She referred questions to HealthScope Benefits about whether the program's policy is to deny claims first, then seek more information. 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? WEISSMANN: Other people like his clients. What about, though, this bill - $19,000? WEISSMANN: And in the fine print, it said, we're denying this claim, but we could reconsider. WOODRUM: I knew exactly what to expect, and I knew exactly how to handle it because I know how to operate the system. KELLY: All right. Injuries can range from minor to disabling, such as limb amputations, spinal cord injuries, paralysis and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). 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. His vehicle overturned, coming to rest on the passenger side. While not ideal, the length of treatment time will vary based on the injury’s severity. CHP Investigating Minor Injury Los Gatos Motorcycle Accident. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill 05:41. 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. By Julie Appleby | KHN Wednesday, November 25, 2020. "Then they're a year out with no payment on their bills." During the summer, Robert had a bike accident which resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. All rights reserved. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill. Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike ride near their home in Carson City, Nev., this month. I have their email addresses. 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. Seek appropriate medical attention for any injuries sustained from the bike accident. If you’re wondering about intoxication, it does play a major role in the death of bicyclists. It was a surprise even for a family of lawyers. There is also a risk of being impaled. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill It was a surprise even for a family of lawyers. The legal name for the process of determining which type of insurance is primarily responsible is subrogation. If you ride a bicycle, you know that you’re at a much higher risk of injury if an accident occurs. Eye injuries are less common, but they can still occur. Simple hand signals can help, or alerting another person of potential dangers ahead. These injuries can be as simple as scrapes, or they can be traumatic brain injuries that demand the help of a personal injury lawyer. Could another policy — say, auto or home coverage or workers' compensation — be obligated to pay if someone was at fault for the accident? Around 20% of people killed in bicycle crashes have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.8 grams per deciliter. A Lakeland man died Wednesday from injuries suffered in a traffic crash that happened on Dec. 26. What should the rest of us do? https://www.wemu.org/post/kid-minor-bike-accident-and-19000-medical-bill See, Adam's a personal injury lawyer. The only way to know for sure if a bone is broken is through imaging. And of course, the patient is caught in the middle. Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KHN and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. I don't have any idea who you are or what this is. Health insurance companies hire law firms like this LNL outfit in Ohio to make sure you jump through the hoops. The teenager was a passenger on the bike. 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. Kevin Ellis, 20, was on his bicycle when he was struck by a … Let's just say that. And sometimes seemingly minor injuries later develop into serious and permanent problems. Pelvic fractures and rectal trauma are also major causes for concern. I mean, I know who they are. 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. So let's - we're going to hear what happened to Adam Woodrum and his son. Robert received stitches and anesthesia at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. Take action. blog home Car Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Motorcyclist sustains minor injuries after crash on SR-94 Motorcyclist sustains minor injuries after crash on SR-94. WOODRUM: It's basically a contractual right. Let's listen in. The biggest factor that isn’t talked about is negligence. Health insurers, by contrast, have networks of doctors and hospitals with whom they negotiate lower payment rates. "Do not ignore it," says Domnick. Tell us about it! Robert's bike crash led to an $18,933.44 hospital bill for stitches and anesthesia. KELLY: All right. What happened? 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. Robert Hamparyan is one of California’s most accomplished personal injury lawyers. The problem with head injuries is that they’re very serious. 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. Common injuries suffered include road rash, facial fractures and disfigurement, broken bones and burns. Bike accident typically cause injury to the upper and lower extremities. Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal is here to break it down for us. Meeting and/or discussing your case with our attorney is completely free. 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. And it just - almost instantaneously, he was on the ground crying, bleeding. One of the most common injuries suffered in motorcycle crashes is road rash. 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. Cyclists can make the road much safer if they all looked out for each other. WOODRUM: He was cut in sort of a personal area. Here's your $18,000 bill.'". For the rest of us, it's sub, like substitution. The good news is that these acute injuries are often minor, such as: Like with motorcycle accidents, with bycycle accidents Road rash occurs often, and this will leave superficial abrasions in many cases. Julie Appleby Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike … There has also been a major uptick in the amount of people that cycle to work. Once again, if it’s anything more than just a minor bingle, refer to the article previously mentioned. You’ll often feel a shooting pain if a bone is broken or fractured. Our attorney will travel to your home, or hospital, at your convenience and request. The patient. ROSENTHAL: Well, they knew how to handle it, and insurance paid, so they only owed their normal deductible. 