View Full Version : Just been rear ended, what do I do?
Tried the search function, but couldn't turn anything up.
I had stopped at a red light in good time, nice and smooth, with my rear brake light on for at least twenty feet when I hear screeching tyres and suddenly the bike is going out from under me. Amazingly, I managed to step off it and ended up on my feet, but my bike is a bit of a mess.
The license plate and rear light plastic has come off its fixings and exposed the bulb underneath, the centre stand (it's a 125 scooter, I don't care what the world thinks!) has come off completely, the fairings and wing mirror on the left are scuffed and scratched and my rear brake sticks when it's pulled in. It leaked a bit of fuel when it was on it's side and the engine had cut out. Now it refuses to start without a lot of throttle (it didn't need any before, electronic start was a beaut) and even then it sounds like it's struggling and then stalls. I had to push it back to my girlfriend's place, which didn't help my mood...
The guy (in a Vauxhall Corsa no less) was really apologetic. I took plenty of pictures and got the name and number of an independent witness, as well as the bloke's details. He was pretty keen on doing this outside of insurance, but I'd much rather go through the motions.
What the hell do I do now? Do I call my insurance company and explain what happened, even though I only have the guy's first name, his reg plate and his phone number?
Never been in an accident before and a bit livid now.
andrewsmith
07-09-12, 08:01 PM
Ring your insurers, or go to a claims company
And start the process.
A name and reg is enough to trace the driver.
Speak to Wideboy on dealing out of insurance, it a case of don't
Spank86
07-09-12, 08:09 PM
Go through the insurance, not worth the hassle doing anything else unless it's a £10 scuff on a car in a car park.
Shame you didn't fall over really, just in case they try to write your scooter off and short change you you could have got some injury compo.
fizzwheel
07-09-12, 08:15 PM
Ring your insurance company tell them what has happened and let them sort it out.
Personally I'd not deal with it out side of insurance, you dont know the full extent of the damage and it might cost more than you think to put right. You werent at fault here IMHO so you have nothing to prove or hide.
Let the insurance companies sort it out between them, especially if you have a witness.
Glad you are OK, bikes mend people dont.
Thanks for the replies, guys.
Gave my insurer a ring, they took a few details and they said they'd call me back on Monday. Scoot's secured against a railing, just need to stick the plate back on before it gets an abandoned vehicle notice stuck on it. Thankfully it wasn't the SV or I'd be pretty upset.
The guy who parked his car into my backside said he'd call me when he wakes up tomorrow. I assume I just tell him I've decided to inform my insurer and that he should do the same?
fizzwheel
07-09-12, 08:34 PM
I assume I just tell him I've decided to inform my insurer and that he should do the same?
Thats what I would do, be polite about it, but dont enter into a discussion about it if he starts getting p*ssy with you on the phone.
Specialone
07-09-12, 08:44 PM
As fizz said, defo go through insurance, you get it repaired on the quiet and develop problems later on you're gonna have zero comeback.
I nearly got rear ended in my car recently, was in south Wales, came round a corner in my golf and a pick up truck was parked, cutting tree down, I stopped with no drama very easily, Cupid stunt behind in a dropped to the floor Honda civic didn't see traffic had stopped so panicked, locked up and sliding all over the place, I seen what was happening and pulled forward, the civic stopped with 5 ft to spare, if I hadn't moved forward he would've hit me then put me in a place he didn't wanna see :mad:
Glad you're ok anyway dude.
widepants
07-09-12, 08:47 PM
then put me in a place he didn't wanna see :mad:
.
my grumpy is back yeahhhh
Wideboy
07-09-12, 08:53 PM
go through insurance don't do the ****wad any favours, even if it was a topless blonde crying you should still take them to the cleaners! they'll feel it come next renewal
you'll probably find that this pleb is being nice because he wants you to go outside of insurance, once/if you inform him your not then watch their politeness change. You've nothing to worry about you have him banged to rights as he went up the back of you (no argument can get him out of that) and your have a witness.
the last bloke that went up the back of me harassed me for days as he wanted me to go outside of insurance, i had the estimate done and it was considerable, he pestered me again the next day, i explained to him the damage ect and he turned nasty and started accusing me of all sorts and trying to extort him. I had some choice words with him down the phone and he hasn't contacted me since. He was a right ****ing **** i'd quite like to punch him.
Specialone
07-09-12, 08:53 PM
Not yet, ferry Tomoz morning :)
For future reference try and get a full name and address and ask to see some ID, you could also ask the witness to have a look at it too.
I had my first ever accident about 6 monthes ago in a fairly new to me transit van. I scraped a Merc Chelsea Tractors bumper. I explained I'd only been on my own van insurance for a few months and showed all my ID. The lady I hit was fine with me going outside of insurance and got a quote done. In the end I paid £120 to get the bumper re-sprayed (even though she was quoted £160- she was willing to pay the rest because it was already a little damaged!). I put the money in her account, asked for a written explanation that it was all dealt with and everyone was a happy bunny. I suppose I was lucky and she was lucky that we are both trustworthy.
