Motorbike Accident - Advice please.

[zishan555]

Hello all. I just had a motorbike accident earlier today, thankfully I'm fine and just a bruise. The bike (Betsy) has minor damage.

I was riding home through Southall (London). There was relatively slow moving traffic on the right lane (of two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction), I was in the left lane probably doing about 20-25mph. A car suddenly pulled left in front of me to turn into the left hand lane and I went straight into the back passenger side door. I braked hard, bang and was out for a moment and then on the floor on my right hand side.

About thirty yards before the left turn, there's a pedestrian crossing. Two numpties decided to walk out while the traffic was still moving (not red light) and I saw them from quite a way away. They looked like they were going to cross into the traffic so I was slowing and getting ready to go past them on the left hand side. Then tweedledee and tweedledum realised the traffic had started to move so they walked backwards to the pavement so I had a moment where I had to make sure I didn't hit them so I was already a bit slower as I went around them on the right side.

The driver said he hadn't indicated until after the traffic lights and in slow moving traffic if he was slightly further to the right then I wouldn't have seen his indicators until he came right out in front, ie he had larger vehicles behind him. I did see his indicator as he was pulling over but it was just a moment before I hit. My front brake left skid marks from about half way between the lights and the left turn and they're almost straight. I'm 32, very alert and my reaction time is good. This is my first bike, bought new in April 2012 and I've done about 600 miles so relatively new rider still.


We've traded contact details, he said he was really sorry and that we can go through insurance or sort it out between us and to get back to him in the week. His car was a v expensive looking fairly new jag and now there's a dent. The damage to my bike seems minimal, alignment seems okay, perhaps the right indicator needs replacing. Somehow the left wing mirror bar got broken and that's dangling off and I cannot figure out how that happened but it's not hard to replace. Me, right now I feel a bit bruised and quite shaken but I rode the five miles home okay.


So if anyone's been through something similar or has some good advice on what I should do next, then please share.

[stuartt]

if poss i'd avoid insurance if he's going to pay .

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Makes no difference to you, as it would appear to be his fault. Expect things to get shitty if you go through insurance, however itemise everything wrong with your bike, and present him with a bill.

If he chooses to go through insurance it'll take longer and potentially could go 50-50 depending on circumstances.
____________________
My Flickr

[UnknownStuntm...]

If you were knocked out, I would hope you were seen by a paramedic? If not get an appointment with your doc asap.
And if it was me I would go through insurance.

[radicalrabit]

by the time he gets home it will be all your fault and he will be claiming off you for what you did to his nice jag .....
____________________
VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Wonko The Sane]

whichever way you want to do things keep him informed of what's happening.

He's been good about it so far, pretty much admitting fault (it is his fault, he has to check it's clear before changing lanes etc etc)

send the bike for a repair assessment, check the frame is straight, forks are ok, head bearings are ok etc - tell him this is happening and explain that the frame of the bike is like the chassis of a car, you have to be sure it's ok otherwise it's unsafe to ride, hopefully he'll be understanding.

you then gradually build up the list of things to put your bike right again and it's not as bigger surprise to him when there are multiple items listed.

Forward it to him thanking him for being understanding and asking how he wishes to proceed, he may well just pay you or, if it's a high sum, choose to go through insurance.
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Turkish]

Yep send him an itemised list of the damage and estimated repair costs. I agree with avoiding insurance if things can be settled amicably.

If he isn't forthcoming with the funds, you'll have to make a decision if you want to cut your losses or involve insurance. It might not go your way, though.

What bike is it?
____________________
ZX-6R G2
CBR125R RW6