Modern Vespa

Sorry to hear about this. Glad you're okay. +1 on awesome MS Paint skillz. Uh, yeah, no. From the pics this is likely totaled. Your dealer may know better but there's a good chance the frame is compromised. And it's not as if you can just swap out an all new back end on it. Even if it's reparable, that estimate is miles off the mark.

Something I recently learned: You have a better chance of getting full value from insurance for your scoot if you inform the insurance that it's under a warranty and has almost 2 years left until it expires.

Ask for everything. The city will likely have their insurance pay out because getting sued is much more costly.

And if you part it out, let me know.

The frame is bent and the bike is totaled. If one shop doesn't give you an estimate that says so, go to another. It will never be right, no matter how much body work they do on it.

Sorry about such an unfortunate incident, but thankfully you're ok. Besides every dark cloud has a silver lining. If it were me, I would not settle for anything less than full replacement cost on a brand new Portofino Green 2011 LXV 150ie... just my $0.02. Good luck, I hope you're back up and riding that (new) horse soon!

It's like rain on your wedding day.

Yours was the funnest post I've read in a while. Great illustration...

Have a great weekend!

don't forget to add on rental car for the down time on the scoot , lawyers fees , costs of accessories installed on the scoot to include labor for such. Just have the dealership give you the written totaled estimate then also give a quote for a new replacement scoot and give those documents to the lawyer.

US processes might be different, but I wouldn't cancel it outright. Once the dealer confirms it's a total loss (or, the cost of repairs, which renders it uneconomical to actually repair), ask them for written confirmation.

I'd tell Geico to hold it as a "notification only" for the time being, as you intend to pursue your claim (scoot, injury/shock/equipment/cost of alternative transport, and legal fees) from the PD.

Pass the paperwork to your lawyer and let him/her get on with it.

That way you've kept all options open.

Yes I have, with my boat and my car. It's amazing how far you can get with a well-written letter and a confident attitude (and it helps that they are completely at fault).

You don't really need to "cancel" your notice of claim to your own company, it should be enough that you tell them you are pursuing a direct "third party" claim against the Department and that you will keep them posted. Your atty should be able to guide you regarding whether or not to sign any documents they provide. The fact that the Department is self-insured should not make a huge difference, they still must have a claims department.

It's good to still have it on record with Geico, although they should not be currently looking at fulfilling the claim. If you run into trouble with the Department's insurer, however, Geico can intervene and help get it settled. It may ultimately be easier than lawyering up if it comes to that.

Oh, and if (when) they agree to pay for a whole new scoot + + +, they will probably insist on taking the old one for salvage, for whatever that is worth.

I am thinking (though not an expert by any means) that you would file the claim with your insurance and then they would then get reimbursed through subrogation. Here is a quick link: http://insurance.freeadvice.com/information/auto/article/50

Good luck

I guess things work a little differently out there. In the UK it might be expedient to stick with your insurers, who would usually pay out and seek reimbursement from the police. A good insurer may be willing to pursue your uninsured losses at the same time. Once they receive payment this will be recorded as a no fault claim and any no claims bonus reinstated.

Best,

Mark

Ha quoting myself. Yep I just called my wife who used to work for State Farm and she said that your insurance should settle your claim and then use subrogation for reimbursement. She also said that sometimes insurance companies will try to avoid this by having you make the claim with the at fault party's insurer but if you insist then legally they have to go the subrogation route. It may vary from state to state however.

Also, you may be able to buy the scooter back from your insurer if you want it for parts easier than trying to get it from theirs. Just something to think about. Again good luck.

Time to get your new scoot!!

Stop passing on the right. Originally I understood you were moving into the right hand "traffic" lane and not the area between the traffic lane and the curb. When you pass on the right like that you are minimizing the places the cross traffic will see you when the light turns green.

Look at these images and you can see the driver on the left can only see you when you pass the car in front of you and the driver on the right may have already determined the CAR to his/her left is going to stop for the light (ignoring the small little scooter completely) and may not see you and your attempt to drive in front of him/her.

The triangles are the primary vision areas for the drivers.

Great post; at least you're okay!

I think the techy is right about these kinds of passes, but it's not cross traffic that'll kill you (unless the guys from fast and furious are on the lines ready to blow up) it's the oncoming dude who's planning to make a left in front of you on the yellow. He's not planning on anyone sneaking around the car you were passing at the last minute, and since he only see's the car across the way (the one u passed) who's about to do the inverse "yellow left," he'll probably go as soon as the light starts to change.
I saw a hells angel almost get hit this way a week ago, only he passed like 3 cars on the right before blowing the yellow.
-in that case his loud pipes actually did probably save his ass.

Otherwise the story kicks ass and so does your lid. Of course if i was the cop i'd be laughing about it too, just not to your or the chief's face... Get a GTV 300!!!

K so looking back at your illustration- it was a "one way" and my 10 cents are rendered utterly worthless (although anyone oncoming would be even more dangerous in a psycho kinda way)... so just F that pig then!

Back when I was working for a Vespa shop I wouldve recommended to the adhuster that they replace the body and therefore should total the bike.

It's all been said by others but don't drop the claim with Geico; they will pay for the new scooter from your collision insurance and will seek payment from the municipality. It's their job to collect, not yours. Only people without full coverage should do it themselves.

Given the number of salvage scooters offered for sale on Craigs list, it's easy to see that the damage adds up pretty quickly on a metal bodied scooter.

Glad you're okay.

