Accident with a Van

[BikeNewbie]

Hello,

I had an accident today. A Van belonging to a VERY well known company reversed into me whilst I was on the bike.

I was travelling behind the van for around 10 - 15 minutes so if he checked his mirrors like he should, he should of seen me.

We are going up this hill, I have kept the correct separation distance between myself and him. It gets to a sudden corner, He decides to brake sharp so he can let this car through and instantly reverses in to me.

He then gets out and we manage to get the bike free. He then phones up his office to 'arrange' a recovery truck. Which doesn't work. He then tells me it's up to me to sort it out.

He is saying that he couldn't see me in his mirrors. I think he is going to try 50/50.

I will phone my Insurance Company in the morning, I just wanted to post this for any help regarding this matter?

Thank you.

[felicity]

I don't really have anything helpful to add, but were you far enough behind him that he could actually see you in his mirrors?

[kerr]

This could be a tricky one, 50/50 might be a good outcome for you, seeing as he reversed into you he could easily say you rode into the back of him and was following too close, was there any witnesses?.
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aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[duhawkz]

you got any witnesses that are backing what you say?

it could quite easily turn into "I braked and he ran into the back off me"
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[BikeNewbie]

They just drove off.

I will just have to ring them tomorrow and see what they say.

He has probably changed his story completely anyway.

Yes I was riding where if he checked his mirrors he would of seen me.

Also there was no damage to his van at all except a scratch on something on the back.

[anthony_r6]

[kerr]

[lozzypop1]

1) Did you take any pictures?

[lozzypop1]

[JoeDougieDoug...]

Bet it was an ASDA Delivery Van

I hope you're okay and I hope the bike isn't too bad.

Ride safe out there bro, the roads are dangerous places.
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CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[BikeNewbie]

Thanks mate.

Yes he pretty much went over the front end of the bike.

I didn't get any pictures at the time. Because I just wanted my Bike out from under his van. But he did say lets move it so the cars can get past, But it wasn't blocking their path at all?

[st3v3]

[_Iain_]

Photo EVERYTHING before they move anything...get everyone who saw it's phone number, adress etc. Take note of WHAT they saw too, anything not favourable to you bin the number.

And you wanted the contact details for the car he backed away from.

[andym]

Just very quickly, why didn't you use the horn?

Also if it was me I would have been straight on the phone to the police, he left the scene of an accident without providing all the correct details.

I'd go for the too close thing too, with added speed. It still takes a few seconds to come to a complete stop, then throwing it into reverse, then actually moving backwards, so maybe 4 seconds being very generous with the happened so quickly thing. I'm not even sure 50/50

[wilz1234]

If this is just a runabout 125 then i'd just replace the parts and not go through the hassle of insurance. Sounds like he doesnt care about the damage to the van, so if the best you'll get is 50/50 then claiming isn't worth IMO
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RS50 - ZXR400 - ZXR 400 - ZX7R - Bandit 600 - NTV 650

[Paulington]

This is why you should make a conscious effort when on a motorcycle (and in the car too) to make sure that if you have to come to a stop behind another vehicle you do so in a manner that makes you clearly visible in their mirrors. For example, I tend to park so I am around 1 car length back and fully to the right so I am clearly visible and if they did start to reverse they wouldn't hit me anyway.

Depending on the damage to the bike/van, as has been suggested, you may want to go through this without involving your insurance. You will have to tell them of course but see if you can resolve this with neither of you making a claim.

Seeing as from what I can read, none of you took photos, none of you have any witnesses or anything of that sort, it is basically your word against his so I think the best you can hope for is 50/50, so this is why I am suggesting that you try to resolve it without involving insurers if you possibly can.

The van driver played you hard, you helped him move your bike and he likely knew that as soon as it was moved, all proof was gone so it was your word against his. What you should have done was told him to back the fun bus the fvck up, stop where he is whilst you ring the Police and Ambulance, take photos of the scene from EVERY POSSIBLE ANGLE, get your phone out and set it to 'Record' so EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID is recorded and flag down the cars behind you to ask them if they saw anything and asking them to stay if the can and if not to give you their details so you can provide them to the Police so they can make a statement.

You've learnt the hard way, next time you'll know what to do in this situation. I hope it doesn't happen again but should it, you will be prepared.

Cheers! !
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.