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Original poster

Ran over a bike.

158 replies

Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 07:29

I ran over a child's bike- unattended in front on my car on my drive. I could find owner so left it on the side of the road. Went to get my car fixed as it had pulled a bit of the underneath off. And went to work late.

Now I have a note through my door asking what I am going to do to resolve this before she calls the police.

Wwyd?

OP posts:
Ifailed · 05/01/2017 07:51

Tell her you are going to report her to the council for fly-tipping on your property.

Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 07:52

Half under my car half on the pavement in front of it,

I'm going to have to be brave aren't I

OP posts:
GlitteryFluff · 05/01/2017 07:53

Under your car? Then I really don't think they can complain you ran it over. Who leaves their bike half under a car?!

Northernlurker · 05/01/2017 07:53

I suspect it was in the path and it's not acceptable to say you didn't see it. What if it were a child or adult who's had a fit or something else which renders them unable to move? You were in the wrong I'm afraid.

Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 07:54

A cat could sit down under the car whilst you are putting your belt on or adjusting you mirrors

I will check in future but right now that won't help

OP posts:
SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 07:55

Don't go round there as you sound like you are in a fragile state and will end up agreeing to pay for the bike. Let them come to you, they know where you live, and when they catch you in you can present them the bill to your car repairs and ask for them to pay your bill first and then you will look at their invoice for the bike.

Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 07:58

I am willing to be reasonable and pay half, should I ring 101 for advice

I'm on nights at the minute so my car will be there all day but I will be asleep if I can sleep after all of this

Would it be acceptable to ask them until I get paid next week. I won't be paying for the whole bike I can't afford to

Right now I'm tired, stressed and I have no one to take with me as my husband is away

OP posts:
SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 07:58

OP please don't listen to the mad posters in here who have their own extraordinary view on the world that no one else I know share Confused

If you really want to know legally how you stand then please post in Legal or maybe try the moneysavingexpert board and get some sensible advice.

Kerberos · 05/01/2017 07:58

Personally I'd ignore it. Anyone stupid enough to leave their bike in front of someone else's car clearly doesn't value their Christmas present. I would argue it was in front of your car, reasonable that you couldn't see it and therefore have no case to answer. I would explain that you had a £xx garage bill to fix your own car and suggest the child should have taken more care.

INeedNewShoes · 05/01/2017 07:59

Northern - out of interest do you walk in front of your car to check for discarded objects/people before you drive off every time?

I have to say I have never thought to do this and I'm pretty sure I wasn't taught to do this when I learned to drive.

MyWhatICallNameChange · 05/01/2017 07:59

So their child got a bike for Christmas and left it unattended on someone's drive to get run over? They're damn lucky the bike wasn't stolen, it would have been round here.

It's a lesson to her child to look after their belongings. I'd be raging mad with my child if they'd treated their Christmas present like that.

It's not your fault.

SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 08:00

Then put your earplugs in and don't answer the door. Handle this when you're feeling better. It's a bike you ran over, not their cat or child, it's really not a big deal and the police will be fantastically uninterested.

Sixisthemagicnumber · 05/01/2017 08:01

Don't pay it. Under no circumstances should you offer to pay. The bike should not have been left there.

Northernlurker · 05/01/2017 08:01

I look yes. I have a cat and there are a lot of small children who live on our road.

INeedNewShoes · 05/01/2017 08:01

OP - please don't offer to pay half.

The child left their bike on your property. Their actions caused damage to your car and inconvenience in that you had to take your car to be repaired.

You have done nothing wrong.

I would go around and talk to the person who left the note and explain the damage that was caused to your car. If they don't back down at that point then you need to stand up for yourself and tell them that you will bill them for the repairs to your car given that the child's bike had no business being on your property in the first place.

SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 08:01

And by the way my neighbour accidentally ran over my cat as a child as it was under her car asleep. It was not her fault she we did not bill her funnily enough.

allchattedout · 05/01/2017 08:03

Don't pay half!!! You have already paid for your car repairs and you can't afford it. Kid's fault for leaving bike half under your car. The police will do nothing. Tell her to go whistle. You can't afford this.

FannyFifer · 05/01/2017 08:03

No way offer to pay,
Give them the bill for your car.
The bike was left on your drive under your car, this is absolutely not your fault, do not offer any money.

intheknickersoftime · 05/01/2017 08:04

Do you have any legal cover on your car insurance? They might be able to help.

AnaMaleka · 05/01/2017 08:05

So she her child leaves their bike out over night two streets away, something happens to it and it's your fault?

FreddoFrog · 05/01/2017 08:05

How does a bike from two roads away end up on your drive?

I also think best way forward is to go round and chat. As you've had to pay for the damage for your car, I would suggest you both just leave it at that - ie they bear the cost of the damage to the bike and you wear the cost of the damage to your car. However, I suggest that only for a quiet life. I do see merit in seeking they cover the cost of your car repairs, but I imagine that would be difficult and not worth the stress.

Please do not offer to pay for the damage to the bike. You are not at fault here.

AppleAndBlackberry · 05/01/2017 08:06

I think I'd send a note back saying "I'm really sorry about the bike but it was actually left in a really irresponsible place right in front of my car, partly underneath. There's no way I could have seen it. I've had to pay for repairs to my car and I'm not in a position to help pay for bike repairs as well."

gamerchick · 05/01/2017 08:06

Why are you rolling over and taking it?

Ask her to pay for the repairs to your car
Or ignore/deny it.

Might be worth to take some brush up lessons as well before you run over an actual kid.

LordEmsworth · 05/01/2017 08:07

"I've already resolved it thanks, but if you want to reimburse me the cost of getting my car fixed that would be great. No need to call the police, I'm sure your child has learnt their lesson"

PurpleDaisies · 05/01/2017 08:07

What child leaves their bike on someone else's driveway? I'd be a bit suspicious that this was someone trying to scam me.

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