Hit and run

[OstOgBajer]

So I got in my first accident today... Traffic was slowing down on an axis road to turn left and as I come to a stop (doing nothing wrong mind you, traffic is moving between 5-10 mph), this lady behind me smashes into the back of my bike and pushes my bike halfway under the car in front of me. I got off the bike and immediately went back to this lady and asked if she had insurance, and the lady in front of me got out of her car to see what happened. The lady in front was fine (car wasn't damaged) but she was nice enough to help divert traffic as I push my flat bike into a parking lot while the lady behind me followed. As soon as we pull into the parking lot, the lady behind me took off. She seemed cooperative when I talked to her, and had a kid with her in and it didn't cross my mind that she would run, but shit happens. Neither one of us got her plates. The lady in front of me took off after her to try and catch her but she was too fast.

Thankfully I'm fine, and the recently installed frame sliders kept damage to a minimum, but the dealer that I had the bike towed to said it's totaled. Sounds like the swingarm and frame could be bent. I don't know exactly how bad. And thank god I have full coverage, but from what I'm hearing from friends, my rates may go up because of this.

Next time something like this happens and I'm in good enough condition to walk, I'm going to get a license in my hands before I let them out of my sights.

[sally101]

Shoulda whipped out the cellphone cam first thing and got pix... Sorry to hear about your accident.. People are scum.

[Monster Dave]

That's aweful. Glad to hear that you're alright.

People just don't have any sense of moral right and wrong anymore.

[sroberts152]

When I got hit last April, the first thing I did was snap a pic of his plate because you have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Then I got a picture of his drivers license just in case he was giving me bad info.  Sorry you had to go through that.  Hopefully you are not too bad off and will back in the saddle soon.  

you might want to edit that last line... it may be seen as a threat.  I understand how mad you are but if something happens to this person they might come looking.  Just saying.

[Holden]

Damn. Thanks for the heads up.

[OstOgBajer]

When I got hit last April, the first thing I did was snap a pic of his plate because you have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Then I got a picture of his drivers license just in case he was giving me bad info.  Sorry you had to go through that.  Hopefully you are not too bad off and will back in the saddle soon.  

you might want to edit that last line... it may be seen as a threat.  I understand how mad you are but if something happens to this person they might come looking.  Just saying.

I don't know what you're talking about... 

Yeah had I been thinking straight I would have. Never been in a real accident before so I was just kind of in shock at the stupidity of how she could hit me like that. I am more than ready for next time though...

[Spidey]

Glad you're ok.  Seriously, that's what matters.  And don't kick yourself about not taking a cell phone shot.  When you've been hit, if you don't go into shock immediately, you're doing as much as can be expected. 

That said, here are a few things to do immediately to cover your ass. 

Next time something like this happens and I'm in good enough condition to walk, I'm going to get a license in my hands before I let them out of my sights.

Report to it to police.

Check any stores/gas stations/busineses nearby and ask if they have outside facing video cameras.  You'd be surprised what you can find.  They write over those cameras in a day or two, so get on it.  Look at the corners of building or at fire escapes to see if there are cameras around. 

Get the lady in front of you to confirm in writing that a lady behind you hit you first.  You don't want the front lady to say that you hit her and then you were plowed into from behind.  Insurance will tag you with the accident.  She's covered either way, so it's no skin off her back to give you something in writing.  Ask her to take some digital pics of her car for you.  Tell her it's all to try to find the woman whoe ran away.

Call your insurance and give them as much information as possible.

Gets many, many pics of the bike at the dealer.  Your insurance should do this, but they might only be half-assed or they might get there in a couple of weeks.

[Howie]

Sorry to hear.  I probably made the same mistake of trust.  Did report the accident as a hit and run?  Do you have witness names?  Hit and run should not result in a raise in your insurance premiums.  Ah, Spidey beat me to it and did a better job.

[swampduc]

Glad you're ok. I'm sorry to hear that that woman ran on you, but I can't say I'm surprised 
Spidey's right though, it's hard to get hit like that and not be hurt. The fact that you walked away is what's important.

[OstOgBajer]

Thanks everyone.

I did check for cameras and there are none. It happened in the middle of a big intersection and stores are too far away. The lady in front of me was extremely helpful and even though I don't have much trust in people right now, her and one other good samaritan lead me to believe that not everyone is rotten. I don't have her word in writing but I doubt anything would come of it (but who knows...)... it was just my blinker that hit underneath her FJ Cruiser, leaving no marks. She didn't even stay for the police report or to get any info from me. But yeah, reported as a hit and run. My dealer has worked with my insurance before too (just went down there) and he says I should be fine, no raised rates or anything.

The dealer is handling everything with the bike and the owner assures me everything will go smoothly. I may be coming out of this with a Ducati GT 1000.

[jsanford]

If you have State Farm, watch out.  I've heard multiple stories of them telling their insured that their motorcycle coverage won't go up after a no-fault accident and then drop them next renewal.

But that could just be Washington.

She ran?  Wench.  Some example for her kid.  Maybe one of you caught something distinctive on her car, such as one of those my-kid-is-an-honor-student-at-this-grade-school bumper stickers?

Glad you're okay.  Hit-from-behinds are awful; they leave you with a sense that there's something you could have done when there isn't.

[OstOgBajer]

No, I'm with Dairyland. My dealer has worked with them before on claims and didn't have anything bad to say about them. I've heard horror stories of all kinds regarding insurance... I just hope I don't get screwed... again.

I'm sure I'll find out soon enough, but how will insurance work with a replacement bike? If I get a new 696, would that be under my existing policy or would I need to pay to add a replacement bike? What about if I get the GT 1000 as a replacement? I already paid for the entire year for the 696 and a Ninja...

[swampduc]

No, I'm with Dairyland. My dealer has worked with them before on claims and didn't have anything bad to say about them. I've heard horror stories of all kinds regarding insurance... I just hope I don't get screwed... again.

I'm sure I'll find out soon enough, but how will insurance work with a replacement bike? If I get a new 696, would that be under my existing policy or would I need to pay to add a replacement bike? What about if I get the GT 1000 as a replacement? I already paid for the entire year for the 696 and a Ninja...

They should prorate your coverage - the 696 you have now is dropped when the claim is settled, and you're given credit for the money for unused coverage. You can then apply that money to whatever biike you want to get. Good luck, man.

[billruiz]

If it happened at an intersection, check with your local DOT or traffic management. In my local area (Largo FL) cameras are replacing or supplementing the sensors to trip the signals. Sometimes they'll put cameras at intersections just to monitor traffic, not catch speeders or lawbreakers, HOWEVER I wouldn't put it past some municipalities. Anyway, in your case, a camera might have  caught a plate number or the make, model, color of vehicle.

[BastrdHK]

Did the store you guys pulled into have cameras?  What time of day was it?  How old was the kid?  Could she have been taking the kid to/from school?  If so figure out what schools are in the area and stake' em out!

I know this may be too much, but it really pisses me off when people do shady shit like this.

Glad you walked away my friend!