Last night , coming up to a mini-roundabout car in front swerves/brakes to avoid guy in a transit who shoots out in front of them.
I yank bars and brake (bad idea) at fairly slow speed ( say walking pace ) - loose front and promptly drop bars onto boot and kiss the boot with my boat race…didn’t taste right I can tell you.
Anyway me and Trump on floor - van driver does good samaritan and picks me up , helps me get bike off road.
I am in shock and think it’s my fault.
Damage to car - scuffed bumper and scratched boot.
Damage to Trump - front mogaurd snapped off ( looks good though - very Dirt Track rider ) Bent brake lever.
Exchange addresses and go home.
THEN I realise
Van driver caused it by pulling out - then he plays good samaritan with me and me being in shock don’t say anything.
I presumed that I was at fault because I went into the back … BUT HANG ON … I was at one side when car swerved and in avoiding the swerve lost it and slid into them.
Meanwhile driver of car thinks he’s gonna get a full respay and all new panels ( it was a 911!!! of all things ) and I’M gonna pay!
I now think I have to claim off of 911 driver who must claim off of van driver…???
…and would you beleive it - 911 driver asks van driver to be a witness…!
I have a few injuries too…
Whadya think??? Like to hear your opinions and and good lawyers…
Go back to the scene and record everything you can about road conditions and where the van pulled out and where you were. Wirte things down as a time line so that you can step through the events as they happaned - then go through them with someone then call the insurance company and ask for advice.
Do you have legal expenses cover? Did the police attend?
I agree with macp, you need to have all the details written down with times and pictures to back up what you are saying happened.
also take pictures of your bike and gear to show the damage - that will back up your arguments of what happened as it will show what parts hit the car etc.
I don’t wish to put you on a downer and I hate it when this gets said to me but you probably should have been able to stop in time. I know that’s not always the case (and we all know you’d never get down the road if you were really ready to stop in time) but that’s what the car and van driver will rely on. If it’s any consolation, I think some back brake may have helped and less heavy on the front (I went down in almost the same circumstances) but hey, it was an emergency stop.
Although in this case, as opposed to being blamed by the car driver, the delay may well work in your favour - no forking out to the car driver whilst the van driver’s culpability is checked out.
If the car driver wasin another lane and swerved into your path, he is to blame. The problem is that he swerved to avoid hitting the van which would also have been his fault, and the van driver is his witness! Realistically the only way that you won’t be blamed is if the two drivers’ stories don’t match.
So getting back to reasons why you need a new sportsbike…
But you have read my mind … here’s the script I’m working on ( for the missus)
“Well darling the problem is the Scam has those knobblie tyres - lethal in the wet…and it only has ONE disc at the front… not safe really …AND it’s quite high and heavy , so if I get a front lock it’s IMPOSSIBLE to hold up …etc etc”
Bent brake lever.
.
