ptle

I wasn't on my bike though. I just got done mountain biking and my friend needed a ride back because he had gotten a flat (We both rode our bikes to campus to leave with a group). My car happen to be on campus so I gave him a lift instead of riding back. Both our bikes were on my rear rack. Some guy ran a stop sign and T-boned us.

We checked out the bikes and they were fine. The whole right side of my car is damaged pretty badly. I think they will have to replace the doors and rear panel.
I talked to the officer when he arrived on scene and asked him about bikes on cars. He said that "[they] don't count bikes."

I don't really trust KPD and their knowledge about the law, especially when it involves bicycles. Is what he said true though?

aley

Wow, that sucks, but I'm glad you're OK. Sorry to hear about your car - at least you have a bike to ride while it's getting fixed. He had insurance, I hope?

I'm not sure what you're asking about what the cop said. If you're questioning whether the other driver would have been liable for damage to the bikes (if they had been damaged), then the answer is undoubtedly yes, but you likely would have had to fight with his insurance company to get the claim paid.

QuickityJacks

You know what just made my night? The OP never said they were fine, but what's the first line after "Some guy ran a stop sign and T-boned us."?

"We checked out the bikes and they were fine."

You, my friend, know you're audience.

Assuming you and yours are alright, glad to hear it. Glad the bikes are okay too, though.

I-Like-To-Bike

What did you "ask" him?

jagsfanrick

This thread is like money is as good as cash.

lambo_vt

I don't really understand what you're asking, but I'll answer a related question:

When I recently switched car insurance companies, I asked about covering bikes on a rack on the car. The lady said that if the rack is a trailer hitch bolt-on type, the auto insurance company would cover the cost of the rack itself. If the rack is the strap-on sort, it belongs to homeowner's insurance. Either way, the bikes will fall to homeowner's insurance.

Of course, if the other driver is at fault he'll ultimately have to pay, but it sounded to me like my auto insurer won't let me claim the value of the bikes as part of an accident claim about which they then go hassle the other guy's insurer.

ryanwood

I am afraid Lambo is correct on this one, my homeowner's and car insurance policies are through the same insurer and I questioned them on "toys" that were being transported by the vehicle in an accident and they assured me it would be filed under my homeowners insurance policy. They assured me that this is the case for my skis as well as my bikes.

I have been screwed over by the KPD a time or two in my like, I lived in Knoxville for the first 20 years of my life so I had plenty of time to get shafted by those imbasils.

rumrunn6

why are you asking if the bikes are fine? how is your friend - he must have been siting on the right side, right? at what speed were you hit? yeah you're right about cops not knowing squat about the law hahahahahahha

ptle

I was wondering if the bikes were damaged in the accident, if they would be covered under auto insurance. Sorry that was kind of unclear.

Oh and yeah we were all fine... My girlfriend was actually sitting on the passenger side which got hit and my friend in the back seat. First thing I said after getting hit were curse words and something about the bikes. My girlfriend wasn't too happy that I was initially more concerned with the bikes and not her or my friend. Whoops! Its just the first thing that came to my mind at the time.

I-Like-To-Bike

Maybe the policeman got the same impression about you and your priorities that your girlfriend and friend no doubt received. I am surprised the policeman gave you a civil answer at all, and that your girl friend still is.

bikegeek57

glad to hear that the bikes are ok.... oh and of course you and your passengers too..

got rear ended last week myself in a very low speed accident.

bike forum related honest...

bike issue... my bike rack/attached to trailer hitch type rack was hit by car and knocked out the rear gate window. not much else damaged but my pride. thankfully rack was empty but is now mangled. Insurance company said it was covered. even my deductible will be covered by the other driver's coverage as I was rear ended and they are liable.

I am so happy not to have had my bike on that rack though. It was a long week for my wife and I with that accident. bleh. hate accidents.

you will need to ask your insurance company about the specifics in your case though. Each policy is likely different.

hope your insurance company makes this an easy experience for you.

jagsfanrick

I am just trying to figure out how this thread has anything to do with bike commuting. OP was in car.

10 Wheels

Go back to sleep.

I_bRAD

Glad you're OK... now remember to look both ways before crossing the street!

CCrew

True cyclist... In a wreck and the first thing you worry about is the bikes. Kudos!

fredgarvin7

"My girlfriend wasn't too happy that I was initially more concerned with the bikes and not her or my friend. Whoops! Its just the first thing that came to my mind at the time."

Reminds me of the camper who was attacked by a bear. The bear rips of his arm and eats it. He screams; "My ROLEX!!!!!!"

HeyitsDave

Do you think the insurance will fix your car or call it a total?

aley

That'll buff out. Good wax job, you'll never know it happened.