My bike was backed over again. Luckily there were people around AND the driver decided to stick around. I gave her about three feet from her bumper on my right and I had another one and a half to two til the driveway on my left, and she had twent-four feet b/w my bike and the car in front. She said she didn't see it as she approached her car and knocked it over while in reverse. She gave me her info and asked that I call her before I contact the insurance co. Now what? I can do all the stuff myself (busted napoleon mirror,clutch lever,scraped bar end,maybe bent clip-on and footpeg/perch) except pull the dent in my tank. Should I just send her a bill for the stuff, take it to a shop, I don't know. Just a little unsure of the options.
Thanks
I've been put in terrible situations where one thing was said during the accident and the person turned around and claimed that it was my fault later. This is all with my car. No accidents yet on my bike (fingers crossed). All of them ended well for me, but it was a major hassle.
The one thing I've learned is that I always get a police report on scene. Too many dishonest people out there. The only time I wont is if it's a small accident and they are offering me money there on the spot to cover my cost to fix and to not report it to my issuance. I probably would have done something like that in your case. Did you get the witness' numbers and made sure they agreed it was her fault? If so, you got no worries. Do whatever is going to be more convenient for you. If not, I would see if she can cover the costs of what you think it might be right away. Buffer that number a little in your favor just in case. If you can get an estimate from a shop quickly (and I mean no more than a day), use that to see how much the cost will be. If she can't cover it right away, report the accident to the insurance company.
I know it probably sounds a little harsh, but I don't think the other party can be trusted in these situations. Don't worry. I only have trust issues with people who screw up my stuff because they weren't careful enough. ;)
get her insurance info anyway, "just in case".otherwise she'll say she never said that and without a police report you're screwed. Trust is a wonderful thing, which you should not rely on in matters like these.
go through the proper channels (police report, etc).
It may not be too late to file a police report. Check with your local authorities... If the bike was parked it's her liablilty.. even if it was improperly parked, the stopped vehicle does no wrong.
If you want to do the repairs yourself that's fine.. but get an estimate on paper!