If you hit, just RUN!

I drive a Fiero F2 150 CC with TN registration in Bangalore. I rarely drive to work, and today happened to be once such day when I had to go by bike to the head office, walk for some distance and then catch a late shuttle.

I was driving in the usual route which is very busy in the office going hours. I normally drive a little faster in that particular road because of the frequency of usage. That road has multiple streets cutting left and right, and it is very difficult for people who want to cross that road.

My speedometer was showing 40+ in heavy traffic in the lane and I am driving in the opposite side driving lane so as to keep up the speed. One uncle in kinetic Honda suddenly appeared crossing the road in just 3 feet distance. Since there was full traffic in the lane, I just couldn’t foresee somebody coming in there; still it happened :(

I knew I can’t stop, so I just tried to slow down and control as much as possible and hit the crossing vehicle with less impact or the vehicle would cross without hitting. Unfortunately that bugger didn’t cross fast enough and I ended up hitting him with considerable impact. There was a stand still for a second and then the other vehicle flew off a bit and was lying on the driver in the middle of the road. 

My bike stopped but because of the hitting impact I have to drop the bike and run off a bit so as to avoid me falling down. I picked up the other moped so as to help the other guy to come out. He came out and didn’t seem to have any major injury. I was happy and thought that’s it; said sorry to him, picked my bike, and was adjusting the mirror etc. in the side of the road.

Suddenly I realize uncle standing behind me and asking me to come and see the damage for his bike. I told it’s a mutual mistake, so no need to check the damage and all and we should better go off. He was adamant and not ready to leave it without a settlement for the damage. I went and saw the damage and its like one side of that stupid moped’s butt had gone in because of the perpendicular impact. That’s bad, but for me it appeared to be an easily rectifiable bend in the steel body.

Again I started saying the damage is very small and more over it’s a common mistake, so we should just go off. Uncle was having an upper hand saying we should go to the police station to settle the issue knowing that my bike is a TN registration one and I won’t take the risk of going to police station to buy in more pain; I had to listen to him.

I offered 100 bucks! He said that’s not reasonable and asked for a better amount as per Bangalore expense standards or asked me get the bike repaired.

I thought the bill won’t go beyond 250 bucks and suggested going to a nearby mechanic to find out the approximate cost. The biggest mistake which I can’t be repeating any time in the future! That moron mechanic came up with a huge number; 1200. He said taking the bend off wouldn’t be enough as it will spoil the paint, and also painting a particular region won’t be enough and the whole part has to be painted. He also adds, even after paining that whole part, it will still look different compared to the other parts. Screwed :(

I tried calling up one another mechanic who I know, but that guy wasn’t reachable for some reason. Then what? I had to convince the person saying the mechanic’s estimate is too much and it really won’t cost that much. I also suggested him to sticker the damaged portion if the paint goes off in correcting the bend. Finally, uncle sort of agreed that the estimate was little too much. Half an hour gone and I had already missed the bus for which I was rushing. We spoke for sometime and he was sort of convinced to take 500 bucks!

Wrote off 500 bucks :( and still late to office; fortunately there aren’t any injuries to me and my bike, that way I am happy.

Moral: If you hit somebody, don't wait to see what happens; JUST RUN :)