Crash replacement help

Triathlon Forum
1

Well, it finally happened. I was hit by a car. I figured it was going to happen sometime. I spend enough hours trainging and communting in city traffic that it was inevitable. So, I sit here on my couch full of pain killers looking at the peices of my bike. I am going to the bike store tomorrow. I was told by the driver’s insurance that we needed to take the bike to a store and get an estimate. If the store determined it was totalled then get a replacement estimate.

The front wheel is folded, the downtube has a pretty good dent, front brake is bent, and it has a carbon fork. My seat is folded and there are various other little dings and scraps (on me and the bike).

So here is my question for those of you who have been through this. The bike is getting pretty worn. Do they tend to settle with what it costs to replace all the parts? Or is it current value of the bike. Its a Lemond Reno. Lots of upgrades to over the past five years. New wheels, seat, handlebars, aerobars and such. But really if I were to try to sell it in pre crash condition, it wouldnt be worth very much. But it will cost a ton to replace.

Or do they look at individual pieces of the bike. For example, my front wheel is destroyed, my rear wheel is fine. If the bike is totalled, is the replacement estimate with a set of wheels or just one?

Ok, one more. Are the bike shops consistant with thier estimates? I am planning on taking it to where I purchased the original bike and most of the parts. I think they are great people there, but should I take it to multiple shops and turn in the highest estimate to the insurance company? The insurance company seemed pretty ready to cut a check.

Oh one more thing. I am fully insured medically, so this wont cost me much, should I try to get my med expenses covered by her insurance? I had a cat scan and full battery of tests (and some really good drugs so sorry for any weird typing), I think my insurance will cover it pretty well. I just am not sure of what is customary. This crash was totally the car’s fault, even the driver agrees. But I feel a little guilty asking for so much.

Any problems with getting the insurance to pay?

Thanks for your advice.
t

2

Your medical insurance will likely ask if it was related to an accident. In some cases, they will deny the claims (sometimes after the fact, and request repayment from you), or they will subbrogate and attempt to get their money back from the other insurance company. Be careful with how you handle things, it could come back to bite you in the a$$ - you don’t want to have to repay it out of your pocket, nor do you want it “on your record” in the event you need to get private insurance somewhere in the future (think self employment). Just some food for thoughts.

As far as the bike replacement, if the bike has more damage than it is worth or worth to fix (ie. totaled), they will either pay for the current value of the bike, or the replacement value of the bike, depending on what you agree to, and the limits of the other person’s insurance. Be careful what you agree to on the phone - you, having gotten hit, have the position of power, providing you take it. They in no way want things to go to a lawsuit, they will likely want to settle quickly, and will have a bit of “give” room to do so. Don’t necessarily accept the first settlement offer, unless you are entirely happy with it - as most require some sort of contractual agreement to not pursue any further damages. Fortunatly, some insurances let you settle property separate from medical.

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, I didn’t even stay in a Holiday Inn last night, so don’t believe a word of what I said, I’m just a dumbass who does not know anything. Consult someone who does know something, such as your local lawyer.