About 3 weeks ago, I was making a left turn from a center lane. I had the green left arrow, checked and made sure the intersection was clear before I proceeded (old habit from when I worked on an ambulance). As I made my way out of the turn I was hit by a car on my right side, the driver had run the red light on the opposite side, and made a right turn. It was a low speed collision. As she hit me from the right side, my bike leaned further to the right to where I was leaning on her fender, I turned my head and looked right at her, and then she accelerated. I guess my bike was pissed off and the brake lever caught her vehicle and left a nice mark, sacrificing itself. I ended up laying down my bike on the right side. The lady pulled over and kept telling me that she didn't see me, then later used her friend to translate from spanish to english what happened. She ran the light. I ended up lifting my Sporty off the ground in a dead-lift by myself ( I was really pissed off). Pushed it over to the side of the street, we exchanged info. I told her that I wouldn't file a claim unless the damage was more than $200, she promised me that she wouldn't file a claim gave me a hug and I left. I called and reported it to my insurance (Foremost/Farmers), but didn't file a claim. A couple of days later I get a call from an adjuster in Tennessee, the lady filed a claim against me. She said that I hit her while she was stopped at the light. . .

The insurance found that she was 100% at fault, as she claimed that I hit her while she was stopped at the light, but the only light that she would have been stopped at was directly across from me. In order to hit her I would have had to kamikaze myself across the intersection headfirst into her. I got lucky this time, I am going to get a helmet cam. Also I will report all of this stuff to local pd and insurance (local pd drove past as I picked my bike up off of the ground).

That lady really pissed me off. . .

- G

 

I had something similar happen in my car past november. Guy nailed me in a turn when he ran a stop sign, told the police i hit him... insurance had to figure it out and determined he and his wife lied on the police reports. I was blamed at first and the police really messed up. Female cop was making jokes as i was going in and out, next day her sergeant came by and threatened me not to fight it.. said to just take it. Hire a good lawyer if need be.

**** happens im glad that you are ok. The sporty can be fixed, you not as much. Hope you are ok and feeling better now. People suck in the world today im putting dash cams in my car and on my helmet for the future.

 

Yamaharley,

I hope you sued. Glad to hear that you are Ok though. For me I was OK, I did a quick assessment on myself real quickly to make sure that it was safe to get up. People are horrible.

- Gamma

 

Glad you're ok But i'd sue that bitch until she ran south.

 

Oh.... Im on it right now. . .

- G

 

I wouldn’t even use lube. Glad you’re ok.

 

First, I am happy that you did not sustain significant injury. You stated in the title that you learned a lesson. So, tell us. What was your lesson learned other than people suck until proven otherwise ?

I have more questions:
1. Did you take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident ?
2. Where did she hit you on the right side ? Your leg wasn't hit ?
3. What damage was done to your bike ? You did have a dealer do a damage appraisal, didn't you ?
4. What was the cost of repairs to your bike ?

 

Yes, lesson learned indeed.

I've never had the misfortune of dealing with an interaction like this on the road but rest assured when it does happen I'll be adamant about a police report and notifying my insurance company the instant it happens, and taking lots of my own pictures. None of this "oh I'm really sorry my insurance will pay for everything, lets be friends, here's my info" bullshit. You hit me, my insurance hits you. I pay out the *** for it in FL and I like getting my money's worth.

 

My wife was in an accident a couple years ago and totaled our car out. I then bought dash cams and put them in all our vehicles - front and rear. Our insurance ask if she had video of the accident so it would of helped I bet.

 

Always always always call the police and get a copy of the accident report. In some places, failing to do so can get you in trouble. Also in some places, insurance companies won’t pay or process a claim without an accident report from the police. There is a lot of variance on this in different localities. Take pictures of everything showing relative positions prior to moving vehicles.