General Cycling Discussion - 50 mile ride ruined

By a car wreck! I had a 50 mile ride all set for today and yesterday, going back to work some idiot runs a red light and totals my car head on. The hospital xrayed my whole body and declared no broken bones, but I am laid up and can't get out of bed. All I can think about is the ride that I would be on right now. The good news is that I didn't have a bike on my bike rack at the time. The car can be replaced, but the bike.... Of course I was driving 98 escort that I had bought brand new, so I probably won't get squat from the insurance company. I've never been through this before so I don't really know what to expect.

Many days of: 1- No car
2-Anger
3-Waiting (for ins. co. responses)
4-Soreness and pain
5-dealing w/ ins. co.

I hope you were not hurt to bad. I was recently involved with the same dilema. Tons of hassles, but I wish you the best.

Sorry to hear about it. I hope that idiot has grea insurance to cover all your medical problems and replace your car, man.

Koffee

Glad to hear that you lived to tell about it. Heal up and get back on the road when you can. ;)

I can feel your pain at least from missing the ride. I had a ride planned today as well, but ended up getting a sprained ankle out of the blue. I think it actually is the result of too many miles a couple days ago. Anyway, i can relate to your frustration of being off the bike. I haven't let anything keep me off, in nearly two years.

I have ridden threw sub zero temps and 110 F. Then i end up with a stabbing pain in my left ankle that sidelines me out of the blue.

Regardless, i am glad you are ok. Had a lot of car tradgedies around here lately. A young woman and her child were killed just a couple miles from here the other day. They were hit by a runaway semi that came into their lane on interstate and killed them head on. He claims he was choking on his food.

Be glad you are still here. Take care and everything will work out.

Thanks everyone. I am still pissed about the car. I know the guy has insurance, but I don't know what I'll get for the car since it is older. It was in great shape, I only drove it to work and back. I know I can't replace it if I just get blue book value for the car. That's how it works, isn't it?

Thanks everyone. I am still pissed about the car. I know the guy has insurance, but I don't know what I'll get for the car since it is older. It was in great shape, I only drove it to work and back. I know I can't replace it if I just get blue book value for the car. That's how it works, isn't it?

I think they will give you retail value on the car. IOW, look at Kelly Blue Book or similar and they will give you retail, (what you would pay at car lot). So basically you should get the amount that a 98 Escort in similar condition and miles, would sell for at a local dealer.

Of course deductibles will apply.

Ouch, that's a real pain, but maybe a reminder to others reading. I find it all too easy to forget and make the same mistake myself.

When the light is green, it doesn't mean it's safe to go. It's safe to go after you have looked in all directions and made sure the way is clear. Just imagine the outcome if you should be on your bike and not in your car when someone hits you like that. :eek:

Oh, the intersection was clear of cars when I started. The guy who hit me was fifty yards from the intersection when I started through. He never slowed or stopped. The only way I could have avoided him is if I would have waited for the next light. You just never know.

OK ins. co. will give you Kelly retail for a car in the same year, condition, miles as your Escort was. I'd not expect much but it will be something.

Ins. co. will also pay for a rental car, your co-pay will be something like $7 a day, you'll get that deal for 2 week or so, maybe a bit longer, not sure, but it's enough time to get around, find another car, ec.

You might consider getting a "contingincy lawyer" who sues the ins. co. of the attacking driver, you stand a good chance of getting more money so you can get something better like a Volvo 240 one of the great cars of all time. The main advantage of a contingency lawyer is they know how to run around and do all the phone calling and paper shuffling, it was a PITA for me when I found myself at home, no wheels, with broken ribs hurting like heck and trying to do all the phone calls myself - the system is not designed to be user friendly, however it is designed to be lawyer-friendly.

You can find a contingency lawyer by looking in the phone book, they all have big ads saying stuff like "AUTO ACCIDENT??? ACCIDENT SPECIALISTS!!!" etc.

I think they will give you retail value on the car. IOW, look at Kelly Blue Book or similar and they will give you retail, (what you would pay at car lot). So basically you should get the amount that a 98 Escort in similar condition and miles, would sell for at a local dealer.

Of course deductibles will apply.

Yep. Pay your deductible and then pursue the other, at fault party for the full deductible amount. Usually a letter or two will suffice. You may have to use small claims court though if they refuse to pay.

I know how you feel... expecially after I was hit by a car months ago.

It is even worse when you get stuck at work because someone decided to try and commit suicide on campus in front of you and you have to sit there and wait for authorities to show up...

Hey my58, how much faster are you on that TT bike?

Maybe you should consider this a sign to commute to work on your bike!

Maybe you should consider this a sign to commute to work on your bike!

He might not be posting if he had been in that crash on a bike...

kerk:
Hope you get back riding soon, and the insurance covers another car.

He might not be posting if he had been in that crash on a bike...

kerk:


True! when I first started reading your post, I was afraid you were on your bike when you were hit! I'd much rather be hit while driving my car than on my bike. Unfortunatly for me, the odds are better that I'd be hit on my bike, for one simple reason; I'm on the road on my bike much more than I am in my car...

Anyway, glad to hear you're not too badly hurt...don't sweat it about your "death-box" (car) being damaged, they're replaceable, you're not.

Maybe you should consider this a sign to commute to work on your bike!I wish. There are no bike friendly roads between home and work.


True! when I first started reading your post, I was afraid you were on your bike when you were hit! I'd much rather be hit while driving my car than on my bike. Unfortunatly for me, the odds are better that I'd be hit on my bike, for one simple reason; I'm on the road on my bike much more than I am in my car...

