
Quoting
goingtoscotland
My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: South Dakota
Okay, so I was in a motorcycle accident a month and a half ago or so(my fault, no one else involved). Someone called 911 I guess and the police and an ambulance came. I was on the phone with my wife when the ambulance arrived telling her to come and get me so we could go to the ER. I had an obviously broken left arm, but no other injuries besides a couple small spots of road rash.
I told the EMT not to take me to the hospital that my wife was on her way to get me. I never lost consciousness was lucid and had no back or neck injuries. The EMT ignored my statements telling me I needed to go to the hospital and strapped me to a backboard and put a C collar on me. I couldn't resist because I was in no condition to do so.
I received a bill from them for almost $900 not 6 days after the accident and also received a phone call. I talked to one of their collectors who told me if I wanted to refuse the ride I would have had to have signed a waiver. I was never told this by their driver or EMT, and I don't know how I could be expected to know about that without them telling me. If they had offered the waiver I would have signed.
I'm told by a friend who is a former EMT that if you're transported by ambulance in South Dakota against your will that they can be charged with assault.
So I guess my questions are: Is this true?(re: charging them with assault) and what should I do about it?
Thanks for your help.
PS: I'm not sure this is in the right forum, if not would a moderator please put it in the right one. thank you.