Author Topic: totaled can i still keep the bike? (Read 3414 times)

McGriff · « **on:** September 10, 2009, 10:03:12 AM »

I was rear ended about a week back and State farm will most likely total the bike (that's what they told me, getting estimate from the local Honda shop). What are the chances i can keep the bike and has anyone else had experience on what i should expect to get for it? The bike was a 750 K4 that i had just gotten back on the road after two years of shady tree restoration. I think it looked good, not perfect but good enough to make me happy after seeing where it started at. the damage was pretty much all the left side. Blinkers, exhaust (original), headlight/bucket, some scrapes on the alternator case, rear fender, rear fender mount bent pretty good. Should i worry about the frame? the guy hit me at maybe 15mph, and the fender mount is bent, but that doesn't seem structural to me. just looking for moral support as i deal with the insurance BS.

Thanks for letting me vent

robdrobd · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2009, 10:09:57 AM »

Well, if they give a couple hundred bucks you are already on your way to a new project!

McGriff · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2009, 10:14:33 AM »

I've already been eyeing replacement parts/aftermarket stuff. i want to keep the bike cause the engine is strong and only has 11k on it. would be sweet to get the money to buy new parts and the bike too, fun winter project to get me through the long Colorado winter.

Slayer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2009, 10:18:43 AM »

Do what you can to keep it. I lost my last bike due to it being totaled and it has been by biggest regret. The people who decide if it is totaled or not go through the bike and if there are any imperfections they will get it quoted to be replaced which adds up fast. I bet there are plenty of guys riding around on bikes that would be considered "total loss". I think you can follow the bike and buy it at an auction or salvage yard but I did not go that far

Use the wreck money for replacements that you have always wanted

Geeto67 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2009, 10:26:40 AM »

well for starters negotiate a fair rate for the bike - the ins compnay will likely offer you a couple of hundred bucks to go away. YOu can retaliate by showing sample ebay auctions for similar bikes with multi-thousand dollar selling prices (search complete auctions). Don't let them steam roll you, thier driver is 100% at fault (rear collision) make them pay every inch of what you cna prove it is worth. NEVER accept the ins compnay's first offer. If they just mail you a check, mail it back and make a phone call. Start with the NADA guide for a low baseline on the bike (and as far as I am concerned your bike was in excellent shape) and work up from there.

second - once you know what the rate is ask them what it will take for you to keep the bike. They may want to keep half the money they are paying you as they will salvage the bike and sell it for scrap. this is negotable also - you can use the NADA value for their lowest condition rating to make them a counter offer. they may accept it or may tell you to go screw. Most of the time they will probably accept it because it saves them money in transport fees and other costs associated with selling a bike at salvage auction, and don't forget to remind them that you are saving them money with this option and that you want the title.

If any part of the frame rail is bent (even the non structural parts) it is likely the whole frame is bent. Fortunatly finding a frame is not going to be hard and you will want to find one with a title anyway to remove the stigma of salvage on your bike.

McGriff · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:29:59 AM »

yeah i have heard that they will lowball me on the bike to see if they can get away with it. It was totally their drivers fault, i slowed because a few cars up someone was turning into a KFC, heard brakes squeeling and BAM, one the ground with a bike on top of me. gas leaking from somewhere, people running all around me, all i wanted to do was pick the bike up and look for damage

. probably could search this, but anyone know a good way to check the frame to make sure it's bent or not? look for paint stress marks? Bike still rolled good, but pushing it around isn't quite the same as going into a corner at 65mph now is it.

McGriff · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:34:17 AM »

I'll throw up some pictures after work to get some opinions on the rear fender mount/frame

manjisann · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2009, 12:01:49 PM »

Wow, every riders nightmare, glad it sounds like you are ok. My neighbor had this happen to his son. The bike is a beater that they paid $300 for, put some money into it to get it running and pass inspection. Son is riding home from work one day in a construction zone when one of the construction workers pops the median to make a left. The son goes into an evasive swerve but there is gravel on the road and he went down. Fortunately for the most part he was ok, mostly bruises as he was wearing his gear. The gear was a loss and the ins totaled the bike and finally gave them $700. They even let them keep the bike as the adjuster pointed out it would cost them more to take it than it was worth and if my neighbor wanted to keep it he could. They replaced a few minor parts and it's back on the road. This is one of the few times where I think the person actually got out decent, usually you get had. Anyhow, let us know how it turns out as we all may face this at some point or another. Also, if you don't mind my asking, did you have comprehensive or liability on your bike?

Brandon

mystic_1 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2009, 12:06:00 PM »

I'm concerned when you say that the "rear fender mount" is bent, because the rear fender on a 750 bolts directly to the frame.

mystic_1

MCRider · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2009, 12:20:33 PM »

I've totalled 2. Most recent with State Farm. In both cases i kept the bike. In the most recent case the payoff was to be $1400 IIRC. I paid their "salvage value" of $250, got a check for $1150, and kept the bike.

McGriff · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2009, 12:44:17 PM »

Mystic,
Yes that part of the frame that the fender is bolted too. looks like it bent at the weld where it connects to the frame that holds everything else on the bike. It looks like it only purpose was to hold on the fender and other stuff on the back of the bike. It's bent mostly on the riders left side cause i think it took the brunt of the blow. It's at the shop now so i am just going off what i remember seeing last time i saw it.

