It finally Happened

[MnM]

Sat Afternoon I was planning to go for a ride, but 5 min after I left my house (on my way to get gas) a woman crashed into the left side of my swingarm. I was heading east and she was at a stop sign waiting to turn left to start traveling east. I approached the intersection and saw her at the stop sign , but there was a car coming the other direction so she had to wait. Well she didn't wait long enough because as the car (heading west ) past she immediatelly accelerated without looking . I saw her coming but there was no where to go so i just barely got my left leg out of the way in time before she crashed into my side. It was at low speed but both my bike and I went crashing to the pavement. She clamed she didn't see me and was blaiming it on the shadows of the trees. I was like yea ok lady my bike is green, my helmet is green, and my jacket has some green.

I was very lucky and managed to walk away with a bruised left knee and ankle. The bike was flawless with low miles and no scratches at all before this happened. Now there are tons of scratches and both shifter and rear brake plates snapped off, chain guard is compressed to the chain, etc....
What kind of mechainical problems could result from this accident?

please be safe and def ride like everyone is trying to kill you because they are!

[rjh200]

Bring it to a dealer to have them check it out. The cost should be no concern because her insurance company will be footing the bill. Make sure you get every little scratch fixed.

[TheIglu]

If she hit the swingarm from the side, I'd have it computrac'd to find out if the swingarm/frame is still straight.

[Half Squid]

Sorry to hear this.. Crashing sucks. Crashing because someone else is an idiot Really fuckin sucks....

First off I am happy to hear you are in good health after the accident!

If your in the mood for a new bike, this could be your chance! If there is any damage to the swingarm what so ever it could total the bike. The Swing arm is considered part of the frame, 99% the time if you get a good ins rep doing the inspection he can swing the estimate to total it or repair it just by calculating the damaged frame or not..

What year is the bike? Whats the value? (Kelly Blue Book)

Lots could be potentially wrong. Be sure to get it fully checked out by a bike mechanic thats qualified!

Even at a low speed the impact could be serious to the rear of your bike, plus the fall to the pavement after...

You swing arm could be tweaked cracked or fractured, Rear rim fractured or bent, axle bent or fractured. The sub frame may have been bent. How bad did the bike & you hit the ground, did it slide on the ground for a bit, spin, or hit anything like the curb?
If so the front end assembly could be bent, internal damage may be there but not visable....

Lots of potential in the type of crash...? Or you could be damn lucky and only have plastic damage and scratches on the swing arm? ( Scratches on the swing arm & Frame can also consider it damaged/totaled. I dont agree with that, but thats the way it is...

Where are you and the bike located? Maybe a resident NESR member with knowledge might be able to give you some better insite seeing the bike first hand... Write down what ever you and whom ever else looks at it before the appraiser or shop looks at it, compare lists afterwards to be sure they do not miss anything, or add something that could swing to be totaled and it's something that was never wrong to begin with. Unless you want it totaled.. Sometimes the insurance companies can make out on the deal selling a decent bike at an auction rather than pay you out to repair it... Ever since these auctions became popular for bikes the insurance buy back costs seem to have skyrocketed. I would be willing to bet money that it's because they are making out well at these auctions! But thats just my opinion!

If your close enough to Framingham and you supply me a frosty beverage I might be able to check the bike out and give you my thoughts and help you get a list going so you know what repairing it might take, also to have a repair list to compair with the estimator to be sure they do not miss out or skimp out on anything. One thing you must remember, this was not your fault, the woman that hit you. Her ins company is footing the bill.. Be sure to mention that only OEM Parts are to be used as replacement parts. This makes a HUGE difference in value for the appraisal! & Some cheap scape Ins companies will try to get parts value from Salvage yards...
Now, I am no expert, but I know some. I helped my friend write up a list on his wrecked R6 last year and helped him rebuild it this spring, with E-Bay parts/new parts/repaired existing parts and added some nice aftermarket blingin exhuast and he pocketed $1200 all said and done. The bike looks better than new now!

If I can help, I would be glad too assist..

