Cyclist hit our car...what can we do?

Snaggles

I'm just hoping someone might be able to offer some advice.

We were pulling out of a carpark earlier today (so thankfully we were moving very slowly as were waiting to pull out onto a main road). Just as we edged forward, a young-ish lad on a push bike came flying down the pavement (no helmet or protective gear). My husband stopped and the cyclist crashed straight into the side of the car.

Our first thought was to make sure he was okay (he was, no damage to him and no obvious damage to the bike), but then noticed there was a fair bit of damage to our front drivers side wing (dented/scratched), and a deep scratch in the bumper where I think his pedal must have hit. There's also a tyre mark on the bumper, which looks as though it will rub off (although we haven't tried to rub it off yet).

The lad was really polite and immediately gave us his name, address and phone number (we called at his house on the way home to check it's the right info, and to let his parents know he's okay - we spoke to his Mum who seems like a nice person), and said he was sorry for the damage and asked if he would get in trouble with the police (we said no, we would probably just have to sort it out between us, his parents and the insurance company).

There was a witness but unfortunately her taxi arrived and she left before we could get her details (I know this should have been a priority but we were still really shocked about seeing a young kid sailing over our bonnet).

Our insurance company is closed today, just an emergency claim line open, who have told us we can claim but are likely to lose our no claims and will have to pay the excess, but told us to ring back tomorrow and speak to them again to check this. We can't afford to get it fixed ourselves, I'm due to have a baby in the next few days and we just don't have any spare money. Should we have to pay for damage caused by a cyclist?

I've searched the internet but can't find any advice about what to do if a cyclist hits your car - if anyone can give me any advice at all, I would be really grateful.

oldMcDonald

We were hit by a cyclist a couple of years ago - a girl of about 15 who flew out from off the pavement from behind a bus at a bus stop - didn't see us on the other side of the road. She got a couple of cuts and we called out the police (and an ambulance had to attend as she had been hurt, but she didn't have to go to hospital). It turned out she didn't have any working brakes and had been stopping her bike by scrapeing her feet on the ground:rolleyes:

We were given a crime number, but our insurance company said the same as yours and in the end we decided that we would rather not lose our no claims so we lived with the dent. I was (obviously) pleased that the poor girl didn't get hurt, although we were both very shocked. It was only a while after it dawned on me how unfair it was that we had damage that we had to pay for due to someone riding a bike which was illegal (no brakes). She even told the police when they attended that it was her fault as she couldn't stop as she had no brakes - they didn't say a word about it to her!

Sorry I can't offer any more help, just confirming that we had been told the same

Snaggles

Thanks, I'm really hoping there's some other way round it, because it has made quite a mess cosmetically to the front wing, but it looks as though we'll end up having to pay for it. I suppose we could get some quotes and approach his parents, but I'm not sure they would have any obligation to pay us anything, as they didn't cause the accident.

oldMcDonald

It may be worth getting a quote and asking them, and I expect that in return for a huge legal bill and a lot of stress you would be able to get them to pay something if they refused, but I think it's one of those things that just isn't worth the stress in the end.

Snaggles

Thanks, you're probably right - his Mum seemed okay, so it might be worth at least asking them to contribute, but I think this is going to be one of those 'chalk it up to experience' things. At least no-one was hurt (or worse).

maclean2

Hi - legally the parent(s) are liable for accidents involving their children under 18 and a contents insurance policy covers this liability under "personal liability" cover.

Suggest you get some repair quotes and send them to the parent asking them to pass it on to the contents insurance company.

Best of luck

Jo6673

maclean2 wrote: »

Hi - legally the parent(s) are liable for accidents involving their children under 18 and a contents insurance policy covers this liability

Thats right

pinkfluffybabe

I think its a bit shocking that drivers have to claim their own insurance for things like this. I'm not sure what the answer is regarding cyclists being forced to have insurance or whatever, but the situation is clearly unsatisfactory for anyone whose car is damaged in this way.

colin79666

Ultimately he should not have been cycling on the pavement.

Perhaps as above you should get a quote and then see his parents. They may well stump up some of the cost.

Unfortunately in the eyes of the law almost always in collisions between cyclists and cars the car driver is seen at fault - regardless of how reckless the cyclist was.

Happychappy

You should be able to claim against the girls parents home insurance the same as when an uncontrolled *hitbox without a lead runs out in front of a car and causes damage.

Unfortunately the days of public floggings have ended and cyclists appear to break the law with impunity. I would contact the parents and ask for their policy details for the home insurance, also as the accident is a reportable collision you do need to inform the police if their was injury?

Cyclists unfortunately are the scourge of the land and a law unto themselves who do not require insurance. You should not have to stand the damage for someone elses offspring riding recklessly.

Snaggles

Thanks very much for the responses - I'll get some quotes and then try approaching his parents about claiming on their insurance - it's worth a try. I really appreciate all your help, thanks again.