Three months ago our oldest son (16 at the time) was riding in the back of a friend's truck when it overturned. Let me stress, we do NOT condone this! Less than a week before this, DS and DH had argued about this exact subject. It's a new state law here that people aren't supposed to ride in the back of a truck and DS was talking about how stupid he thought the law was. So, he did it anyway. He was thrown into the street along with 2 other friends (driver and passenger were in cab and un-hurt). Marc and the other 2 boys were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Nobody had to be admitted, but the regular tests for "you've got a great big knot on your head" were given. He had LOTS of skin missing on his face (he used to look like Prince William...no joke) and all down both arms and one leg (where his jeans were ripped). Since then he has been to the doctor more times than I can remember. Each time I had to pay a $15 co-pay. Then the doctor's offices started calling because our medical insurance turned down the charges since it was an automobile accident. I asked them what I was supposed to do and they didn't really care as long as I knew the bill was MY responsibility. I begged for some advice (never having been in an accident, at-fault or otherwise). They finally suggested I call the parents of the teen who was driving. Not surprisingly, they weren't accepting phone calls from us. They had an attorney. We saw no other alternative than to get one. We told them we just wanted the bills paid. We were told the hospital and doctors would be called about what was going on and that they generally don't have a problem waiting for the payment in these cases. Well, I got a call from the hospital DEMANDING payment. They said they hadn't heard anything from the attorney and that if I didn't pay the bill RIGHT THEN that they were going to put it on my credit report (I have spotless credit). I told them I didn't have the money so they asked for a credit card number. I ended up giving them my American Express card, having NO idea how I would pay it when the bill comes (American Express requires payment when the bill is received, no balance is carried).
I called my attorney and found out that they DID speak to the hospital AND...hospital bills can't be put on credit reports. I'm beyond mad and so upset I'm about to cry. That woman bullied me into giving my credit card number! I don't even know why I'm typing this...just had to "tell" somebody.
The most important thing is that he is fine.
Cecelia