Fallout
07-09-12, 10:04 PM
Shame you didn't fall over really, just in case they try to write your scooter off and short change you you could have got some injury compo.
Naughty. This is why we all pay so much for insurance these days! Suddenly everyone has whiplash and a bad back after an accident.
Spank86
07-09-12, 10:50 PM
Perhaps people wouldn't need to fake injuries if insurance companies actually gave you enough money to replace what was broken?
Apart from your skyline I've never heard of a vehicle being written off and the money coming even close to what you could buy another one for.
Perhaps people wouldn't need to fake injuries if insurance companies actually gave you enough money to replace what was broken?
B*ll*cks
Spank86
08-09-12, 08:31 AM
Ok, perhaps most people would but you can't deny that most insurance companies will screw you on the true.cost of your car. Which is.even worse when it's someone else's insurance co. Hardly creates an atmosphere where people are inclined to he honest, does it?
yorkie_chris
08-09-12, 09:12 AM
On the other side of the insurance/no insurance debate maybe there's a bit of karma here.
If you had f***ed up maybe you'd do your best to help out of your own pocket to avoid getting bum raped next year.
Give them a chance to sort it outside insurance, it's only a scooter!!
Leaving aside the fact that your policy will be hurt next year despite it being a 100% non-fault claim.
Perhaps people wouldn't need to fake injuries if insurance companies actually gave you enough money to replace what was broken?
Apart from your skyline I've never heard of a vehicle being written off and the money coming even close to what you could buy another one for.
Well sir, the £2000 dent in my bank balance from my van insurance says you're a c*nt!
How many people on here get bikes "written off" and buy the salvage back for a pittance and do really well out of it?!
Jayneflakes
08-09-12, 09:55 AM
When my bike was hit by my friend, the damage done was all cosmetic, we had planned to stay away from the insurance so she did not get hit by it going up, but the cost of repairing the bike back to the standard of how it was put her off and she went through her insurance. Even a little bit of damage can be expensive to fix, also if you have been hit from behind, wheels and frame could be seriously damaged too, so check it all thoroughly or get a trusted person to check it.
However, if you do go down the insurance route (which is why we have it in the first place, to protect you and your vehicle from costs that are not your fault) and your insurance company use a firm called Plantec, thoroughly check the work upon the bikes return, they do cut corners. When mine came back, I was contacted by my insurance company in regards to my no claims. I had a long chat with them and found that I was listed as having a non fault accident. They do not always make it as clear as they could that this may not affect your no claims. After a couple of chats, mine was all fine and my insurance did go down when I renewed with the same company this year.
After all of this though, I hope that you are OK and not too shaken up.
Spank86
08-09-12, 03:57 PM
Well sir, the £2000 dent in my bank balance from my van insurance says you're a c*nt!
How many people on here get bikes "written off" and buy the salvage back for a pittance and do really well out of it?!
as it happens I've never had a vehicle written off by the insurance or had an injury, come close though and they've always quoted a pittance as their idea of the value for a replacement and everyone I know that's had it done has received next to nothing (apart from fallout the jammy beggar).
What would you do if you were sat with a letter saying a vehicle that couldn't be replaced for less than £2000 was only worth £1000?
Now if the accident was my fault that would be one thing but if you're claiming off another driver that's just a bad joke.
yorkie_chris
08-09-12, 04:46 PM
I would tell them to get bent, send some example vehicles for sale of similar value and what they cost etc. and go from there. Too many people think the opposing insurance are on your side and don't argue with the official looking letters.
But, in context, we're on about a scooter. They are essentially scrap anyway and if it's a young driver borrowing the money to buy a brand new one would be cheaper than the next years insurance effects.
If the roles were reversed you'd all have very different attitudes to it. If the OP here had said "oh dearie me I've just hit someone, I've offered to settle it outside insurance as I really can't afford any more increase" you'd all be telling a different tale.
Spank86
08-09-12, 05:24 PM
I'd tell him to try it but not to expect them to go for it.
After all it's much better for the damager than the damagee.
As for sending example vehicles, good luck with that unless you're prepared to take the company to a small claims court. Mate of mine spent months tilting at that windmill with no luck.
You MIGHT get lucky and get a decent insurance company but it's not likely IMHO.
Nostrils
08-09-12, 06:44 PM
Just for reference, check to see if the Corsa driver is insured!! www.askmid.com
Biker Biggles
08-09-12, 09:18 PM
Ok, perhaps most people would but you can't deny that most insurance companies will screw you on the true.cost of your car. Which is.even worse when it's someone else's insurance co. Hardly creates an atmosphere where people are inclined to he honest, does it?
