Bike VS CAR...Car wins :(

[sicrx69]

Sup,
Just thought I would share my not so good day with everyone. Well, today seemed like a normal day or so it seemed when it began. As always I got up and got dressed to go to class, bah bah bah. Well, on the way to school i come to a red light stopped behind a small passenger car. We both are turning left (as you can see in the illustration) as she turns she veers off to the outside lane so i continue in my lane. Then, out of no where as I get even with her she decides she wants to Pull a U turn (yes a U turn) from the right hand lane, well as you can see that lane was occupied but non other then me and my poor bike. Well she slams into me knocking me off the bike and forcing me to kiss the pavement. I was wearing my helmet of course but not my jacket because I was going to class and it gets a little hot to wear. Besides the fact that it gets hot my class is only 10 blocks from my house Max! Well, anyway as you can see distance plays no role as they say "most accidents happen near your home"; Guess this holds true. I got out pretty lucky or so it seemed at the time, she has insurance and only thing happen to my bike is Front brake lever broke, rear brake lever broke and bent the bracket back a bit, but my frame slider saved my plastics for the most part just a few scratches remain along with the ate up frame slider. My bike wont start now either : / sounds like the starter is jammed or something so hoping that its nothing major. Oh yea, my factory exhaust is pretty scratched up( Cry, guess I will have to order a Yoshi . As for me right elbow is scratched good along with scratches on my side hip and knee. Worst thing I guess is my foot, after talking to a teacher tonight (city cop/slash pretty cool R1 owner) I am going to the ER tomorrow and having it looked at, its pretty black and blue and hurts to walk on it. I spoke with the appraiser already today and he wants me to send the bike to this shop I usually purchase parts from to see what all needs fixed. I am eager to get my bike back on the road but don't want to get screwed out of what I have coming. I was thinking about maybe contacting a lawyer tomorrow and seeing what he says about the situation. I mean, I sat behind this GD(sorry) lady (not to mention there were 2 people in the car) for a good 3 minutes at the light and its hard for me to believe that she didn't ONCE glance in the rear view to see me there? Drivers like that make me want to punch a homeless guy.(joking) I thought I would share my first accident/meeting with the pavement with you guys.
Thanks for the ear(eyes),
John
Banged up '00 Gsxr 600

P.S. nice little image I drew up but dont know how to post the pic

[Ride-or-die]

my heart goes out to you fellow gixer riding buddy, sounds like u kinda got lucky when it comes to damage tho,

PS be prepared to be grilled for the lack of gear

[Clint]

That's a real bummer, bud. Thanks for the story. It's one of those things that'll make you a better rider because next time you'll get clear before it even happens.

[svhooligan]

That sucks!!

Glad you're ok though

hopefully you'll be back on yer bike soon.

[Louis]

Go get that foot checked ASAP.

I won't be grilling you for the lack of gear. Just hope you do wear it afterwards.

Did I tell to have that foot checked?

[wavyredlaurie]

I'm glad you're not hurt too badly, but I third and fourth the idea to get medical attention. It'll help you now, and maybe protect you later (though hopefully, it won't be needed!).

Also a good thing she has insurance, and that you're getting it all lined up. We actually have a lawyer in our area who specializes in motorcycle cases - you might want to look into that. I would certainly keep that in my mind as an option, if the insurance company starts to give you any cheapjack tactics. Lawyers are meant for a time like this. However, I once took an insurance company to small claims court, on my own. But you'd have to check what the maximium dollar amount is for that where you live, it might not cover your repairs, anyway. My case got settled before the court date - for the full amount I was asking for. So don't let them lowball you.

As for the gear, live and learn. It's hard to put it on when it's hot. And it's such a pain for just a short distance. Probably most of the people here have skipped at least some of it, at some point, for the same reasons. You don't deserve any of the blame here - it was someone else's stupidity that caused it. So just take care of those injuries, and hang tough on getting your bike back into shape.

[themeatmanlandry]

For my wreck (crashed out in a left-hander), I had left my gear at home, and I was headed to the store for more beer (I had run out). I was wearing shorts and a tank top, and I wrecked less than 100 yards from my buddy's party (where I was heading after I had bought the beer).

Let the gear thing be a lesson. I won't rag you (this time!).

Get your foot checked. I once broke my right hand. I could still move it (with great pain), so I thought it wasn't broken. I went to the county fair that weekend, and on the roller coaster, I could see (and feel) the bone clicking in and out of place as we went over the humps and valleys.

It was broken. Get your foot checked. You don't want a little break turning into a wad of calcium in a couple of years.

[SuzukiGirl1]

Yes, and if you talk to her insurance company...don't say your fully okay yet!! They will try to get you on record saying that you're fine and you don't have any major injuries, etc as soon as possible so that they won't have to pay for any down the road medical expenses you might encounter.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to call a lawyer...

[c50tiger]

Just glad it wasn't worse than it was. Everyone else had given you great advice in re insurance and medical, so I'll shut up now and just be glad you weren't hurt worse

[Equalizer]

Sue that %%%%% for everything shes worth. U-Turn in a right hand lane? Seriously, wtf? Here I thought people coming at me going against traffic was crazy enough.

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by Equalizer

Sue that beotch for everything shes worth. U-Turn in a right hand lane? Seriously, wtf? Here I thought people coming at me going against traffic was crazy enough.

Should have gotten up and put your good foot right up her ass and then fall to ground grab your neck and scream for an ambulance and a top civil trial court lawyer. I'd also have pressed the cop to arrest her for attemped murder, vehicular assault and careless driving to boot.

[GIXXER-Mike]

Wow !

Glad you're okay . This incident only enhances my belief of accelerating around vehicles. Rarely do I remain in the vicinity of cages, very rarely. I make it a point to be solo either in front of or behind the major traffic group. Sometimes this is unavoidable & I find myself in tight spots but not for long because I ride "always" alongside or slightly in front of the cage. If I'm alongside the cage I always look the driver in the face & give him a nod or some gesture to inform him/her of my presence. I find that I can make gaps if I choose as long as I ensure that the vehicle behind me "SEE's ME." May be wrong for my quick moves through traffic but it's the only way that I know that I may be able to ride again another day.

[SoCalMike]

Originally Posted by Equalizer

Sue that beotch for everything shes worth.

Slowly and sadly thats becoming the "American Way."

Don't mean to make an enemy out of you equalizer, but i would say, get what is owed you and thats it.

[themeatmanlandry]

I have to agree. A wreck is a wreck, not a lottery ticket. Get what $ you're out. That's what insurance is for.

[wavyredlaurie]

I've made a decision, though, that if I'm ever in such an accident - caused by the stupidity and/or incompetence of a cager - the first thing I'd like to do (assuming I'm not hurt) is jump up, rip off my helmet, and put it through their car windshield. You're not supposed to reuse the helmet after an accident, anyway.

I could always claim I was knocked silly during the accident, since I am an otherwise calm, law-abiding citizen. Is this a good plan?

BTW, I do think a replacement helmet WOULD be a reasonable part of the accident settlement. And I'm so happy some folks have rejected the "sue the pants off 'em mentality". But then, I'm advocating vandalizing the car after the accident with safety gear - so what do I know?

[themeatmanlandry]

Laurie, I would pay GOOD money to see that!!

I wouldn't recommend it, though. You know how cops view things like that. You'll likely wind up in the back of the cop car for malicious mishief or something!

The mental image is killing me, though!!

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I have to agree. A wreck is a wreck, not a lottery ticket. Get what $ you're out. That's what insurance is for.

See I look at this way. You sue her insurance company for pain and suffering and then her insurance company raises her rates so high she can't afford them, thus she gets dropped by that company and due to the accident and claim being so fresh on her record no other insurance company will cover her. In the end she has no insurance and has to take the city bus to work.

There is a root desire to my madness!! Get this wreckless idiots off the road.

[themeatmanlandry]

I can't fault your reasoning, but the plan breaks down when you consider that they will raise everyone's rates to compensate.

Good explanation, though.

<you had the russian chick make that up, didn't you? >

[LayinLo]

Glad you're ok. (somewhat)

[sicrx69]

Hey,
Thanks alot for everyones support and posts, really cool to have you guys
John
'00 Gsxr 600