So I was at work today and someone comes up to me and says there's a bike on its side in the parking lot and of course, due to a lot of similar jokes I hear of this nature I laughed at him. Sure enough, he says he's serious and a customer told him so. So we go outside and I see my bike on its side with a woman standing beside it.
She says she noticed it on the ground as she was backing out of her stall and "doesn't know if it was her or not that hit it". She gave me her info and all and after further thought I am almost certain it would have been her that hit it. There's quite a bit of damage: scratches, speedometer lights don't work, handlebars bent and cracked off at the ends, faring broken a little, wierd nioses as I rode it home....
Anyway, this lady says she's not sure it was her or not. I don't want to blame someone that didn't do it especially since they had the decency to come get me but after a little thought, I'm almost certain it had to be her and she's just saying it "might" have been her out of guilt but that she doesn't want to be responsible.
I've talked to the police (to fill out a report) and they said to come back with the lady and I shouldn't be so hesitant in blaming her and going through her insurance. I don't know what to do.... :dunno:
Btw, does anyone know how to get stuff like this fixed... should I just go to the dealer?
I'm pretty dissapointed that this happened... any feedback would be cool.
Get a qoute from the dealer on repairs. If you need new bars, fairings and other little odds and ends. Your going to get screwed at the dealer.
Never never never never never (did I mention never) leave the scene of any collision, and never allow the other driver (to the best of your ability and without actually kidnapping them) to leave either. Where I work, if you leave the scene of a collision and come in later for an accident report, you are going to be told something similar to what they told you.
Think about it from our point of view: you come in and ask for an accident report. We write it up based on your description which puts her at fault. Two days later, she comes in and asks for an accident report. However, she tells us it was your fault. Without actually seeing the collision and getting information on scene, we can't make any determination of guilt. This helps no one.
Always call the police when there has been a collision and get an accident report. Bear in mind that some departments won't do an accident report on private property (parking lots), and some won't do one without meeting a minimum damage level, but you need to do what you can on scene to get an accident report. It will help you in the long run, especially if you are not listed at fault.
Besides, you suggested that you don't feel comfortable blaming her for the damage to your bike but that you're sure she is responsible. It's easy when the police are involved. We'll make the decision on responsibility, and you don't have to. That way if she's upset, she'll be upset with us, not you.
That all being said, I am sorry to hear about your bike. I went to breakfast yesterday morning and parked on a slight hill. The bike was leaning in such a way that I was sure it was going to topple over. I would have parked a different way or in a different place if it were possible, believe me. However, it was standing when I came back out.
I find myself often thinking about returning to my bike with it lying on its side. That would absolutely stink... here's hoping it doesn't cost too much to get back on the road.
Ian
Thanks for the input Ian, the good thing is the lady seemed really coopertative and seemed ready to accept the guilt if she would have been blamed. I'm gonna call her to go to the police station with me to do the report. To be honest, I wouldn't have even thought of calling the police at the time: I was in the middle of my shift and my bike was knocked over in the parkinglot, no damage or anything to any car around and I didn't expect the damage on my bike to be as bad as it was. We'll see how things go toady.
did you check her car for dents or paint scratches that would indicate a hit on your bike? she sounded reasonable and if so, go back and check out her car with her together and look for evidence. bring your bike too.
if you are insured and determined that it is not her fault, you can file with your insurance company and they'll take care of the damages, and all you pay is your deductible.
if you determined that it is her fault and she agrees to it, you can either go through the insurance or settle privately. if so, bring your bike to a shop and get an estimate and have her pay that amount, and you can keep the cash and fix it yourself or have someone else do it.
ifoneline is right, always file a police report right away.
Yeah..make the report together. It will make insurance claims easier. The cops will check out both vehicles to determine who's at fault. send the bike to the dealer as it is still cover by warranty.
I went to the police station with her yesturday, they said it's not even worth putting in a report over :dunno: Anyway, thankfully she's pretty much agreed to go through her insurance.
Today I went to my dealer and because they charge so much and take so long to do an estimate the guy there told me to arrange it with her insurance company first so they can send out an adjuster to the dealer when he does the estimate.
Thanks for all of the advise guys.
Ah, Canada is so full of nice honest people...
:)
i saw the fairing online for 130 for each side.