Accident and Lesson Learned

[AllyBri]

Wow that is just terrible.
more horrors
last week a woman in an scooter ran a man down at the Festival Center, they had to take him to the hospital and another woman was run over at the BW. This was 2 days apart.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

My van was hit when my husband parked to run in to grab lunch one day. When he walked out he noticed that it looked like it had been hit and there was some damage.

He was on private property. He didn't think twice about a report.

Later, he called our insurance company. They wanted a police report. We called the non-emergent line and asked them what we needed to do. They dispatched an officer, who wrote it up. (This was hours after the fact.)

We submitted it and it was covered.

Try a similar path. Hope it works out for you!

 

[cmwade77]

Wow that is just terrible.
more horrors
last week a woman in an scooter ran a man down at the Festival Center, they had to take him to the hospital and another woman was run over at the BW. This was 2 days apart.

My fear is that we are going to be seeing more and more of these incidents in the parks as Disney pushes people into using wheelchairs and ECVs under the new system. Bottom line is there are some people who have no business using one due to other issues that they might have, such as low vision or lack of coordination and some CMs won't fully listen when these people are explaining their needs as they will hear mobility issues and nothing after that.

 

[disney david]

My fear is that we are going to be seeing more and more of these incidents in the parks as Disney pushes people into using wheelchairs and ECVs under the new system. Bottom line is there are some people who have no business using one due to other issues that they might have, such as low vision or lack of coordination and some CMs won't fully listen when these people are explaining their needs as they will hear mobility issues and nothing after that.

It been Disney policy for the last five year or more to suggest Renton a wheel chair or ecv for stamina. Disney not pushing anyone into it just making the right suggestion if the person can't stand for that long. Not everything we can blame das sometimes accidents happen because the person using the ecv didn't practice first and was careless. So sorry Disney and the das is not to blame for this and no them telling guest to rent wheelchairs or ecvs is not new Andy not just because of the das. H

 

[bidnow5]

Unfortunately it's hard to tell without seeing it first hand but as an experienced scooter driver in Disney most accidents with scooters the pedestrian is at fault
I look to my sides constantly I also try to keep a safe distance behind others (almost impossible on crowded days) I still have had a few people walk into the side of my scooter step in front of it keep in mind they don't stop on a dime

 

[Gracie09]

It been Disney policy for the last five year or more to suggest Renton a wheel chair or ecv for stamina. Disney not pushing anyone into it just making the right suggestion if the person can't stand for that long. Not everything we can blame das sometimes accidents happen because the person using the ecv didn't practice first and was careless. So sorry Disney and the das is not to blame for this and no them telling guest to rent wheelchairs or ecvs is not new Andy not just because of the das. H

Seriously what happened to personal responsibility. Every ecv rental company will meet with you and go over how to operate the ecv, teach you to back up, steer, etc. people don't want to "waste" time on their vacation having to meet them and learn what to do. They just want to pick it up from bell services and go. When dh was injured it was before das. So no das is not to blame for the man who knocked him down not knowing that there were two speeds on the ecv. He was because he didn't take the time to learn how to use the motorized vehicle he was using in a theme park crowded with kids.

 

[disney david]

Seriously what happened to personal responsibility. Every ecv rental company will meet with you and go over how to operate the ecv, teach you to back up, steer, etc. people don't want to "waste" time on their vacation having to meet them and learn what to do. They just want to pick it up from bell services and go. When dh was injured it was before das. So no das is not to blame for the man who knocked him down not knowing that there were two speeds on the ecv. He was because he didn't take the time to learn how to use the motorized vehicle he was using in a theme park crowded with kids.

They should go over with you and make sure you have any questions because their are people who never used it before. And Disney should make sure your comfortable before leaving the travel if your renting in the park. Yes 99 percent if the time it the guest who walking fault for not looking first. But when it involves another ecv wheelchair or power chair then that when fault can get tricky it sounds like the op jot at fault. And it was a Disney rental so not sure i know it was a accident unless the women meant to hit skip which I don't think happened. So Disney and any rental company should be making sure your comfortable to use it and understand the controls first. It may take five min but it could be worth it but the problem is they do drop off at bell services the preferred vendors. And most who do that might not want to meet them to go over it but I think it should be a option if te guest is new and want it they should be able to meet them and go over it.

