Accident
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Accident
I was hit by a car earlier this month and I'm worried about the safety of my frame. The car wasn't going very fast, maybe 15mph? I was going around 12. My front wheel made contact in between the headlight and the car wheel, so basically on the side of his front bumper. My frame is double butted aluminum and there seems to be no visible damage, but the inside could be. The front wheel was bent and I took it to my LBS to get it trued. Aside from that all other components seem fine, the headset, handlebar, and saddle slipped out of place but that's pretty much it.
#2
Senior Member
I was hit by a car earlier this month and I'm worried about the safety of my frame. The car wasn't going very fast, maybe 15mph? I was going around 12. My front wheel made contact in between the headlight and the car wheel, so basically on the side of his front bumper. My frame is double butted aluminum and there seems to be no visible damage, but the inside could be. The front wheel was bent and I took it to my LBS to get it trued. Aside from that all other components seem fine, the headset, handlebar, and saddle slipped out of place but that's pretty much it.
Clean the frame, and look closely for cracks, especially on the welded joints of the different tubes that make up the frame. If everything is ok, It should be safe.
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 443
Bikes: Trek 1500 SLR DI2 Giant Kronos SRAM Rival
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 301 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Its aluminum. The only things you have to worry about is if there is any visible cracks, and whether the frame is still true. If it has carbon wheels I would look at getting their insurance company to replace those with new ones. Other than a visual inspection by an authorised bike repair team for your manufacturer is all you need. Get them to give it a once over. Its most likely (other than a few scratches and scrapes) there is nothing structurally wrong with your bike frame.
My advice would be to get it looked over but I would not worry about it too much.
My advice would be to get it looked over but I would not worry about it too much.
#4
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
You should have taken the whole bike there. Besides that, if you had damages you needed to file an insurance claim, their insurance should cover some of this, if they were at fault.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
#5
Banned.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 443
Bikes: Trek 1500 SLR DI2 Giant Kronos SRAM Rival
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 301 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
If they have insurance it's even better provided you weren't hurt. It likely means free bike time. Ring YOUR insurance assessor and get them to tell you where to send it. They will have a preferred assessor.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 523
Bikes: Trek Domane, Surly Disc Trucker
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 170 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times
in
68 Posts
I had an accident last year with my carbon bike - different situation as it was on a trunk rack and I was hit from behind while at a red light at a fairly low speed. On the surface, it just looked like the front wheel was damaged. I brought it to my LBS and the mechanic recommended replacing the fork, too, just to be sure as it can be difficult to discern underlying damage. I submitted the claim to the other party's insurance company for both the wheel and the fork and they paid the claim. Best to have a full assessment of your bike done without letting time pass from the accident.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
That's not exactly how it works, unless you are talking about a generic suing for "pain and suffering" or such. Even worse, if you find someone to lie to the insurance saying the bike is wrecked when it isn't, now you're the one in trouble for fraud.
#10
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Yep, we need to keep in mind that insurance fraud is a felony in most places.
-Tim-
-Tim-
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 7,239
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
My only concern would be possible damage to the fork/steerer which wouldn't be visible while in the head tube. So I'd remove the fork and give it a good visual inspection for any bend or crack.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
I'd be much more concerned about your front wheel and front fork, then I would the frame.
If your front wheel or fork breaks while riding you will go down faster than you can think. All your remember is a tiny sensation that something was going wrong then you'll be on the ground.
If your rear wheel goes out it happens slower you usually have a chance to get a foot down.
If your frame breaks it's a triangle, so you're still kinda supported by the rest of the frame. I've had a bottom bracket rust out while I was riding and other than making scary noises it was fine, I was able to coast to a stop, then coast on the frame part of the way back home.
I'd replace the front wheel and maybeish the front fork before I'd worry about the frame.
If your front wheel or fork breaks while riding you will go down faster than you can think. All your remember is a tiny sensation that something was going wrong then you'll be on the ground.
If your rear wheel goes out it happens slower you usually have a chance to get a foot down.
If your frame breaks it's a triangle, so you're still kinda supported by the rest of the frame. I've had a bottom bracket rust out while I was riding and other than making scary noises it was fine, I was able to coast to a stop, then coast on the frame part of the way back home.
I'd replace the front wheel and maybeish the front fork before I'd worry about the frame.
#15
Banned.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 443
Bikes: Trek 1500 SLR DI2 Giant Kronos SRAM Rival
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 301 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Sorry, I read that as even if the bike was OK, you should be getting a brand new one. I'm not sure how laws work in Australia, perhaps you could explain that? At least here, if you want money from an insurance company, you're going to need to submit proof of damages, and they will pay out for a comparable replacement or repair.
