Turd Ferguson

An adjuster for the drivers insurance company is coming to my place tomorrow to examine the bike and ask my question. Not sure what questions they will have but it's to assess the value of the bike and look at my injuries.

Rocke

Some do… some don't... It is part of our ethos, break my finger and I will take your arm! Americans largely look at things in terms of Confrontation as opposed to Mediation and Negotiation. We have largely an Adversarial mentality, and love Competition. The odd thing is our Judeo/Christian background teaches forgiveness and reconciliation… sadly rarely practiced… Even by the Believers. The other side is Placation, often practiced in Canada. If I am not mistaken over $50,000.00 © is spent per capita for First Nation Citizens. Sadly many still live in poverty and suffer terribly. Many would be better if the money was just given them.

Somewhere lies a middle ground, it starts to come into view when we talk to each other. So, I still advocate calling the folks involved and finding a solution that all can live with. Blessings.

Ozrider

I live in Wisconsin. Get a lawyer. I was hit by a car two years ago. The driver was very confused by the red sign that said "STOP." She didn't and I got a free ride on a car hood. If it wasn't for the lawyer, I would have been screwed. Her insurance company tried to pressure me into an early settlement. My lawyer stopped that.

Of course, it helped that my lawyer is a Cat 3 racer. He understood how I felt.

At any rate, my attorney insured all my medical bills were paid by the driver, that I was compensated for lost wages and I am now riding a Trek Madone 5.2 because of the settlement.

The other driver's insurance company will try and screw you - big time. You are now swimming with the sharks, so it pays to have the biggest shark on your side. Get a lawyer.

Camilo

Have you ever had an experience with an insurance claim? As far as my experience with several adjusters and knowing one, their job is to make an assessment as to the value of the damage. If you dispute it, you dispute it. I've never had an adjuster do anything but make a quick, professional assessment, and so far, I have never had a complaint.

Sirrobinofcoxly

I feel like every cyclist I know in toronto has been hit at some point. I wonder if it's this bad in other cities, but whether it's the conditions or the drivers, there's something wrong here.

Bobby Lex

Yes. This is my 27th year doing it for a living.

Bob

dcon

Have you chatted with iherald from the ss/fg thread?

Flak

A guy who rides with us on wednesday is from Toronto and he says that the riding here (Cleveland) is much better than Toronto and has far friendlier drivers in his opinion.

If an adjuster is coming out to inspect your bike i would get an opinion of your own from your LBS. I don't know if they deal with bikes often or not....but if he is anything like the rest of the driving public then he might be shocked at how much bikes can really cost.

In any case good luck with everything. Keep us posted on the outcome.

ggg300

insurance company = sharks
lawyers = sharks

Just jump in with a kind heart and all will be well.

Camilo

I've been fortunate, the 1/2 dozen or so times I've dealt with adjusters for home and car claims, there hasn't been any problem, the settlement was quick and fair.

Turd Ferguson

no I haven't. Does he have a similar problem?

I'm going to drop the bike off at the store tomorrow morning and have the adjuster view/discuss it there so he can have a qualified diagnosis.

I was taken aback when the guy from the insurnce company (drivers company )who insisted on a immedite meeting with the adjuster (tomorrow pm). I don't even have the doctors appointment until Wednesday, nor has my doctor viewed the xrays from the hospital last night, nor have they view the police report and the driver has yet to make a claim. Whatever. I'll deal with it tomorrow and drink beer tonight

jit5

They will probably send two adjusters.

One who will represent the medical side of the issue. He/She will ask about injuries sustained, whether there is a requirement for rehab, any medical coverage that you might already have through work, etc.

The other will be a property adjuster. Will want to look at the bike, although most won't know a Huffy from a Look, and they might reccomend a bike shop that handles the majority of there claims. You do not have to go through their shop of choice. If you want just get an itemized replacement value quote from a reputable bike store.

They will ask if they can record the conversation, and then ask about your recollection of the accident. Time of day, direction of the sun relative to the parties involved, road conditions, speed. If your not sure say so, they are not there for an inquisition and if they get too pushy, tell them. In general in Ontario the adjusters are fair. They really just want to close the claim.

wrxrider

I'm a recovering lawyer in NY. DID NOT practice personal injury. That said, if it happened here and if there's any chance that you did anything significant to your body, you'd be advised to go get it checked out at an ER or by your regular doc. If you're sore but otherwise fine, just deal w/ the insurerer. If the other driver got cited for the accident, then you shouldn't have any trouble collecting for the repair costs to the bike.

Glad you came out of it whole.

Turd Ferguson

Thanks for all the info gang.

FYI, I picked up a check from the insurance company today which amounted to the price I paid for my Krypton a couple weeks back. I hope to be back in the saddle sometime next week !

As far as the personal injury claim I am required to work with my own insurance company. In Ontario, reponsibility for payment falls within this order;

1. ohip
2. employee work benefits
3. my insurance company

Should I have neither of the above the drivers insurance company is required to pickup the bill. At the end of the day, I few sessions of physio along with cycling and I hope to be on my way. A MRI showed I do have problems with my right knee. I can't remember the medical jargon but it's a tear in a ligament that surrounds, or close too, the kneecap. The MRI was done 4 days prior to the accidents, I'm sure it's only exacerbated the problem.. The knee certainly feels sore. I'm seeing a specialist in a month or two ( long waiting line for orthopedic stuff ).

My dilemma now is concerns about filing a claim with my insurance company to cover my expenses ( above ophip and my employeer ). No one I've spoken to has confirmed wether or not my rates would go up by filing a claim...they always state "I don't think so, but not 100%". Sigh...

At any rate. I'm just happy to know I can start riding again. Last week sucked eggs and I'll be glad to put this incident behind me.

idcruiserman

Why does your insurance company pay for medical? Do they just turn around and see the other guy's insurance? That's odd.

clausen

Your rates shouldn't go up. I put a medical claim in 2 years ago from a car accident (not my fault) andmy rates didn't change. Glad to hear your doing better.

eippo1

Glad to hear that you'll be back riding. Go shopping soon to help with your off the bike blues.