 

[Justin Jett]

Unfortunately it's hard to tell without seeing it first hand but as an experienced scooter driver in Disney most accidents with scooters the pedestrian is at fault
I look to my sides constantly I also try to keep a safe distance behind others (almost impossible on crowded days) I still have had a few people walk into the side of my scooter step in front of it keep in mind they don't stop on a dime

I was stopped, and the ECV hit me.

On Friday, a lady hit me with a double stroller, which loosened foot plates and scratched the paint a little.

On Saturday, The lady on the ECV hit me, andbent the metal to the point that the swing away footrests would not lock into place. The shoe holders were torn, so my feet could not be strapped into position and keep me from kicking and stimming.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Shop around a bit. You might find some proper!! (obviously you'll want quality also) company able to fix damage without charging exhorbitant prices. For instance, in 2011 my powerchair (also permobil, other type) had it's backrest fully dislocated by reckless offloading it at the airport. Pretty fragile part, very expensive. Our standard go to? Quote high in the 4 numbers, need to replace full back, takes days if not weeks or months. Same answer by couple others. Result when discussing it to our van adapting company (which also has a small powerchair chain)? Took them 30 minutes, little over $200,-and back to a safe, functioning back rest again. The difference? Upcharging is a big issue and biggest in this; companies that only do in chairs don't have strong enough equipment to repair the damage done to my chair, which was a breeze for a company that is set up to deal with cars, vans etc. Shopping around can make a huge difference in both $$ and time to get this tackled.

Permobil usa? Nah, let's just say this does not surprise me.

 

[curemyreed]

I was stopped, and the ECV hit me.

On Friday, a lady hit me with a double stroller, which loosened foot plates and scratched the paint a little.

On Saturday, The lady on the ECV hit me, andbent the metal to the point that the swing away footrests would not lock into place. The shoe holders were torn, so my feet could not be strapped into position and keep me from kicking and stimming.

Gosh, Justin, two days in a row....it's like you had an invisible bullseye on you!!

I'm so glad your feet weren't injured. And that the repairs aren't going to break the bank.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I am wondering if Disney security could write a report that would be acceptable for your insurance? I am sorry this happened to you. I imagine your wheelchair is probably expensive to fix. Good luck and glad you are okay.

This is what I am thinking, the pd with jurisdiction may be seen as park enforcement. They may even have a form for insurance or protocol You may have to put unknown woman and her description down to make a clear report. I never would think to get someone's name unless a body part was injured. Did you have trip insurance?
Glad no one was hurt.

 

[seashoreCM]

Filing a police report is intended for you to swear under the pains and penalties of perjury that you are telling the truth. You do not have to hire an attorney or get witnesses or otherwise prove in a court of law what you said.

Someone, anyone, else can at any time elect to prove what you said was true and if so, he outlays and pays any costs involved.

For a long time I have advocated making the first order of business in the event of a mishap, stopping the miscreant. This might take the form of confiscating the key to his ECV.

You may file a police report even if you did not succeed in identifying the miscreant.

 

[ohiopete]

I'm curious about the insurance aspect. Are wheelchairs and ECVs covered under a special policy or maybe homeowners or auto policies?
If you hit something while driving an ECV and a police report is filed, do the police consider it a motor vehicle accident which would be covered nutter an auto policy.
Wow, I hadn't ever thought about this part of things before.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I'm curious about the insurance aspect. Are wheelchairs and ECVs covered under a special policy or maybe homeowners or auto policies?
If you hit something while driving an ECV and a police report is filed, do the police consider it a motor vehicle accident which would be covered nutter an auto policy.
Wow, I hadn't ever thought about this part of things before.

