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Reckless driver rear-ends my bike: Frustrating compensation experience

27th February 2024, 10:12 by Ananth Iyer

With the cop on the scene, I tried explaining to him the extent of the damage caused and how the "Rs 2000" offered will not even cover anything.

BHPian CaptainSpeedy25 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Update at 2400+ KMS: A series of unfortunate events:

Heard somewhere that when you're on a motorcycle, believe that the rest of the world is out there to get you and ride accordingly. This proved true today (Jan 29, 2024). I had taken Harley out for my commute to office at around 10:30 am. At around 11, while navigating the traffic-ridden Marathahalli underpass to merge onto Old Airport Road (and subsequently to ORR), the worst possible thing happened!

A four wheeler banged into my barely moving motorcycle from behind and knocked both me and my bike to the ground. While I escaped with scratches on my left ring finger, the bike was on its left and in a relatively bad condition. The culprit in this case initially refused to accept her fault (despite there being clear signs of the same on her front (left) bumper). Finally when the witnesses gathered and pointed out her fault (and also saw the damage to my bike, she accepted and said she would pay Rs 2000 to cover the damages, which left me flabbergasted! An initial inspection of the left side of the bike had the following damage:

Scrolling LED indicator broken,
Handlebar mirror damaged,
Engine cover damaged,
Clutch lever broken,
Gear lever twisted,
Rear foot-peg (left) damaged,
Tail-tidy damaged

All my appeals to call up the cops while I tried contacting the Triumph showroom and local language speakers fell on deaf ears. But luckily, within 15 mins of this, a cop appeared (since I refused to move till the lady stepped out and shared her insurance details). In the meantime, I was able to connect with Varun, Likitha and Renju from Keerthi Triumph, who calmed me down to some degree and immediately got in touch with the RSA as well.

With the cop on the scene, I tried explaining to him the extent of the damage caused and how the "Rs 2000" offered will not even cover anything. He, in his infinite wisdom, unfortunately started siding with the lady, who also accused me of harassing her (since I kept asking for her 3rd party insurance). It was only when I told the cop to address me properly (Ex-Army) and that I was the victim here, did he mellow down. I told him I would not move till I got the insurance details from the driver, to which the reply given was:

This is not my car, it is my husband's,
I don't have 3rd party insurance,
I also have kids and don't want you to suffer,
I will pay whatever difference amount is (which your insurance will not cover)5. (and the most surprising - from the cop)
The car is 2012 registered and you'll barely get any insurance money if you claim her insurance.

In all the exchange that happened between the cop and the driver in the local language, I figured that he wanted her to scoot and not get into the mess (few things I overheard/could decipher: This is a new bike; his insurance will cover everything; give your number to him and he will contact you).

Ultimately, I clicked a few pics of the damage to the bike, the car bumper and then told Likitha to arrange for RSA from my office and left. However, since I was too disturbed by the entire incident and could not concentrate on work, I told Likitha to cancel the RSA and that I would come to the showroom myself.

At around 1:30 pm, reached Keerthi Triumph, where Renju, Varun and Likitha assessed the damage (we could hear a ticking sound from the left side near the engine) and shared the same with the service centre. Confirmed with the service centre that we were on our way and reached around 3 pm with Varun and another SA in tow. From then, connected with the insurance company (IFFCO TOKIO), filled up a few forms, clicked a few more pics of the bike and my documents, to upload on the insurance company's app and got a job card raised (thanks to Thejas for the help and big shout-out to Varun for staying with me till this was complete).

Thejas also assessed that the handlebar was twisted a bit and that the radiator guard might be a bit off, which might be the cause of the ticking sound. The insurance assessor called in the meantime and confirmed that he would come assess the bike the next day (Jan 30, 2024). Left the bike at the service centre with a heavy heart, and told both Thejas (unfortunately he's moving to the new service centre in Kanakapura Road) and the service technician that once the damage was assessed, I would take the bike back, till the parts were available (did not want to leave her any longer than needed).

Now waiting for the events to unfold, and keeping my fingers crossed that all the parts are sourced ASAP (and covered by insurance) so that I can ride my beauty again.

A few photos from the incident:

1. Damaged mirror and clutch lever