Quote:
|
This was a $500.00 or so bike that was 6 years old and about 20,000 miles. I was told the only damage to the bike was a bent front wheel but I haven't seen the bike yet. Probably get $0.00 for the damage.
|
i am a lawyer, but only since 1982. i have been a bike rider for almost 50 years [i'm nearly 52]. i've been a bike racer since 1984.
do what i say, ok?
go to a bike shop--with your damaged bicycle--IMMEDIATELY and tell them what happened. explain that you are concerned there may be concealed damage to the frame: cracks or other stresses to the tubes, welds, lugs or whatever, depending on frame design and construction.
take your helmet, shoes, other clothing. get estimates for repair, or most likely, replacement of them. you WILL need a new helmet; it's what the manufacturer recommends after an impact.
do NOT take this situation lightly. those damn motorists will NOT start noticing bicycles until they notice them economically.
i have given this advice to MANY friends and other cyclists, and they recover $$$. it is NOT insurance fraud. it's just that most folks don't think about damages not obvious. your wheels might be structurally f*cked beyond repair. your tires may have suffered sidewall damage, and might be ready to explode at your next highspeed turn. perhaps your cables are overstretched due to the sudden death-grip you applied before impact. maybe your saddle got scuffed, and had its rails bent. things DO happen as a consquence of accidents. have a bike mechanic check them out.
you think auto repair shops don't do this?!?!?
be TOUGH with the insurance agent. use a lawyer. he/she will only get money if you do.
and i'm NOT a slimeball lawyer. i'm just a pissed-off cyclist who knows his rights!!! [i've had seven friends and teammates hit and killed by motorists over the years, and i do NOT take this stuff lightly!]
and DON'T give up riding the streets: as a matter of fact, we DO own them!!
keep me posted!! good luck. and get a REALLY good bike next time!