Accident Advice

[tk100]

I just hit a motorcycle that was parked behind my car while backing out of the parking spot.
The motorcycle was parked in a red zone. I barely touched it and it fell over.

I have a few questions and hope someone can give me some qualified response/advice:
-- Am I 100% responsible for the damage even if the motorcycle was parked illegally?

The person who owns the bike (and works at a car repair shop) send me a preliminary evaluation which comes out to $3000. I am not sure what kind of bike it is, but it seems somewhat old - definitely nothing fancy.
The bill is about $2000 parts, $500 paint $300 labor and $200 tax.
-- Does this seem like reasonable damage cost? I feel it is a lot for parts (mirror, handlebar, etc)

If I find out that this is too much, what can I do?
-- Can I get an "official evaluation"; where can I find a person to do that?

Thanks for any advice! This is really stressful and my insurance does not seem to be on my side at all ....

[Spiral]

Sounds like a case for Judge Judy.


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[headlamp]

Technically yes you are liable as you were at fault for hitting the bike. However, I am assuming you are in the US, there may be County, State or Federal laws applying to parking in red zones and liability which you need to investigate. On the question of the cost of repairs, get the injured party to go to another repair shop of your choice and get a second opinion, or do it through your insurance
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Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

[hustler]

It would more than likely be a 50/50. You were in the wrong for not looking where you were reversing and they were in the wrong for parking illegally (subject to the local laws).
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As I said to that guy with the crutches and full camouflage gear, you can hide but you can't run.

[Shade_BW]

It was stationary and you hit it. End of story, doesn't matter where it was parked, you should have been looking where you were going.

It could have been a small child, who shouldn't have been in the road, you are still at fault, 100%.

If the quote seems expensive, get it independantly assesed, your insurer may do this anyway.

Depending on the bike, it could be reasonable. Does it need a full fairing replaced? Levers, handlebars, mirrors..... Without knowing the full extent of the damage, it's impossible to quote.

Shade
Face it like a man
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[WildGoose]

depending on the garage etc that he got the quote from he can stand to make a fair bit of money off you, unfortunate from your POV

last year, sometime, i did a burntout in the wrong place, some gravel pinged up and dinked the door of a passing bentley turbo, he went to his official bentley dealer, and came up with a bill of 1350 or something stupid i cant (and dont wish to) remember the exact figure, or dwell on the event

but chances are he will whack anything else on your bill that has damaged over time, i know i would if i had caught the swine who knocked my bike over the same way as you described, yes it was an accident, but its 100% your fault as shade pointed out, and im afraid you are gonna have to take it on the chin

one things for sure, you wont ever make the mistake again

sorry if this post has been harsh btw, ive been on both sides of your situation before, it sucks for everyone
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976