#16
Cycleway town
Ally frames are very brittle, and cracks can have low visibility, but they do bend first. Any area that is bent will be localised, so around joints, and a crack in the paint is the first indication of notable failure.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
^ Yes, it was a "collision"
Since the wheels and fork were still under warranty I went ahead and replaced them. I'll go visit my local bike shop later and ask their opinion on the frame. Nothing seems to be bent or cracked. The front wheel was bent and the back one just slipped out of place. We are in the process of getting the guys insurance to pay for the damages. I suffered some scrapes on my arms, legs, chin, my upper lip got busted, thankfully I didn't need stitches. My wrist hurts when I try to twist caps and my left knee still hurts a little.
Since the wheels and fork were still under warranty I went ahead and replaced them. I'll go visit my local bike shop later and ask their opinion on the frame. Nothing seems to be bent or cracked. The front wheel was bent and the back one just slipped out of place. We are in the process of getting the guys insurance to pay for the damages. I suffered some scrapes on my arms, legs, chin, my upper lip got busted, thankfully I didn't need stitches. My wrist hurts when I try to twist caps and my left knee still hurts a little.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,018
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R 260 Disc; 2008 Trek 4.7 Madone; 2017 Framed Minnesota 3.0 Fat Bike; 1984 Nishiki International
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Actually, not necessarily true. No fault laws are different depending on where you are but for the price of an aluminum bike the adjuster is probably not going to want to take a chance on turning down a claim without being sure the frame is undamaged. You would have to release them so make sure you are not hurt. It is not lying if you don't have the technical ability to tell if the frame is damaged. You are rightfully concerned about it.
#20
Senior Member
As mentioned I would have the frame inspected by someone with the “technical ability” to do so if you are concerned. I would think most insurance companies would have this inspection done before shelling out the cost of a new frame rather than “free bike day”. Insurance adjusters are well versed and have seen a lot regarding fraudulent claims, not a rabbit hole I would go down.
Personally I would just inspect it for cracks or damage. At the speed you stated, it’s likely it fine from what you described.
The truth will always set you free, pedal On!! .
Personally I would just inspect it for cracks or damage. At the speed you stated, it’s likely it fine from what you described.
The truth will always set you free, pedal On!! .
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
...the bike is assumed to be in a 100% safe undamaged working order prior to the incident...
If it were my bike, I'd not have the same trust after the event. No matter how or whom does the repairs & services to try & make it right. It will no longer be what it was prior to that unfortunate event. Driver responsibility has to be taken in to account for situations like these, & if the frame has endured damages that can impact it's usability & functionality; not aesthetics, then the suspect frame should be replaced. Should the frame not be available, then the next comparable solution is a new bicycle.
If it were my bike, I'd not have the same trust after the event. No matter how or whom does the repairs & services to try & make it right. It will no longer be what it was prior to that unfortunate event. Driver responsibility has to be taken in to account for situations like these, & if the frame has endured damages that can impact it's usability & functionality; not aesthetics, then the suspect frame should be replaced. Should the frame not be available, then the next comparable solution is a new bicycle.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
#22
Senior Member
Had you ended up in the ICU for 2 weeks, insurance could have paid out upwards of a million bucks in hospital bills.
Replacing an aluminum bike is peanuts in comparison.
You're now worried about your bike being unsafe to ride, which means you haven't been made whole.
You should get completely compensated for the original purchase price of your bike, helmet, glasses, and kit, and call it day. It will be a relief to both the driver and the insurance company.
Replacing an aluminum bike is peanuts in comparison.
You're now worried about your bike being unsafe to ride, which means you haven't been made whole.
You should get completely compensated for the original purchase price of your bike, helmet, glasses, and kit, and call it day. It will be a relief to both the driver and the insurance company.
#23
Farmer tan
Had you ended up in the ICU for 2 weeks, insurance could have paid out upwards of a million bucks in hospital bills.
Replacing an aluminum bike is peanuts in comparison.
You're now worried about your bike being unsafe to ride, which means you haven't been made whole.
You should get completely compensated for the original purchase price of your bike, helmet, glasses, and kit, and call it day. It will be a relief to both the driver and the insurance company.
Replacing an aluminum bike is peanuts in comparison.
You're now worried about your bike being unsafe to ride, which means you haven't been made whole.
You should get completely compensated for the original purchase price of your bike, helmet, glasses, and kit, and call it day. It will be a relief to both the driver and the insurance company.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA area
Posts: 2,618
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
As mentioned I would have the frame inspected by someone with the “technical ability” to do so if you are concerned. I would think most insurance companies would have this inspection done before shelling out the cost of a new frame rather than “free bike day”. Insurance adjusters are well versed and have seen a lot regarding fraudulent claims, not a rabbit hole I would go down.
Personally I would just inspect it for cracks or damage. At the speed you stated, it’s likely it fine from what you described.
The truth will always set you free, pedal On!! .
Personally I would just inspect it for cracks or damage. At the speed you stated, it’s likely it fine from what you described.
The truth will always set you free, pedal On!! .
#25
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,511
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,391 Times
in
2,054 Posts
I'd be surprised if an adjuster even looks at the bike