Modern Vespa

This post is mostly to vent, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had to get similar repairs done.

So, I was at a local park for a friend's daughter's birthday party I parked on the street next to the park. I parked behind a brand-spanking new Mercedes R500, giving 3 or more feet of space. Well, the putz knocks over my bike while leaving. How do I know it was the R500?

Well, he pulled out as I was watching. I walk up to my bike and am about to get my helmet out when I notice the R500 beginning to pull out. I then notice the badly scratched rear (quarter?) panel and cracked front fender (black plastic wheel arch). As I am standing there looking at the bike, trying to peice together what happened, the guy pulls out. He saw me staring at my bike, probably heard me scream "WTF", and then he pulled out and drove off, even as I was yelling at him to stop.

Some nice people who were getting out of their car accross the street told me they saw it all happen: the guy just backed into my bike and knocked it down. He then got out of his Mercedes, looked around, walked back and picked up my bike (I hope he gave himself a hernia), got back in the car as I was walking up, and then drove off as I was staring at my bike in shock.

Unfortunately it was a brand-new car, so it did not have a license plate (in CA, there is no temporary tags, only a tiny folded up piece of paper taped to the windsheild).

What a jerk. Bad enough that he runs into a bike 3-4 feet away from his back bumper, but he doesnt even leave a note apologizing or providing contact information. Even worse, he pulls away as I am standing there. God help him if I ever see him or his car again.

Any ideas how much it will cost to have this stuff fixed? Anything else I should look for or be concerned about (hidden damage)? I have no idea what this kind of repair involves and and if it is even worth filing an insurance claim.

Any advice or guidance is appreciated.

Call local Mercedes dealerships to find out if they sold car of that description resently. If you find a match call the cops and let them investigate.

Wayne B

This may mean us mp3 riders will need to install a burgular alarm; just to sing when this may happen!

The car must be registered so the police should be able to look it up. If you have the color and model and the fact that it still does not have a plate yet, all that should be in the DMV. Plus you have witnesses. The other option is to let your insurance company go after them. Good luck.

Any ideas how much it will cost to have this stuff fixed? Anything else I should look for or be concerned about (hidden damage)? I have no idea what this kind of repair involves and and if it is even worth filing an insurance claim.

The Matte black wings/fenders are really very cheap, about £5.00 here and require a couple, maybe 3 screws to fix. Sometimes the tabs on the glossy bits break and can be a problem

I then notice the badly scratched rear (quarter?) panel and cracked front fender (black plastic wheel arch).

The scratched quarter is more expensive. Might be better to fill, sand and paint.

fay

I had my muffler guard pulled off by a parked car..If I didn't have the tilt lock on my bike would have been on it's side..

[So, I was at a local park for a friend's daughter's birthday party I parked on the street next to the park. I parked behind a brand-spanking new Mercedes R500, giving 3 or more feet of space. Well, the putz knocks over my bike while leaving. How do I know it was the R500?]
This may be a long shot, but the owner of the R500 may also be a guest at the same birthday party. Perhaps you might not know this person, but your friend who invited you to the party might. Ask around your circle of friends who was at the party and see whether anyone may be able to ID the guy. I always carry a disposal camera with me. Never know when it will come in handy.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

I called the dealership that was on the back of the car where the tags normally go. Needless to say, they would not talk to me. I am not surprised. That guy just bought and $80,000 car, why would they want to help me out?

Given that this does not sound like too big a repair (other than getting a repaint), I think I will just let it go and count it towards my Karma credit. Thanks again.

Still, if I ever see the guy...

I would call the police and tell them the dealer can provide the info they need to nail the guy. Don't let the scum bag get away with it.
And you should have just called and asked if they sold that car you are asking about, then just called the cops.

Wayne B

you need to follow up with the police and you do have witnesses also. please don't let the scumbag get away with this. he needs his ass put in a sling for driving away from an accident. I am sure your insurance company would like to get ahold of him also. you should not be out anything as you did nothing wrong.

+1000!!!!!!!!!

Do not let this douche get away with this. Hunt his ass down and prosecute him for leaving the scene of an accident.

Is Va, that is hit and run and is a Felony.

Wayne B

No, no, no do not let this guy get away with it. You may not have the clout to get the dealership to answer your questions but the police do. All you have to do is report it. That jerk backed over your ride which was an accident but then he got out of his car, checked out the situation and left. Why should you be out of anything. He can afford an $80,000 car he can afford to make this right. What if the damage were more? I know it is a bit of an imposition on your part at first. But the satisfaction will come later when that jerk is charged with leaving the scene of an accident. You have to wonder if he has done this before.

