My son hit a car advice needed !
29 June 2009, 05:06 PM
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My son hit a car advice needed !
My boy is 10 years old and coming home from school he tells me that he clipped a woman's door with his handlebars.He did stop and i think see was a bit upset,Then I get a call from the headmaster to let me know what's happened he has told me that there is a dent in the door and she wants to let my wife and I know what has happened.
What am I meant to do in a situation like this just apologise or argue the fact that she was possibly blocking the pavement and should have been a little bit more careful when opening the doors in a busy school run area ???
What am I meant to do in a situation like this just apologise or argue the fact that she was possibly blocking the pavement and should have been a little bit more careful when opening the doors in a busy school run area ???
29 June 2009, 05:09 PM
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Your post doesn't say if it was your boy's fault (i.e. he clipped it unitnetionally) or whether it was the car's fault (i.e. a door was opened on him and he couldn't avoid clipping it).
Suggest you get the full story form him and the car owner before you start discussing liability.
Suggest you get the full story form him and the car owner before you start discussing liability.
29 June 2009, 05:24 PM
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Your post doesn't say if it was your boy's fault (i.e. he clipped it unitnetionally) or whether it was the car's fault (i.e. a door was opened on him and he couldn't avoid clipping it).
Suggest you get the full story form him and the car owner before you start discussing liability.
Suggest you get the full story form him and the car owner before you start discussing liability.
Now you have to remember I am trying to get the truth from a 10 year old boy which is like getting blood from a stone.
I think the door was already open and he has tried to squeeze around and clipped it.
29 June 2009, 05:25 PM
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Sounds like it's his fault then 
If it were me, I'd offer to pay for the damage in much the same way that I'd hope any damage to my car would be paid for if the boot were on the other foot.
Steve
If it were me, I'd offer to pay for the damage in much the same way that I'd hope any damage to my car would be paid for if the boot were on the other foot.
Steve
Last edited by Steve vRS; 29 June 2009 at 05:26 PM. Reason: Spelling!
29 June 2009, 05:27 PM
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yes he was on the pavement he is only 10 years old and to young to ride on the road till he is 12 I think.
I think the door was open and he has tried to squeeze around and clipped the door.
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29 June 2009, 05:31 PM
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I would speak to the car owner and see what happened. If it doesnt need paint, a pdr guy should be able to get the dent out for around £30. I would just sort it out that way.
29 June 2009, 05:35 PM
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You are not allowed to ride a bike on the pavement at any age but it is possible to argue that an under 10's can as they are below the age of criminal responsibility i.e. they didn't know it was wrong.
Steve
Steve
29 June 2009, 05:36 PM
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That then puts the parent at fault as they should be supervising the child, so it's check book time me thinks.
29 June 2009, 06:04 PM
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I cycle to work and as soon as possible im on that pavement, have had too many near misses with dumb ***** in cars. Having said that im very cautious on it and the pavements i use are empty and about 2.5 meters wide. Its not until you cycle everyday that soon realize you are risking you life on the road.
Keep him on the pavement with a blank cheque in his lunch box.....
Charlie
29 June 2009, 06:08 PM
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Just to let you all know that I would never let my son ride on the road to school with the amount of mums dropping off in there 4x4's. His journey is only about 200 yards and does not have to cross any roads and I personally think that he can do it unsupervised. He has to start somewhere.
29 June 2009, 06:16 PM
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Speak to the driver and see what mood she is in, guage it from there.
Do you drive, does your wife drive, do you have protected no claims, what is your excess...totally ramdom questions but Im doing a survey on 10 years olds parents car insurance status.
Do you drive, does your wife drive, do you have protected no claims, what is your excess...totally ramdom questions but Im doing a survey on 10 years olds parents car insurance status.
Last edited by yoza; 29 June 2009 at 06:17 PM.
29 June 2009, 06:19 PM
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29 June 2009, 11:28 PM
#25
I worked with a guy years back whos son totalled the door on a volvo with a pushbike. There was something in his house insurance that covered the cost of repairing the damage. Dig out your policy and check.
Depends on your moral stance, you could advise the car owner to put it through her insurance and pay her the excess (assuming she doesn't have a £400 excess), or split the cost 50:50 as there is no clear version of what happened.
Depends on your moral stance, you could advise the car owner to put it through her insurance and pay her the excess (assuming she doesn't have a £400 excess), or split the cost 50:50 as there is no clear version of what happened.
29 June 2009, 11:56 PM
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well done to your son for stopping and for then admitting it to you! When you say the woman was upset... in what way? I hope she dealt with the situation in an adult manner like your son obviously did
I'd go with the dent removal idea - it may just be a slight ding which can be pushed out.... she shouldnt have been obstructing the path with her car door anyway, and AFAIK i too thought under 12's could ride on a path..?
I'd go with the dent removal idea - it may just be a slight ding which can be pushed out.... she shouldnt have been obstructing the path with her car door anyway, and AFAIK i too thought under 12's could ride on a path..?
30 June 2009, 01:22 AM
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FYI
The Highway Code Rule 64.
DFT
Q. Are children allowed to cycle on pavements?
A. Whilst there is no exemption to this law for children, the police have always used common sense and discretion in exercising their powers over children cycling on the pavement. Very young children should not be expected to cycle on the road and we would not recommend any child does so until they have received cycle training. Enforcement of cycling on pavements is usually dealt with by a fixed penalty notice, which cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16.
The Highway Code Rule 64.
DFT
Q. Are children allowed to cycle on pavements?
A. Whilst there is no exemption to this law for children, the police have always used common sense and discretion in exercising their powers over children cycling on the pavement. Very young children should not be expected to cycle on the road and we would not recommend any child does so until they have received cycle training. Enforcement of cycling on pavements is usually dealt with by a fixed penalty notice, which cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16.
30 June 2009, 07:51 AM
#29
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I used to ride on the pavements everywhere at that age. All kids do, and thank god. I would accept he is in the wrong and accept responsibility/pay. But don't stop him riding his bike on the pavement...sh*t happens, and it was only a one off accident.
30 June 2009, 08:41 AM
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Doesn't matter what the details were, or if he should have been on the road or pavement.
Your child, who is your responsibility, damaged someone elses property - therefore you should pay for the repair. There isn't any black and white, he told you he did it, why should the car owner have to put their hand in their own pocket for something your child has done ?
Morally it is the right thing to do ( and I suspect you know this, which is why you are posting about it in the first place ) - in the same way as if he kicked a football through someone's greenhouse - you pay to get it fixed, and tell him to be more careful ( stopping his pocket money for a few weeks would be a good plan, help him to remember to be more careful in the future ! ).
I'm sure if the tables were turned you would want the childs parents to offer to pay for the repair on your car, without having to force them to do it or getting into an argument - a reasonable person would offer straight away in any case.
Your child, who is your responsibility, damaged someone elses property - therefore you should pay for the repair. There isn't any black and white, he told you he did it, why should the car owner have to put their hand in their own pocket for something your child has done ?
Morally it is the right thing to do ( and I suspect you know this, which is why you are posting about it in the first place ) - in the same way as if he kicked a football through someone's greenhouse - you pay to get it fixed, and tell him to be more careful ( stopping his pocket money for a few weeks would be a good plan, help him to remember to be more careful in the future ! ).
I'm sure if the tables were turned you would want the childs parents to offer to pay for the repair on your car, without having to force them to do it or getting into an argument - a reasonable person would offer straight away in any case.