Crash in Huntington Beach, pay a fee

[Newsjock]

Source: Orange County Register

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Nonresidents who cause car accidents will now be billed for emergency response services, which may cost upwards of $3,000 depending on the accident.

City Council members at their meeting Monday approved a cost recovery program for emergency services including car accidents, car fires and pipeline and power line damage.

Residents would be exempt from the accident fee because they pay taxes that go toward the city's emergency response services, said Fire Chief Patrick McIntosh at the Aug. 2 meeting when the ordinance was first introduced.

... Fees vary based on services rendered, the most expensive being extraction for someone trapped in their vehicle, which would cost nearly $2,000. A car fire comes with a $750 bill and each fire truck that responds to the scene would cost $405 an hour.

Read more: http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-262340-car-fire.html

[Wickerman]

1. wow, would insurance cover that

or is this new territory?

This is what happens when we become a user fee based economy rather than services provided from taxes. Thanks, Rethuglicans, for your regressive models.

[Newsjock]

2. Insurance companies don't cover these fees

That's what the insurance industry spokesperson says in the article.

Also, I think this means that any Huntington Beach resident should be charged a similar fee when causing a crash in any other city. Have these morons never heard of reciprocity?

[HillbillyBob]

3. Can I say one more time I hate pukes?

and I have been to Huntington beach once..but never again.
Seems like new territory to me, but you get charged for ambulance rides or air lift in many places. We should start charging pukes to breathe if they don't want to pay..well we could be starting a new world..one without pukes.

[mike r]

4. Great opportunity for insurance companies to offer EXTRA coverage

for motorists wanting to drive outside of their neighborhood.

Without such coverage, if you plan to have an accident, be sure to have it in your own driveway.

[JBoy]

5. That's why I was speeding, officer. Trying to make it out of town before I crashed.

[Jim__]

6. I hope all other towns and cities follow up by including a fee for any Huntington Beach resident who

has any emergency while within their jurisdiction.

[davidinalameda]

7. I don't see anything wrong with this

if you cause the accident, you pay

it's called taking responsibility

[kestrel91316]

8. And NEXT, the demand will be for payment up front when emergency services arrives

on scene. No money to pay? The jaws of life go back in the fire truck and off they go. Tough luck.

The Libertarian and Republican parties are THATAWAY >>>>>>>>>>

[davidinalameda]

9. can I borrow your crystal ball

I want the winning lottery numbers for tomorrow

[w4rma]

11. Why not since they can't pay? It essentially happens in hospitals, now, all the time.

Hand over your insurance card so that we can check it's validity before we use the jaws of life to remove you from that burning car.

[AtheistCrusader]

12. I know of no hospital that will refuse emergency medical services

regardless of ability to pay.

In fact, my property taxes go to cover exactly that, among EMS and other facilities.

[w4rma]

17. They'll refuse to do anything except for the most basic emergency services, though. (nt)

[AtheistCrusader]

19. So something like cutting people out of wreckage might be done then, right?

[KansDem]

21. Good luck!

You'll need those winning lottery numbers..especially if you plan to drive in Huntington Beach.

[davidinalameda]

22. only if I plan to drive wrecklessly in HB

difference

[KansDem]

23. You don't have to drive wrecklessly...

...other drivers will do it for you.

Maybe you have faith in the agencies charged with determining fault...I don't.

[davidinalameda]

24. you stay away from HB then

[KansDem]

25. I guess I really don't understand...my local government doesn't charge out-of-towners fees...

...if they have an accident. We see to your immediate safety and medical needs.

That's why they're called "public services."

But perhaps it is time to have "selective-public services," and our communities can start gouging each other if the residents are caught "out of our territory." Sort of like "West Side Story" but using checkbooks and debit cards instead of knives...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

26. Ah, the slippery slope argument.

And if they make us pay up front, why, soon they'll be marching us off to those FEMA gulags!

The box turtle guys are also thataway>>>>>>>>>>>

[here_is_to_hope]

10. Twisted....

Your thoughts hurt my progressive head.

[Gormy Cuss]

13. But if you're required to pay, you should be able to select the level of response

based on how much you can afford or are willing to pay. IOW, if you didn't request the response, you haven't agreed to pay.

If the city wants to charge a blanket fee then every driver should be required to sign an agreement before entering HB.

After all, responsibility goes both ways.

[Cleobulus]

27. What if it is a "no-fault" accident, a lot of car insurance companies use that...

to try to get out of paying claims, would they still be charged for any medical services needed in that case?

[savalez]

14. IMO this is wrong.

California driving laws should be more or less consistent from city to city. IMO this one is too "out there". They may be trying to limit visitors to their city. Curious, does anyone think this will pass a lawsuit?

[lurky]

15. Should a city that depends on tourism declare war on outsiders?

This law might have some consequences they don't want.

Also: If the city gets money whenever an out-of-towner causes an accident, the police would have a financial incentive to declare visitors responsible for accidents that weren't their fault. It seems like abuse is pretty inevitable.

[savalez]

16. Exactly. And what if you work in that city but live in another?

You need to drive around there 5 to 6 days a week, year after year. I hope this gets struck down in court.

[laureloak]

18. Next up?: Mandatory medical transport after accidents. n/t

[xxqqqzme]

20. This is just the latest.

In the most recent was voting to annex a small unincorporated area, that vocally and actively opposed the annexation. Earlier the council voted 5-1 to re-zone an area that was designated 'open space' 30 years ago. The bankrupt developer suddenly had money to donate to council races so the zoning was changed. This was in opposition to: the Planning Commission's recommendation; over 600 letters an postcards; and a council chamber full of people. One person spoke in support - the developer's attorney. People here are pissed. There are going to be some big changes on the city council after November.