If this means my number just came up, I'll take it

[pdedse]

Glad to hear it was minor and you were able to walk away from it, Gonein60
I'm sorry if I missed something, but how exactly did the RLET's help in this situation?

Few weeks ago I had this fat b*tch just pullout right infront of me, when I pulled up next to her window, she had the audacity to unapologetically scream "I DIDN'T SEE YOU!" as If that was some sort of acceptable explanation. Needless to say, I should've taken her mirror

Hey E11even, it's hard to deal with folks when this happens; very glad you were able to avoid the collision.

We like our bikes and we don't want someone's lack of attention to take out our "pride and joy". And then at a much deeper level of importance, we know that such inattentiveness could seriously alter our lives--and that ratchets up the intensity of a near "encounter" signficantly...and quickly.

Yet, I know I've been that "fat b*tch" twice in my life--once while driving a car, another while on my motorcycle. In my car a long while back I pulled out left onto a one way street and barely missed a car in the far lane by inches...I never saw the car, and I don't know why I didn't--happened over 40 years ago and I remember it like it were yesterday. Two passengers were with me, but I wasn't distracted. I asked them after if they saw that car, and both said they did. I felt like such an idiot. Was it the sun and the car in the shadows? IDK. Could not understand how I didn't see that car I just about plowed into.

And then few years ago I was on my mc at a red light and my brain told me the light turned green...except that it didn't. A guy in his car turning left had the turn light and was rightfully pulling out to make his turn and fortunately for me, he saw me, gave me the "what the hades are you doing look" (deserved), and I waved an apology and went through the intersection. What did I just do? I can't explain it.

I can't explain either moment...I'm defenseless. And I know that I'm a very good driver--seriously. I am hyper aware, don't talk on phone, don't text, I signal, I'm patient, I don't speed through yellow lights, I let people in when they need, aggressive drivers I let them "win". But in those two instances--I blew it. Nothing happened...gracias a Dios.

But I know deep down something could have.

So RE: "she had the audacity to unapologetically scream "I DIDN'T SEE YOU!" as If that was some sort of acceptable explanation"

Perhaps that scream actually was an apology--even though it may have come off as something else--as fear maybe as she realized she just about royally messed up. I know that's what I felt.

RE: "Needless to say, I should've taken her mirror". One understands the "in-the-moment" desire to react in such a way, but I'm glad you didn't. You kept your cool and avoided a possible escalation that could have you paying the consequences for something that she initiated.

To repeat the important part: very glad you avoided a near collision!

[Cormanus]

That’s a great post pdedse. Thank you for sharing those stories and your insight.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Agreed. Well written and your subtle point came across. There's a no win situation when yelling at cagers. Gotta just shake your head, yell in your helmet, whatever. Drive off and enjoy the rest of the ride. I struggle with this but with age I have learned to just let it go.

[KiowaEagle_imp]

Great post Pdedse and if I might add, escalating a situation like that by seeking retribution is just plain dangerous. You're on a motorcycle, they're in a car. It's like that old adage "You brought a knife to a gunfight". Keeping your emotions in check isn't easy but it's the smart thing to do.

[DAC]

Gone in 60 - glad you're okay. Lot's of good stories and wisdom in this thread. Here in the states, at least the northern parts, the riding season is about to get into full swing. So, "let's be careful out there."

[Gone in 60]

Back home now and was hoping the insurance for the lady who turned in front of me had accepted liability and that I had a green light to get the bike fixed. The adjuster said that liability was still in dispute until she received the police report, which had not arrived yet. However if I wanted to get repairs underway, I could go through my own insurance.

I’d been in the insurance game long enough to know that what my own carrier doesn’t know won’t hurt me.

I work ten minutes from the police department. I drove there, got the report, which showed the other person at fault, scanned it, and emailed to the lady’s adjuster. I pointed out that all questions of liability should now be moot, I want my bike fixed.

Within minutes she thanked me for doing the leg work and said to take the bike to a shop.

I showed the service manager at the dealer photos of the accident to give some reference to where the bike was hit. He said it was one in a million that I hit her where I did in terms of limiting damage to myself and the machine. Even so, he’s looking at replacing both forks, front wheel and front rotor, figuring there is a good chance of everything forward of the steering head being bent. On my ride to the shop it was pulling slightly to the right, but nothing more dramatic than what I would figure would require a simple fork realignment.

I’m glad he’s prioritizing safety in the repairs. It’ll be nice to know it was fixed thoroughly.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Well done Gin60. May the rest of this journey be as or more smooth than it has.

[pdedse]

Good for you that you took the initiative and got the report; sounds like that sped things up. I don't think that would have ocurred to me. I hope that her insurance takes it from here and that you'll be made "whole" in due time.

[Gone in 60]

An adjuster overloaded with claims tends to prioritize the squeaky wheels while other claims languish. I simply made myself a helpful squeaky wheel. Also, if they were standing by a thought that they might be off the hook in my case, I sure wanted to see the police report myself to make sure there were no surprises that could hurt my position.

Thankfully the report sided with me, indicating that the left turning driver admitted that she did not see me until the moment before impact. That would tend to remove any opportunity for her to blame me for the accident.

While I initially thought that a police response to the accident was a bit overkill, turns out it was the factor that got my claim moving forward.