Remember, you could have been on the bike, or worse yet, what if it was the birthday girl who was run over? Go after the cheap, cowardly son-ofa-bitch.

He deserves it.

The bike will be repaired...this jerk is still driving. What will he callously hit next time?

You can settle for a MP3 500 upgrade!! Go after him.

Oh, and because the front tire was bent you were thrown off your ride on the was home and your back and neck still hurt!!!

I trust the last few comments were made in jest.

As long as the perp restores the offended party to where they were before (and perhaps has to suffer for not staying at the scene of an incident) then that's enough, surely?

No wonder insurance premiums rise inexoribly upwards with some of the attitudes expressed here.

[quote="jimc"]I trust the last few comments were made in jest.

As long as the perp restores the offended party to where they were before (and perhaps has to suffer for not staying at the scene of an incident) then that's enough, surely?

No wonder insurance premiums rise inexorably upwards with some of the attitudes expressed here. [/quote

With you on this Jim. He should not be allowed to get away with it, and he should pay to put the injured party where they were before the crunch, no more no less except for a small fiddle factor to cover incidental losses


Fay

A little jesting here. Lighten up.

his insurance should go up cause he's an idiot. if he stopped and left a note or tried to do the right thing thats 1 thing but noooo.

his insurance should go up, sure; but everybody claiming for stuff that didn't but could've happened sticks MY premium up.

fay

Sorry to hear it but sadly nothing will be done by the police about it.

To illustrate, a Van smashed my car in a parking garage and parked not 5 spaces away with my paint still pealing away from its front right bumper. After I got all the information off the van, I ran inside to call the cops. While I was inside the van took off. The cops took the information but told me that even if the van was still there all the driver would need to do it say "I did not do it" and he would get away scott free.

"Because no DA would pursue a case over a fender bender."

Someone has to get hurt 1st.

You could still sue him if you could find him again.

There were witnesses, no saying, I didn't do it
And you don't need the DA to prosecute, you just need a ticket written and turn it over to the insurance companies.

Wayne B

That's how the cops said it to me. even with witnesses and evidence and everything.

I have found, all cops know how to right tickets, but few know the law. Let the insurance company have all the info and they will do what the law allows.

Wayne B

Thanks everyone for the support. I was beginnig to think I was being petty. Sounds like the cost of damage damage was less than my insurance deductible (except for a portential re-paint), so I was telling myself to just get over it. Lots of people drop their bikes on their own, anyway.

My previous expreience with the SFPD is similar to Akrimonious. The guys do an awesome job on the big stuff, but they have no time or incentive to really work on the small stuff, as the DA won't follow-through. One of the neighboring DAs even went on record a few months ago saying he would not be prosecuting any misdemeanors or non-violent felonies. In SF, the Police typically won't even come to the scene of an accident unless either someone is hurt, or there is a traffic issue (I know from previous experience). I figure their job is hard enough, so I try not to hassle them (I will file a report if I decide to go for insurance, though).

Anyway, I will still keep an eye out for the guy, and let him have it if I see him. In the meantime, I will content myself with dreams of seeking revenge ... like using a pair of 5 ton jacks to put is mercedes on its side (I would leave a note however: "Sorry, I did not see you there.")

Thanks again, everyone. Now I can begin to waste time thinking about a new paint-job.

You know - I really hate to say it but this is a symptom of the attitudes of cops all over. Some friends of mine were in a theater parking lot in Tampa - some idiots drove through the parking lot shooting a gun at random. Frank got a hole in the back window of his car. Not only did the cops take 45 minutes to get there they stated they weren't too concerned because a) nobody was ghurt and b) they'd "never catch the perps" - in spite of 10 eye witnesses giving a detailed description of the vehicle and the occupants.

Anyway, I will still keep an eye out for the guy, and let him have it if I see him. In the meantime, I will content myself with dreams of seeking revenge ... like using a pair of 5 ton jacks to put is mercedes on its side (I would leave a note however: "Sorry, I did not see you there.")

Try sticking pins in a wax model of his Big End!

Fay

So would destoying his car be non-violent?
Let me know if you find him, we could have some fun.

oh man, that's funny...

I like this revenge:

A Day Out In Devon - SMIDSY, a bikers revenge

grrr I would put a rino boot on his tire and see if he can back up again.

JimC, I only wish that video was true! I see my fellow bikers get cut off on a daily basis!