Who is responsible if I hit a bike in my driveway?

Question

A couple of kids left their bikes in my driveway and went to play in the street a few houses down. I do not have any children so I never would have thought to check for this. I hit the bike and it seriously scratched and dented my rear bumber. I don't know if there was any damage to the bike but I told the kids what happened and not to leave there bikes in my driveway again. Am I responsible for any damage to the bike or should their parents be responsible to the damage to my car? Or would we just call it even (though the damage is going to cost me more that a brand new bike for this kid)?

Answer 1

Why do people try to skirt responsibility? YOU are responsible. You did NOT make sure your path was clear. You NEGLECTED to be observant of your own drive way. If the bike was damaged, you owe for the repairs. The damage to your car is your responsibility. You drove the car into the bikes, they did not jump out of nowhere and come at you. You chose not to be responsible for your actions.

GOD PEOPLE -- SHOW SOME SPINE -- YOU DO IT, YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE!

Answer 2

Umm... didn't you say YOU HIT THE BIKE? If you haven't any kids and so would "never have thought to check for this," who would be responsible if you ran over a kid in your driveway? Do you think they'd charge the dead child with being in a driveway without keeping a proper look out?

Answer 3

I think that if they realize that the cost to the car would be more expensive than to replace the bikes...they would concede the effort into looking to ask you to replace the bikes. They should not have been here in the first place

Answer 4

Get the kid a new bicycle, You where a kid once
However, I think the parents should actually have to pay the damage on your car or your insurance may cover it

Answer 5

I would say they are ,however if one of the kids had been on the bike it may be a different story