| Author | Message | ||
     Brineusaf |
while I was at the ATM. I parked behind a van, dismounted, walked to the ATM, when I get rdy to insert my card the guy behind me says "shit man... she just backed into your bike"... I turn around... "you have got to be f*cking kidding me...", just in time to see my unattached mirror roll to a stop about 10-15 ft behind the bike.   I'm kind of odd when I get angry, I just smile and laugh alot. She explained that she was so sorry and that her husband was going to kill her "because he rides a bike... a much more expensive one" and that he's going to be upset that she hit another bike. She starts talking about insurance, I'm not listening to anything she says... I'm busy assessing damages. Without thorough inspection the following parts are what I know have bitten the dust - shifter, peg, scuffed up DHM sliders, broken barend mirror, broken clutch lever, kickstand/bracket, scuffed up frame puck, and possibly the front fender and handlebars. The fender feels unusually loose, and I have not had a chance to measure the bars up yet. Oh, and the chin piece looks like it got scuffed, and the clutch inspection cover got scuffed as well.       Note- I was parked a minimum of 1 Car length behind this van. Also Note- I just took another Experienced Riders Course on the 13th. haha Another Note- After I rode home, which was about 10miles, I put it on the stands and assessed the damages again. Then I went inside to report the accident, to my suprise the other driver (member or same insurance USAA) had reported the claim as well. I'm not sure how any of this works because I've never been in an accident before, but are they going to take my bike to the shop to check for internal damage, I am not sure how much "play" is supposed to be in the shifter (side to side)? Or are they just going to give me money and let me buy my own parts, or are they going to take it to a shop and have them do everything? They said the claims officers would call me mon or tues. I cannot express how angry I am, and everytime I look at the 1st pic I hate that woman more... that damned smile. | ||
| U4euh |
My insurance company gave me a choice to have the work done myself, or take it to the shop and let them handle it all. I chose the 1st, cause if it is left up to them it maybe forever. BUT if it is left up to them the shop may do a better job of finding small things that might go un-noticed! Granted my claim was for a GMC Jimmy, but it was USAA insurance company. And what is up with that smile? (Message edited by u4euh on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Jaimec |
My advice, get the bike to the dealer and let the insurance adjuster look at it THERE under the watchful eye of the service department. They'll make sure the insurance company doesn't try to under-estimate the damage. | ||
| Adamcooney |
How in the hell can she have backed into it?!? That boggles my mind. Why wouldn't she have just pulled ahead. You should have punched her in the face and robbed her, then drove over her as you were leaving. Although not the proper way to handle the situation, it would have made quite an interesting news story. But that sucks man in all seriousness, hopefully if you have a chance to pick either of the 2 (cars my insurance company cut me a 1400 check for my 91' S10 and it still drove fine so I cashed the check, haha!) so you can always get used parts from here and pocket the rest or upgrade the parts and such. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Thats what I was thinking... have them cut me a check for new parts and invest the money in better aftermarket ones. I went back to the commisary just a few minutes ago (like 4 hrs after the fact) and found the remainder of my clutch lever and my peg. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Will USAA pay for the aftermarket parts though? Since they are what really prevented the bike from sustaining any real damage. | ||
| Odie |
Brineusaf- had an accident in our Jeep while we were in Germany. It was totaled because of the price difference it would've cost in Germany for work on an American vehicle. I fixed it myself after buying it back from USAA and made money on it here when we got back. It was only body damage so it really blew my mind. Make sure it goes to a Buell dealer and not an HD dealer. I'm sure Wurzburg, Heidleburg or Frankfort have Buell dealers due to their size. Might take a little drive but I would make sure it gets fixed right. P.S. Your barriers shipped today along with your requested item. Later, Odie. | ||
| Jaimec |
As someone who's been in that woman's place before (I knocked over a GSXR parked right behind my Outback) I can ALMOST understand what might've happened. With these new SUVs and Minivans, very often the motorcycle is BELOW the sightline in the rear view mirror. In my case, the GSXR was also parked in such a way that it didn't show in my sideviews, and when I turned my head back it wasn't visible either. It wasn't until I backed up and knocked it over that I realized it was there! Not a good feeling, I can tell you. I got off easy, the bike only suffered minor cosmetic damage and I paid for everything (didn't bother getting insurance involved). I've learned to be VERY careful where I park from that incident. Our Buells happen to be TINY bikes, so they'll be pretty hard to see to a driver of a vehicle like that Windstar. My friend's new Lexus SUV now has a backup CAMERA to show the driver what's hidden behind the vehicle. I think that's a cool idea! | ||
| Robertoxb9 |
Hey Brianusaf, again women can't park their cars, or even drive.. I would try to get a smuch as possible, order the aftermarket parts you like.. Maybe it's time for a right airscoop?  | ||
| Aeroe |
USAA is a good company (just reported a claim myself) After they check the damages and give you an estimate, you should be able to request a direct deposit. Then use the money however you want. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Odie - Yours is packaged and wrapped and labeled and is due to be mailed monday priority usps. you sent it priority right? | ||
| Brineusaf |
My father suggested I let the USAA inspect the bike (if they even want to) at the dealership service dept, so if any other problems present themselves the insurance company cannot try to blame them on me, instead of the other driver. Additionally, he brought up a great point. The dealership I go to rents Buells... so he suggested I be a prick and try to get the lady's insurance to cover a rental for the entire time my bike is down. After all, I bought the bike to ride nearly 3 months ago, and now I cannot because of this womans ignorance. Any suggestions? (Message edited by brineusaf on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Brineusaf |
Aeroe - did they send a claims officer to estimate damages? or did they just take your word? (unlikely) Where are you located, as I am in germany and am not sure if they even are capable of sending a claims officer. | ||
| Brineusaf |
