Knocked off yesterday

Soldato
Joined
7 Dec 2008
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2,812
Location
Auckland/Edinburgh
No major injuries thankfully, my back is pretty beat up and can't walk at the moment, but other than that it's just scuffs and bruises. Big dent in back of helmet, so that saved me. Consider myself very lucky!

The shortish version of events - I was pulling away from the lights and the traffic was backed up on the other side of the road. A woman in a car was entering the major road I was on from a minor side road. Neither of us could see each other at this point due to the traffic. As it was backed up, she said a taxi driver waiting at the edge of the box junction signalled her that it was clear to go. Instead of edging forward and looking for herself before pulling out, she just took his word for it, and bowled right out into my lane. Although I had recognised the hazard and slowed a little, there was just no time for me to really do anything and I clipped her bonnet, sending me flying 25 yards down the road, bouncing a couple of times! Impact speed would have been just under 30, so can only imagine how much it must hurt to come off much faster!

Bike was sent flying just about as far and ended up wedged under a parked lorry. Annoyingly it was one of three lorries that were illegally parked in the inside lane which should have been a clearway at the time. If they weren't there I may have been able to swerve round her. On the other hand the pavement was full of old ladies out shopping, so maybe it was a good thing there was a lorry to catch a couple hundred kilos of flying motorbike! Damage to the bike is pretty bad. Forks are an L shape, bars are a W shape, every peg/lever/cable is hanging off. Haven't had a really good look at it yet, but going by the state of the forks alone, I'd be surprised it the headtube wasn't damaged. Blinking 3 month old MT-07 as well! Hoping to get it sorted out with the insurance as quickly as possible but I have no idea how these things work - first accident of any kind in 15 years of using the roads!

Anyway, the police have said it's the most cut and dry case they've seen and they're filing charges for careless driving against her, and she has accepted full responsibility. Honestly feel like that might even be a waste of time though as judging by the state of her, i'm not even sure she'll ever drive again, and if she does I'm 100% confident she'll be looking 3 times for bikes at every junction!

Stay safe people. Lovely day outside today as well and wishing I could go for a ride! Oh and amazingly I had my gopro on for the first time ever, so there may be a video to show you all in the future...
 
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Yh keep it out I say,can never have enough safety features like loud pipes etc

If they choose to write it off offer to buy it back cheap and fix it up,or break it for parts(hope they don't write it off BTW,I'm just saying)

Its a wonder they don't prosecute the taxi driver far calling her out
 
Yh keep it out I say,can never have enough safety features like loud pipes etc

If they choose to write it off offer to buy it back cheap and fix it up,or break it for parts(hope they don't write it off BTW,I'm just saying)

Its a wonder they don't prosecute the taxi driver far calling her out

The rules of the road are even if someone tells you it's clear you still shouldn't go. Beside good luck proving that he done it, that's the bigger issue.

Either way I'm glad your still alive and kicking mate. Ouch for the bike though. Hopefully you'll be back and riding on no time.
 
Pretty much the same as my accident 4 years back but I T bones rather than clipped, At the time I was pleased at how well my body took it & was more gutted about my bike. Glad to hear you're also Ok, time to look for a new bike & gear, Every cloud & all that. :)
 
Hope you're feeling better soon.

Bad luck, but at least it sounds like insurance should be straight forward.

I doubt insurance will be straight forward. It's a 3 month old bike, the insurance company will fight to give you the money for the cost of a 3 month old bike rather than a new one. And that's if they accept their customer is at fault. Get a lawyer if you have to OP, don't accept any lowball offer as the accident was not your fault.
 
Cheers guys. Bike's gone away for assessment today and they've left me a Honda NC750S for some reason, despite telling them I can barely hobble around the house, let alone ride :confused: I suppose my insurance making money every day the hire bike is with me...

From the quick look I had at the bike when it left, there is a fair old dent in the frame on one side where the frame sliders would screw in (not that I had them) so imagine it's going to be written off on that alone?

One has hit the nail on the head, with the fear being it is a battle to get a new bike out of them, rather than the value of a 3 month old one. FIrstly because there are very few MT-07's even for sale at the moment, so the chances of finding a like for like are virtually zero. Secondly because I probably wont get all the same level of dealer benefits that I had on the original bike, if I purchase second hand. Thirdly, and most importantly to me - this was MY bike from new. i know it's entire history/how it's been ridden/looked after, and that means something to me. Sentimental maybe, but I should be allowed to put a value on that none the less.
 
Find a biker friendly solicitor from the back of one of the magazines or from MAG / BMF, they will now how to play the game and get you the best result for your insurance claim and personal injury.
 
Engineers report is in and its a Cat D write off. Quite surprised only a C given the frame damage! Initial valuation is for 5600 with salvage at 2240. i paid 6668 for the bike new with the akra and LED indicators. So Ive got a bit of a decision to make.

Got a really good solicitor on the case who only handles bike accidents and who a friend actually works for. Hopefully will get a good offer from the insurance without any hassle. Really annoying though as im never going to be back in the same position as I was before the accident, in so much as they wont give me the value of a new bike, and buying second hand replacement wont give me all the dealer benefits I had ie 3 years free servicing etc
 
you lose on new bikes from when it rolls out the factory showroom anyway

just wait and see what happens first,chances are they might not write it off,if they do just hold out for a fair price

My insurance policy will pay bought price for a write off within 6 months of purchase. Not even GAP insurance, just comes with the policy no questions asked. hoping I never need it!
 
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