Great story complete with entertaining illustrations. While it was certainly a downer for you, I'm sure it is also becoming a major downer for the police officer. Glad you weren't hurt. Don't accept a low ball insurance estimate. Get a good quote from a repair shop that knows Vespas. If there is any real suspension or frame damage, it is probably a total.

That's not an absolute. If you cede control to your carrier, even when it's clearly the other guy's fault sometimes the two carriers agree to compromise and you end up with a net outlay of cash against your policy that affects your future rates and insurability. That's why it's not a bad idea to jump all over it right at the beginning, try to get the other carrier to concede liability and pay all damages. In two days you can get more done than your own carrier will accomplish in two weeks. In the meantime you have already noticed your own carrier if you should decide to let them deal with a difficult carrier on the other side. I have had very good success doing this on my own behalf when others caused property damage to my vehicles that it totally their fault. I got the opposing insurer to cave in in two days each time, different companies each time. It works very well with property damage claims, not so well with bodily injury claims.

Sorry to hear about your accident, but I thoroughly enjoyed the graphics and the way you told the story.

Looks whacked to me, and not just the camera angle....

sg4you, this is how my department works, and this might help you deal with your problem.

My police department is self-insured through the city, all insurance matters are overseen by risk mangement. Any accident or damage payments are handled by them. They are ones I would get a hold of if I were you.

Looks like your scoot is totaled. Provide that documentation to them. DO NOT settle for less if they offer. Tell them that you will take them to court add lawyer fees, time lost, etc....

And trust me on this once they start to see what a court case would cost vs a new Vespa they will settle. From what I read the officer was at fault, mention "Following to close" "Driver inattention" both citations he should have recived if I was investigating that accident.

Good luck,
Andy

I'm the "David" in the quotation. In the end the bike was written off and I got given a new one.

There was a bit of back-and-forth wit the insurance company (here in the UK), but the approach that got me the new bike in the end was saying: "I'm happy for the bike to be repaired if you can tell me in writing that the frame has been examined and is not bent". The scooter wasn't a Vespa - it was a steel tube + plastic bike.

Of course, the frame was twisted and therefore I got a new bike. Had the frame not been twisted, I would (reluctantly) settled for full repairs to the existing machine.

Dang! I was thinking the same thing. Love those Ruby helmets.

Good luck with your scoot sq4you. Glad you weren't hurt. That's the main thing.

As a graphic designer I have to say, I love the drawings!

Damn!

I recently moved out of Old Town -- cops everywhere. I've traded up real cops for speed cams - at least the cams don't ram you up the crapper (until you open your mailbox).

Damn, really sorry about your Vespa.

The boots are my favorite part of the drawings!

I'm just glad you weren't seriously hurt.

I sustained a rear-end accident recently, and my GTS took a similar blow. I too was fortunate enough to hop off the bike at impact saving me personal harm.

My bike sustained similar looking damage. I had to wait almost 2 months for a settlement from the driver's insurance. They ended up totaling the bike, which was good since the frame was bent. I came out pretty well with a settlement that was enough to get a brand new GTS in replacement.

I would keep after them and deal with their insurance carrier directly. I should have demanded a loaner bike for the 8 weeks I went without one. I think they would have complied.

As others have said, I'm really glad you were not hurt.

I remain nervous at stoplights.

Sq4you, the whole story sounds so crazy. Just glad you're alright. So listen, it's not clear whether you have an attorney or where things are at with respect to the cop's insurance company. But this should be a straight forward matter. You were rear-ended by a police officer who apparently wasn't paying attention. Liability shouldn't be contested. For whatever it's worth, I wouldn't suggest getting in the middle of police politics concerning whether to complete the special police accident reports. I wouldn't focus on whether the guy gets in trouble or not. You simply need to make sure there was an accident report filed, and that it shows the cop rear-ended you.

Beyond that, be sure you know who the cop's insurer is and that you promptly (and formally) file an insurance claim against that insurer. Most cities and states have special rules dealing with filing claims against them. Those rules vary greatly, but most contain absurdly short windows of time by when claims must be submitted and/or subsequent legal action taken. You don't want to get in a situation in which you're time barred from recoverying.

Finally, given the nature and scope of the accident and damage, it's inconceivable the insurer wouldn't total your scooter. I'm not an adjuster, but out here virtually all Vespas in accidents are totalled because it cost so much to repair them. I can't imagine it's much different where you are. Good luck.

Who investigated the accident? Any time (at least in my area) a municipal vehicle is involved in an accident, another agency has to handle the report. If it is a town police vehicle, the state police or sheriff does the investigation.

In most states, a rear-end collision is always the fault of the guy who runs into you from the rear. It isn't necessary to prove driver distraction or anything.

Oh, your accident wasn't made any better or worse because the offender was a cop. It happens, it happened to you.

Glad you cleared that up.

I thought the cop was ogling Alanis when he ran into you

Hope you get it all sorted.

Love the visuals... glad you're okay. Sorry about the scoot!!!

glad you are ok , just be thankful you where not rear-ended by one of our (PSNI) cop cars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Is that made of Legos?

I think it's a dinky toy.

LOL it does look like a toy! but if one of these babies hits your car guess who comes off worse !!! here is a pic of some more lol

More like armor and bulletproof glass.. Correct me if I'm wrong xmanhoe. Those are cop cars designed to withstand assault r if le bullets and molotov cocktails. All I can think of when I see those is "Alternative Ulster" by Stiff Little Fingers.

Land Rover Tangi aka "Meat Wagon" or "Newry ice cream van":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover_Tangi