Total It Or Fix It?

A taxi cut across into my lane (me south, him north) to try making a turn way before the intersection. I was heading right for him, broke hard, skidded, I went flying, bike went down. I'm really banged up, could barely walk and still in much pain, but grateful there were no broken bones, at least none we've found yet.

Now, my bike is at the dealership, the've estimated an $8,900 repair bill. My 07 Street Bob is 11k in the Blue Book, but I did have around 8G's of after market parts and have coverage for around 3G's of that.

I'm curious, if I had a choice, would it be in my interest for it to be "totaled" or repaired?

(What's not obvious from the photo below, is he's in MY lane, going the wrong way!) And, I may look OK, but I'm in shock and can't walk from injuries.

Geesus...............

Sorry to hear about the wreck man. Glad yer not hurt any worst than you said.
I'm with Chucktx. If it did that much damage, I would want a new bike and mabe see what the insurance company would sell you the bike back for if you have that much parts in it, if they are in O.K. shape.

Thanks Chuck, Cardboard. I'm going to a new doctor tomorrow. This way I can look at some issues I'm having in a more thorough way. The hospitals are mainly concerned with life threatening trauma. It's true that injuries can haunt you. I know of people who thought they were OK after an accident only to find they had serious troubles a year later. The thing that added insult to injury, was the cabbie didn't get out of his car for at least 4 or 5 minutes while I was pinned underneath. I used my elbows to leverage myself out from under. If it was me, I would have been under the car in a flash to see if the person needed help. The cabbie was fine, no injuries.

I still own the bike, as the insurance company hasn't made the total it or fix it decision yet. I may remove the Vance & Hines pipes, Fuel pack, K&N filter, grips and a few other things. before settlement. I have the original parts.

If I can ask, did the police come out and has the cab said it was his fault.

Wonder who he called if he didn't git out any faster. Geesus man.

Have you talked to yer insurance company and told them what happened and it was his fault?

If so I would make his insurance pay for everything .

A Emergency room should of been able to do some Exrays to check out things wrong with you from the wreck after talkin with you.

But then it make a while for things to show up. Make sure you tell yer insurance company you are concerned on what may happen from this too.

Thanks guys. The accident report shows the cabbie failed to yield right of way, causing the wreck. I believe my insurance company will sue the cab company, as will I. Unfortunately, cab company's are notorious for dragging out lawsuits and for low payments. Still, I'll follow this through.

Very sorry to hear this. While it is pretty bad, you know it could have been much worst. I've only driven in NY city one time and I said if I get out alive, I promise to never come back. It seemed that people don't yield right-of-way....they take it. I couldn't get out of a side street because no one would let me out. The guy that was with me and from the area said you have to force your way in. It was a nerve wracking experience and I can only imagine what it must be like on a bike.
Fault here seems pretty obvious. I would get a good lawyer, push for what you can get and don't settle until you get what's right. I think it's good advice to go for a new bike. Problems on the bike are like injuries to you.....they may not show up for awhile and you've already signed off on the repairs. Good luck with it and keep us informed.
Slim

Glad you're able to type. If we had a "hug" smiley, I'd give you one.

My experience, in case you weren't here at the time or don't remember:

I got hit in June, it wasn't until October that it was determined I had three torn ligaments and a fractured wrist in my left hand. Even though I was riding two months after the accident, my hand kept bothering me, and I finally went to a specialist. It's been almost two years now, and I have mediation on the 26th of this month to hopefully get it resolved. It takes time if you don't want to get screwed. That's as far as the personal injury part goes.

As for the bike, my insurance company wanted to total it and give me about 7K. I had 3K in accessory coverage, but I had to get the dealership to write down what everything was worth and produce receipts, which I had. However, they don't give you what you paid (or replacement cost), they don't pay for the labor (if you paid someone to do any of the work), and they wouldn't cover engine work (like the 95" kit or gear driven cams I'd just installed). Despite the fact that I'd just put over 5K into the bike, my insurance company said it was "just a plain Softail" meaning it was a Standard and not worth much. I came unglued.

I did not want a new stock bike. I wanted the bike that I'd customized for the previous 7 years and that was like my best friend. I did not want to start over. I didn't have the money to buy it back from the insurance company, nor did I have the room for a new bike and the old junked bike. Finally, I wouldn't have received enough from the insurance company to buy a new bike outright. My bike was paid off, and I didn't want a new payment. Fortunately the other insurance company agreed to fix my bike. They sent someone out within the week and paid for it promptly.

Your bike is still somewhat new to you. Do you still have the take-offs? Are the extras simple things to remove? How much will it cost to get a new bike back to where you want it, and is it worth it to you? A lot will depend on whether the insurance company will pay to fix everything that needs fixing and/or your willingness to throw in some extra money. It's hard for any of us to say flat-out what you should do. Wait until they make an offer to make that decision. If your frame is bent, you might not have an option. Try to get the other insurance company to make you an offer as well. They might be more generous with giving you compensation for the added parts and accessories.

continued...

With my bike, I had them replace parts with a lot of stuff I had wanted. Since I've had it back, there's nothing else I've put on it. I can't think of anything else I want. That's when I got the heated hand grips, LED gas gauge, mirrors with the turn signals in them, new paint, etc.

The bike and your injuries are two different claims. You can settle on the bike and get that fixed or replaced now, but be patient on your injury claim. That's what I was told here, and I'm glad I've waited - assuming things work out at the end of the month, which I'm optimistic about.

There's my two cents.

Thanks so much Hot01, I do remember when you had you're accident. Your experience is exactly why I want to follow up medically, I'm still in the first stage of post-injury, but am aware that things can reveal themselves over time and will definitely stay on top of it. I feel you when you're talking about wanting YOUR bike back. It's true, that I won't know what's up until my insurance company informs me of their decision.

If an insurance company allows you to buy back your own bike, how does that work? Do they give you an automatic first refusal, or must you inform them first of your intention?

Bummer - Hope it all works out for you ! - Never seen a rider or a bike yet yet that beat out a cager. As for the cabbie not gettin out to check on you he may have been following company rules and calling in to let them know what was going on - Most transportion Companies require contacting them before the driver does anything else. But then again you're dealing with a NYC driver.
Whatever you do - don't let them con you into signing anything until you and your doctor are satisfied and you get what you want out of the mess.
Good luck and heal up fast your burning good ridin time.

Thanks for asking FLHT, Try this: Martin Butler - Watching the Days Fall
You can hear some of my music there. Let me know if it's to your taste and I'l send you a CD.

Just heard from the insurance co. The HD estimate had a replacement for the primary case. The inspector didn't see any damage there, so he has to go back again to check it out, uggh.

Glad to hear you can get around. Don't let anyone push you around. Be a hard ass and get what you deserve out of the deal. Messing with insurance companies can be a PTA. Good luck. Hope you get back on the road soon.