So, I 've been rear-ended. My bike was impaled on a bumper. *see photos* The ninja 250 pipe went right through the bumper and my rear end dented the front quarter panel. The pipe is now bent outward and there are paint scratches on the rear end. I will take the bike in to the shop and check the frame.

I have all of the driver's information. I didn't even fall off the bike. What do I do now?

The irony:

A. 10 minutes earlier (and 3 blocks from my house) I signed my new insurance on the moto.

B. My first ride after a 4month hiatus from shoulder reconstruction.  (why I wasn't on my Duc)

Do I call my insurance?

Thanks,

erin

First of all, glad you're ok.

If the bike's frame is good and the repairs needed aren't too serious, see if the driver will pay cash. If the frame is messed up and/or the repairs are gonna be really extensive, I say call your insurance.

Just make sure that you are physically ok, especially that shoulder. If anything at all hurts, call insurance.

Why have the driver pay cash?  It's not like his rates will go up if he turns it in.

A) not his fault

B) driver's insurance should cover it.

Don't call your insurance, call THEIR insurance.

Also, you didn't post the speed you got hit at, but Id consider getting checked out.  The last thing you want is to have their insurance cover everything and the case is closed, THEN you discover some medical problem stemming from the accident that should have been covered by them.

my 2

Quote from: Monsterlover on August 03, 2008, 06:14:42 AM
Why have the driver pay cash?  It's not like his rates will go up if he turns it in.

A) not his fault

B) driver's insurance should cover it.

Don't call your insurance, call THEIR insurance.

Also, you didn't post the speed you got hit at, but Id consider getting checked out.  The last thing you want is to have their insurance cover everything and the case is closed, THEN you discover some medical problem stemming from the accident that should have been covered by them.

my 2

DO THIS!

yeah call his insurance after you get quotes for the repairs.

I'd actually contact your insurance company first, make them aware of the accident.  You don't have to put a claim in!

If you have the other persons information, call there insurance.  If they were at fault or were ticketed, and it sounds like there were if they struck you from behind, then the other driver should have reported to there insurance company (the lady that pulled infront of me never even bothered to report the accident to her insurance company, as she must not have felt a need becuase I did not strike her car, and crashed trying to avoid her... Nice!!).

If you claim it on there insurance then you don't have to pay the deductable, if you claim it on yours, you will have to pay your deductable but the other persons insurance will refund that money.

Notifying your insurance is never a bad idea as it will give you additional options.

Just becuase they present an insurance card, DOES NOT MEAN THEY ACTUALLY HAVE INSURANCE, hence notifying your insurance will allow you to always fall back on yours, although that is generally not what you want to do.  This will also help if you were hurt, and they were under insured.  One other item to note, if the other persons insurance company give you the run around, or starts to jerk your chain, once again you can always put a claim in against yours, and let them go after the other person insurance.

If your not injured, then your already ahead of the game as nothing is more important than the rider.  Everything else can be fixed.  If you were injured then make sure you get treated for your injuries, and eventually one of the insurance companies will have to pay the medical bills.

Glad to hear your alright, good luck getting this all hashed out.

Glenn

Some insurances treat you notifying them as the same as a claim, both are incidents.  Doesn't matter it wasn't your fault.

Do you have a police report?  If not, you should file one just in case you need to go through your insurance eventually.  That way they'll know you aren't trying to claim prior damage since you JUST started your policy.

The other driver should probably pay cash, but at very least he should pay through his insurance.

Ummm... I think the whole thing is that YOUR insurance is supposed to go after THEIR insurance...

So you report it to your insurance and they chase down his for the damages, that's how my insurance company works (I think)...

The only reason to get your insurance involved is if they are slow to pay.  But it's up to the at-fault driver to decide whether or not to go through insurance or just pay out of pocket.  As soon as he says he wants to use his insurance he should call to start the claim process.  It's perfectly acceptable not to involve the police if the other driver is cool, not dragging out the process, refusing to pay, etc.

I'm sorry, but did no one say "Police Report"?
Because at least in California you have to have a police report if damage is over some arbitrary amount ($750? something like that.)
Your insurance here will ask for your police report as their starting point - basically covers the who is at fault question for them.
So where you at and did you make a police report?  your DMV may have a website where you can get quick answer as to if it's required.  Remember at this point you don't know what the cost of repairs will be.
Also you don't know if you'll be stiff or muscle-sore tomorrow, and find that you are hurt.

2nd the call YOUR insurance - they will then chase the other guy's insurance co for payback.  saves you that hassle.

I didn't get a police report.  I was so scared and had no idea what to do.  I think I shook for 5 hours after.  Talking with the driver (and establishing we were both okay) she said she'd pay out of pocket.  She gave me all her contact info and CDL and I will be taking the bike to the shop tomorrow afternoon and I just hope the frame wasn't damaged.  The paint I could care less about (it's my city-everyday-ride)  For future reference, I guess I should call the cops.  Here are the rest of the photos from the accident.  As you can see, the Ninja came out on top.  If I had been on the Duc I would have been thrown off.  Thank Gawd I was impaled...

Glad to hear you weren't hurt!   Good luck getting everything sorted out with your bike.

It's not too late in my opinon to go to the police and explain to them what happened.
I had a guy who was in front of me in the Winter time w/ snow covering his back window. He decided that he was to far out in the on coming traffic and backed into my car
He got out of his car , we both looked at my front end and he said " Well doesn't look like any damage" and got back in his car and drove off.
I did write his license number down and later inspected my car closer and found damage .
I went to the Police Station and filed a report and the Police somehow informed me of his phone number and I called him that night and he met me a couple of days later and we settled on a cash amount instead of him turning it in to his insurance co.

I think you can get a Police report if you go fill out a report . You have the other person's info.  At least that way you will have the accident documented .

I hope all works out for you . Keep us informed.  Dolph

Folks want to pay out of pocket until they find out the bill is going to be more than $50.

FILE A POLICE REPORT.  (Most states allow you to file within 24 hours after the accident)

The other driver hit you.

File a claim with the other driver's insurance.