[MnM]

Thanks for the input..

Half Squid

I am down the street from you in worcester. I did go through the bike and came up with a list of every littel scratch and took pictures of everything i could visually see. I was gonna drop it off at Performance Cycles on Rte. 9 for an estimate.

It is a 2002 Kawasaki zx6r with 1415 miles on it!

My helmet has some nice scratches in it so ill need a new one.

I wouldn't mind having it totalled (although i really like my bike and always recieved compliments on it) I talked to my agent this morning and she said it takes 60% in damage of Book Value to total the bike. If it is totalled i wonder what the but back would be? Or would it be better just to get a new bike? I think i would always be nervous of something breaking down the road if it were fixed.

I shouldn't give them the List? save my list to compare?

Thanks for the help

[Half Squid]

Performance will help you out, be sure to talk with the Service department. ( Iforget his name?) He is a good guy and answer any questions you have..

Now your agent said it's totaled @ 60% of the value?? It was 70% or so I thought??? Thats news....

I can come check it out tonight if your around, I should be on my way by Worceter around 6:30/7 from CT and it's on my way. So not a problem if you want another opinion.. & Yes keep the list for your self. You can give the appraiser a copy if he wants it, but be sure to keep one for yourself.. I have not yet met a truely qualified bike appraiser appointed from an insurance comapany. They are ussually car appraisers and think they can swing it checking bikes, only tey ussually do not know what they are looking at... Performance should be an approved dealer for you insurance Company. Tell you ins you want them to appraise, and fix it if it is fixable.... They will repair it 100% unfortunately it may take them forever.

If the damage is only cosmetic, have Performance do the estimate, bring the bike hom and replace/repair it yourself. If it can not be done, then you will be stuck without a bike untill performance can fit it in. They are extremely busy all the time! I would myself hope for a total loss so you can get the New 6R !

Oh this persons Ins company should be footing the bill to replace any damaged riding gear! Helmet, gloves, Jacket, pants, boots... What ever.. Do Not let them BS you saying a home owners policy ned to cover this. That is crap... She hit you and is 100% reponsible. Did a cop come for a full report? I hope so. It makes life a lot easier when claiing the incedent. This woman could alwasy try to change her story to make this look like it was your fault, even though by what you said and how and where she hit you it's obvious she is at fault.. I had a woman years ago side swipe my car, appologixed up and down to me but when it came time to report it she said I hit came into her lane and sideswiped her. She being a driver of 10+ years in her mid 30's, and myself at the time being 18, the insurance company believed her. Luckily I got a hold of a witness to the event that varified she indeed cause the crash!!!

If you want me to swing by tonight. Drop me a cell# so I can contact you in a PM..

Mike

[MnM]

yea cop came...didn't site her but he was there to hear her say she hit me....she was very nervous.

I appreciate the offer for you to give me your opinion, but i'll be at work. I think I'm gonna have my brother drop it off to Performance tomorrow so they can get the estimate started. A new 6r would be sweet. I also have a witness that can vouch what she was saying after it happened....who called the cops

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by MnM
yea cop came...didn't site her but he was there to hear her say she hit me....she was very nervous.

I appreciate the offer for you to give me your opinion, but i'll be at work. I think I'm gonna have my brother drop it off to Performance tomorrow so they can get the estimate started. A new 6r would be sweet. I also have a witness that can vouch what she was saying after it happened....who called the cops

Very good, your in good hands with performance Cycles, and seem to have everything covered! Good luck getting a new 6R, mention that to Performance! They might help this work out well for you !!!!

[RandyO]

make sure you also get estimate of any damage to your gear, helmet etc.

last year when my son crashed, they gave him $700 for his scratched RX7 that he paid $350 for at brocton cycle

[MnM]

wow so i should show the dealership the helmet as well?

