Old woman pulled a u-turn on top of me, what now?

[conadz]

On my way back from a bike rally last weekend I pulled out of a gas station only to have an elderly woman pull a u turn on top of me. against my best efforts we collided at little more than walking pace. Bike was dropped but I got up and dusted my self off, luckily only minor damage, broken brake lever and bent foot peg. Now this if my first time being involved in anything like this, iv got third party insurance only and there is no way this could be considered my fault. What is the recommended next step? ask the woman nicely to fork out for the repairs or contact her insurance and go through them?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Cheers

[bosslady]

On my way back from a bike rally last weekend I pulled out of a gas station only to have an elderly woman pull a u turn on top of me. against my best efforts we collided at little more than walking pace. Bike was dropped but I got up and dusted my self off, luckily only minor damage, broken brake lever and bent foot peg. Now this if my first time being involved in anything like this, iv got third party insurance only and there is no way this could be considered my fault. What is the recommended next step? ask the woman nicely to fork out for the repairs or contact her insurance and go through them?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Cheers

Firstly, you definitely came off relatively unscathed considering she pulled a U-turn ON TOP OF you... Are you sure it's her fault? What did she say?

[Edbear]

On my way back from a bike rally last weekend I pulled out of a gas station only to have an elderly woman pull a u turn on top of me. against my best efforts we collided at little more than walking pace. Bike was dropped but I got up and dusted my self off, luckily only minor damage, broken brake lever and bent foot peg. Now this if my first time being involved in anything like this, iv got third party insurance only and there is no way this could be considered my fault. What is the recommended next step? ask the woman nicely to fork out for the repairs or contact her insurance and go through them?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Cheers

Assuming you took her details, definitely contact her insurance company in case she doesn't.

[Owl]

Assuming you took her details, definitely contact her insurance company in case she doesn't.

Why? Unless she makes a claim, they're not going to give a fuck.

[Edbear]

Why? Unless she makes a claim, they're not going to give a fuck.

Maybe but I'm the type of person who covers all bases and all info is good. Certainly ask her to cover the cost, either with or without claiming.

[McFatty1000]

Often best to let the insurance company know in case it turns out to be more than just a few small pieces - she can decide whether to do it herself or through the insurance company herself (Given full blame on her - any body else see it?)

[FJRider]

Even non-injury accidents need reporting to Police .... lay a complaint with them ... and they may offer advice that is both legal and sensible (not always found on KB). And remember the law regarding being able to stop in half the clear distance ahead .. ???
I might argue with the "Not your fault" bit ... as you were not exactly paying attention (both parties at fault at the very least).

Experience comes in many forms ... this is some that you do get. Better earlier than later. And it could have been a lot worse. And chances are it will happen again in the future.

No insurance means you pay your repair bills ... Such is life. You are free to sue her (small claims court) for damages ... depending on the Police report of course.

At best you contact the woman concerned FIRST ... and discuss the issue with HER.

[Katman]

....and there is no way this could be considered my fault.

Well that depends.

How close to the gas station exit did it happen?

If it happened very close to the exit, maybe she gave an entirely adequate check for traffic coming up from her rear only to have you suddenly emerge from her extreme left.

Sounds like your observation skills might leave a lot to be desired.

[Katman]

As far as the repairs go, straighten the footpeg and about $12 should get you an aftermarket brake lever.

Then chalk it up to experience.

[conadz]

Simply put, She was stationary on the outside shoulder and my front wheel and her rear wheel were parallel when she began to turn around.
Thanks heaps for all the replys, wasn't expecting anything so quickly.

So the overall consensuses would be to ask nicely for her to pay the minimal repair fees and if that doesn't go well take it on the chin and move on?

[ducatilover]

As far as the repairs go, straighten the footpeg and about $12 should get you an aftermarket brake lever.

Then chalk it up to experience.

Pretty much what this guy said.
At the price of repair, the hassle and effort isn't worth bothering about.

[FJRider]

So the overall consensuses would be to ask nicely for her to pay the minimal repair fees and if that doesn't go well take it on the chin and move on?

Pretty much yes. Had you did have insurance ... unless you are over 25, your excess would have been about $1000. So you would still be paying for repairs anyway.

[mashman]

As far as the repairs go, straighten the footpeg and about $12 should get you an aftermarket brake lever.

Then chalk it up to experience.

The above and a no teeth blowjob.

[94ZZR1100]

How exactly did the crash go down? Did she hit you from the side? She could pull the "You have to be able to stop no matter what" line and win. I know old people suck at driving and all but if you rear ended here she could very easily win and make you have to pay and not pay anything to you. :(

[conadz]

Sweet as, Cheers guys will give her a nice call in the morning.

I made contact with the corner of her front bumper (as i panicked and expected her to pull out, not turn around) could argue that she hit me rather than I hit her.
Just a bloody inconvenience, but at least I'm walking away from my first crash.

[leathel]

If she is 100% at fault get the costs sorted and approach her nicely with the costs, she may decide to pay the damage without a claim. If there is damage to her car as well she might make a claim in which case you will have to get her claim number and then contact the insurance company with that claim number and fill out an uninsured third party claim form.... and then it will be a case of running the repairs through a repairer (chipped paint etc will be covered)

If its only minor chalk it up to experience or she may pay anyway

If you call the cops as legally you are obliged to by law they may right you and her a ticket out and then you have to prove you were not in the wrong....It has happened plenty of times!

If she is an old dear that was a tad flustered or in shock over it I would go out of my way to make sure she is OK over it all...... You will get old one day too ;)

[bosslady]

find out how much repairs will be before you call her as it may be cheaper than her excess. Be nice, might be a struggling pensioner? I hate old ppl I always feel so sorry for them.

[nodrog]

ring your insurance company

[FJRider]

..... You will get old one day too ;)

If he gets lucky.

Getting old is not a certainty .... it takes years of practice. Even then it can still go wrong.

[nzspokes]

Pretty much yes. Had you did have insurance ... unless you are over 25, your excess would have been about $1000. So you would still be paying for repairs anyway.

Not if its her fault. Just got my bike back from an insurance repair and didnt pay excess as was the car drivers fault.

[PrincessBandit]

My baddies, I read "old woman on top of me".

You gotta decide for yourself how much hassle it's worth. Sometimes being determined to get compensation or acknowledgement of guilt etc. is simply not worth it in the long run. Only you can make that call.

[FJRider]

Not if its her fault. Just got my bike back from an insurance repair and didnt pay excess as was the car drivers fault.

I did mention Police in an earlier post. No mention of him talking to them since. Funny that if he wasn't in the wrong. A visit from plod might help the lady open her purse.

It matters little anyway. He didn't HAVE insurance.

[nodrog]

..... He didn't HAVE insurance.


....., iv got third party insurance only ....

holy fuckballs!

[rustic101]

Simply put, She was stationary on the outside shoulder

So if she was stationary you have hit her? I.e you have hit a stationary vehicle even if she was illegally parked you appear to be in the wrong. Could be wrong.