Ran over a bike.

[Frogqueen13]

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?

This sounds like a scam. What child leaves their shiny, brand new bicycle lying on the pavement, half under a car sitting in a driveway and walks to their home which is two streets away? They wouldn't. In any event leaving a bicycle in that position is contributory negligence and would severely reduce any damages. Tell them to sue and you'll counter claim for the damages to your car. This reminds me of those scams where a driver causes the car behind to run into the back of their car and claims substantial damages for whiplash and loss of earnings.

Don;t make any admissions.

I think a diagram is needed.

You are being scammed. Does the bike look less than a fortnight old??

No way would I pay for the bike. I reverse into my drive too, and never check in front of it before driving off...I'd never expect someone to have left a bike under my wheels.

.

I wouldn't pay. I actually wouldn't even reply to their note. If they follow it ip though I would ask the mother to make sure that her child does not leave toys on your private driveway ever again as you can not take responsibility for damage to items left underneath your car. If it happens again you will bill for your car damage.
101 doesn't always give good advice. I had a problem with a dog visting a house 2 roads away escaping and getting into my garden (we have pet rabbits that he was trying to get to). They advised me to pay to dog proof my garden. I said I didn't need to dog proof my garden as I didn't have a dog and my fencing was perfectly adequate for my needs. The dog owners did however need to keep proper control of their dog. The 101 person did then agree with me in the end.

I would pop a note (or ring the doorbell if you're brave enough - I am a wimp and hate confrontation!) and say as a matter of courtesy (i.e. not in any way an admission of blame) that you are happy to pay for the bike, just as soon as they have paid you for the damage to your car, and include the itemised bill from the garage. I would be surprised if you heard anything more from her.

I wouldn't be taking advice on a civil matter from a police officer over the phone. In fact I'd not take advice on a criminal matter as well, after one once told me on the phone some youths ripping a tree apart in a public park (tearing down large branches) wasn't criminal damage as it would grow again. On that basis it would be lawful to go around cutting people's hair.

Just for you Lizzie

Yes it looked new, husband is going round tonight as he is home and brave and very calm but much less of a pushover

Sorry for the late reply I was asleep

For the poster who said about defrosting the windows- it was a night shift I start at 7ish so leave about 6:00pm so don't often have to do it then I have to do it in the morning in the freezing after a night shift

Have you spoken to your employer or the fleet management company yet OP?
I've had company cars for 20 years and am not allowed to do anything, not even minor repairs, without their input.

Could you update us what happens? so annoying when you get invested in these threads and never know how it ends!

All sounds very dodgy. Hope you get it resolved.

Yes Op what's the latest? Has your DH been round yet? I'm dying to know what was said. I'm totally rooting for you BTW

Place marking

This happened to a neighbour. The bike was half under there car, half on the pavement. The police were called and they said that because any of the bike was on her property it was the child's fault and my neighbour would be in their rights to claim any costs from the childs parents. Not sure 101 gave you the right advice as so many seem to have had similar experiences to my neighbour.

So husband went round- in his paramedic uniform as he had just got back from work, showed her the bill for damages and asked to see the bike and the receipt

She told him she found him intimidating and said she wanted her husband t talk to him. My husband was fine with this, asked if would be convienient to pop round later and she said no.

She wanted it sorting now and she wanted £220- which he refused

Due to the bike being new and a very tearful child he offered £40 token guesture in the form of vouchers to put towards the bike

She tried to barter with £150 he said she could pay the car bill as well as we now have cctv to prove the location of the bike.

She accepted the £40 and he made her sign a reciept that said she accepts the settlement figure and is taking it no further.

I rang the Car company- and because I went to the garage that they send me to normally they have refunded me the charges and I only had to pay £50 excess. So all round a better day

Glad it's over

Well done to OP's DH. I like a happy ending.

Yay!! What a great update. Well done to you and your husband.

I think this has been my most popular thread ever!

Sounds like a scam to me.
I get a crappy old worthless bike.
Leave it in front of a car at an address I have noted
Pick a large car which will have to reverse out as it reduces the chances of them seeing it.
Hopefully car runs over bike
I then ask car owner to compensate me for my child's expensive Christmas present
Ca.....ching!!

Because if I knee where my child has left their expensive present of course I would leave it there to be stolen or run over rather than go round to collect it. !!

Ignore the note. If she calls again explain contributory negligence to her in that if her child hadn't left it there the damage wouldn't have occurred and your going to counter claim for the damage go your car and look forward to speaking to the PLO r about it.

Sorry mused that you have resolved it

Missed

It certainly sounds like a scam with her backing down as soon as cctv was mentioned!
Nice little earner wandering around neighbourhoods looking for suitably parked cars.
I wonder why did her child leave his new bike two streets away from the house without her asking where it was?

Glad you and your DH got it resolved. Still believe the child's mother was very rude. They should be apologising to you for leaving the bike on your property, causing damage to your car, stress etc. People are unbelievable sometimes. Hope you have a good, restful weekend, OP!