[MnM]

well just got off the phone with the ins company and they were explaining the procedure. They told me once the appraiser estimates it and they send out that list of places to have it fixed (hopefully they total the bike), that they only cover labor charges up to $35/hr anything over

WTF

I thought all bike shops charge 60 -70/hr

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by MnM
well just got off the phone with the ins company and they were explaining the procedure. They told me once the appraiser estimates it and they send out that list of places to have it fixed (hopefully they total the bike), that they only cover labor charges up to $35/hr anything over

WTF

I thought all bike shops charge 60 -70/hr

Thats total The person is 100% responsible. Your insurance company needs to go after her Ins comapny to cover absolutely everything 100%.

Do not let them walk all over you... Talk with the Branch manager of your agency. What ever it is going to cost to repair or replace the bike/ your gear or your own injuries (Pain & Suffering!) is supposed to be the responsibility of the person at fault falling under their Ins.....

Kick their asses and fight for whats rightfully yours...

This is why I hate Ins companies.....

[gixx6man]

Did you go to the hospital and get your knee and ankle checked out. Do that now! Her insurance will cover your visit.

[skiierx]

Do not worry, the dealerships always lower their hourly fees for the insurance companies, that is how they get the guaranteed work from them. What the dealerships end up doing is putting in supplements to make up for some of the lost hourly wage.

Mike is right though, the person that hit you should be 100% responsible however your insurance company will cut the check now and then go after their insurance company for reimbursement.

Jamie

Originally posted by MnM
well just got off the phone with the ins company and they were explaining the procedure. They told me once the appraiser estimates it and they send out that list of places to have it fixed (hopefully they total the bike), that they only cover labor charges up to $35/hr anything over

WTF

I thought all bike shops charge 60 -70/hr

[dhuze]

Originally posted by MnM
well just got off the phone with the ins company and they were explaining the procedure. They told me once the appraiser estimates it and they send out that list of places to have it fixed ...........

The insurance company cannot make you go to any repair shop they want. You have the right to choose where it goes not them. I hope your dealing with her insurance company too. Yours is only there to protect you ,but hers should be paying out the money.

[OreoGaborio]

ah man, that fuckin sucks... glad you're alright & good luck gettin everything sorted out.

[McBiggity]

Originally posted by MnM
well just got off the phone with the ins company and they were explaining the procedure. They told me once the appraiser estimates it and they send out that list of places to have it fixed (hopefully they total the bike), that they only cover labor charges up to $35/hr anything over

WTF

I thought all bike shops charge 60 -70/hr

don't worry about the labor rate. I know exactly which Ins Company you talked to just from the labor rate they told you.
What will happen is this- the bike will be appraised, if it's repairable we will get the labor rate from Performance Cycles and have it reviewd by our Material Damage department, it will be approved and the bike will be repaired. I have never seen a labor rate for a motorycle denied through here.

If you're 50% or less at fault- you get paid 100% and the other carrier pays your company back. Your own collision coverage will only cover the bike however. So make sure you speak to the other company as well and explain you need your gear paid for as well.
PM for any other ??? on the damage portion of it.
I don't know enough aboout the injury side to be able to advise you on what to do.

[breakdirt916]

I'm also glad to hear you're alright. The important part is that you walked away from the accident.

And I can also vouch for Performance Cycles. Derek always seems to put up with my onslaught of servicing questions and price quotes, and pretty much just stated the terms as they were (no exaggerations). Another time they made a mistake when they installed my chain and sprockets, then ate the cost of a new rear tire, and the labor to install it. Ryan in parts is also pretty cool about things.

[SVRACER01]

your situation seems to really suck.....been there
i only have advice on the buy back, if you plan on buying the bike back for racing only and never plan on registering it then go for it. if you think you are buying back a cheap streetbike that you wont owe money on you are wrong. in order to get it registered you have to go through a special state inspecioin (at least in NH), and in order to pass that inspection you have to repair everything on the crash estimate that totalled the bike. so if there are scratches on it you have to fix them.
just a little fyi for ya, im going through this bs right now

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by SVRACER01
if you think you are buying back a cheap streetbike that you wont owe money on you are wrong. in order to get it registered you have to go through a special state inspecioin (at least in NH), and in order to pass that inspection you have to repair everything on the crash estimate that totalled the bike. so if there are scratches on it you have to fix them.
just a little fyi for ya, im going through this bs right now

Same exact way with Mass.... They are strict as hell with bike reconstructions unless you have a friendly contact! But that contact is not free..

