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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:
Suzytwoshoes · 05/01/2017 08:27

Same as OurBlanche

DO NOT PAY ANYTHING OP!

Phone 101 explain what happened you may find you can bill them and get your money back for the damage to your car!

dibbley · 05/01/2017 08:29

Why was the child on your property? I agree that it sounds like a scam.

Oakmaiden · 05/01/2017 08:29

You are supposed to do a quick visual check of your car wheels before you get in to drive.

I don't, though... but it is good practice to do so.

OurBlanche · 05/01/2017 08:34

I do, and did the day I ran over a bike, Oakmaiden, I live rurally and, at certain times of the year, get slow punctures from hawthorn hedge cuttings. I looked down one side of the car, walked round the back, looked down the other side and got in... the bike was not visible, tucked under the nose of the car, at an angle.

I doubt it could have been better hidden if done purposefully by an adult rather than just slung down by a pre teen in a hurry Smile

Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 08:35

I have literally done this for the past 2 days
I thought it would be better parking to. My drive than on the street but after this I wish I hadn't

My drive is only small, can only just fit the car on to be honest

Tempted to go round now but it's school run time

OP posts:
Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 08:36

On my- not to. Sorry I'm tired

OP posts:
MrsTrentReznor · 05/01/2017 08:39

I'd ignore it.
Maybe next time her kids will look after their gifts better.
You owe her nothing and the police will tell her to go away.

RupertsMum2 · 05/01/2017 08:42

I would phone 101 and check with the police exactly where you stand on this. Then you can pop a note through bicycle child's door letting them know that you have paid for the car damage and they can sort the bike and that there is no need for them to contact the police as you have already done so.

I have run into my son's new bike on the driveway twice fortunately with no damage.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 05/01/2017 08:43

My drive is only small, can only just fit the car on to be honest

So the bike wouldn't have been on your property then? Or only very slightly. Child wouldn't have been in your property at all. That probably makes a difference.

Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 08:44

The bike was half under my car but the child wouldn't have needed to be on my drive to put it there

OP posts:
JeffJarrett · 05/01/2017 08:44

Hmm. Sounds suspicious to me too. Especially as it's two streets away, close but not too close that they'd run into you regularly.

I could see a smaller child leaving a bike half under a car but struggle with a 10 year old. How did they get home if they left the bike there?

Also the fact it was supposedly a Christmas present. Did it look new OP?

I hope you didn't get talked into giving them money and took PP advice speaking to insurance/101.

ofudginghell · 05/01/2017 08:46

Well what a stupid women.
The much loved xmas present shouldn't have been left on a random drive two roads away if it was that much loved.
I would be telling her to take it out of the child's savings to replace it.
I certainly wouldn't be blaming the person who's drive it got dumped on.

Some parents don't teach their kids to respect and appreciate at all and people wonder why this generation are so entitled eh

dibbley · 05/01/2017 08:47

So the bike was an obstruction on the pavement/dropped kerb? It was an accident waiting to happen. I still think it sounds like a scam if they live 2 streets away.

gamerchick · 05/01/2017 08:48

Why don't you do nothing now and have a sleep. When you wake up shake off the needing to pay up feeling. You don't.

tiggytape · 05/01/2017 08:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WeAreEternal · 05/01/2017 08:51

Do not offer to pay anything!!!

I did this to a child's scooter in the summer, apparently it was a special stunt scooter that cost £££.
As the scooter was on my drive I was reluctant to pay for it and called the police to ask for advice, they said as it was abandoned on my property I had no responsibility to pay for it so I refused.

They tried to take to to the small claims court but they were unsuccessful and ended up having to pay my costs.

The judge said had it been on the pavement when I ran it over it would have been a different outcome but as it was on my property and virtually underneath my car it wasn't my fault.
He even advised the woman to teach her child to look after their possessions better.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 05/01/2017 08:55

The judge said had it been on the pavement when I ran it over it would have been a different outcome

This is the key I think OP. If it was fully on your drive then I don't think they've got a leg to stand on. If it was primarily on the pavement but landed hanging slightly in to your driveway (and given that you've said your car only just fits that seems most likely) 101 might not give you the answer you want.

Cakingbad · 05/01/2017 08:59

Sounds like a scam to me, OP.

Especially as two other posters on the thread have had something similar happen recently.

I can see that a lot of people would just hand over the cash so it's probably quite lucrative.

dibbley · 05/01/2017 08:59

The dropped kerb is for the op to have access to and from her property , so the bike shouldn't have been left there as an obstruction.

Original poster
Frogqueen13 · 05/01/2017 09:00

Rang 101- it's a civil matter, however if I hadn't of stopped the vehicle and just carried on it would have been a criminal matter

She recommended i pay for the bike

Still not convinced I should to be honest but will go round tonight and see if we can sort it out

The garage is going to do an itemised bill of the damages to my car for me to take too

OP posts:
VimFuego101 · 05/01/2017 09:03

This smells of a scam to me. Did the bike look new, and how much money are they asking for? I would get a quote for your car repairs before you go round to see them?

Rachel0Greep · 05/01/2017 09:08

Don't pay. Seriously. Ask them who is going to pay for your car repairs.

JerryFerry · 05/01/2017 09:08

Poor you, what an irritating thing to happen especially when you're so tired.

Perhaps pop a note through the door acknowledging their note and explain you are seeking legal advice so they don't hassle you.

I wouldn't accept the 101 advice as full and final, can you access legal advice?

Stormwhale · 05/01/2017 09:08

Nope I would not be paying. No way.

AyeAmarok · 05/01/2017 09:09

I think the child crashed their bike into your car and damaged both, and the parents concocted this plan to make you think it was you damaging their bike.

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