Son knocked off bike, car dented, do I pay?

[Oliphantitus]

Hello, my son was knocked off his bike and left a large dent in the car which knocked him off. I didn't see the accident but he thinks he came out our gate fast, and I think the driver was going too fast as she couldn't stop. ( Son is ok, spent lots of time in hospital but no real injury, phew).

She is sending me the bill through her insurance, but I don't know which insurance I have which will cover it. It happened on a road so don't think it will be home insurance. It didn't involve my car so can't be vehicle insurance? I have no money at the moment so a bit worried. Any advice appreciated...

[Bigearringsbigsmile]

Fuck that! She knocked him off his bike!!!

[Helspopje]

Did you involve the police?
I would’ve
A child on a bike isn’t unexpected on a residential street

[MynameisJune]

Highway Code, you must be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. She couldn’t stop in time and wasn’t anticipating pedestrians or cyclists. No way would I pay for the damage she’s a CF.

[username578999]

No she knocked him off the bike . This has got to be the most CF I've heard . Tell her to claim on her insurance do not pay anything she's lucky he's not injured .

[TeachesOPeaches]

Not a fuck do you pay!

That’s genuinely outrageous.

[FreshwaterBay]

Was your son to blame? Was he taking reasonable care? If it was his fault the owner of the car (not always the driver) should be compensated. Beware agreeing to pay for the dent then the driver claims whiplash seven days later.

If your son was taking reasonable care, for his, age she will be liable for her own losses.

Anyway, she will not send the bill through her insurance. Her insurer will decide and contact you directly. It is a subtle point but bear in mind she may be bluffing.

[username578999]

Just re read it sorry he was in hospital. She was going too fast and she's sending you the bill .

[Oliphantitus]

Yes, the police came with the ambulance and said there was no need for them to be there. I was a bit wet to be honest as I was so stressed I could hardly breath, so I wasn't thinking about who was to blame etc. I would like to fix her car but I can't afford it if not covered by some sort of insurance!

[BooksAreMyOnlyFriends]

Was he looking when he rode out of the drive?

[legalseagull]

How old is your son? Under 18?

[GreenTulips]

Legally you don’t have too

It’s a civil matter and she’ll be told the same

She hit him - her fault

[RedWineAllMine]

Erm, how about you press charges for her knocking your son off his bike! How dare she foot you the bill! Involve the Police straight away!

[VimFuego101]

How fast was the driver going? Surely she should have been going slowly enough to stop when she saw your son in what is presumably a residential area?

[Baguetteaboutit]

No. That's not how car insurance works, is it? Tell her to get stuffed.

[PuppyMonkey]

Tell her you’re consulting your solicitor with a view to suing her for your son’s injuries.

[RedWineAllMine]

Just re read they came. See if you can speak to them about her giving you a bill. Never heard anything like it! 😱

[Oliphantitus]

He's only twelve. He blamed himself, he was quite shocked and kept apologising, I think he did come out the gate fast but it is quite a bad spot.

[Billballbaggins]

Fuck that, I’d be suing her

[KnifeAngel]

If he hit the side of the car then it sounds like it was his fault. Make sure he is more careful in future. It is terrifying having a child run into your car. It happened to me.

[PastTippingPoint]

She should pay! Can't believe she's sent you a bill!! It should have been reported to the police at the time since your son went to hospital. I don't know if you can still report it? Could you contact your home insurance legal cover for advice?

[Billballbaggins]

And do not speak to her again before getting legal advice

[Billballbaggins]

If he hit the side of the car then it sounds like it was his fault. Make sure he is more careful in future. It is terrifying having a child run into your car. It happened to me.

The driver is always at fault. Always.

[MaybeitsMaybelline]

If he came out if the gate too fast she wouldn’t have needed to be going too fast to know him off. 65 feet is the stopping distance at 30mph

It want necessarily her fault, I once watched a boy if about 15 run out of his car straight into the oath of a car and over the bonnet. No way could the driver have stopped in time. I actually gave a witness statement for the drivers insurance because it absolutely was the fault of the boy that ran out.

[PastTippingPoint]

Sorry cross posted!

[MaybeitsMaybelline]

75 feet not 65 doh