[richw]

Sorry to hear of it.

Yes they are 100 percent responsible to

fix

or give the equivalent of as little as 80 percent of the kelly Blue book value to total. This certainly will not give you the price of a new one, not even the price of a cherry one like you just lost.

The other dirty secret is that they low ball you with a cash check and the promise that any additional charges that are incurred during repair will be covered. The hook is that the average low life especially motorcyclists spends the first money and never gets it repaired and thus no more payment.

The only way to get whole on this is the lawyer injury route where after about 7 years you should net out maybe 10 or 15 grand. Proceed to medical and then legal help. Ow it hurts when I move I thought it was OK but its not getting better..

If its really only plastic and scratches and passes a frame straightening you probably can get it all repainted etc for under $2K.

Good luck rich weir

Empire GP

[MnM]

Thanks for all the replies..

Appraiser called and i told him the bike will be at PC on Monday...so hopefully he can look at it then.

[Cue Ball]

Originally posted by MnM
well just got off the phone with the ins company and they were explaining the procedure. They told me once the appraiser estimates it and they send out that list of places to have it fixed (hopefully they total the bike), that they only cover labor charges up to $35/hr anything over

WTF

I thought all bike shops charge 60 -70/hr

Most ins companies have preffered labor rates that apply to cars, the appraisers can only write the estimate at that discounted rate, the claims adjuster reviews the estimate and will allow for the increased rate due to it being a bike instead of a car. This happens alot when people have exotic cars too, last time I was still in the propert damage department at Commerce Insurance, we had a claim on an Aston Martin Vanquish, try getting that fixed at $35 an hour. The shop should call teh claims adjuster and bitch about the labor rate, you should have no out of pocket expenses, if you have "extras" on the bike, get the receipts if its totalled, also go online and find similar bikes to yours in case it is totalled that way if they low ball you, you can come back with the other quotes. If its totalled, don't take the first offer, there is always more $ to be had, they come up with a range and start at the low end. What sucks is they don't take mileage into account on the values iof bikes, you have low miles which on a car would be more $ for you. I would argue the fact that it will be impossible to find another w. low miles like that.

If you decide to get a lawyer if your injured, be careful who you choose as there are some real scum bag attorneys in Worcester, not all of them have your best interest at hand.

Do you have MED PAYMENTS on your bike policy? If not you could be looking at out of pocket medical bills which you should have to submit to her insurance company. Being on a bike you are considered tort from dollar one and don not have to rack up $2,000 in meds bills to get a bodily injury claim. If you want, send me a "pm" and I'll give you my # and I can answer your questions as I have been a claims adjuster for 5 years now. This goes for anyone else that needs advice on same.

[WOTEugene]

Sue the shit out of her for pain & suffering. Take your bike to a bike shop to have it appraised. Have every last piece of gear that got a scuff on it replaced (preferrably with superior models). Also, get her insurance company to pay for a rental car as substitution transportation until your bike is fixed or you buy a new bike.

[MnM]

update:

Performance Cycles estimated that it will probably be totalled.

I still have to wait for the appraiser to call me and see if they are going to total it .

If it is totalled what to Do?

1. Buy a new 636
2. Upgrade to a ZX10 (might go used because i don't know if i want to spend that much $$ right now)
3. Try to find a used bike in the same cond mine was in
4. By mine back ( I highly doubt i would do this because i just wouldn't feel comfortable knowing something could be wrong)
5. Stop riding (yea right, but some fam members want me to)

Also with all the aftermarket stuff on my bike i don't have all the reciepts because some things were gifts.

Like

LP Flushmounts
Rear shorts stacker lights
carbon gas cover
rear spools
OEM seat covers - (pissed because i can't find this receipt)
Dand D exhaust Bolt on

Thanks for your replies guys/girls...they are very helpful....let me know what bike i should get.