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. First, how is Adam's son? "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. On some claim forms, there is even a box for the patient to check if it was 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. Your health is more important than anything. ROSENTHAL: Yeah, he's great. This metric is higher than all states in the country allow. They are: non-economic damages — include pain and suffering and other quality of life losses But he and his wife are both lawyers, and so they knew something was up. Two serious injury accidents were investigated by State Troopers in the area Counties over the weekend. But I, from experience, know that other people do not know how to operate the system. You might fit … WOODRUM: We were navigating through some big tree planters, and his handlebar caught. A person may suffer from overuse injuries, but these are often not serious and do not occur due to accidents. 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. KELLY: That is the good news. In fact, neck injuries are quite rare in the whole spectrum of bike accidents. Your injuries may have long-term consequences. During the summer, Robert had a bike accident that resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. Your injuries, if sustained by the negligence of another person or party, demands compensation. Los Gatos, California (January 13, 2021) – A motorcyclist was hurt following a traffic collision at an intersection in Los Gatos Tuesday afternoon, a local news source reported. Copyright © 2021 Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego, APC. Look for blood and think about any pains you may be experiencing. I'm sure that helps. Check others for injuries, whether they are obvious, such as blood, or obscure, such as incoherent answers to your questions. Minor Injuries Sustained in Los Gatos Accident at Riva Ridge and Mountain Charlie Road. Elisabeth Rosenthal, stay with us. The takeaway: The mantra of Bill of the Month is don't just write the check. 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. It’s a matter of a community effort, which can help save the lives of cyclists. 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. Often due to adrenaline, nerves, or simply the nature of an injury, cyclists do not immediately realize the severity of an injury. Who Is Liable in A California Car Accident: Owner or Driver? 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. During the summer, Robert had a bike accident that resulted in a hefty bill from the family's insurer. 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%. A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill ... See, Adam's a personal injury lawyer. Contact emergency services. This is a term for a hurt arm as a result from a motorcycle fall or accident. It was a surprise even for a family of lawyers. KELLY: Well, I'm glad there was a happy ending to this particular story and wise words for the rest of us. However, he says his insurance industry clients use subrogation to recoup payments from other insurers "as a cost-saving measure" because "they don't want to pass on high premiums to members.". Tweet Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Email. These issues often present themselves days or weeks after the accident. Males account for 88% of all people, age 20 – 24, injured on bicycles. It's not uncommon for insured patients to be questioned on whether their injury or medical condition might have been related to an accident. Not all bike accident injuries are traumatic, but the ones that are account for the worst 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. Do not take the advice of a massage therapist or some other individual that lacks proper training. https://www.hamparyan.com/blog/common-bike-accident-injuries Tendon and ligament injuries may also demand a surgical procedure. "They took him on a stretcher to the ER.". Some riders will become impaled by their handlebars, which often causes life-threatening injuries. Bicyclists account for 2% of all traffic-related deaths and injuries per year. These are damages that you would not be entitled to receive through your no-fault insurance benefits. Adam Woodrum and his son, Robert, get ready for a bike ride near their home in Carson City, Nev., on Nov. 7, 2020. That's because the clock starts ticking the day the medical care is provided and policyholders may face a statutory or contractual requirement that medical bills be submitted within a specific time frame, which can vary. And 60% of deaths are caused by head injuries. Of course, injuries can also occur from simply falling off the bike or hitting a curb. This figure was up 13% from the year prior and marks the highest number of bike related deaths since 1995. 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. WEISSMANN: And he knows what subrogation is. A lot of bicyclists do not follow the rules of the road. Is there somebody else maybe on the hook? And, no surprise to Bill of the Month followers: When insurers can't agree, who gets a scary bill? 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. While neck injuries can and do occur, they’re far less common than head injuries and other injuries. NPR A Kid, A Minor Bike Accident And A $19,000 Medical Bill. Head injuries. He thought sending in his bill would be a good way to give more of us a heads-up. 