beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted April 15, 2005 05:32 PM
It was bound to happen...
I know, I hear all of you say that it will eventually happen, and I say I refuse to let it, but today it did. It wasnt my fault, just minding my own business, when all of a sudden...
I was in Spokane heading down one of the main streets on a one-way. I was in the far left-hand land going about 10mph on the ole 12 wearing full gear (jacket, helmet, gloves, boots), just cruising along. An SUV was sitting in the center lane and decided to turn and cut across two lanes to get into the restaraunt parking lot. The driver never saw my bike, and t-boned right into me.
The most remarkable thing of this tragic event, I never fell off my bike. I hung onto the handlebars not willing to let old faithful hit the ground. She hit me very hard up front, and I was rattled just trying to hang on and ride out of it. So I did just that, took a huge hit that ripped the entire right side of my bike and drove up into the parking lot and parked. The SUV followed me into the lot and pulled over as well.
Lady driver was all apologetic. I threw my gloves to the ground and screamed! I dont think I've ever been so shook up before. Talk about an adrenaline high raging within, it's truely unbelievable. Not just for the event itself, but the thoughts that six inches more or less could have been my right leg.
She was willing to do whatever it took she said, and she knew she was in the wrong and it could have been much worse. I can distinctly remember the peace of the air and this sudden crash as we collide together.
She had full coverage insurance with Progressive, called the Claims Department and told them that it was her fault and what happened. She had a passenger with her, whom also said it was her fault. Just to be on the safe side, I asked that she call the police to file a report so that I this in writing. Spokane city police officer came out and took statements from the three of us. They both said the driver was at fault, and I did nothing wrong.
Officer gave me a collision report, and I contacted Progressive when I got home. Of all the people in the office, I got the same lady the driver had called and fully admitted it was her fault. She said it is of course the adjustor's decision when he looks at the bike and reads over the statements, but she sees no reason why they [Progressive] would not repair the motorcycle. So it appears at this point that the bike will be fixed.
I bought a new turn signal for it and went to the dealer to have them do a visual inspection. I can still ride it he said, and they will do a claim estimate next week. Progressive will do one earlier the claim dept was saying. I just parked it in my garage, and took a ton of pictures of the bike on the ole digital camera for documentation. Now I begin this process...
I'd like to take the money to fix the bike, and just fix it myself. The thing that sucks is I'm at the mercy of the claims adjustor to total the bike, when there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The big thing going against it is the high mileage which brings the valuization down on it, so we'll how the numbers all work out when it's all said and done. The messed up thing about the process is then my VIN number is dinged with a claim on it when it wasnt even my fault.
So with all that said, I can still say I never wrecked or laid a bike down. I hung onto that bike like no other. I started riding motorcycles (Ninjas, in fact) back in 1996. So it's been nine years without incident. It was bound to happen I kept hearing, and well that is what happened to me.
The crazy thing was I had no sense of paranoia when I got back on and drove off. But I cry everytime I look at the shambles my bike is in. But it could have been worse, that I know.
   
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MAXIMUS
Needs a job
Posts: 4156
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posted April 15, 2005 06:17 PM
Glad your ok, thats the first thing, second do your self a favor, start looking at the paper and see what the zx12r is selling for inthe paper, then look up the book value. The insurance company will try to give you as less as possible. So dont let them rip you off.Get all your values together so when they call you and tell you what they want to give you , you can counter that and tell them this is what the bike is worth and this is what they sell for. I hope they dont total it but you never know. I speak from experience, good luck, I hope all works out for you, peace out.
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osti33
Needs a job
Posts: 2973
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posted April 15, 2005 06:19 PM
Glad to hear you are ok. Sorry about your bike.
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zx12boricua
Expert Class
Posts: 392
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posted April 15, 2005 06:20 PM
Look at the bright side, you walk away and can ride another day, some are not that lucky.
Second, this person stops and assumed full responsibility, most of the time they run away or don't have insurance. Sure it sucks, but you are alive.
