Insurer Blames Elite Cyclist for His Own Death
#26
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The biggest issues here is we do not have options for insurance, it is a single government provided insurer. They fight for both sides and it makes things drag out. I have had a friend who had spent years litigating, in the process racking up debt for treatments and lawyers, before it gets settled.
Also no competition makes insurance expensive, no matter what they say we pay higher rates. I pay about triple than what I paid in ON or NY for equivalent coverage; that's with a 43% good driver discount.
Also no competition makes insurance expensive, no matter what they say we pay higher rates. I pay about triple than what I paid in ON or NY for equivalent coverage; that's with a 43% good driver discount.
#27
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Based on the facts of the case, assuming they're as represented in the article, if I'm representing the defendant, we're going to do everything you can to settle before there's even a case filed.
It's called the empathetic approach. You take responsibility for the loss, admit liability, sincerely apologize, take care of the family's needs, funeral expenses, etc. Then at a respectful time you make a settlement offer.
It's a very effective approach. It has the benefit of being the right thing to do. And because it decreases transaction costs, and avoids the possibility of runaway verdicts, it decreases the total cost of the claim while still fairly compensating the family.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#28
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Valid, how, exactly? Is there a Canadian requirement to "hug the shoulder"? If not, the point is utterly invalid, considering that, according to the reports, the drunk driver was on the wrong side of the road.
#29
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It is not uncommon to have a car passing another car wholly in my lane coming towards me. Perhaps if I was in the middle of the lane, they wouldn't do it as frequently, but I'm not going to play chicken with a speeding car.
Details of the accident reconstruction would be interesting. Where were the cyclists? Where was the car? Uphill? Downhill? Curves? Sounds? Etc. And, yes, closing speeds of two fast moving vehicles going in opposite directions can be fast and reaction times can be short.
One can blame the car driver all one wants... but as a cyclist, when you're on the road, you also have to take charge of your own life.
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Mr. Hairy Legs
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06-18-13 05:24 AM