A bit OT, but this is why you will see a license plate on any and all powerdriven aids used outside of the home in the Netherlands. The license plate is directly connected to it's insurance, which covers injury, damages etc. when for instance running into somebody. Standard coverage consists of almost all of the EU. Those of us smart enough to know the insurance market, will take out extra insurance when travelling outside of the EU (not so much for hitting someone, as for damage done to chair by 3rd parties) that will cover basically any and all damages for whatever reason to be covered right upto new price. And NO this is not considered covered under car insurance. Different type of vehicle, different type of insurance needed. Just like we need seperate insurance for a motorcycle, can get seperate insurance for a bike etc. For us it depends on the situation if you will be seen as a driver or a pedestrian in the eyes of the law, for instance on a sidewalk in walking speed you are a pedestrian but on a bike lane on a higher speed you are a driver.

If we were to injure someone inside your own private home (so basically anything inside, that is not public space like hospital, school etc.), that is covered under general liability insurance. As a car owner it is mandated to have car liability insurance, not so as a inside wheelchair user (whether manual or powerdriven), but most people here will have a general liability insurance anyway.

Another risk to be aware of; what if your house burns down or other disaster hits that can total your still rather new chair? Would you get a new one from the "power that be" that provided you with the chair? Would your current insurances cover it? Would it cover new price if need be or just it's worth at time of disaster? We've got a couple of types of insurance for stuff inside the home, but NONE of them standardly cover this properly. Items that are powerdriven -> excluded. Items that are any lease, loan etc. constructions - excluded. In our system gouverment pays for your chair, it is your chair to use, but on paper the company gouvernment issues to provide the chair is and will remain the owner, which then results in being seen falling under that lease-clause. All we have to do to get stuff 100% covered at new price is to inform insurance company of the aids in the home, their new price, type and brand etc. and paperwork proving indeed this was provided to you and by which gouvernment agency or health insurance company. Get's its own special coverage. I've got about €150.000,- new price covered in aids this way used within the home and pay about €1.10,- per month more in premium for that coverage. Great peace of mind not to have to fight certain gouverment agencies that very literally can demand you insure this risk and if not so, make you responsible and thus no new aid provided by them until you've reached the economical right off time for said aid (powerchair is 7 years at the moment).

We are an interesting nation when it comes to insurance. We're one of the most over insured countries of the world. But worldwide, us included, there are many options to cover risks you might run with wheelchairs, esp. powerdriven ones. Unfortunately most people are not aware of what they might be at risk for. Proper guidance is given very very few and far in between. Even in our corner of the world most parties have no clue and will inform clients with improper info. Such a shame, this is a subject that does pay off to be aware of and take informed decisions. Hopefully you'll never ever need it, put in a situation where it is needed knowledge is power.

And for those of us who cruise and/or travel abroad; be aware that laws surrounding liability might differ greatly to what we're used to at home.

Sorry for going a bit OT, but I'm a bit of a nut that has a interest in these types of subjects and differences worlwide. Takes all kinds...............

 

[Justin Jett]

Just now got a message from Permobil. They saw the story about the stroller and ECV hitting me on the message board, and want to help me.

 

[lovethattink]

Just now got a message from Permobil. They saw the story about the stroller and ECV hitting me on the message board, and want to help me.

Good!

 

[peemagg]

I'm curious about the insurance aspect. Are wheelchairs and ECVs covered under a special policy or maybe homeowners or auto policies?
If you hit something while driving an ECV and a police report is filed, do the police consider it a motor vehicle accident which would be covered nutter an auto policy.
Wow, I hadn't ever thought about this part of things before.

I have a special rider on my auto insurance that covers my scooter and outside lift in case it gets damaged.

