I was run over by a car last night. It was a hit and run. I was waiting for the light to change and a car turned too sharply, ran onto the sidewalk and over my feet. The disgusting part? couldn't afford to go to the ER, and because it was a hit and run, no insurance.
Despite the fact that you've have been treated for free in Canada, socialized medicine is obviously for chumps.
Are you an idiot NM? Go to the fucking doctor if you're really hurt and they will treat you. Hospitals will settle the bill if you can't afford it, they won't come after your personal assets.
Miraculously, it's not broken. Just a little edema and a small bruise. If it wasn't so sore, you wouldn't know anything happened.
Wow, that's really awful. I know the money factor can be daunting, but if you feel you need to see a doctor, you do have some options. ER's can't refuse to treat you for an inability to pay (I think EMTALA takes care of that), and who knows, if you explain your situation, you might also be to qualify for insurance under a unique Medicaid provision. I know that some cities also have Crime Victim Charities set up specifically to deal with circumstances like these where, if you are a victim of a crime, any resulting hospital charges are help paid for. Might be worth looking into that too. If it really starts to get out of hand, reconsider treating it regardless of ability to pay, just because of the long run. Anyway, here's hoping you feel better.
That's weird, because the police officer never said anything. I mentioned if my auto insurance be used, and he said no. I was still upset and wasn't thinking clearly. Two more inches and they would have knocked me over.
Well, the officer probably didn't know or was unsure himself. Often times there is a gap in communication between agencies. Your auto insurance may still be an option (didn't think of that), probably worth checking in with them. And I think you may still be able to qualify for help from a Crime Victim Board. Hit and Run could still be considered a crime, regardless of whether the offending party is identified, and since you already have the police report, it couldn't hurt. One thing to remember also about Hospital Bills is that they "overstate" their fees because they have take into account the % of people that default -- in order to make up for those lost dollars, they charge those who actually pay a bit extra. One hospital administrator I know who works in getting people to pony up says he marks up to a point where he'll take 40% of what he originally billed for to settle the account. That might not be the same elsewhere, but remember that as well when you are considering your options -- that you might be able to talk down how much you ultimately owe.
You should still go see a doctor. Just because YOU think there is nothing wrong doesn't mean that you're O.K. I think the Doctors know your body better than you do! Seriously..Go see a doctor dude
Here's hoping you feel better, NeonMosfet. [action=J. Allen]walks away, whistling the tune of "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul[/action] J.
Glad to hear you're OK. You don't come here that often, but you're Good People. This is yet another reason for concealed carry. If a hit and run driver doesn't stop on his own--but hasn't damaged his car in the act, he still has some inexpensive and difficult to explain bodywork to get taken care of.
Yhe foot is a very complex and vascular stucture. A dear freind of mine once broke her foot and later died on a plane while traveling to her vacation. Apparently, one of the broken bones caused a thrombosis in a vein and it travelled up to her lungs during the flight. Caused pulmonary edema. It was a 1 in a million fluke accident, but go get checked out. Please.
I have to agree, the prospect of embolism is not appealing. Talk to the people at your local hospital (best chance is at a public/state hospital). I'm sure they'll do their best to help you out somehow.
Was it Robert Novak that ran you over? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080723/ap_on_re_us/novak_pedestrian_struck_1
