Motorcycle roundabout accident

[Ghost~Rider]

Hi, I need a little advice please. I was on a roundabout last Friday, and was just about to exit when a car came straight out of the exit before it, and right into my path. I braked but lost control and the bike slid into the side of the car. There were no witnesses and the insurance have already suggested a 50/50 decision. What does this mean in real terms to me. Thanks. PS, the bike is a write off, (ie worth �1300, plastics would cost �1450 etc).

Also, as a footnote, why are insurance companies sneidy, self obsessed morons??

[kaztuz]

50/50 basically means just that - any excess you have to pay or any payout you get will be half of the full amount.

By the way I work for those sneidy, self obsessed morons, that really aren't like that.

People don't realise how involved the insurance business is and how highly regulated it is too until you work in it.

[buildersmate]

Why won't your insurer take up the issue of a failure (of the car) to give way to a vehicle already on the roundabout?

[Ghost~Rider]

Thanks for your replies. The insurer has so far said that the guy who pulled out says I could have been speeding, which I wasn`t, but because that can`t be ruled out, a 50/50 decision is the fairest option. He looked but didn`t see me, either through carelessness, genuinely didn`t see me or I came to him too quick after he had pulled out.

I made the moron comment because I have spent every day since Friday talking to Swintons (my insurer), Tesco (his insurer), and 4th Dimension (3rd party claim team) and each one has so far said nothing can be done yet, and could take 12 months!!. Only today have they mentioned a possible 50/50 outcome at the end of it. They can prove murder without a weapon or witnesses etc, but a bike with front damage and a car with side damage on a roundabout seems to baffle them. : - ( What happened to "give way to the right??"

[Loosehead]

Here's what you do. Break off all contact with the insurers, especially your own, you are not claiming off them. Then go to one of these crash specialist companies and leave it all to them. The accident cannot possibly be your fault, he pulled out in front of you, end of, I am a biker by the way and I know what a bunch of miopic plonkers cars can be. The damage and road coditions and layout all back you up. I once had excellent results from car crash line, not sure if they are still in business. Also there is a posibility of a due care charge on the car guy. Stick to your guns come what may, do not budge. Good luck, nail the f&*ker for us all.

[Ghost~Rider]

Loosehead - Thanks for that! You probably know yourself, pretty much every time I go out on my bike, someone pulls out in front of me, but none bikers don`t appreciate how switched on we are, so most of the time we react quickly to avoid incidents, only this time I had no where to go and little time to react. I have a strong feeling of prejudice by the insurers, and once someone mentions "speeding" they automatically assume that being a biker (rf900 aswell) that I was. I will look for crash specialists as I feel I will be out of pocket again. It happened 4 years ago when I was T-Boned by a taxi driver on the phone. He said I was speeding and the claim was quashed. Thanks again

[Toureman]

Pity the police were not involved, whatever you think about them they would have been on your side.

Being a biker I sympathise with you but take L'heads advice and good luck with it.

[Susie35]

Hi just a word of warning. I had the same accident but in a car. I was on the roundabout and a guy came onto it from the next the junction undertaking me as he was traveling faster so when I went to exit I ran into him as he was going onto the next exit from there.

I hope you can understand that.

Anyway my insurance company deemed he was in the wrong as he did not allow me to finish my manouvre,me being on the roundabout first.
But oh no whether it was because I am a woman, although he knew I was a driver trainer, the judge deemed it was all my fault. My representative in the hearing was flabergasted.
I say go with the 50/50.

[Loosehead]

Well I was once going around a roundabout behind this open back truck and a load of plumbers copper pipe fell off right in front of me and when under my wheels, I was doing about 10mph! On my arse quite quickly, luckily the guy behind me stopped before runnning me over and also had the awareness to take the number of the truck, I later discovered he was another biker but in the car this time, good man. Anyway the old bill showed up and I reported the truck. Car crash line did the business, I got my bike fixed and got a loan bike for the interim. Your case is a little less clear cut but stick to your guns you should be ok.

Oh and you need to get an R1!

[kaztuz]

I am also a biker too, so yes I know what it is like to have people pull out on you and you then get the blame because you are a 'reckless biker - who is bound to be speeding because you have the capacity to do so'

[Ghost~Rider]

Thanks for all your replies. I will fight this, but I get the feeling that insurance companies try to make things complicated and slow just to try and put people off claiming. I have thought about stopping the claim and repairing the damage, but then I think No, he was careless and I should not have to pay.

Oh, and Loosehead....... Nearly bought a `98 R1 a few months back, but I know two guys who had them and both lost their keys after they flew out of the ignition. Nice bikes but I`ll stick with Suzuki. Mind you, even a 250 superdream would be great right now, instead of public transport. ;-)

[madmondeo]

I used to ride a bike and agree with all the comments about car drivers just not 'seeing' you.


Funny, insurance companies are quick enough to get on your back if you miss a monthly payment, but when the boot is on the other foot (good pun eh!) they are useless!!