My Immaculate R1 Trashed by a Holding Company

I was knocked off my almost immaculate Yamaha YZF-R1 1998 on 2nd January this year. I was filtering as I was coming out of Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. I was within the white line, then without warning the car I was passing decided he was going to turn into a side road, without looking or indicating.

I managed to ride my bike home, despite there being heavy damage to the top fairing, left hand headlight, broken clutch lever, middle left panel, rear seat unit was very slightly scuffed up but it was ride-able.

I then contacted Yamaha Insurance with whom I am insured with and as they are brokers they contacted my insurance company, who is Equity Claims department. They said they would arrange a hire bike through the insurance. I was then contacted by Plantec Holdings who wanted to arrange to deliver a hire bike to my address. They delivered a Suzuki GSXR-600, on 7th January 2008. On the same day they took my Yamaha YZF-R1 away to Plantec Holdings.

My bike was taken away for inspection by Plantec, I believe their Birmingham branch. I rode the hire bike until 17th March 2008, when Plantec collected the bike. In between these times I was informed my bike had been inspected and was deemed as a “Category C Write Off”.

I requested to buy my bike back as I knew I would be able to repair the bike myself so that it could be put back on the road. They said they would give me the value of the bike which was £2,600.00 minus charges which I believe to be salvage costs. They agreed to send me a cheque to the value of £2,210.00 which I received.

My bike was due to be returned to me on the same day as collection of the hire bike 17th March 2008. I was informed it had been sent to a salvage company for the other party’s insurance to inspect. I believe this company to be Copart.

Copart telephoned me on 17th March and said the bike could not be delivered as the address was within the emissions zone. I had taken the day off work especially to hand back the hire bike and receive delivery of my bike. I had to re-arrange delivery of my bike for the following day and my girlfriend waited in to accept delivery on my behalf.

The next day the driver called to say the lorry was in Elm Road, New Malden but was too high to travel under the railway crossing bridge so she walked and met the driver. When the bike was unloaded my girlfriend was so shocked to see the condition as it was in a far worse state than before the accident.

It was so upsetting to see the bike so smashed up and with additional damage, especially to the rear end. She was then asked to sign for delivery of the bike and expected to wheel the bike herself approx 200 yards to the house. The number plate was missing and she queried if it was the same bike. After being confirmed the driver agreed to wheel the bike to the house.

She telephoned the office and spoke to John Higgins from Copart, who was very off-hand and casual and just said the bike must have received the additional damage whilst on the premises of Plantec. She explained we had taken photos of the bike just after the accident, he said they also had photos of when they received the bike and he was going to e-mail these as proof.

After several requests a few days later we are still waiting to see these pictures. About 3 weeks ago my girlfriend was suspiciously asked by Plantec on behalf of Copart if the bike was intended to be used for spares.

My bike has just had a second inspection, photographs were taken which will be compared to the original ones. This has caused me unnecessary stress and I am currently still left without my own personal transport.

Through no fault of my own and an ignorant driver I am being requested to accept a 50/50 settlement as the best solution. I have been told by my solicitor no judge will consider my plea as I was filtering, although I AM within the law to do so.

I have been riding for 23 years and would not put myself in danger, if the driver had looked and signalled I would not have tried to filter past him. In my opinion the car driver is 100% to blame for the accident and should be charged with dangerous driving.

I am totally disgusted by the way my bike has been neglected and trashed after I had faith and trust leaving my bike with who I believed to be professional organisations. I am currently seeking further legal advice.

Ian Skelton

ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IS AS FOLLOWS

Right hand mirror broken off only arm remaining No brake fluid in master cylinder Screen broken (screws removed) Inner panel broke to left hand front Possible different front brake calipers Front brake lever snapped Left hand tank scratch below yamaha sticker Scratches on right hand frame Rear seat unit smashed Left hand and rear right hand sub frame twisted Rear seat ripped Number plate missing Undertray smashed and bent Rear light smashed to right hand side Rear indicators broken both sides Exhaust scratched and smashed Right hand lower fairing scratched Right hand indicator bent at the front Both sides of front tank damaged