This is a long awaited post, I was suppose to put it up two month ago and was really hoping the legal side of things would be over by now, but that going on. Anyway about three month ago, late August, I was searching for a place to rent around the Sutton and one of this place was in Chipstead, Surrey. Got to Chipstead and had to take a right at a T-junction to get to the place. As I slowed down to take a right turn, I indicated and checked my rear-view mirrors and saw a white transit van in the distance. It was roughly the distance of 5 to 6 cars (gap) behind. As I slowed down, lowered my left foot and waited for the traffic on the opposite direction to stop, I heard screeching brakes following by a crash sound behind me.
I was flung forward, luckily still on the bike and not on my head, feeling the bike and me being pushed forward. I jumped off to the left of the bike and my blade falls on its right. The blade is pushed even further by an arms length, leaving a dent in the road. At this point, I observed a young guy driving the van and a woman passenger. After everything comes to a stand still, this guy decides to reverses and shoot off down the road. Luckely I jotted the number on my left palm, and a couple of witnesses call the police and ambulance. After 10 minutes, the driver’s father arrives saying it was his son, his son was only 17 and had just passed some test. Roughly 20 minutes after that, the father returns with the van, son and other passenger. Mean time I’m taken away to the hospital. Had muscle aches for about a month, but luckly all has healed except for my left shoulder, still hurts when I move it in some directions. As far as the Blade goes, the police carted away it away to some garage whilst I was at the hospital.
MCE was kind enough to give me a replacement Z750 for a month, had 3 miles on it when I got it, so had to take it slow till the 600 mark. The blade’s been written off. Just not my lucky year when it comes to motorbikes. Has anyone been in a similar situation, could really do with some advice.
Moral of the story: Loud exhaust are no match for van drivers in the high insurance bracket
Argh so sorry to hear this Schubert, but good to hear you’re on the mend, good luck with the insurance claim. When injury is involved it can take a while, so they can get a clearer idea of whether there is likely to be longer term damage, also insurance companies tend to act very slowly. Took me 10 months to get my payout from an undisputed 100% their-fault accident from back in January, and that was using Rider Support Services.
Nasty to see the bike smashed up like that. I’ve ridden that bike and absolutely fell in love with it.
I’ve been meaning to ask - did you recover ok from your knee injury after the roundabout incident?
The 600RR was stolen earlier this year, hence “Another one bites the dust.”
That is rotten news, and nothing you could have done about it. The new Blade comes in Red and White so I suggest you test ride one of those. You can probably get 0% finance on it from Honda too.
Don’t think the police are pursing the van driver, since the third party have accepted the blame. Although I believe if they did not return to the scene of the accident there would be some dire consequence. Probably land up losing his licence or a massive fine.
10 months … wow, would have though, things would be a lot faster since it was the other party’s fault. Did they own up to it initally or was it half way after the dispute started? I’m in the same boat, since the other party has accepted the blame. I can understand about the health part and I’m quiet glad my solicitors have look after my case quiet well so far. But we are still disputing the value of my motorbike and I have been bikeless for 3 months. This part is really getting to me now. Did it take this long for you too?
Yup! knee injurey is fine now. I have a nice scar in that area, a nice Biker Scar
There shouldn’t be any dispute. They always send a low value estimate with the hope of fobbing you off.
All you have to do is go on Ebay, Auto trader/Bike Trader and Gumtree. Find bikes the same year, very similar mileage, etc. Get a sample of approx. 10 from the lowest to the highest. Work out an average and present the evidence to them. What you have just done is proved market value and this is what they promise to pay out. The idea is that if they pay you £2000 in theory you should be able to go and buy the same model and spec bike for £2000. I used this method with my dad’s car and got an extra £1000 on top with elephant.
Man im glad you ok he must have given you a proper wollop to get that bike to look like that.
I still have not had my full payout for the lorry who turned right on my in central london over a year and a half ago, i got a payout but had to pay £500 excess and i have not been paid for my helmet. This is after the lorry driver didn’t turn up to court and was given 6 points on his licence in his adsense. But his insurance company are saying they cannot get hold of him and so we have to keep waiting a certain number of days its all total crap!!
Anyway im glad you ok pal thats the most important thing. If my bike was not in track fairings i would lend it to you!!
