Topic: bike is wrecked, heartbroken...She's Back!!!! update 3/30/11

[vance]

trailered my beloved cb550 down to illinois this past weekend to take a little vacation and do some rides with my step-dad. on my way home back to minneapolis on interstate 39 in illinois someone swerved into me. the impact sent me skidding immediately. i slid sideways across the inside lane and into the grass median. when i finally came to a stop i was facing the other direction. i could see my bike's gas tank about 10 yards in front of me. to my right, i could see the underside of my bike, it was upside down wedged in between my car and the trailer. the trailer had broken off the hitch and was bent up. i had to have a wrecker come out and we dragged the bike back up onto the trailer and he loaded the whole thing up and took it to his lot where it's sitting now. i'm not sure how i will be able to get it back. the other driver is accepting fault so we'll see what his insurance can do for me.

the first picture is my step-dad and i on saturday in bridgeton indiana. the second and the third are from sunday as the wrecker driver was loading up my bike and trailer.

[scunny]

#$%*, my condolences on your loss.

[Terry in Australia]

Well I'm glad you're ok mate, normally when I see pics like that, there's a very badly hurt rider involved. That 550 looked to be in really nice condition, so make sure your/their insurance company see's the first pic, and don't take any less than $5K for the bike, it'll cost you that much to find/build one as nice. Cheers, Terry.

[BeSeeingYou]

That is just terrible, I'm glad you are ok.  I have ridden several times with Vance and his bike was really nice and he put a lot of effort into making it shine.  It was always spotless.  And your new trailer too.  

[Alan F.]

+1 on the pics to both insurance companies, you can upload to snapfish and a few others to order large prints thru the mail.

And a lesson from Havocturbo, get a lawyer and go for the jugular fast, before they have time to wonder what you're gonna do.


Condolences on your loss, glad you walked away.
Alan

[Damfino]

Sorry to hear that Vance..   I hope you get a suitable replacement through the other drivers insurance.

In "it's a small world" news....I instantly recognized the bridge in your first picture. The Bridgeton bridge is only 10-15 minute's north of me and I was so close to taking my usual ride up through the country and being there myself this past weekend.

Here is one of my pics from last summer....

On the bright side Vance, at least you weren't seriously injured. We all love our old bikes, but they are replaceable. Good luck to you.
 

[Johnie]

Gosh, it hurts to see that bike in that condition. I can imagine how you must feel. Glad you are OK. Now start the hunt for another. Salvage what you can. Once the insurance company pays you they are entitled to the bike unless you can work out a deal to keep it for parts. Without seeing it first hand, do you think you can repair it or not. I wonder if the frame is bent. Best of luck on your search or repair.

[Gaither]

Vance

Sorry for your loss but thankful for no injuries.

Do not presume this to be "Legal Advice" in any respect. I am not an attorney nor do I give Legal Advice. I will, however, share the results of my experiences as a former accident victim - in more than one instance and this is all that is represented in/by the following:

You do as you please - it is your ball and your game. You may already know all this. However and FWIW, likely, you do NOT have to allow the "at fault's" liability insurance co to total your bike and/or trailer [or car]. Laws differ state-to-state. But, when I have been victimized in a wreck the liable party must pay the actual estimated cost [usually takes 3 estimates] to repair your vehicle/s to the condition they were in immediately prior to the accident. They cannot "total" the vehicle/s unless you allow them to. In other words, they must pay you the actual cost to restore your vehicle/s. Then, you still own the vehicles and can repair them or spend the money as you see fit. That is how it is in TN at least.

Look into it and see if this is the same in MN. You may have alreadly researched the matter. And, as you know, you may or may not need a lawyer. You'll know as you begin to negotiate with the ins co.

IF it is YOUR collision insurance paying, it is a completely different story. You are somewhat at their mercy as to whether the ins co repairs or totals the vehicle/s. However, in the case of the other party's liability insurance, your should find yourself, within reasonable limits, somewhat "in the drivers seat". Stand your ground and don't be too anxious to settle UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED with the settlement. Beyond that, you may find that you have some personal injury of which you may not be immediately aware.

I'm not encouraging you to invent an injury. But, take your time to see if anything developes. As a teenager, I was anxious to get my car fixed [hit in the rear at a traffic light with 2 cops watching]. I signed a release only to find later I did have a back injury but had already signed the release! I didn't know I didn't have to sign an injury release to get the car repaired [adjuster lied about that]. Back hurt me for years - just didn't show up immediately after the wreck.

In any event, I don't mean to meddle in your business. Good luck in what is already an unfortunate situation for you. 'Hope it works out well for you.

[GammaFlat]

I haven't puked in a long time.  I'm feeling nauseous right now.  Sorry to hear about your incident.  Good luck putting the pieces back together.  The problem is that these bikes usually have so much more value than any insurance policy could cover.  I have often thought of the poor guy sitting on the ground looking at his bike in a scraped up pile of wreckage ignoring his cuts and bruises... buried deep in his thoughts about his love affair with his wounded bike.

The good news is you're okay.... well, sort of.   