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. November 25, 2020. Biker’s Arm. You may not be able to move the extremity without pain, or you may not be able to move it at all. Because they were on bikes, he called the fire department in Carson City, Nev. "They were great," says Woodrum. The hospital received less than half of what it originally billed, based on rates negotiated through his health plan. ROSENTHAL: For the rest of us, it's important to learn a lesson from them. If an insurer denies all payment for all medical care related to an injury, suspect that some type of subrogation is at work. All sides do their best to avoid paying. 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. It involves lawyers. The motorcycle … 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. 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. WEISSMANN: But to Adam, it makes sense. Another letter also dated Aug. 4 soon arrived from HealthScope Benefits, a large administrative firm that processes claims for health plans. 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. The only way to know for sure what injury you have is to have a medical professional conduct imaging on the area. Elisabeth Rosenthal, thank you for being here. The relationship between the … After receiving the accident questionnaire, Woodrum filled it out and sent it back. There’s a reason that everyone should wear a helmet. But, he says, the average patient probably wouldn't understand the legal quagmire and might not know how to fight back. 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. A person that is wearing eye protectant may be able to lessen their risk of eye injury while cycling. KELLY: All right. KELLY: So a medical bill and lawyers - I feel my blood pressure going up already. It was paid in September, two months after the accident. "It's like deny now and pay later," Woodrum says. WOODRUM: I mean, this LNL Attorneys - I work with them probably once or twice a month. But in the Woodrums' case, as in others, it was an automatic process. What If My Motorcycle Accident Was Caused By a Defective Part? Give us a call at (619) 550-1355. View Slideshow. Copyright 2020 Kaiser Health News. 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. Health insurers say subrogation helps hold down premiums by reimbursing them for their medical costs. 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. 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. 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. 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. Contacting a Lansing bike accident attorney at our firm will help you avoid the consequences of defending claims alone. The man was driving the motorcycle and suffered serious injuries, Burke said. 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. Originally published on November 25, 2020 6:44 pm. Long-term effects of bike accidents can be devastating, especially if the accident is severe. When road rash does occur, it may require debris removal from the skin. It's a ridiculous place to start from. 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. Even if you’re involved in a minor bike accident, there may be some serious issues that you don’t realize right away. 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. The insurance company is trying to see if there's a way out of paying this bill. Surgical treatments may be needed when you have a fracture, break or a potential organ injury. The Little Rock, Ark.-based firm did not return emails asking for comment. We are available to discuss your case anytime. Is he OK? So I think for patients, the first is our perennial lesson - don't just pay the bill. You’ll be severely injured in some bicycle accidents and escape relatively unscathed in others. Accidents, insurance claims - this is his everyday professional world. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. 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. There are a few things that you can check for following an accident if you don’t feel like something is wrong: Of course, move your extremities to determine if a bone is fractured or broken. ", 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. 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. There was no liable third party, he said. KELLY: Yeah. SAN DIEGO, CA – A motorcycle rider sustained minor injuries after a crash on State Route 94 on Tuesday morning, according to CHP.. And you go, well, nuts to you. 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. "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?'". He's back on his bike. A bicycle is no match for a motor vehicle. Working with an auto insurance company is time-consuming and stressful, especially if the other driver’s insurer is involved. 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. And the denial came before the insurer got information about whether someone else was at fault. Big Rig Rollover Crash Deaths Remind Us of Rural Highway Truck Accident Dangers. In 2015, 817 bicyclists were killed by motor vehicle crashes. That's because auto insurers "are going to pay billed charges, which are highly inflated," says attorney Ryan Woody, who specializes in subrogation. WEISSMANN: At the ER, they actually had to put the poor kid under. What happened next? Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? Elisabeth Rosenthal is still with us, listening in. What to Expect After a Bike Accident. Adam Woodrum, who lives in Carson City, Nev., got one of those letters concerning his 9-year-old son. 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. If injuries occur, there could be immediate and future costs as a result of the injuries. The firm's website boasts that "we collect over 98% of recoverable dollars for the State of Nevada.". This was just a kid who fell off a bike. The majority of long-term disabilities from bike accidents have to deal with head injuries. Don't attempt to negotiate with the driver. The rider crashed in the westbound lanes of SR-94 near Interstate 805 at about 8:57 a.m. He's since recovered nicely. 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. 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