Liability ins. through Geico. debating putting collision on the other bike now, geico pretty much washed there hands of any involvment once i told them i got hit from behind. Should they be helping more? first accident i've ever had so not to familiar with the ins. world

Slayer · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2009, 12:49:27 PM »

Quote from: McGriff on September 10, 2009, 12:44:17 PM

Mystic,
Yes that part of the frame that the fender is bolted too. looks like it bent at the weld where it connects to the frame that holds everything else on the bike. It looks like it only purpose was to hold on the fender and other stuff on the back of the bike. It's bent mostly on the riders left side cause i think it took the brunt of the blow. It's at the shop now so i am just going off what i remember seeing last time i saw it.

Liability ins. through Geico. debating putting collision on the other bike now, geico pretty much washed there hands of any involvment once i told them i got hit from behind. Should they be helping more? first accident i've ever had so not to familiar with the ins. world

I had Geico also. The reason they washed their hands of involvement is because you were not at fault so they have nothing to worry about or pay for. It is up to the #$%*s insurance now. I got the run around so I got a lawyer and now he is giving me the run around, haha. I felt like I was fine, but my lawyer made me go to a doctor and I am glad for it. Even though I was walking around there is plenty of physical damage that I was ignoring. I would get checked out just in case. By the way, how are you?

McGriff · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2009, 02:40:02 PM »

i ended up getting the OK from the hospital when i went in, sore as @#%& the next day and missed a couple days work, but feel fine now. I haven't looked into the lawyer yet, i was waiting to see what the ins. guys offer so hopefully i can avoid the lawyers, haven't had a good experience with them yet either so i'd rather avoid dealing with two groups of people who reside at the bottom of the food chain.

shizzomynizzo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2009, 02:59:50 PM »

MICHIGAN SUCKS! we have no fault/ liability and it doesn't matter whose fault the accident is, unless your bike was parked (cars too). anyway if an accident occurs and the other person is at fault and you have no collision, you're SOL! you can sue, but 100 in court costs later, just to get them in court, if they show up, and then getting them to pay isn't worth the money. lost wages for filing for court, the court day itself, appeals process, it just plain sucks.
BEEN HERE TRUST ME! took 3 years to collect on $1200

be lucky you don't live in michigan.

Glad to hear your alright, too!

McGriff · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2009, 02:28:48 PM »

here is the pic of the bent part of the frame.

Slayer · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2009, 02:34:20 PM »

Aw what a bummer! What kind of vehicle was it that hit you?

BVCB650 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2009, 03:13:43 PM »

Quote from: McGriff on September 10, 2009, 12:44:17 PM

Mystic,
Yes that part of the frame that the fender is bolted too. looks like it bent at the weld where it connects to the frame that holds everything else on the bike. It looks like it only purpose was to hold on the fender and other stuff on the back of the bike. It's bent mostly on the riders left side cause i think it took the brunt of the blow. It's at the shop now so i am just going off what i remember seeing last time i saw it.

Liability ins. through Geico. debating putting collision on the other bike now, geico pretty much washed there hands of any involvment once i told them i got hit from behind. Should they be helping more? first accident i've ever had so not to familiar with the ins. world

Call BullDog. He don't mess around.

McGriff · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2009, 03:14:19 PM »

Little green Honda Accord. i still drive by the skid marks every day on the way home from work. he'll need a new headlight, 1/4 panel, hood, and maybe bumper. aw well, supposed to get the estimate for repair today. keep ya posted

McGriff · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2009, 03:15:39 PM »

who's bulldog? lawyer?

Qingdao · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2009, 03:57:05 PM »

Quote from: McGriff on September 11, 2009, 02:28:48 PM

here is the pic of the bent part of the frame.

That aint bad at all! I'd rebuild it; turn it cafe racer you don't need that rear end any way.lol But INS don't understand.

EDIT: oh yeah and I had a friend that totaled a truck and couldn't get it from the insurance people, but I got no personal experience with insurance other than paying it.

McGriff · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:16:36 PM »

lol i was thinking the same thing about cafe it, no need for that part then right? damage estimate, with labor i assume, was $7453 and change. guess i should consider that totaled. With that being said is it going to be a salvaged title? Is there a way to avoid it besides getting a new frame?

jamesv220820 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:21:10 PM »

Frank Azar got me 200,000 dollars

just kidding

BVCB650 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:27:25 PM »

Quote from: McGriff on September 11, 2009, 03:15:39 PM

who's bulldog? lawyer?

Yes, lawyer. He runs commercials out of Denver all the time. If you had hit the ground, flopping like a fish afterwards, he probably would have beat the ambulance there.

McGriff · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:41:42 PM »

hmm, i have developed a little crick in my neck.....
It's funny, i got hit less than a block from the fire station, took those guys less than 2 minutes to get there, pretty sure i was still walking over to the curb when i heard the sirens, they lasted all of 15 seconds, just long enough to get the truck out of the garage i think.

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:56:25 PM »

Quote from: shizzomynizzo on September 10, 2009, 02:59:50 PM

MICHIGAN SUCKS! we have no fault/ liability and it doesn't matter whose fault the accident is, unless your bike was parked (cars too). anyway if an accident occurs and the other person is at fault and you have no collision, you're SOL! you can sue, but 100 in court costs later, just to get them in court, if they show up, and then getting them to pay isn't worth the money. lost wages for filing for court, the court day itself, appeals process, it just plain sucks.
BEEN HERE TRUST ME! took 3 years to collect on $1200

be lucky you don't live in michigan.

Glad to hear your alright, too!

I think we have a similar law in indiana. A friend of mine was driving his miata when someone turned in front of him, He swerved, missed the dumbass and went into a tree, totaling his car. He didn't carry collision, so even though it was 100% the dumbasses fault, he didn't get a cent cause he didn't hit her.

From now on, he swears he'll just plow into whoever gets in his path.

News:

Author Topic: totaled can i still keep the bike? (Read 3414 times)

Qingdao