rumpofsteelskin's crash - a tale told in 3 photos

[brichter]

well if he hit a car head on in his lane, that'd kinda make it obvious IMO

Especially if the damage is to the right front or right side of the car.

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

Damage is to the left side of the bike as viewed by the rider. Damage is to the left headlight/ front fender of the car as viewed by the driver. I got photos of the car's damage, but it was dark and i was using a camera phone. Haven't looked at them yet, but if i need them it'll be handy.

Thinking about the damage pattern, it seems that he really did turn into my left side as i was riding through the intersection.

Update: my insurance company called back and got all the relevant data. Apparently an adjuster will be calling soon. I called the witness and thanked him for coming forward.

I also voluntarily went to work yesterday (all the lawyers wince) because my crew needed me. I won't be going in again until Tues, though.

Wrist is feeling better and better, and I have a big manly-looking bruise. :banana

I'm going to wait and see what the adjuster has to say before I consider lawyering up. I can't get a copy of the police report for another week, too, and the presumed inaccuracies in that report will probably largely determine the need for a lawyer. I'm patient, though, and I'd much rather let the insurance companies duke it out if at all possible.

 

[wazzuFreddo]

I have insurance out the wazoo, ....

I don't have anything to do with your insurance. :confused

Sucks to hear about your accident, just after you upgraded the suspention too :cry. If you need anything next week I have the whole week off.

 

[antipathy]

Glad you made it through without further injury, Morgan! Hope you heal up soon & that we can play tennis again this spring when your wrist is better!
-Alicia

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

Thanks, everyone, for the condolances and offers of help. I don't think I'll be needing to borrow any bikes or anything - as soon as my wrist is healed enough I'll just ride my bicycle to work.

Alicia - you're on for more tennis action in the spring. :cool

 

[Maiden 4EVA]

Dude, that completely SUCKS!! I can't believe the guy wasn't cited for the ILLEGAL turn. ??? Thanks GODS for the witness. Hope you heal up QUICKLY.

Man, what HAPPENED to your face??

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

^ My face has always been horribly deformed like that. :laughing

The nails are for pickin' mah geetars, son. I never did learn me to use a pick.

It's in the hands of the insurance gods now. I'm going to pop a percocet and chillify. Drugs, take me away! :cool

 

[scootiePuff]

look closely at the photo, the light is red!

i got the impression that the incident happened at nighttime, and that the posted photos were taken during the day (or more) after the incident? :

-I normally do ride as though I'm invisible, but allowed myself one second of inattention on a rainy, cold night. Look what happened.

but perhaps afm was just being sarcastic (hence the smiley)..

 

[Trogdor]

he probably didn't get cited cause there is no way to "prove" the guy took a left turn - like it didn't happen before an officer's eyes.

He didn't get cited at the scene because cops CANNOT cite for infractions not committed in their presence. If the violator gets a ticket out of this, it is because the officer, upon concluding the accident investigation, determines a cite is warranted. In that case, the violator gets it in the mail after the fact.

There is no way for you to know if he got cited or not unless you get a copy of the CHP 555 accident report. It will state right there whether either party was cited or not.

 

[brichter]

Damage is to the left side of the bike as viewed by the rider. Damage is to the left headlight/ front fender of the car as viewed by the driver.

Damn! So, you were already into the intersection before he even began his turn? That would almost rule out the "I didn't see him" defense, because you were right next to him!

 

[CHICKenstrip]

Hope you're feeling better, Morgan. I dunno...that photo you're all mad in and shit looks pretty hawt! :love

Just curious, the first photo, it looks like there's something written on the sign, under the no left turn symbol. Is it one of those, "no left turn between 9 am and 5 pm, M - F" type o' signs? If so, it might have been "legal" for him to turn but certainly, the investigation should still show it was an unsafe turn, als an infraction. Of course, I don't know what time of day this happened, so...

If I'm just seeing things, ignore me.

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

:blush

Thanks, Barbara. I know you ladeez love it when I'm grouchy and irritable like that.

The sign says "EXCEPT MUNI," so I think this should be a slam-dunk for the insurance people. Even I can figure out that this guy did a big no-no.

Adjuster called me at 8:45 this morning :wtf. I'll make my statement later and we'll see where that gets me. Somehow, I don't think any fat checks are going to be mailed out any time soon.

 

[CHICKenstrip]

:blush

Thanks, Barbara. I know you ladeez love it when I'm grouchy and irritable like that.

The sign says "EXCEPT MUNI," so I think this should be a slam-dunk for the insurance people. Even I can figure out that this guy did a big no-no.

Adjuster called me at 8:45 this morning :wtf. I'll make my statement later and we'll see where that gets me. Somehow, I don't think any fat checks are going to be mailed out any time soon.

Thanks for clarifying - I gots horrible vision. I think it'll be like whoever said, once they do an investigation, the guy will get cited for the illegal left. Hope he had insurance and your company goes after as much as possible!

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

Update: the guy admitted liability to my claims person this morning, so I am now taking up the issue with AAA. Apparently the guy's insurance policy is legit, too, so that's good. Wow - an insured driver who admits fault. :shocker

 

[brichter]

Glad to hear you're on the good end of things!

Better than the woman who rearended me.:mad

Not sure what her story is, but I got the witnesses.

[rant]
BTW, I won't be having State Farm after this is over. The woman who hit me is also insured by SF, should be a slam-dunk easy case, right?

Wrong! I've spent over 12 hours on the phone with various and sundry SF personnel regarding this (crash happened 12/28/06) and they still don't have a clue what's going on. I've had 4 claim representatives now, and had to go through my statement with all 4 (Geez, doesn't anyone take notes any more? :wtf), and the OP has had 5, along with me having to give statements to each one of them about what happened.

I've decided after this claim and the windshield claim (took 1 1/2 months to get it fixed, after the place they recommended I go screwed up the job), it's worth the $175/yr I'll spend by not having to deal with the BS.
[/rant]

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

^ Oh, my god. :|

I really hope I don't have to go through crap like that. I'm trying to keep my expectations low so I won't be disappointed.

I'm on hold with AAA right now...

waiting...

waiting...

:zzz

 

[brichter]

Ah, shit.

AAA was who I was going to take my business to! Lemme know how they work out for you.

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

I spoke to a human after about 20 minutes and they gave me the name and number of the guy's adjuster. Can't call her 'til Monday, though, so that's when I'll update you.

 

[Valgar]

my crew needed me.

You rollin' 10 deep dawg?

 

[rumpofsteelskin]

Ten deep? :confused

I can only fit 5 fingers in at the moment - my other hand is all messed up, yo.