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Original poster

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

398 replies

Oliphantitus · 18/10/2019 18:49

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...

OP posts:
Original poster
Oliphantitus · 18/10/2019 19:00

I don't think she was going very fast, it is a country lane so one vehicle at a time. I am grateful for that. I just wish I had some insurance that would cover everything.

OP posts:
KnifeAngel · 18/10/2019 19:01

@Billballbaggins that's not true at all. The police were called to my collision. They blamed the child 100% for running into me.

MrsMump · 18/10/2019 19:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IncrediblySadToo · 18/10/2019 19:01

@Helspopje

No it’s not unexpected, but if they’re coming through a gate (Often beteeen houses) at speed and into the road right in the front/side of your car it’s nit always going to be possible to stop - or move if you’re stationary

@Oliphantitus

given you didn’t see it, what makes you think she was going too fast?

I was stopped (in traffic) and a child came out of a gate on his bike and straight into the side of my car. What was I supposed to do - levitate?

Can’t help with insurance/paying, as I just said not to worry as I had to have the panel replaced anyway (some twat had previously reversed into my parked car - but cctv was too dark to read the number plate!)

If I was the parent, I’d pay.

Ps. I spent some time in a children’s hospital caring for a beautiful little boy who hadn’t fared so well when he did the same thing. He will never walk again & will be spoon fed for life. It’s only money x

MaybeitsMaybelline · 18/10/2019 19:01

Apologies for the shit typing off to get my glasses

Elisheva · 18/10/2019 19:01

When I was 14 I ran across the road and hit a car. I was in hospital for three days. The driver sent my parents the bill and they claimed on their home insurance!
This was a good few years ago though.

username578999 · 18/10/2019 19:02

I'm gobsmacked that she put a child in hospital , accident or not but then to send you a bill for her car . Wtf how some people sleep at night. Shock

Original poster
Oliphantitus · 18/10/2019 19:02

Hello, the bump on the car is actually at the front of the car, and he ended up on the bonnet looking at the driver through the window.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/10/2019 19:03

It doesn't matter, she hit him. Tell her to fuck off. Imagine the road we go down if car drivers can bill the people they hit?

Message her back saying she was at fault for hitting him and you won't be paying her anything. Cheeky git.

Calm down the panic going on in your head there telling you to fix things. You don't have to, go give your bairn a cuddle.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 18/10/2019 19:03

No way should you pay. you claim off her car insurance.

Bellatrix14 · 18/10/2019 19:03

If she was speeding (if that’s what you mean by ‘going too fast’) then there is no way you should be paying. But I imagine she wasn’t, or the police would have been a bit more interested, surely?

Did he cycle in to the side of her car, or was he already in the road when she knocked him off?

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 18/10/2019 19:04

Cost of your sons bike, any damaged clothing, helmet, and injury.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/10/2019 19:04

As a driver you can’t drive exceptionally slowly just in case a kid on a bike, dogs, cats etc fly out of a side gate at you. Surely you wouldn’t be responsible?

FreshwaterBay · 18/10/2019 19:04

If he has been released from hospital the injury was not too bad. Which means the dent would have been hardly noticeable.

If the dent is noticeable was it there before?

Loveislandaddict · 18/10/2019 19:04

I think you need legal advice. Have you got any legal cover under any insurance companies you use? The other insurance companywill probably have to prove that your son caused the accident. Don’t admit to anything. Just because her car is damaged, doesn’t mean you were at fault.

Glad your son is okay.

whyamidoingthis · 18/10/2019 19:05

She hit him - her fault

Not necessarily. If he came out straight in front of her, she would not have been able to stop.

OP - where is the dent in her car? Is it the side or the front? If it's the side, then it would be hard to argue it's her fault. If the front, then it could be either or both at fault.

Glad your ds is ok.

GreenTulips · 18/10/2019 19:06

She’s insured in her car for an accident she’s at fault

Same happened to DS - I know we don’t have to pay

Baguetteaboutit · 18/10/2019 19:06

The op has already said the dent is on the bonnet.

FreshwaterBay · 18/10/2019 19:07

As a driver you can’t drive exceptionally slowly just in case a kid on a bike, dogs, cats etc fly out of a side gate at you

But that is exactly what I do these days in any built up area. There is something wrong with this story - if there is a dent the driver must have been going fast in which case boy must have had injuries. No injuries, I question the dent to be honest.

Baguetteaboutit · 18/10/2019 19:08

Even if he peddled so hard he accidentally rode into her boot and dented it, she wouldn't just be able to send you a bill for repairs. You can't just decide someone is liable and send an invoice because you think you can.

Billballbaggins · 18/10/2019 19:09

that's not true at all. The police were called to my collision. They blamed the child 100% for running into me.

It is true. It is always the drivers fault. That doesn’t mean you’ll get charged with anything but in collisions with pedestrians or bikes the car driver is always at fault - even if the driver could not have stopped in time or the person ran out because a driver is behind the wheel of a potentially deadly weapon and the risk of injury in an accident with a pedestrian or cyclist is significantly less for the driver. There may be contributory negligence on the part of a pedestrian or cyclist but honestly it is always the fault of the driver for not stopping in time no matter what.

WoollyMollyMonkey · 18/10/2019 19:09

Check your home insurance they often include legal cover and personal liability, which might be what you need?

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 18/10/2019 19:09

I'd tell her you want compensation for his injuries and want her insurance details to make a claim against. No way would I pay or even consider paying for a second - she KNOCKED DOWN your son! Her fault, her payment and her responsibility!

Original poster
Oliphantitus · 18/10/2019 19:09

Thanks everyone. I am aware that we are very lucky indeed to have our wee boy safe . Hopefully I will not have to pay. Thanks for all your advice and kind messages!

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 18/10/2019 19:10

My uncle had a child run from in between cars in front of his car and the child died. It wasn't his fault, he was going about 20mph and the police did all the calculations and he did not have time to stop. It was not his fault.

We don't know if it was the driver's fault. Does everyone who is blaming her drive 5mph on roads with drives just in case? You have to account for stopping distances even at 20 or 30.

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