If I barely bumped into someone at a stop sign and slightly dented her bike rack, is my insurance responsible?
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If I barely bumped into someone at a stop sign and slightly dented her bike rack, is my insurance responsible?
SI was at a stop sign the other day and lifted my foot off the brake too soon,
causing me to bump into the car in front of me. She had a bike rack on the back
of her car and it’s slightly dented. Enough where it’s still usable, but she’s
claiming she doesn’t feel comfortable using it. There weren’t any bikes on the
rack. We didn’t exchange insurance info but she got my license plate number and we exchanged personal information. The bike rack is around $360 and she
wants to go to my insurance over it now. With no police report, will I or my
insurance be responsible for paying for it since it’s not completely damaged?
Asked on September 8, 2016 under Accident Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
You are liable for the accident whether or not there was a police report.
It would be advisable to refer the matter to your auto insurance carrier which will have a claims adjuster examine the bike rack and settle the case with the other party. The fact that the bike rack was damaged results in liability regardless of the amount of damage.
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