Korean Job Discussion Forums

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Just outside my apartment window, a guy on a scooter (no helmet) was struck by a car. I was about to call 119, but the driver of the car got out, and stayed with the scooter driver (who was unconscious) and got out his phone to call 119 himself. After hearing stories about so many hit and runs in this country, I was happily surprised to see this guy stay. Knowing that help was on the way, and the man was kneeling beside the guy trying to help (and since I'm home sick today and had nothing better to do), I watched the series of events as they unfolded.

The guy was unconscious for about 4 minutes I'd say. That's not a short amount of time. When he started to come around, he clearly wasn't all there, but he was speaking. He was having trouble focusing his attention, and realizing what happened. An ambulance arrived, and the paramedics did a full body check, which was good. They then started to get him onto the gerney (gurney? sp?), and into the ambulance. This is when the guy freaked out and refused to get in. He tried to get himself up, and stumbled away, with the car driver following him and trying to make sure he didn't fall. He was unsuccessful, and they guy ended up sitting in the road again.

Now in Canada, the guy wouldn't have had a choice if he was obviously not thinking clearly and couldn't walk properly. The police/paramedics would have made him to go the hospital. But here, the police took statements, spray painted an outline of the angle of the scooter on the road, and then they all left.

The scooter guy, still shakey and not walking properly, tried to then start his scooter to drive away. The car driver was still there trying to convince him not to drive. Luckily, his scooter didn't start (not in good condition after being hit), so the driver of the car convinced him to get in the passenger seat to drive him, I can only hope, to a hospital.

Now I realize if you've been unconscious for some time, obviously there is some kind of head injury, or shock. It got me thinking though, are there any rules for ambulance drivers/police here regarding this kind of situation. Can they all just leave like that, and not get in trouble later?

Once in University, after pulling an all nighter studying, I fainted in a local subway restaurant. A stupid woman there made me stand up as soon as I was conscious, so of course, I fainted again. By then my friend ran over, and kept me sitting down on the ground, despite this stupid woman trying to get me to stand up a third time. Subway staff called 911 (ambulance), but since we were literally a 3 minute drive from the ER, my friend said she would drive my car there rather than take the ambulance.

The paramedics weren't convinced, so I had to sign a release form, releasing them from any responsibility for what may happen afterwards, and ensuring that I would seek medical attention on my own. No forms signed here in Korea from what I can see.

Anybody know?

Boodleheimer · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:

that's effed up.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Haha yeah it is pretty effed up.

So, I take it nobody knows then?

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

No, but can i tell a story?

I was on a city bus. The driver stopped to let someone out. She stepped down to the street and was promptly smashed into by a delivery scooter.
She went flying after a very unpleasant *thud*, and the scooter toppled and skidded.

The bus driver got up, calmly, and went to see if she was ok.
She sat up and rubbed her scraped legs. The bus driver handed her an insurance card (I presume) and drove away.

Then at the next red light, when another bus pulled alongside, the two drivers had a good laugh over the incident.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

May I ask where this story happened? No lie... that happened to my co-teacher Shocked

She was out of work for 2 weeks, and had to receive extensive physical therapy on one knee. She stepped off the bus, and was struck by a delivery scooter. Nobody really helped her.

Which means in all likelihood, since bus drivers USUALLY let you off on the far right hand side of the road, the scooter was passing on the right, which I believe is illegal.

Do you mind my asking where you were when this happened?

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

Daegu. It was a while ago.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Nope, that doesn't quite fit. Thanks though.

thekingofdisco · Joined: 29 Oct 2004

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

he obviously needed a check up to be sure.

Very likely he would have concussion.

Can be dangerous.

i knew someone take a knock on the head playing rugby. He got up after a minute and seemed fine. 10 mins later he had to stop playing, as he wasn't 100%.
20 mins later he kept repeating himself, as if he'd forgotten that he'd already said that.
That evening he slipped into a coma.
Doctors fought to correct a blod clot on his brain.
3 months later, he reappeared ok...but it was touch and go and he had been extremely lucky.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Yeah, I sincerely hope that when he got into the car with the driver that hit him, it was to go to a hospital.

One can only hope.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

On page 47 of the For Foreigners in the Republic of Korea Driver Manual, I find this: