Crashed.. what to do next?

krapzed · August 31st, 2014, 03:02 PM

friends, I crashed. so I was riding along in a leisurely pace (within speed limit) when a pick-up truck suddenly turnedleft in front of me (towards a strip club!). I panicked, perhaps engaged my brakes too hard thus locking my brakes and threw me off my bike.. i ended in the road while my bike crashed onto the belly of the truck. I was fully geared hence no major injury except for a sprained left wrist.. my bike looks totaled though.

the police officer who checked on me in the hospital told me that the truck driver is at fault. this is my first accident in my entire life! please can you guide me on what to do next? the truck has commercial plates, not sure what his business is in the strip club at 8 in the morning? can i sue the driver?

I have full/comprehensive insurance with geico. thanks for the advices in advance...

shereth · August 31st, 2014, 03:52 PM

If you have not done so, at a minimum you should contact your insurance carrier and notify them of the incident.

Although you describe your injuries as minimal and limited to a sprained wrist, you spent some time in the hospital so personal injury becomes a factor and that can complicate matters. If you are feeling confident in yourself, you could theoretically do all of the work of negotiating with the truck driver's insurance for a settlement, but if you do be very careful. They are likely to contact you at some point and when they do, what you say could seriously limit your ability to be fairly compensated.

If you are looking to get paid for more than just the value of your motorcycle, strongly consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. I am no fan of lawyers in general but at least they know what they are doing. Try and find someone in your area who is reputable (be careful about the sleezeballs who advertise on late night television). They will cut into any settlement that you get, but again, if you are looking for more than merely replacement value of your bike, you'll probably wind up better off for it.

Technically you could sue the driver, but what almost always happens is that you (or your lawyer) will accept a settlement made by their insurance company.

Glad to hear you are OK after the accident, and sorry to hear about your bike. Good luck dealing with the insurance companies!

snot · August 31st, 2014, 03:58 PM

Whatever you do,DO NOT post a bunch about the accident prior to contacting the insurance company and receiving any settlement. Anything you post can be used.

NevadaWolf · August 31st, 2014, 03:59 PM

Yep, call your insurance. This is what you pay them for. Your insurance will love going after someone else to make them pay.

If you have an official document indicating that the driver is at fault all the better.

Once the process starts, limit what you say online regarding the incident or what's going on relating to it since their insurance will be looking for *anything* to reduce what they will have to pay out on.

Finesse · August 31st, 2014, 04:11 PM

I agree with not saying any more than you already have. Contact your insurance company asap. They will walk you through the process. Sorry to hear about this, I hope everything works out in the best way possible.

krapzed · August 31st, 2014, 04:30 PM

thank you so much for the replies. i have contacted my insurer and pretty much have an idea of how this will move forward. Ill be waiting for the official police rort to come out and thereafter decide if I should pursue a personal injury case. i feel that compensation for the damage to the bike and medical reimbursement is not enough. there must be someting punitive, if only to teach this guy a lesson...

August 31st, 2014, 03:02 PM	#1
krapzed ninjette.org member Name: Park Location: CT, USA Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja ZX6R / 2010 Ninja 250r (SOLD) Posts: 69	Crashed.. what to do next? friends, I crashed. so I was riding along in a leisurely pace (within speed limit) when a pick-up truck suddenly turnedleft in front of me (towards a strip club!). I panicked, perhaps engaged my brakes too hard thus locking my brakes and threw me off my bike.. i ended in the road while my bike crashed onto the belly of the truck. I was fully geared hence no major injury except for a sprained left wrist.. my bike looks totaled though. the police officer who checked on me in the hospital told me that the truck driver is at fault. this is my first accident in my entire life! please can you guide me on what to do next? the truck has commercial plates, not sure what his business is in the strip club at 8 in the morning? can i sue the driver? I have full/comprehensive insurance with geico. thanks for the advices in advance...

August 31st, 2014, 03:59 PM	#4
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Yep, call your insurance. This is what you pay them for. Your insurance will love going after someone else to make them pay. If you have an official document indicating that the driver is at fault all the better. Once the process starts, limit what you say online regarding the incident or what's going on relating to it since their insurance will be looking for anything to reduce what they will have to pay out on. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

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August 31st, 2014, 03:52 PM	#2
shereth ninjette.org member Name: Alan Location: Phoenix Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 73	If you have not done so, at a minimum you should contact your insurance carrier and notify them of the incident. Although you describe your injuries as minimal and limited to a sprained wrist, you spent some time in the hospital so personal injury becomes a factor and that can complicate matters. If you are feeling confident in yourself, you could theoretically do all of the work of negotiating with the truck driver's insurance for a settlement, but if you do be very careful. They are likely to contact you at some point and when they do, what you say could seriously limit your ability to be fairly compensated. If you are looking to get paid for more than just the value of your motorcycle, strongly consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. I am no fan of lawyers in general but at least they know what they are doing. Try and find someone in your area who is reputable (be careful about the sleezeballs who advertise on late night television). They will cut into any settlement that you get, but again, if you are looking for more than merely replacement value of your bike, you'll probably wind up better off for it. Technically you could sue the driver, but what almost always happens is that you (or your lawyer) will accept a settlement made by their insurance company. Glad to hear you are OK after the accident, and sorry to hear about your bike. Good luck dealing with the insurance companies!

August 31st, 2014, 03:58 PM	#3
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	Whatever you do,DO NOT post a bunch about the accident prior to contacting the insurance company and receiving any settlement. Anything you post can be used.

August 31st, 2014, 04:11 PM	#5
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	I agree with not saying any more than you already have. Contact your insurance company asap. They will walk you through the process. Sorry to hear about this, I hope everything works out in the best way possible.

August 31st, 2014, 04:30 PM	#6
krapzed ninjette.org member Name: Park Location: CT, USA Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja ZX6R / 2010 Ninja 250r (SOLD) Posts: 69	thank you so much for the replies. i have contacted my insurer and pretty much have an idea of how this will move forward. Ill be waiting for the official police rort to come out and thereafter decide if I should pursue a personal injury case. i feel that compensation for the damage to the bike and medical reimbursement is not enough. there must be someting punitive, if only to teach this guy a lesson...