Car accident issue advice

[stardust_john]

My child and a car driver had an accident. The area was obscured by trees and my child on bike and car driver did not see each other. Child was fine but bike and car collision left car scratched and car owner said happy to get repair on insurance and not to worry.

 

I believe the scratch is slight but it is still scratched.

 

I have been told our details are passed to the insurance company for the claim and I am worried although this owner is happy to let it go, will they the insurance company try to persue us later for the repair.

 

I believe both the car and my child equally did not see each other due to comming out of drive accross bike route, fair enough things happen and the owner was pleasant and more concerned for my child, even though all fine.

 

I would like to believe that will be it, but due to other circumstances I find it hard to trust people and feel a little advice or reassurance of what happens would help if available.

 

ps. I have never driven and dont know how insurance works hence anxiety.

[Helford]

Do you have a domestic insurance policy (Buildings and/or contents)? If so, it might be worth reporting the incident to to them as these covers NORMALLY include a 'Family Liabilities' section which would NORMALLY cover you, IF your child was held responsible for the accident.

 

It's worth getting them to note their records, in case it 'blows up' at a future date!

 

Trust all are OK?

 

H

[stardust_john]

I dont have house insurance, But thanks for the tip, couldnt afford it any more.

 

Do you think I am worrying over nothing?

 

ps kiddie fine. x

Edited May 5, 2009 by stardust_john

[gyzmo]

I doubt that they will chase, though they may attempt it. How old is your child?

 

The insurer will first have to establish that there was negligence on your kid's part, and then should only pursue if they have a reasonable chance of success. This will include you being able to pay them.

 

If the answer to the chance of either is "not very much chance" then they should not pursue.

[Wulfyn]

My guess is that you are fine (although it is commendable that you have taken early action/advice to head off a potential future issue!). Even if the car needed a full respray at something like 2k, it would cost an insurance company far more than that to process a court claim against your child for negligence which resulted in an accident, and very unlikely for them to win.

 

Also I believe that if your child is under 10 then they cannot be held accountable at all, but I am not 100% on this.

[gyzmo]

That relates to criminal prosecutions. A child can be sued in court though.

[stardust_john]

Well at least I can give this man a chance to be as nice as he seemed. My son did not admit fault and the man said he himself had been asked to go slowly down this road on a previous occasion so thats why the car just slightly appeared as the path was overgrown with bushes.

 

This house does not have a penny in it, so I for once will destress and if I receive a demand etc, I'll just have to eat it and dance;)

 

Seriously though, thanks for the advice, once the company know Ive not got nowt, they cant take nowt, can they:) Hey this mans probably one of the few decent people left where I live, so Ill hope I hear no more from himxx

Edited May 7, 2009 by stardust_john