My first off

[ericmcr]

Had my first off tonight while riding home from work. I was approaching a set of lights, through these lights is two lanes of traffic which merge into one, as I got closer to the lights the car I was behind decided she didn't want to sit in traffic for a couple of minutes & did a u-turn right in front of me & as I had nowhere to go I hit her drivers side door & dropped the bike. The only damage I can see so far is a big hole in the front panel just below the little cubby hole where the power point is where my knee smacked into it. The woman was very apologetic & offered to pay for any damage so i'll have to see if I can get it sorted soon as poss.

[Bluebottle]

Ouch. Really common collision that one.
Glad you are OK

[johnp]

I know the feeling with that accident, but your ok which is the main thing.

[Funkycowie]

Go through insurance, have you reported it to the police?

[ericmcr]

Theres not enough damage to go through the insurance which is a good thing as being a first time rider my excess isn't the cheapest & it's just more hassle but if the woman driver stars being difficult I might have to

[frankiej1949]

Hi Eric
Sorry to hear about the off but at least you are ok. Whereabouts was this as I live in Manchester.

[Funkycowie]

Do you have any witnesses?

If not she could easily turn around and say it wasn't her.

[MrGrumpy]

Phew...that could have been very nasty, so I'm glad you are OK. I guess if the driver is keen to pay up, it will be easier that way. If you can avoid having to report accidents to insurance companies, it saves hassle! And it would cost you your excess anyway, and could lead to endless legal hassles.

But she may turn out to be more reluctant, so keep on your guard. If she isn't helpful, I guess you can threaten her with complaints to the police about driving without care and attention.......

[ericmcr]

It happened outside B&Q near the trafford centre approaching the swing bridge. She said most of her family are bikers & she has just sold hers so she should know better than to do random u-turns in the middle of the road. A taxi driver witnessed it & has given me his number so i'll give him a ring if she disputes anything.

[frankiej1949]

Not the best place to do a u turn Eric