There is a little mark/scrape type thing in the right side casing... would they just write that off? | ||
| Aeroe |
Brineusaf- I'm in Oklahoma so I'm sure things are a little different. But since USAA works with only military there's no way this is the first overseas wreck they've seen. I'd imagine they have several claims officers there or the same claims officer is used by several insurance companies. Also, you're dad's advise sounds right on to me. I'd even look into having the HD dealership give you an esimate before the claims officer does. (Message edited by aeroe on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Brineusaf |
Awesome, I just don't want to get screwed on this. Nor, do I want a lot of downtime, but if MY bike is going to be at the dealer for some reason I would like a rental. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
sorry about your accident Brineusaf!! Hey i noticed white lines under your bike, are those "No Parking" lines or what? I know the roads are differnt then the U.S.!! Just Curious!!! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey Kyle, Sorry to hear about this, I'd certainly ask for a rental while it is being repaired. Your bike is almost new so they'll have a hard time claiming previous damage. They should have to fix everything, no matter how small back to the way it was or better. Just remember the check they cut to you is usually smaller than the check they'll cut to the dealer, and they know that most people don't end up spending all of it back on the vehicle. If you're sure there is no internal damage to the shifter there is no reason you shouldn't be able to fix your Buell yourself though, but you won't get a rental while you wait for parts if you go that route either. Look at it this way, at least you weren't on the bike! | ||
| Brineusaf |
Brian - no kidding. They preach to us all the time about wearing flourescent vests for visibility, which I don't, but it seems pointless when someone will back into the bike when it isn't even being operated. I'd rather rely on my evasive driving rather than a vest anyways. Additionally, the bike ran fine on the ride home, I was just curious as to if everyone's shifter wiggles a little from L to R, as there is a little play in mine; but I never messed with it before so I am not sure if it was there before. Americanmadexb - haha, very funny. While those are "no parking lines" they are "no long term parking lines", parking is allowed there for momentary use of the ATM only (after consulting Security Forces). I would prefer to have the dealer work on it, so I can have a rental to ride while waiting for parts. Guess it depends on how large the check is going to be. Question - Will the insurance cover the parts that aren't factory (sliders,pucks, mirrors)? | ||
| Brineusaf |
The little section of road it occurred on it a little "U-shape" single lane for nothing more than ATM access. | ||
| Aeroe |
If i'm not mistaken the insurance company has to restore the bike back to it's original quality or better. so they SHOULD replace all damaged parts, aftermarket or not. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'm sure Kyle has plenty of "before" pics to document the condition of his bike. They are certainly liable for ALL parts that were damaged in any way. functional, or cosmetic damage is still damage. Kyle go over that bike with a fine toothed comb yourself and take notes so you can compare with the adjusters notes. You may see things they don't and vice versa. Don't let anything slide. Use that checklist for comparison before accepting your bike as finished too. Be thorough! They'll hate it, but it's your bike. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Oh man oh Man. Damage not caused by yourself is the worse kind of damage (emotionally, not financially). At least she's honest & called the ins company to inform them of the accident. She obviously wants to set things right. Can't tell you how many stories I've heard of cages backing into cars & driving away like nothing ever happened. Bigblock should tell you the story of how a guy backed into his M2 knocking it over & tried to put the fault on him. The guy ended up paying for the new pieces but it required a lot of cage rattling. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
if u get lucky they will total ur bike be as bitchy as possible...if they total it ask to buy it back....then u can fix it and prob have enough money to get whatever aftermarket stuff u ever wanted....my 2c . just remember he who is the biggest pain in the ass wins when it comes to insurance claims...any little thing that pissis u off make a big deal about it....theres a pebble stuck in my seat i want a new one....good luck man. | ||
| Odie |
Brineusaf- yep, Priority. By the way, my Jeep was inspected by an adjuster in Germany. I forget who he worked for though..... | ||
| Aeroe |
if u get lucky they will total ur bike I'd be careful about this. yes you could make money off the deal, but you're stuck with a salvaged bike title (here in the US anyway) which is going to drop the value of the bike a bunch. That's how I got my hands on my buell!!!  Edit: I forgot, here in Oklahoma if the repairs for the vehicle are over 60% of the vehicle's value then it legally has to be totalled. So most insurance companies will go ahead and total the vehicle at around 50%, there's always a few hidden extra's that get discovered after the dealership tears into it. You should ask the claims officer what the limit is and decide if you're going to try and total it out after you find out what your limit is. (Message edited by aeroe on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Dbyrd3130 |
Mine got hit in my driveway, by our upstairs neighbor... only the clutch pull handle and the footpeg were broken...i expected serious dollars for both of them but was surprised by less than 40.00! Sorry to hear about your issue though, and her smile is irritating, but it might just be the way she deals with stress? You smile and laugh alot maybe she smiled in reaction to you? | ||
| Odie |
Our Jeep was totaled in Germany and when we bought it from USAA the title did not have any Salvage markings or codes at all because we were overseas at the time it happened. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Awesome, thanks for the input everyone. Hopefully this will all be sorted out within a week or so. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
I do ALL the wreck estimates at my work...we go over EVERYTHING!!!! we HAVE to replace it JUST LIKE IT IS!!!! If we find just the smallest scratch on anything we write it down...for 1 it gets fixed and 2 even if it didn't happen in the wreck its fixed for you. i say 100% take it to the dealer. I don't know where you go or how that dealer runs but when we work on bikes we give it a 30 day warranty from the date on the service ticket. Insurance does cover aftermarket because they repair just like it is. I've dealt with USAA in wreck jobs and they are very easy to work with...Good Luck anyways....Brad |
