Rear ended at light

[FJRBluesman]

BTW - Your title, read ended or rear.

Dang it! I hate it when people do that. I thought I proofed the whole thing including the title.

Just go into "Full Editor" mode and you can change it.
I'm usually the one making those typos and grammar goofs.

 

[zenwhipper]

BTW - Your title, read ended or rear.

Dang it! I hate it when people do that. I thought I proofed the whole thing including the title.

 

[zenwhipper]

Great comments. Thanks.

I consider myself hyper vigilant for rear-enders from cagers. I have Hyperlites, always use my turn signals and watch my mirrors. This time, I too was distracted by the police activity off to my left in the parking lot across the street and was not really watching my arse. The way the incident occurred, the gal had stopped, but proceeded when she thought I had turned, and she was looking left at oncoming traffic. Boom!

In terms of the risk, well today, I'm all calmed down and things don't seem so risky as yesterday. But, the good part is it has shaken me out of that complacency that sets in when you have ridden for many years. I hear newbies crash less than seasoned riders. Because seasoned riders get more comfortable and complacent - while newbies are hyper cautious. I dunno - this likely is debatable.

Scott

 

[zenwhipper]

Report it to your insurance agent, let them do the paperwork and get the ball rolling. They will go after her insurance as they are suppose to represent you among other things. Most likely your insurnace company will get you repaired and taken care of since there is a question as to whether she has valid insurance. That is what uninsured motorist insurance is for. Also, it makes your insurance company earn some of the premiums you pay them.

It is natural to re-evaluate why you ride, the risks and such if you are involved in a close call or accident. Only you can answer if the risks are worth the rewards.

Report it to my agent? Kind of makes sense. But, will my rates go up? I think the last 'accident' I had (somebody backed into my two day old, new 2002 VFR :angry: ) I contacted directly the other drivers insurance company. I don't believe I notified my company.

 

[ScottyUSN]

No, your rates will not go up.

I had an issue with a girl who rear ended my Son a year or so ago. All her fault, she did not deny that at the time of the accident. The police were called and showed up, but did not write of file any report due to non injury. I aways "assumed" if the police arrived they would at least log some notes.

I called her insurance to find out the status. Her insurance company told me they were still trying to determine who was at fault. My reply: EXCUSE ME!

I then asked the agent if she had spoken with the girl who was driving? Her reply was No, her husband would not allow her to speak with the unsurance agent. The husband was in no way involved with the accident.

I called MY insurance company and explained that I felt I was about to be taken for a ride... My insurance company took me out of the loop. Did the remainder of the communications on my behalf. I had my check for damages within a week.

You were rearended. It's cut and dry not your fault. It will not affect your insurance. If your insurance company doesn't assist you, seek new insurance.

 

[bramfrank]

It might not have been so obvious if you'd been riding a Goldwing and she claimed you backed into her, but it doesn;t matter in any case.

This is why you pay for insurance. and if your rates DO go up, will it cost much more (spread over a couple of years) than the cost of the repairs?

No.

It is Friday so I can say it . . . . don't be a wuz.

 

[Patriot]

The bike sustained a dented left muffler (in the end of the muffler, near the exhaust outlet). My Hyperlights :blink: placed by the license plate were bent - but that is about all. I have her insurance info from the incident report. Its been a while since I submitted any accident damage to another's insurance - how does this work anyway?

I guess I admit I rely blindly for my hyperlites to protect me. Will sit at a traffic light in neutral, but do watch my rear 6 o'clock. I hold the brake until a car or two are safely stopped behind me. I also look for a risk management "out" if needed to my left or right and front.

 

they either send out an adjuster to you, or ask you to come to their "drive in" assessment center.

I admit I'd be tempted to throw myself off the bike onto the ground and stay there. EMS would check me out on the scene.

That usually logrithimic increases their motivation to "please" you.Lastly- on the ride home, it made me think about the risks out there. Things can change in a nanosecond. I was sort of feeling - this is a 'shot across my bow' and its time to get rid of the bike. This was really quite minor in the scheme of things - but I was really pondering the risks. Hats off to all who have survived going down on the road.

Any tips, tricks and advise for moving through this with the insurance folks?

never never never accept the first offer...take the bike to a few official YAMAHA dealerships and get full estimates to bring it to 100%.

use this for ammo...I went round and round on my last two Comprehensive (tree fell on my van from a hurricane and scratch up the paint and my Lexus caught fire when the fuel hose started leaking) I had to do my homework, internet study, and mechanic/paint shop estimates which are real world, not some figure in a book or statistical chart (Actuary???).

