son hit neighbours car

antrobus

In the circumstances outlined, the "little boy aged 6" might well be held liable for the damage caused to the neighbour's car. (Although that's by no means a sure thing.) The thing is of course, people generally don't waste their time suing children, for the simple reason that they don't have any money. In order for the parent to be held liable for their child's negligence, they must have themselves have been negligent in failing to exercise proper care over said child. Whether allowing a six year old to ride his scooter on the pavement to his friend's house a few doors down is negligent would ultimately be a matter for the court to decide.

Now I realise that won't make a difference to those people who wish to exercise their right to express their views on the morality of this and that, but it's useful to know.

thunderbird

It still hasn't been made clear if the car on the pavement was the cause of the boy falling off?

yvonne13_2

OP, can you clear this up please, when you say scooter are you talking about something your child pushes with there foot? as I don't understand why you would need insurance for a push scooter.

Imp

When you get the bill, make the child go round every week to the car owner, and hand over his pocket money until the debt is paid off.

That'll learn him.

xbrenx

yvonne13 wrote: »

OP, can you clear this up please, when you say scooter are you talking about something your child pushes with there foot? as I don't understand why you would need insurance for a push scooter.

Her son is 6, so guessing, yes it's a little push scooter.

To the OP - check if the cars are taxed, which they need to be as they're on the road and if not, report him.

carolinabirichina

I had to contact my insurance company a little while ago and was given some very good advice regarding obtaining estimates - basically, the person whos property has been damaged should obtain at least 3 estimates - which must be on proper business headed notepaper - to avoid the situation where they have just gone to their mate who owns a garage and got them to write an artificially high estimate.

Then once you have received all the estimates and you agree to pay in full or in part - do not just pay out on the strength of the estimate. Tell them to get all the work done and that you will settle up on production of the final invoice. Again, if you pay out on an estimate then what incentive do they have to actually get the work done? They might just pocket your money and live with the damage.

Hope this helps

geri1965_2

OP, do you have household contents insurance? If so, this will have a section called "personal liability" which will cover you for any claims made against you. Notify your insurers and send them the estimate when received and ask them to deal with it.

I would expect them to defend it as a 6 year old is unlikely to be legally liable for any damage caused.

thorsoak

dirtysexymonkey wrote: »

the police dont know what theyre talking about most of the time. it is not illegal to park partly on the pavement. your child has caused damage so you should pay for it. why should your neighbour have to claim on his insurance and then pay increased premiums because you allowed your child to use his scooter on the pavement?

The OP's son is 6 years old "My little boy aged 6, was out on his scooter, going to see his friend a few doors down." Are you seriously suggesting that a child of that age should ride his scooter - NB not a motorised one - on the road, so that someone who repairs cars can safely keep them on the pavement?? Just what planet do you live on?

OP - have you taken a look at your home insurance policy? You may well find that you have cover for accidental damage caused by your children/pets......

DVardysShadow

Imp wrote: »

I have three cars at the moment, and saw another one the other day which looked interesting, but I am definitely not running a business, just collecting self propelled pieces of sculpture.

I knew there was a phrase for poetry in motion when it is parked up,

mackemdave

It is now illegal to own a car that is not insured,unless it is declared as being off the road.So if all five cars are parked on the road then he needs to have 5 insurance policies...I would question him regarding the insurance of these cars...If you have legal protection on your contents/building insurance then pass the matter over to them and let them deal with it