I'm glad that you are OK.
____________
2012 ZX14R Blue Current
2007 ZX14 Black Sold
2006 ZX10R Yellow Sold
2002 ZX7R Silver,Black,Yellow Stolen
2000 ZX12R Red Sold
1989 GPZ900R Red Sold
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted April 15, 2005 06:44 PM
You were very lucky!!!...Your ok, and the bike has minor damage...Definately the way to have your 1st accident on the bike!!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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zzzzzxxxxxr12
Expert Class
Posts: 214
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posted April 15, 2005 08:19 PM
Yep, your a lucky dude, a few stratches that can be fixed or replaced. I used to say the same thing, never happen to me, until one day i let the Squid in me get the best of me and laid my bike down at 106 in a tee shirt on the 405 frwy at 5:30 pm on a friday evening. I didnt get off quite so lucky, but the insurance company paid me well for my bike.
Beans i think you can ask them to replace the bike with one that is comparable for the money they offer if they decide to total it. At least for the price they are offering.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted April 15, 2005 09:15 PM
dude!!!! 
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“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted April 15, 2005 10:12 PM
sorry to hear the shitty news beans! hope they fix it and not total it, as u seem to be hoping too. i hate throwing shit out just cause it's cheaper than fixin it. if they do try to total it, maybe they will be receptive to alternative ideas like if you find good condition used parts or something like that. good luck!
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted April 15, 2005 11:13 PM
glad your ok beans!!!
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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ZXLNT
Needs a job
Kawpuke Extraordinare
Posts: 2853
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posted April 15, 2005 11:44 PM
Beans I would have her insurance company fix EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that is scratched bent or broken. I am sure your bike was in excellent shape before the dumb bitch hit it. It should be in that condition when they get done with it..
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted April 16, 2005 03:13 AM
Hey Daniel I am glad to hear you are ok. Having totaled out a ZX12 already I can feel your pain brother. But lets talk about the bike for a second.
If you never dropped the bike, and your leg wasnt ripped off, I woudl guess that there isnt enough damage done to the bike to total it. My 12 was considered high mileage as well when I crashed and they still gave me 6800 dollars. I woudl doubt that you did anywhere enar that aboundt of damage to the bike. Even taking into consideration that the bike has EXTREMELY high mileagae, I would think that it woudl still be worth 5000 dollars. With out dropping the bike I think tha towuld be hard to do. It woudl have taken a shot to the frame and bent the shit out of it for them to total it. You didnt really say how much damage there was, or to what, but I am guessing here. From the what you have described so far I woudl guess it looks terrible, but is mostly cosmetic. that being the case they wont total it.
When you talk to the adjustor make sure you have all your fact together, know how much its worth, how much the parts to fix it cost, and so forth. You should be able to work it out I would think.
Keep in mine this is just an opinion with out having seen the bike, or even knowing whats wrong with it. But I will tell you the only reason my 12 got totaled is that I broke the frame. To do tha tI lowsided the 12 at about 30 MPH, then it slid into a car. But if the frame hadnt broke, we would have fixed it. When I say frame I mean the tab on the front of the steering neck that the upper fairing bolts too....yep, thats it......lol. The insureance company woulndt let the dealer weld the piece back on, they wanted them to replace the frame,
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted April 16, 2005 03:17 AM
Beans... do yourself a favor and sell the bike or part it out.
I would never try to rebuild a damaged bike. Seen too many that exhibit other problems after a fall or crash.
As a buyer... there are TONS of clean low mileage ZX12s available for sale. Use that to your advantage when negotiating a settlement.
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ozzy
Needs a job
need guberment cheese
Posts: 3172
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posted April 16, 2005 03:43 AM
part it out and let me put the motor in my Z1000 !
Glad to hear you're not hurt, that is the important part. The bike is just a bunch of pieces that can be replaced,You leg is not, just ask Wilson.
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eastbaydave
Needs a job
Posts: 2245
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posted April 16, 2005 05:29 AM
SHEW!
Sure glad to hear your ok Daniel. Man....I feel for you. Nothing like never laid your bike down then to have some bonehead do it for you. Sux the cosmic wab...
Get checked out man if your hurting today...make sure you have no physical damage to yoru body that you might not feel for awhile. You have 1 year to settle, so don't be in a hurry especially if you have something else to ride?
Feel mo' better soon.....
ebd
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted April 16, 2005 10:12 AM
Yeah I told the officer at the scene that I felt ok, no need to goto the hospital. I think that was because I was so high off the adrenaline rush. Needless to say...after that rush came down, I checked myself into the emergency room last night where they drugged me up way too good and did x-rays and basically started the medical claim with the accident. Conclusion was some super-medical-techno-term for heavy strain on the thorasic back and in the neck. Been feeling lightheaded too with a bad case of the headaches. They gave me some prescriptions for some narcotic muscle relaxers and wants me to see a chiropractor this week.
Thanks everyone for the kind words, it is appeciated.
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dougmeyer
Needs a job
moderated
Posts: 2713
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posted April 16, 2005 01:58 PM
Beans,
You are not "at their mercy". You just need to be clear about what it will take to "make you whole". Progressive, as you know, knows motorcycles (my bikes are with them, and I was an agent when I had my dealership) so you won't be able to get MORE than you deserve and the adjuster MAY try and see how little he can get you to take, but if you are patient, calm, clear and FIRM you should be able to get everything you deserve. The only problem is that it may take a while. Keep good records of all your accident related expenses and lost time from work, if any, just in case it all goes to shit and you need to get a lawyer involved. Hope you feel better soon.
Doug
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted April 16, 2005 04:26 PM
Beans, there is another factor! Pain and Suffering! This is a something they must pay you for. I am not talking about a "possible" back injury, I am tanking about the Stiffness in your body and the time you must waste to get the bike corrected and the loss of Use. Also damage to your cloths. Pain and suffering is usually worth between $1,000 to $2,000 provided there is no real long term damage.
Rember, A scar last a life time! (On the Body and in the Mind also)
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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zx23rr
Expert Class
Mahogany Bomber Pilot
Posts: 242
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posted April 17, 2005 10:58 AM
Not to mention the stain in your shorts!!! Like you said, 6 inches and it was your leg. The mental strain and the fear factor is there as well. You may not be the same on your next ride. Its easy for her to say its her fault and let insurance pay, but it could have turned out way worse. Did she at least get charged for dangerous or undue care?
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted April 17, 2005 11:32 AM
I dont know if she was cited, have yet to get the police report. Officer let me get out of there while she took care of the driver so I dunno if and what she was cited.
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted April 17, 2005 03:04 PM
It was a female cop???
You should have waited till the end and asked to see what the officer wrote on the report...They wont change it, but at least you know whats going on and you can ammend the accident reports if details are left out!!!
____________
Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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12r1
Expert Class
Posts: 390
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posted April 17, 2005 05:31 PM
When my sister backed into/knocked mine over, The Progressive dood actually tried to get me to let a body shop fix the parts!!! I told em no f&^kin way.
He got out his laptop,cut me a check right there. Even if it's just a scratch,replace it.
Then I ordered everything from ronayers,and made a few bucks.
jeff
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted April 17, 2005 06:00 PM
Yeah it was a female cop. I'm gonna try to get the police report this week or call the person who did this to me and ask her if she was cited.
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Spyral
Pro
Unpredictable individual.
Posts: 1071
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posted April 17, 2005 06:08 PM
Sue the bastard!! Glad yer ok.
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Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted April 17, 2005 11:11 PM
It doesnt matter if she was given a summons or not...The ammendment is more important if the report is not correct...
____________
Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted April 17, 2005 11:34 PM
So if the police report has something inaccurate in it, I need to file an ammendment is what your saying?
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