1995 R1100R Crash

[saylorspond]

Well, this is my first post. I have been enjoying reading various posts over the last ca. 9 months and have appreciated learning from everyone.

Last May I purchased my R1100R via eBay and have been commuting regularly to work, with a few breaks due to weather, and maintenance. I've been looking forward to attending the 2009 BMWMOA Rally this summer, installed a new steering damper, and ordered a new set of Wilber shocks.

So, Thursday March 12 during my drive to work I was hit head-on (I was driving about 35 mph) by someone who decided to turn left in front of/into me. I am now out of the hospital and healing amazingly well (multiple rib fractures, broken clavicle, arm, bruises and sprains). Not only was my bike totalled, so was the car that hit me.

I am curious if anyone one else has gone through an accident and might have some advice in terms of dealing with insurance? I hope to be able to replace my bike without too much difficulty/cost as well as the gear that protected me.

Another question pertaining more to personal model preference, if you were in my position, would you buy another R1100R or move to another model? I am leaning on staying with the same model, in part because I now have a new set of shocks...

Thanks for your feedback.

Scott

[Ves]

Dang, that's a long list of broken bones. Ouch. Can I first suggest that no matter what bike you buy, get yourself a headlight and tail light modulator. I can tell you from recent experience, it makes people notice you.

When I got rear ended and totaled I ended up buying a similar model bike. In the end I was satisfied, but it didn't come without a lot of assertiveness on my part. First, they were not going to give me what obviously was the market value of the machine. I went and got for-sale adds to show them what it would cost to replace the bike. In the end they gave me the value of the ABS bike even though I didn't have ABS. I played stupid, and stuck to my guns that what they were offering me would not replace my bike, which was true. Then, they were willing to replace my helmet (go out and buy one of comparable value to what I lost and they reimburse me) but they were not willing to pay for my jacket, and they were only going to give me partial value on the Ohlins and my bags. In the end they threw in $1000 bucks and reimbursed me for my helmet. Put it all together and I was able to replace everything I lost, but I had to fight for it. One annoying thing was that they didn't cover car rental charges; they would if it was my car totaled but not my bike... the logic was that people don't get rental bikes after their bikes are destroyed... they drive their cars. The fact that I was clear cross country didn't seem to matter. To add insult to injury, when I got my settlement check I had already scoped out the new bike and I was planning to go pick it up that night. I go to the bank to cash the check (the insurance company banks at the same bank I do) and they would NOT cash the check. Apparently for large amounts they have to get verbal approval and they couldn't reach the insurance company confirmation number, so I couldn't have the money. I had to deposit it and pull it out the next day. I'm digressing now.

Anyway, itemize what you lost, know it's replacement value, and don't let them off until you're satisfied. This experience was with State Farm.

[saylorspond]

Thanks for your feedback. It is always interesting to hear about other's experiences. I am still in the early phases of the paperwork and have already had to itemize the "non standard" items on my bike for the insurance appraisal. Hopefully by the time my bones heal I will be able to have things sorted out.

In the meantime, I am an avid gardner and am in the unusual position of having to sit by and tell others where to dig the holes. I always thought being a gentleman farmer would be neat. I did not expect to "fall" into that role so suddenly. My teenage son is also not so happy about this turn of events...

[hendrix89]

I have a 99 R1100R for sale with hard cases. It only has 4000 miles on it.

William

[takemeaway]

So glad that you are doing ok. In the past couple of months my husband and two other members of our riding group have been in accidents, totalling their bikes, generally rear-ended...with modulated brake lights (!!!). My husband also went directly for a replacement bike, only upgrade was the CC.

I agree with Ves. You have to itemize the bikes worth and any accessories/add on's and personal equipment. And definitely present multiple ad's representing the worth of a similar bike. You might not get "new bike replacement" but you should definitely be able to get blue book value. Considering what my husband had to go through, Ves is correct that you will have to fight for what is right. The insurance company won't just give it to you.

My husband negotiated on his own for the hardware, but we hired a lawyer for the medical side. This way the lawyer only gets a portion of the medical and we walked away with the total settlement for the hardware.

Heal well and hope you can get back on the bike soon.