I DID NOT HIT HIS CAR but will I have to pay?...

Shelly31

I was parked in a store car park and I came out at the same time as the people in the car next to me. I was with my mother and my son who was in his car seat. The male owner of the car was stood at the rear of the car and I could feel his eyes on me as I loaded my son into the car; I felt a little nervous when first opening the car door to put my son in but relaxed when I realised that the door could open the whole way and not touch the car next to me. Once loaded and just as his wife was returning to the car, after putting away the trolley, I drove off.

I went to a fish and chip shop located only seconds away from the store, on getting out of my car the man from the parking lot appeared. He got out of his car and told me that I had dented his car door and that i would be hearing from his insurance company. I was totally shocked and asked to see the damage that i was supposed to have done. The dent was tiny and could only be seen if looking closely from a right or left angle. I mentioned to the man that he had been stood only a foot away from me as I loaded my car and asked why he did not say something at the time that the damage was apparently done, and he responded that he didn't have time. He said that he had heard a big bang as I was loading my car and after I left he checked his car and discovered the dent. At this point his wife, who was putting away the trolley while I was loading, said that she saw me make the dent.

I could not believe that this man could tell such a blatant lie and I know for a fact that I could not have caused damage to his car. However, the confrontation ended with him saying that I would be hearing from my insurance company. I am therefore very nervous and would like to know if this man could make a valid claim that I damaged his car. If his wife and daughter (who was in the back) join the lie and say they witnessed it will my insurance company pay out? and if not and I deny liability will he be able to take the lie to court?

I am distressed and really upset that this man has accused me out of the blue for something that both he and I know I did not do. I am sure that it is an insurance scam and that he wants me to pay for someone else's actions but I cannot prove that he is lying. If it comes to my and mother's word against his, will I stand a good enough chance of being believed?

Sorry for the long post but any advice or comments will be appreciated.

Woody._2

With a witness your insurance company may just pay up.

Outpost

He might not even go through with contacting his insurance. If the scratch is as small as you say I can't imagine an insurance company being concerned with it anyway, cars are always getting taps from doors in carparks that's just the nature of the game.

He probably just wanted a few quid cash in hand off you!

Rolandtheroadie

Write down everything as it happened and wait to see if your insurer gets in touch.

I dont think the wife would be a credible witness (perhaps the wrong description saying credible), I was told a workmate wasnt when my motorbike was knocked over in the works carpark.

s_b

write down everything that happened Shelly and stick it somewhere safe,put dates times and who was with you
now just sit back and see if you do indeed get a follow up letter
i suggest you wont but it obviously depends how wound up this guy was and why was he in the mother and daughter area anyway with the wider door gap positions? if thats where you were

one final thing i always park in the far corner of supermarket car parks so no one parks next to me to give me these small dings, but on my return always find at least one vehicle next to me:(

why do they do that

Livingthedream

I know two wrongs don't make a right, but remember you had your mother in the car that could be witness for yourself saying that you didn't hit his car.

But wait and see if his insurance company contacts yours, hopefully he won't he's just chancing it.

anotherbaldrick

His Wife and Daughter will not be able to corroborate his claim as they are not independent. Did you give him your address or insurance details ? He can do nothing without these . I would however report it to the Police with whatever details of him and car you have as an attempted intimidation offence. He is probably trying it on with other victims.

Kilty_2

His wife isn't an independent witness.

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

His Wife and Daughter will not be able to corroborate his claim as they are not independent. Did you give him your address or insurance details ? He can do nothing without these . I would however report it to the Police with whatever details of him and car you have as an attempted intimidation offence. He is probably trying it on with other victims.

Great minds and all that

Shelly31

Thank you guys, I feel a bit better in knowing that his wife's word won't be taken as gospel and I have already logged a complaint to the police about his behavior, which I did find intimidating. Guess I will now just have to wait.

NeverInDebt

It seems odd he claimed he didnt have time yet had time to pursue you to fish n chip shop which would take more time

I dont advocate this but I always park away from stores where possible because I am sick to death of brain deads who dont give a flying !!!! about other peoples properties


Look at these cars parked

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391640/The-supercar-drivers-happy-dump-cars-double-yellow-lines-spaces-disabled-bays.html

fadetogrey

NeverInDebt wrote: »

It seems odd he claimed he didnt have time yet had time to pursue you to fish n chip shop which would take more time

I dont advocate this but I always park away from stores where possible because I am sick to death of brain deads who dont give a flying !!!! about other peoples properties


Look at these cars parked

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391640/The-supercar-drivers-happy-dump-cars-double-yellow-lines-spaces-disabled-bays.html

God I wouldnt be able to resist using my keys on those.:mad: