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]

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

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Mako

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.

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

Glad you're ok anyway dude.

[widepants]

Originally Posted by specialone

then put me in a place he didn't wanna see

.

my grumpy is back yeahhhh

[Wideboy]

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.

Not yet, ferry Tomoz morning