Question regarding a bicycle accident?

Ok long story short. I was coming off of a residential street onto a major street and was stopped at the stop sign in Culver City. It was a right turn only street. It is difficult to see past the cars parked alongside the road there and I was inching forward looking left as I did so. Just as I completely let my foot off the brake all the sudden there were 2 girls on bikes in front of me. Needless to say I hit one. Not a terrible accident, but her bike did get stuck onto my car and I did bruise her leg. They were coming from the right. Anyway the police were called and she was found to be at fault for several reasons. 1. She wasn't going with the flow of traffic and was on the wrong side of the road. 2. She was on the sidewalk (big no no) and never yielded to me. 3. she was 15 (which I found out at the last minute) and wasn't wearing a helmet. What I want to know is how is she suppose to handle the damage to my car? How can my insurance get their money back? Or how can I? Sueing?

Her bike damaged my car.

You should be able to claim insurance as you were not at any real fault whereas the two girls were breaking the law in several ways so there should be no problem with insurance. If however, you really want compensation from the girl's family, you can contact them and ask for a personal discussion regarding the incident. If they agree, go to their house and explain your situation, specifically how you were trying to do the safe thing but then got hit by their daughter, but don't be aggressive or angry with them, as that will put them in a defensive mode,

If the parents are not interested in talking however, depending on the terms of your insurance, you may be able to sue them on basis of damages to a possession. It depends on the extent of the damage and the details of your insurance policy. If it were to go to court, you would almost certainly receive recompense, as you did nothing wrong insofar as I can tell, whereas the two girls did. Check with your insurance company though, and, if you are still not sure, try talking to the parents before hiring a lawyer or anything like that, as that could prove more bother than it is worth, depending on the amount of damage your car took.

Best of luck

she damaged your car from bruising her leg?

unless your car is a right off- don't worry about it. 15year old kids don't have money. You americans are all the same- sue at the drop off a hat... shame on you.

First of all, the police do not determine fault.

Secondly, your insurance company will be taking care of your damages(if you have collision coverage) as well as her damaged bike and her injuries.

She is only 15 and therefore may not have known the rules of the road. Motorists have to yield the right of way to pedestrians, which she was in this case.

Why do you feel the need to sue her? what are you going to get from a 15 yr old CHILD?? Her damaged bike?

call your insurance company, give them the info, and let them handle it. That's what you pay them for. If she was underage, her parents would be responsible for any damage incurred.

I seriously doubt your car is a write off. A low speed accident with a 15 year old on a bike? She is a minor, and you can't sue her. Bicycle riders aren't required to carry insurance. You submit the claim to your insurance company, and it's up to them whether to go after the girls parents to get their money back.

OK, first of all, police do NOT determine fault.

Second, a one year old Honda is NOT a write-off (total loss) after acollision with a bike.

Thirdly, regardless of her traffic violations, there could be some local ordinances that would put you, the driver, at fault. Ask your insurance agent.

She ISN'T going to handle damage to your car - she's a minor. Your insurer can choose to sue her parents. You can't sue them, if you're collecting from your own policy. That's because, if you collect from your own policy, you've transferred your right to sue the at fault party, to THEM - the insurance company.

You'll have to talk to your adjuster to see if 1. this is going to be considered an at fault accident for you 2. if there's a chance of subrogation against this kid's parents.