Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2006-06-14 7:49 PM

Member
38
25
Subject: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
I need some advice - I was rear-ended by another motorist today with my bike on the trunk rack. My question is there is a fair amount of damage to the rear of my car and my bike has the following damage - front rim bent and not serviceable - My bars are twisted sideways ( not bent ) and the bike shop owner I had look at my bike thinks there is a hairline crack in the frame ( it looks like a very small blemish in the paint to me ) . My concern is I am worried about the overall stress to the Aluminum Frame and carbon Fork. The bike is only 3 months old. WOULD YOU GUY'S feel safe riding this bike again or should I get a new bike even if the hairline fracture turns out not to be. Thanks in advance for the input.

2006-06-14 8:34 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Expert
900
500100100100100
Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
Sorry to hear about the bike (and car, of course). Mine is inoperable at the moment, and I'm depressed.

If there really is a crack in the frame or even moderate stress, I would highly suggest that you don't use it. Maybe take it to another bike shop for a second opinion and decide based on the two. I had a friend who was riding a frame that was stressed, but with only mild visible problems. He hit a pothole and the frame separated at the head tube & top/bottom tubes, leaving him on the ground.

Hopefully the guy's insurance will cover the bike.
2006-06-14 9:01 PM
in reply to: #454689

Champion
8903
500020001000500100100100100
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack

I wouldn't ride that bike on a bet.  Call your insurance company, have them get the other guy's insurance company to pay for a brand new bike.  That's what you pay all those premiums for.

 

2006-06-14 9:47 PM
in reply to: #454759

User image

Pro
3705
20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
max - 2006-06-14 10:01 PM

I wouldn't ride that bike on a bet.  Call your insurance company, have them get the other guy's insurance company to pay for a brand new bike.  That's what you pay all those premiums for.

While Max is confused about other thing(s), I would have to think that s/he is spot on with this one ... hairline crack = trouble.

Visualize your self skipping across the pavement at 18-21 mph with nothing on but a helmet, sunglasses and spandex.

Ouch.

2006-06-14 10:14 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
That really sucks. It also happened to another lady on my women's cycling board, recently. In fact, I just told my Mom the other weekend that I will not use a trunk mounted bike rack, because I am fearful of my bike getting hit. It's nice and safe in my trunk. Well, unless they totally demolish the rear of my car!

Shouldn't the guys insurance company pay to replace the bike?

I say get a new bike and don't even try to salvage this one.

2006-06-14 10:42 PM
in reply to: #454789

User image

Expert
941
50010010010010025
WA
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack

i would definitely not ride it again.  minor defects in the frame can cause big trouble.  my friend's dad had his fork break while he was riding, he pitched over the bike and broke his collarbone and some ribs.  there was a fracture in his bike he didn't know about that caused it.  the integrity of your bike holding together is dependent on there being no weak points.

good luck with getting reimbursed/covered for all that....it sucks that it was a new bike . 

2006-06-14 10:48 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Expert
1092
1000252525
Earth
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
I would have it checked at another bike shop.  If they agree that the bike is broken and not fixable, then I would make sure the insurance company replaces it.
2006-06-14 10:58 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
IF there's a crack in the paint, it means the metal underneath it strained enough to cause the crack. The frame may be cracked or not, but if it were me, I'd replace it (and include it on the insurance claim). Even if the frame did not crack, you've now moved that point in the frame WAY up the fatigue curve.

Sorry.
2006-06-14 11:00 PM
in reply to: #454821

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: Caveat...
YOu could ride it on a trainer, but I wouldn't take it out on the road.
2006-06-15 5:20 AM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
Sounds to me like the offending party just bought you a new bike!
2006-06-15 6:17 AM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
I am a claims manager in Auto Insurance. The other persons insurance will definately pay for the damages for your bike. Their liability insurance covers all property damaged that their "insured" driver caused. If for some reason they do not have insurance then if you have "uninsured/underinsured - property damage insurance", then this steps in and takes the place of the at fault parties insurance. Hopefully you don't have to go that route.
In review of your damages I would definately get another bike.

jamie

2006-06-15 6:41 AM
in reply to: #454689

Member
38
25
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
Thanks guys for all the input .
2006-06-15 11:00 AM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Master
1359
10001001001002525
South of SLC
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
Take the money they give you for a new bike and augment it with your own cash and use the huge pot to buy the quality of bike that you may never be able to justify otherwise. You know you want to...

Mike
2006-06-15 12:45 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Pro
4578
20002000500252525
Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
Ooh I'm sorry that happened, but like others have said, maybe it will work out for the best.

My bike racks are on my roof, so luckily I won't have the problem you have, but I'm always worried about driving into an underground lot and forgetting to take the bike off of the roof.
2006-06-15 1:25 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack

This is one the biggest things that stresses me out about traveling to and from races... my baby is out there and those idiots think they're cool tailgating and whatnot...

Wonder how cool they'll be when they get the bill for two "nice" bikes...

Course, I've heard of people wrecking their bikes when using a roof-rack too... one drove into a low-hanging tree-branch at Wildflower.  The other had a mental lapse and pulled into their garage...

 

2006-06-15 4:12 PM
in reply to: #454822

Member
25
25
North Carolina
Subject: RE: Caveat...
briderdt - 2006-06-15 12:00 AM

YOu could ride it on a trainer, but I wouldn't take it out on the road.



+1

2006-06-15 6:28 PM
in reply to: #454689

User image

Elite
3022
20001000
Preferably on my bike somewhere
Subject: RE: Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack
Fight for a new bike. Cracks are not good.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Help - My car was rear-ended with my bike on the trunk rack Rss Feed