Regards,
John

[jeepster]

Gosh, it hurts to see that bike in that condition. I can imagine how you must feel. Glad you are OK. Now start the hunt for another. Salvage what you can. Once the insurance company pays you they are entitled to the bike unless you can work out a deal to keep it for parts. Without seeing it first hand, do you think you can repair it or not. I wonder if the frame is bent. Best of luck on your search or repair.

Actually, they will more than likely put it up for auction. You can bid at the auction. I got my bike back with only a broken turn signal and some scratches for $50.

[77cafe750]

sorry about yourloss but if you end needing somewhere to store it and or pick it up give me a shout
peace hope all ends well crash

[Spanner 1]

Sorry for your very bad luck, vance..... hope you can make good out of it.

[Brown Bomber]

Allstate wanted to total my Concours and give me less than half of what it would cost to replace it. I took them to court and won. You don't have to let an insurance company total the bike if you don't want to. Good luck, and hope you get you bike back together.

[Grnrngr]

A damned shame, sorry for your loss. At least the other guy has insurance...

[Old75_ratafe]

Man that sucks sorry to hear it.. on the bright side at least you weren't on the bike when it happened...

[bluesmoke69]

Sorry to here about your loss, but look on the bright side you now have a reason to make new and better bike.

[jus750]

I dont feel so good. I get so nervous when i put a bike on a trailer, that the straps will come loose or brake and the bike will come off. I suppose you cant stop a car from running into you. Sorry mate

[petercb750]

Damn that sucks - what rotten luck. But glad you have no injuries, other than pride.
Hopefully insurance takes care of it and you end up with a nice bike again.
Peter.

[JBMorse]

Pictures of the damages and before condition are a good idea.  Also, if you have receipts for any work you've done that will help you too.  Allstate totaled my bike after some a#$hole hit me in a parking lot, but they wanted to know what upgrades/modifications I had made to the bike, to help judge the value. 
Supposedly they have a team of researchers look up bikes for sale all over the country to determine the value.  If you have done upgrades that will add to the value.  They added quite a bit when I told them I had progressive suspension.  I didn't have to prove it with a receipt but they might not always take your word for it.
It seems that they won't add anything for things like new tires, or normal repairs/maintenance.  So if you make the work you've done sound like upgrading that will help.
Don't let them leave anything out.  If you've got any damage to the trailer or vehicle make sure they count it.  Good luck and I'm really sorry to hear of your loss. 

[Speed King]

That is sickening, really sorry that happened. Lots of good advice here on how to proceed however. Good luck to you.

[gnarlycharlie4u]

oh my god.

...so now what? if the other guy's insurance pays for it do you get to keep it for parts too?

[vance]

just wanted to say thanks to you guys for your kind and sympathetic replies, and also for the great advice. i feel like i'm armed with quite a bit more knowledge now. i've started getting my bike pics together and also went on ebay and found several cb550s that just sold for 2 to 3 grand. hopefully i can use those completed auctions as "comps" when i get further into it with their adjuster. i found out that someone from state farm did go by the storage lot today and look at the trailer and the bike but i haven't heard from him yet. i'm nervous about what he's gonna say.

again, thank you guys for your responses and support, it meant a lot to me.

vance

[Gaither]

Vance

Don't be nervous - you are the "injured party" and they are liable!

Go on the offensive. Get your own repair estimates from competent, reputable repair shops [you were smart to look on ebay] and you will know what is involved on your own.

In liability cases, you don't have to allow them to shove you around - although they may try. They get paid to settle as cheaply as possible - it's their job - and they may get pushy. Conversly, you want what is right. Arm yourself with your own estimates and stand your ground. They can run over you only if you allow them to!

Example: [Long story short as possible.] I got hit in the rear at a stop sigh in a NICE yellow '66 Mustang GT [10 years old]. The adjuster wanted to repair the tail end and paint the tail end [orig yellow]. I said "Paint the whole car - otherwise it will be two-tone".
He said, "My boss would fire me if I paint the whole car". I said, "Tell your boss I've had back surgery twice" which was true. He said, "what color you want it painted"? Notice I did NOT say, : my back is hurt". But he knew I was right and was ready to fight the settlement. They painted the whole car! 

Stand your ground, Vance. If you become the victim and come out on the short end it will be only because you allow it to happen. Get those estimates and/or replacement cost/s and show 'em you know how this works in liability cases.

They hit you! Why should you deserve and/or settle for any less than what is right?

[dave500]

gaither got it down,years ago i bought an isuzu "bellet"who remembers those?anyway it was 280 bucks for my girl friend ,i was teaching her to drive when an old guy in a humber hit us from behind,wrecked our rear end and the mighty english humber was still intact shaken,not stirred,his insurance company wanted to see our car so i detailed it and took to their inspection point and we got 300 bucks damage,we then sold the car for 300 a week or two later.,this is a good ending  story,this was in the early 80s,you might have to put up more front and tell them the fact that this is a rare and classic bike etc,ill bet insurance companies have changed since the 80s.

[markb]

Not much to add to what everyone else said except another good luck getting things sqared away.
Mark