united-kingdom england-and-wales motor-vehicle accident car-insurance
What are the Legal obligations of a bicyclist who accidentally scratches one’s empty parked car?
<p>What are an uninsured bicyclist’s legal liabilities and responsibilities in England who accidentally runs into thus leaving a minor scratch on an empty parked car?</p>
<p>In case of a motorist who is required to maintain insurance it is a criminal offence not to exchange insurance details, but what are the legal responsibilities of an uninsured cyclist for avoiding criminal liability? Surely the criminal statutory requirement most typically of motorists to exchange insurance details doesn’t apply… is this in fact correct? Or are there requirements to leave a means of contact or service and corresponding criminal offences that apply?</p>
<p>And then what are the ultimate civil obligations? Is one civilly liable for the cost of repair?</p>

<p>According to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287" rel="noreferrer">Rule 286 of the Highway Code</a> then the actual legal requirement doesn't mention an exchange of insurance details.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If you are involved in a collision which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you MUST</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>give your own and the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While you clearly can't provide the registration number of a bicycle, the other details still appear to be legally required.</p>
<p>Note that the section on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82" rel="noreferrer">Rules for cyclists</a> specifically states that</p>
<blockquote>
<p>These rules are in addition to those in the following sections, which apply to all vehicles (except the motorway section).</p>
</blockquote>