 

<wrench your back and head for the chiropractor>

note: the injury statements are tonque in cheek and total sarcasm...insurance, though, is another of life's "GAMES" to play with silly businessmen

 

ATTGATT...ride like you are invisible and they are all out to kill you

enuf said

best of luck to us all

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

Thanks

Mates

 

[RLBiscuit]

When I got hit, the insurance nightmare was with my health insurance provider, not my vehicle providers. Thankfully, you don't have to deal with all of that. My lawyer hit up my vehicle providers for a payout and they had no problem with it. Not one cent higher premium, and my record still comes up as clean.

I know when I got back on my other bike, I was paranoid enough to make it less than enjoyable. Then my cage quit running right so I had no choice but stick to two wheels. The paranoia wore off and now I'm loving my new FJR.

If you can get through the first several rides (and by now I'm sure you have), you'll just be more vigilant, but should still enjoy the ride.

 

[pcarnut]

Definitely understand your apprehension. Got knocked down by a deer a couple of years back at 40 mph. I've loved riding for 40 years and it sure gave me pause for thought about continuing. It makes you very aware of your mortality. Give it time, ride when you feel comfortable. If the comfort doesn't come back after a few rides then take a break for a bit. Took me almost a year to feel comfortable again. Best of luck.

 

[gbrmksmith]

Just got rear ended last night, with my son riding pillion. Stopped at light with bike in 1st and clutch in and rear brake lightly applied. Hit hard enough to move the bike about two feet forward. Managed to keep the bike shiny side up. Sucks since just passed 1st year anniversary with my new bike, but good that neither of us injured.

Since no car in front, only visible damage is to the rear fender. Impact did pop both the sidebags off the rear hangars, but not fully off the bike.

I've checked the rear tire/wheel carefully and not finding any out-of-round condition. Bead looks okay. I'll dissassemble the plastic on the rear this weekend to check for damage under the plastic. Can't find any visible damage to the pivot arms, etc.

What else should I be checking? Anyone have experience with a good bike shop in the Seattle Washington area to do a more thorough assessment?

 

[Uncle Hud]

If it bumped your tire/wheel, you'd better check everything in the shaft drive and suspension ...

 

[gbrmksmith]

By the way, no second thoughts on riding. Can't imagine being stuck in a car for commute, was back on the bike for commute to work today.

 

[gbrmksmith]

No noticeable shimmy, unbalance or flat spots that I could detect even at highway speed. I'll dissassemble the drive train this weekend also.

 

[BobbyBlue]

Wow, sorry to hear that Greg and glad you and son are ok...i also got popped THREE times in one day last week...left in front of me, sent me into the curb and a homeless guy helped me keep it up, which i did as it was very wet...she stared at me as she drove away, young black woman...i got a little bend in my header far right pipe, matches the other side now...so after composing myself and giving old homey a ride to his bar, i continued on to the Wal-mart where a starbucks customer in an old caddie ran the stop and i t-boned his door good....door was plastic and absorbed it and bounced back, my back wheel lifting a foot...then as i'm about to get off another caddie hits me from the left rear...everyone of them took off....i just moved here and don't have a car...so i went in and got my heart meds, right?..then came home and went over Zig with a fine toothed comb...other than plastic scratches all around all is well....i now rev the shit out of him in all parking lots with these loud ass pipes i bought from Ty....yeah, they hear me now....mufflers...we don need no steeeeenkin mufflers...take care everybody...winters a coming !!! i actually liked it due to all the adrenalin and my pacer getting a workout....bad Karma on you 3 people though...i saw the girl again and she took again just seeing me !!!...a little blue streak still on her right front fender....stay careful and out of Tacoma if possible...genetic problems here..baaad...

 

[SeattleTy]

I'm very glad your ok, hope everything works out

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Accidents are bad enough. At least once every couple of weeks, I'll have a driver intentionally try to drive into me (or as close as they can get, trying to get me to leave the lane). Evidently some aggressive, or just plain stupid, drivers feel more bold with a motorcycle and try to push through or see how close they can get without touching the bike. I don't give ground, as a matter of routine. They get educated, and well, but I'm not dim enough to think behavior has been modified. I'm on the fence with adding hyperlites and a hi-beam selectable headlight modulator. It seems like cost effective risk management, but this makes me wonder.

 

[Bounce]

And it seems the number of hit-and-run incidents is on the rise, too.

 

[Warpdrv]

Jeebus...... almost makes you want to outfit the bike with front and rear cams......

 

[bluesdog]

Jeebus...... almost makes you want to outfit the bike with front and rear cams......

Front and rear rocket launchers...

 

[art miller]

Well, you know Washington state has legalized mj so no surprise there are cagers who are high and not able to see them motor bikes down there.

During my working years I spent a fair amount of time in the Seattle area. I knew of several motorcyclist and bicycle riders who got hit by cars. All of them occurred in wet weather. I suspect visibility had something to do with these events. Given the weather in the PNW it would be wise to wear high visibility garments and added lighting.