Re: Insurance adjuster questions for repairs: Bikefanclub.com

Many years ago, my wife and I were cycling one Friday night on a group ride. She was feeling good and was out in front. A Porsche was coming the other direction and decided to take a left in front of her. It was like slow motion as they both turned and collided. Her front wheel hit the side of the car, she went over the roof and down the back side and hit the pavement with her butt. No major damage to her. The wheel was fine, the front fork was trashed. The Porsche had a nice gouge by the quick release.

Bottom line, the car insurance paid for all repairs, what the shop charged. She also trashed a riding suit and helmet. Got that taken care of, no questions asked. She also got $5000 out of them for pain and suffering. Apparently the driver had just come from someone's house where he had a few drinks. Not drunk, but I don't think he wanted to go there. He was also nice and was a cyclist himself (or so he says) and called to make sure she was recovering.

The bottom line is you have the car insurance company by the balls. Make sure you get full replacement to your satisfaction of everything, including medical. I would not harp on the medical. Get your legit bills covered and make sure you don't have permanent injuries, then go after them for pain and suffering. You don't want to get a lawyer involved, but you want them to think you might, even if you don't explicitly mention it. The bottom line is to get them scared, and then they will make you an offer. If not, make them an offer. Say $10K. They won't pay, but work them for want you can. If they offer first, double it. Try to settle the deal on the first call. They want to clear the case and move on. You have more leverage if it is completely the car's fault. You should be able to get $2k - $3k without breaking a sweat. What they don't want are the legal expenses of having to fight a court case. Once you get a lawyer, they will not give anything, not one cent. Before you get a lawyer, they will deal just to clear it and get it out of the way. You will have to sign that you will not sue them later. Also, if you don't get a lawyer, you keep 100%. A lawyer will want 30-50% min and advise you that you can get a lot more. Don't believe them.

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