 

[BroganMc]

Shop around a bit. You might find some proper!! (obviously you'll want quality also) company able to fix damage without charging exhorbitant prices. For instance, in 2011 my powerchair (also permobil, other type) had it's backrest fully dislocated by reckless offloading it at the airport. Pretty fragile part, very expensive. Our standard go to? Quote high in the 4 numbers, need to replace full back, takes days if not weeks or months. Same answer by couple others. Result when discussing it to our van adapting company (which also has a small powerchair chain)? Took them 30 minutes, little over $200,-and back to a safe, functioning back rest again. The difference? Upcharging is a big issue and biggest in this; companies that only do in chairs don't have strong enough equipment to repair the damage done to my chair, which was a breeze for a company that is set up to deal with cars, vans etc. Shopping around can make a huge difference in both $$ and time to get this tackled.

Permobil usa? Nah, let's just say this does not surprise me.

I agree. Makes me think Permobil is just trying to pass the buck and NOT ay for repairs they should be doing. Anytime my powerchair broke from wear & tear or accident my insurance pays for it. Only question is what is the damage and how best to fix it. I had a Quickie and now an Invacare.

Good thing you weren't hurt Justin Jett! Those footrests look pretty banged up. How did you manage to save your feet? Had it been me I know I'd be nursing a broken foot right now.

I've learned to put lights on my powerchair for night driving and get out of crowds/traffic for this very reason. Any time I see those rental scooters I give them a WIDE berth. In my experience most drivers have no clue there is a speed dial. They always zoom to start. Gives the rest of us wheelies a bad reputation. (I have to assure people several times in a day that I won't hit them. I drive much better than that.)

 

[BroganMc]

Just now got a message from Permobil. They saw the story about the stroller and ECV hitting me on the message board, and want to help me.

Ha ha... as they should do. Get a police report? Seriously? That's the epitome of BS.

 

[Krabbeni]

First off, very sorry to hear about the accident and wish you luck in getting the repairs paid for. If Perimoble helps you out, then that's great but they would be justified in denying you payment for repairs. They are only responsible if it was a failure in the product unless you have paid for additional insurance. For example, when my daughter put her cell phone in her back pocket and then sat down. The company we bought it from was not liable for the damages even though it was in the warranty period. However, if we had insured it through them at an additional cost they would have replaced it for free.

I would think that the damage would be covered under your home owner's insurance. The question though is what is the cost of the repairs versus the increase in your insurance cost. It probably would not be advisable unless the damage was in the thousands.

I am disabled but at home i do not use a wheelchair or ecv. I can stand and walk far enough that as long as I'm at home I'm ok.
However, on vacation i would have to stay in the hotel room if I didn't rent an ecv. Every time i rent one they go through how it works with me. I do spend time practicing before we go to the parks.

Having said that every ecv is different and takes some getting used to. Unfortunately, there are a group of people how don't pay attention to the things around them. They walk in front of pedestrians, wheel chairs and people with strollers. It is very hard to navigate the parks with ECVs, wheelchairs and strollers. I had the same problem when my kids were littleandwe we pushed strollers. People are rude and assume if they don't make eye contact then they have the right of way.

There is really nothing that Disney or any of the companies can do to ensure that people "know" how to use the ECVs. It's not like they can give peoples driving test. If that were the case, they would need to test people who bring strollers too.

I agree with the person who said that the problem is with the pedestrians. Most problems I have are with people who assume that they can cut right in front of an ECV and we'll be able to stop or avoid them.

As far as the comments made by cmwade77 about Disney forcing people to rent ECVs because of the "changes" they have put in place, I think you are pretty far off the mark if you are talking about the program that replaces the CAC card. When I was a kid, I remember seeing people who would rent a wheel chair so they could cut the lines. This past January I ended up in line behind to teenagers with a red and white stripped card and asked them what it was for. They told me they had it because their brother had CP, but the brother wasn't with them.

I think the system they have in place now is pretty good. Most of the queues have been widened so you can take your wheel chair into the line and for those that still aren't wide enough you get a return time (like a fast pass). If your disability is something other than a mobility problem, the new guest assistance card has a picture of the person with the disability and they have to ride the ride for anyone in their party to ride. It's fair - everyone has to wait unless they have a fast pass. So everyone gets treated the same.

Good luck.