Whatever the rights and wrongs of it I totally agree with this.And if you factor in the time and effort you expend in trying to provide evidence of how much your written off vehicle can be replaced for,and the grief and hassle of having to look for and buy another one,the amounts offered are an insult.
I had a car rear ended and written off some years ago.It was an old Audi but in very good condition and very low mileage.I got offered a few hundred quid,and no I didnt claim for any injury.Much time and stress got me a slightly improved offer,but nowhere near what the car was really worth.I wish I had gone the whipcash route as that would have got me enough to replace the car with something similarly sound and reliable.
Dabteacake
09-09-12, 10:55 PM
Your problem there is the car. I bought a Laguna near my home town up north. I had it written off when living down south and got £600 more than I paid for the car and thats before the personal injury claim
Spank86
10-09-12, 06:34 AM
nope, my problem is definitely the insurance companies. ;)
Owenski
10-09-12, 07:45 AM
nope, my problem is definitely the insurance companies. ;)
Does it not really really get your back up when a quote comes back at more than the value of the vehicle... I really don't understand that!
A mates just passed his car test, he's 26 and never driven anything other than a 125 bike. He's bought a £600 fiat 900cc P reg thingy, cracking condition for a little old motor but his insurance premium...£1350 HOW?????
I know its also to do with the cost of the damage you can do etc but still, there should be a cap on premiums for the value of the car on the policy, after all its supposed to be insurance not standing order to a savings account for paying out other folk.
yorkie_chris
10-09-12, 07:51 AM
An old bloke who works for one of our subbies was saying about some personal accident/illness cover he had when self employed came out with a good one "just glorified bookmakers anyway" :)
Problem is all these syndicates of joe backis in Bradford with 27 of them getting whiplash in a datsun sunny 3mph collision is screwing everyone else's odds!
Specialone
10-09-12, 08:01 AM
Personal injury claims needs to be sorted ASAP, we will price ourselves out of the game otherwise.
People really are taking the p*ss now.
I don't like the way the insurance companies are going with these black boxes in vehicles either, award safe driving? Absolute crap, it will record speed, how many accidents are directly related to speed, not that many I'm guessing.
More accidents are caused by distraction, how can a gadget in your car monitor this?
yorkie_chris
10-09-12, 08:04 AM
And driving at night etc. supposed to stop kids in hatchbacks driving round like idiots with their mates. Yeah right.
Sir Trev
10-09-12, 09:24 AM
Whatever the rights and wrongs of it I totally agree with this.And if you factor in the time and effort you expend in trying to provide evidence of how much your written off vehicle can be replaced for,and the grief and hassle of having to look for and buy another one,the amounts offered are an insult.
Oddly enough the other side's insurance were great when my car got written off. Friendly call from them and a discussion over what similar vehicles were available on Autotrader got me a fair payout for the age and condition. Was dreading the arguments but in the end it was quick and amicable. Fingers crossed in this case of course.
Spank86
10-09-12, 09:35 AM
Does it not really really get your back up when a quote comes back at more than the value of the vehicle... I really don't understand that!
A mates just passed his car test, he's 26 and never driven anything other than a 125 bike. He's bought a £600 fiat 900cc P reg thingy, cracking condition for a little old motor but his insurance premium...£1350 HOW?????
I know its also to do with the cost of the damage you can do etc but still, there should be a cap on premiums for the value of the car on the policy, after all its supposed to be insurance not standing order to a savings account for paying out other folk.
It does a bit but I do understand why with yound drivers.
I hit enough things when i was in my teens to know why they priced me like they do, even if I didnt claim for most of it. I was good at colliding with scenery.
Owenski
10-09-12, 10:03 AM
maybe but he's 26, has a wife and a full time job... Dont see him doing burn outs in Tesco car park really.
Bit of a thread resurrection. I've read threads before where you never find out what happened in the end and it always bothers me...
Got an offer from the other side - they've accepted full liability and I've been sent a cheque for 80% of the value of the scooter when I bought it from new last December. I also get the scooter back for nil cost. I'm told it isn't being categorised as anything, because the only damage that wasn't superficial was a fubared rear brake cable, and the only reason it's not being repaired is because of the difficulty in getting replacement bits imported from abroad. Whether this means it's an expensive endeavour or that they're really lazy, I've no idea.
Apparently, my insurer's claims company tells me this means I can do anything I want with it, so I'll probably break even on how much I've bought it for after selling it on as spares/repairs.
I was only using it as a cheap runaround, so I'm pretty chuffed with the result.
yorkie_chris
30-09-12, 03:47 PM
So all in all a very fair result with no fraudulent injury claims at all :)
Spank86
30-09-12, 04:37 PM
Makes a pleasant change.
That is the one bonus with having a pretty new vehicle I guess.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.