Anyway, glad to hear you're not too badly hurt...don't sweat it about your "death-box" (car) being damaged, they're replaceable, you're not. I'm not attached to the stupid car, I just don't want to pay for another one and that's what's going to happen. I talked to my agent yesterday and she confirmed that I will be getting the Blue book value of the car and good luck finding a dependable car for cheap.

I have an 1986 Camry (Japanese version) that I'll sell you. It's a great car, I just don't want to drive it out here to Denver. I may be back next week. Want to make an offer?

I agree, Cincinnati is not a good commuter city.

Kathi

BTW, the Camry gets great gas mileage about 40 mpg and at what intersection did you get hit?

Kathi

I was at Ridge and Madison about 1 mile from work. The Camry is tempting. Got any pictures?

How badly was the car damaged? If the damage is mainly cosmetic/sheet metal take the settlement with the insurance company and buy the car back from them for the salvage value (usually a few hundred bucks). Take the settlement money and fix the car. I did this with an '87 Mustang that got hit by a half blind 82 year old woman. I drove that car for another 6 years/100,000 miles. If the damage is too severe or too expensive, start hunting for a replacement.

Sorry about your accident. It's a real pain in the a$$, isn't it?

The front end is wasted. The car will never see the road again. I'm going to try and get a picture of it. The more I think about it, the madder I get. I might just have to call a lawyer.

The front end is wasted. The car will never see the road again. I'm going to try and get a picture of it. The more I think about it, the madder I get. I might just have to call a lawyer.

Lawyers don't work for free... usually the fee approaches 40%. Are you sure you need a lawyer?

Lawyers don't work for free... usually the fee approaches 40%. Are you sure you need a lawyer?All I'm sure of is that I'm missing at least week of work, it will be much longer before I can get back on my bike, I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow, and my car is history. I'm not sure that a lawyer is the answer, but I can't rule one out at this point, and an initial consultation is free. If I can't ride for a long time or I can't ride for more than 20 or 30 miles at a time due to this, I would say that my quality of life has been compromised.

I was at Ridge and Madison about 1 mile from work. The Camry is tempting. Got any pictures?

I know that intersection well. I traveled though there many times going to my hair dresser near the Hyde Park Shopping center and to Oakley Cyclery.

I can't think of any pictures but if you want to see it before I get back let me know.

I'm planning on leaving here on Wednesday and being in Cincy by Friday. However, if the weekend weather is bad I may change my plans.

Kathi

I know that intersection well. I traveled though there many times going to my hair dresser near the Hyde Park Shopping center and to Oakley Cyclery.

I can't think of any pictures but if you want to see it before I get back let me know.

I'm planning on leaving here on Wednesday and being in Cincy by Friday. However, if the weekend weather is bad I may change my plans.

KathiConsidering my luck lately, I think I'm going to have to go with something new with a warranty. Thanks anyway.

All I'm sure of is that I'm missing at least week of work, it will be much longer before I can get back on my bike, I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow, and my car is history. I'm not sure that a lawyer is the answer, but I can't rule one out at this point, and an initial consultation is free. If I can't ride for a long time or I can't ride for more than 20 or 30 miles at a time due to this, I would say that my quality of life has been compromised.

From an insurance point of view, if the next car you purchase will be financed (since the payout will be low), look into getting GAP coverage just to protect yourself from something like this happening again. Often times the leinholder or insurance company will offer a similar product, or can point you in the right direction.

Before you decide to contact a lawyer, speak with your insurance rep. to see what the at fault party's coverages are. If they're relatively well-insured, your time off work, essential services, med bills, etc. could be covered. If you're planning on litigation because you can't ride your bike, well, you're going to be in for a long haul.

I had a 97 Civic with 100K miles on it, which was stolen about 2 years ago. It was paid off and only used as a commuter. The thief took everything of value from inside and then wrecked it into a parked car, which is where the police found it the next morning. I only received $4500 for it. So now I'm in debt again. I know exactly how you feel. :mad:

I left a message at the lawyer's office tonight. She is a friend of a friend and I'm just going to ask her what my pain and suffering is worth if I am off of the bikes and unable to play/coach soccer and volleyball for the next month or two. If it's no big deal, then I'll have to live with whatever the insurance gives me. The guy is well insured, and I have been informed that they will cover all real expenses, but no mention of "pain and suffering".

Crash Update....
Here it is June 17th and I still can not ride! Monday will be my first day back to work full time. I still have pain in my knee, back and neck. I go to physical therapy 3 times a week and they love to make me hurt! I doctor has finally allowed me to get on my bike on the trainer with NO resistance for 5 minutes. It is about all I can stand. It doesn't look like this will be settled soon. I just want to RIDE!

Lawyers don't work for free... usually the fee approaches 40%. Are you sure you need a lawyer?

Just make sure all the Litespeeds you had in the back seat did not get stolen when the car was towed !!

Crash Update.....
Today is July 27th and I was cleared by the doctor to ride outside for the first time since the crash. So of course I went home and went for a ride. Even though I have been on the trainer several times in the past few weeks, I rode at a medium pace for 40 minutes before returning home. I was afraid of over-doing it. Those 40 minutes were heaven! The sun, the wind, coasting downhill and spinning up - it was awesome. For some odd reason my back and knee don't hurt when I am on the bike. I can't wait to do it again!

Glad to see you're back in your saddle. Just let the wind blow all this away, it doesn't matter what happens outside of the ride. While your out in the sun the rest doesn't exist . . . Keep on rolling.