Involved in Motorbike Accident - Other Driver At Fault Insurance Question

lowndes8 on 25/02/2021 - 19:47
Last edited 25/02/2021 - 21:47

I was involved in a accident on my motorbike on the weekend. Driver didnt look and turned straight into my lane forcing me to crash my motorcycle. Ambulance and Police were called. I didnt talk to the driver a young girl who said to me she didnt see me.

My question is my excess is $500 plus $300 as im a new rider. However that will be waived if she is found at fault. I went to the police station today and asked to see the report as i didnt get to speak to the police at the accident as i was taken away in an ambulance. All the office could tell me was she was fined for failing to give way. Is that fine enough to find her at fault of the accident?

The damage to my bike is around $500 so i dont want to pay a $800 excess only to be told later down the track shes not at fault and i wont get any money back.

How long does it take for an insurance company to investigate a claim? They told me on the phone to take the bike to the Honda dealer, they would assess it and order any parts. Once the parts are ready (its going to be a 2-3 month wait for parts from Japan) I would only have to pay if its found im at fault which im not.

Also the ambulance and hospital bill i was told i need to go through my third party insurer is that correct? As i will now be claiming for medical bills as my lower back is now damaged requiring physio treatment.

UPDATE

sorry i should have stated the police at the scene gave me the incident number which i have given to my insurance company. People did stop and help me get up but im unsure if the police took statements from them.

Automotive Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • Seraphin7 on 25/02/2021 - 20:00

    Do you have the other driver's details? This is the first port of call, but it's quite likely you don't have them.

    Your insurer will speak to police. You'll need to get a police reference number, that may entail you making a police statement. Provide that to the insurer.

    In terms of your medical expenses, these should also go via the other driver's insurance, although start by talking to your insurer to get the ball rolling.

    Despite many views expressed here and elsewhere, insurance companies are more often than not quite helpful in providing guidance through the process. They see this stuff all day, every day.

    • AndyC1 on 25/02/2021 - 20:20
      +3

      The reference number is the key detail the insurance company needs.

  • Kangal on 25/02/2021 - 20:24
    +2

    Yikes.
    Worse comes to worse, at least you've got your health life!

  • lowndes8 on 25/02/2021 - 20:28

    Yes sorry i should have stated the police at the scene gave me the incident number which i have given to my insurance company. People did stop and help me get up but im unsure if the police took statements from them.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 25/02/2021 - 20:46
    +3

    The matter is solved by way of infringement. Insurance will obviously have her as unit 1 (at fault).

  • pharkurnell on 25/02/2021 - 21:08
    +1

    The damage to my bike is around $500

    What is it a bent clutch lever and ripped grip? 500 doesnt get you much in parts for repair these days.

    • lowndes8 on 25/02/2021 - 21:14

      Its mainly fairings. I have priced them at honda and its around $400. There is a few other parts i will need to pay for as they are aftermarket but that are only around $100

  • barge-in hunter on 25/02/2021 - 21:09

    Sorry to hear that mate - hope you're ok. Bike accident are rarely low impact. I hope you were wearing all your gear.

    With a police report indicating the driver was at fault, that's all your insurance company should need. Most in my experience, should not make you pay the excess until they confirm the details in the police report.

    • lowndes8 on 25/02/2021 - 21:14
      +2

      Sure was wearing all the correct gear no way I would ride with out it. Yes was hit at around 35kph as we were turning a corner

      • barge-in hunter on 25/02/2021 - 21:25
        +1

        Geez, that's a rough one. I'm surprised you got away with that little damage to your bike - and you.

        I had a similar accident when I was still learning. It might feel hard to get back on the bike, but if you want to - give it a few months and ease back in. You'll be a much better rider for it.

        As hard as it sounds, when you're in traffic you have to think for everyone else - and ride as if you're invisible.

        All the best with your recovery

        • lowndes8 on 25/02/2021 - 21:41

          Thank you. Dont worry i know how lucky i am i still dont know how i got so little damage and injuries

  • toniyellow on 25/02/2021 - 21:38
    +1

    https://mva.financialrights.org.au/ is a pretty good resource, not just if you have an issue with the other party but also if you have an issue with your own insurer.

  • salmon123 on 25/02/2021 - 21:47

    The damage to my bike is around $500 so i dont want to pay a $800 excess only to be told later down the track shes not at fault and i wont get any money back.

    If the damage is only $500, then your "excess" would only be $500. The insurance company doesn't get to make $300 for nothing. Of course, once repairers hear the words insurance, it's quite likely that the repair bill will jump to $1000.

    You might also like to speak to the other driver. If there's not much damage to their car, ie no insurance claim, they might just pay for the damage to your bike themselves.

    Also the ambulance and hospital bill i was told i need to go through my third party insurer is that correct?

    Yes - but third-party personal injury is a real PITA to claim. If you have private health insurance, definitely send them the ambulance bill.

    For the physio, I guess you can't really avoid dealing with the CTP claim, unless you can do it through the hospital under medicare.

    • Tleyx on 25/02/2021 - 23:09
      +1

      Usually if the excess exceeds damage the insurer won't even handle it

      • lowndes8 on 26/02/2021 - 07:40

        Going to the dealer they will quote labor so will be over rmy excess

  • Bren20 on 26/02/2021 - 11:28
    +1

    I had this happen to me a few years ago, except the driver who caused the crash sped off. They definitely knew what they did as they slowed down at first. And no one stopped to help me! Punt Road in peak hour

    Luckily my bike wasn't overly damaged, the crash bars took a scratching and an indicator got cracked.

    Not a very helpful story for you though. Luckily the person stopped and has been charged, seems pretty clear to me they're at fault and your insurance would have a hard time denying this.

    • lowndes8 on 26/02/2021 - 14:09

      My crash knobs like yours took most of the force.

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