Who is liable for repairs because my kid dented a car? Please read the details.?

Ace

The fault can be 50% for the car owner because he let the car block the sidewalk. Your son is 50% at fault because he did hit the car. Your husband should not have volunteered to pay. I suggest both parties let the insurance companies handle it. Contact your auto insurance company and your home owners insurance company. Let them decide who was at fault, that's their specialty.

I don't think your auto insurance will cover it though, because auto insurance covers one car hitting another car, and of course your son is not listed on the auto policy.

michelwhite53

I believe that if my son runs his bike into someone's car that I should pay and not try to find any excuse for the accident. If your car was parked on a street and the fender was slightly blocking the entrance to my driveway and I drove into your car what would you say.

BETHDAFAIRY

ummm...I think Judge Judy would rule against you in this one. If your son were paying attention or being supervised it wouldnt have happened. Even though the sidewalk may have been blocked there is not a sidewalk technically at the end of their driveway. It is just a driveway. There may be sidewalk on both sides of the driveway but the actual driveway is theirs to park in. Sorry

car253

This actually can be complicated.

But I agree with Ace. It could be 50/50 at fault because both parties did something wrong. And, it could be claimed on the homeowners insuance on personal liability, maybe.

Let the person with the damaged car put in a claim with his car insurance. Let his car insurance pay for his damages and then when their insurance company calls you to reimburse them for the damages you can. Do not pay him out of your own pocket without a reciept. If you pay do not pay cash only pay by check or money order.

In case he puts in a claim with his insurance company you need proof that you already paid him. I suggest that you just let his car insurance company take care of the damage. I would call him and tell him that. And, also tell him that you will pay his insurance company your deductible when they request it. Hope he has collision coverage.

One other thing, if there is a car sitting where it does not belong, in the street, driveway sticking out or otherwise and you run into it, the accident is your fault. Just because its sitting where it is not suppose to does not give you the right to run into it. So, I think your son's accident applies the same way.

Eddie W

First thing first, your son is not supposed to ride the bike on the sidewalk. The car was not moving, the bike was. In case like this, usually, the parents are liable for the damages of the car. On the other hand, the car was blocking the sidewalk, you can call the police to give him a ticket, but that does not give you the right to dent it.

entidtil

You are responsible. Your 8 year old damaged someone Else's property and now you are trying to find someone else to pay/blame ?

sydkan

Your son hit a parked vehicle. this makes him at fault. The worst that would happen to the parked vehicle is he could possibly get a ticket for blocking the sidewalk. but you son never saw something as big as a car sitting there. What if it had been a person that he hit???

Unfortunately you will be responsible for this. No the person's who house it was parked at would not be paying for this. They did nothing wrong.

Your homeowners policy will pay for it out of your liability coverage.

You need to report it and take care of the damages. It's the right thing to do.

Would you feel the same if it was reversed? I ask as I'm constantly amazed at what lengths people will go to get out of paying for something yet if it was reversed they would want full compensation.

Fred C

Home insurance does not cover a car. You son rode into the car. He wasn't looking. If the car was moving, he could have been killed. Pay for the damage, and educate your son on the value of watching where he is going.
If the driver reports it as an accident on his insurance, you will receive a demand notice for payment, and could end up in court over it.
Do the responsible thing and pay it. Don't teach your children there are no consequences to dumb actions, there are far too many people who believe that already.

Put yourself in the owner's place. What if somebody else's kid ran into your car, and his mother told you to go fish because your car was in the wrong spot? Even vehicles parked illegally are not open for running into. That vehicle belongs to somebody.

San Diego Art Nut

Assuming that it is illegal to block a sidewalk then they could probably not recover damage. I doubt that the friends insurance will pay for it because it was over the sidewalk. That's the legality.
But morally, your son was at fault by negligence. He needs to be responsible enough to pay attention or not go out on his own. He could have been badly hurt if the car had been backing out. Morally you should pay for the damage. Legally you don't have to.

Barbara W

It is a Common situation many people have met,calm down,and check the resource i found pretty useful http://www.AutoInsuranceFree.info/free-auto-insurance.htm.

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