Son and his friend caused accidental damage to car

[ToastedBun]

Hi all! So this in my first time here and I'm after a bit of advice. Here's the situation, my son (He's 13) and his friend (Slightly younger) were playing football near a car (I know!), one thing lead to another and they collided with each other, his friend fell over and went into the door of the car, causing damage. Understandably the person who owns the car was not too happy and want's me to cover the damage, which of course I will. Now my question is, my son is getting the blame 100% as his friend says it was him that pushed him, does that make me 100% responsible for all the costs? They were both playing football there, knowing what could happen. Can I legally ask or claim 50% of the costs off the other child's parents? or only offer to pay 50%? As I believe they were both responsible. Any advice or help would be much appreciated.

I would pay 50%

Have you spoken to the other boys parents about it? I'd expect them to pay half as the boys were both playing near the car.

I am unable to fathom how much damage they could of caused.

Yes, I've spoken to the other boys parents, but they pretty much said it's all my son's fault as he pushed him. Doubtful is going to be very easy down that route.

There's a very nice dent in the door, about road runner size!

Really, the car owner needs to use his insurance and then go after you in small claims court (or let his insurers do that). However, that's super cheeky when you know your son did it.

So, tell the owner you will pay 50%. Leave him to deal with the other parents. It isnt anything to do with you. It is between him and the other parents or his insurers.

Pay 50%. Give him the details of your son's friend and his parents. Leave the owner to sort it out. Do not get involved.

I've seen similar threads on MN before and my views seem to go against the grain. Most posters suggest paying for the damage, at least in part.

However, if the car was parked on the street then surely it's at risk of accidental damage? What if the wind had blown a wheely bin (or any other item) against the car and caused damage? No one would pay then.

If this was malicious and your son and friend intended the damage, that's another story, but surely, if it was a genuine accident, you shouldn't pay??

@MeridasMum

I've seen similar threads on MN before and my views seem to go against the grain. Most posters suggest paying for the damage, at least in part.

However, if the car was parked on the street then surely it's at risk of accidental damage? What if the wind had blown a wheely bin (or any other item) against the car and caused damage? No one would pay then.

If this was malicious and your son and friend intended the damage, that's another story, but surely, if it was a genuine accident, you shouldn't pay??

Ridiculous

@ImUninsultable Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought would be the appropriate thing to do.

@anniegun Great debate! Thanks.

@MeridasMum

Because it's the right and decent thing to do. When I break something by accident, I replace it. It's just called being a decent person.

If your kid plays a game in the street instead of in the park and they damage someone else's legally parked property, then you pay to fix it.

I don't actually give a shit about the legal stance or the proper process of telling him to go through his insurance and then come after me in court. I care about doing the decent thing. In this case, that's paying half.

@MeridasMum I can understand what your saying but it is a bit cheeky lol. I couldn't stand there with a straight face and try to explain that to him. Ultimately I am responsible for my sons actions.

@anniegun, how is what @MeridasMum said ridiculous?

I would have thought that was a fairly standard solution?

@MeridasMum

I've seen similar threads on MN before and my views seem to go against the grain. Most posters suggest paying for the damage, at least in part.

However, if the car was parked on the street then surely it's at risk of accidental damage? What if the wind had blown a wheely bin (or any other item) against the car and caused damage? No one would pay then.

If this was malicious and your son and friend intended the damage, that's another story, but surely, if it was a genuine accident, you shouldn't pay??

People have no choice but to park on the street. Not everyone has garages and drives. That doesn’t mean that if someone accidentally causes damage by dicking about then they should walk away.

@yourestandingonmyneck

But is it the right and decent thing to do?

I see both sides and I'm not arguing the the OP should do this; it's merely a point of discussion.

If I park my car in a garage, my insurance is reduced. If I park on my driveway, insurance costs a little more. If I park in the street, it's more expensive again for this exact reason.

I don't know what I would do in the circumstances but I think it's worth consideration.

Hand over 50% and give the owner the other child’s name and contact details.

You need to find out how much needs paying out before you start agreeing to pay. Would/could you pay if the dent costs £2000 to repair?

This needs to go through the insurance company and you/other parent should pay the excess IMO. Some people have a high excess to drive down the insurance cost. Even the excess could be hundreds.

Thanks @ModMajGeneral I will do!

I was going to say the same -

ImUninsultable

Really, the car owner needs to use his insurance and then go after you in small claims court (or let his insurers do that). However, that's super cheeky when you know your son did it.

So, tell the owner you will pay 50%. Leave him to deal with the other parents. It isnt anything to do with you. It is between him and the other parents or his insurers.

Pay 50%. Give him the details of your son's friend and his parents. Leave the owner to sort it out. Do not get involved.

MeridasMum I don't agree with you at all. I believe in showing my child that even if something is an accident that we need to take responsibility for the damage. If my daughter was at a friends house and knocked over an expensive vase. I wouldn't say well it was an accident and it was in an unsafe place. I wouldn't go off home not giving a crap and teaching my child not to take responsibility. I would offer to pay for it and teach my child to be more careful. It would also be deducted from their pocket money weekly until it's paid off.

@Djifunrsn Yes I haven't actually agreed to pay anything yet as I am still waiting for the estimates on the cost of repair. If the owner went through there insurance wouldn't they just come after me for the cost anyway? tbh I would rather not involve an insurance company as it opens up another can of worms.

I think Meridasmum makes a good point. We have turned our streets into car parks (I’m as guilty as anyone): is it ok for us to expect to take over what used to be space where children could play?

I would offer to pay for it and teach my child to be more careful. It would also be deducted from their pocket money weekly until it's paid off.

This. It would definitely be deducted from pocket money.

@Theblacksheepandme Yes that looks like the best option to me too. I will do this and see what happens.

@JamieFrasersBitOnTheSide
@Theblacksheepandme

Trust me it will be!