Question after accident

Denise89

Hi there,
Apologies if this is the wrong section but was after some advice.

We were parked in a private car park visiting family. There are 6 parking bays, one of which we were parked in.
Another car was just randomly parked in the car park near (well, 22.5inches from) the kerb.
We reversed out and accidentally clipped the rear drivers side of the car. We located the driver and they didn't live in, nor were they visiting, the houses that the private car park is for.

Anyway, we located the driver, apologised and offered to pay for the repairs, but she was a really rude cow. Not just angry at the accident rude, but unnecessarily vile.

We are now considering just telling her to go via her insurance. We have protected no claims, so it wouldn't fuss us too much, but we get the feeling that she was parked illegally, and were wondering what others thought?

There were also plenty of empty spaces that she neglected to use.

http /t.co/J9EyOceIBm

Stroma

You should put this on the main motoring forum, a forum guide will probably move it for you.

Anyway, if she was parked 'illegally' which is impossible on private land, you hit her vehicle, you are liable its as simple as that, I would just hand it to your insurance company and let them deal with it. And I think you have an obligation to report all accidents whether you claim or not.

And to be honest if it was my vehicle I would be pretty peed off with you as well.

Denise89

As I say, we've no issue paying for the repairs, I was just wondering where things stood re her parking.

Meant to say, we were in the second bay up (left hand side), she was parked sideways in the bottom right.

And there's a difference between peed off and threatening to cave someone's skull in.

Also, not sure whether or not it's private land, it's a cul de sac with designated parking but fairly sure it's council owned.

Aretnap

If you hit a stationary car the accident will go down as entirely your fault - it doesn't matter whether she shouldn't have been parked there, you still shouldn't have hit her.

Going through your insurance has many advantages - it means that life doesn't get complicated if the damage to her car turns out to be more severe than it looks once the garage start working on it, and the terms of your policy will almost certainly require you to inform your insurer of the accident even if you don't intend making a claim - but be warned that it will mean having a fault claim on your record, and that is likely to affect your premium next year, in spite of your protected no claims bonus.

HO87

Whether or not she was parked illegally is largely irrelevant - as Stroma has already said. On private land her parking wouldn't have been "illegal" anyway, may be unlawful but not illegal.

No doubt you pay a handsome annual insurance premium for a protected "No Claims" so why not get your money's worth and hand the matter over to your insurers to deal with. No more hassle with Mrs Angry.

Dee140157

Like others said, you're at fault. End of. That's why we have car insurance. Let them deal with it.
However I do feel sorry for you that there are people in the world who have to react so badly. Just take heart in knowing you at least did the right thing by not driving off as others did to me when they hit my stationary car.

Dublindel

Remember you must not admit liability. That's for the insurers to decide. If you had hit my car, I would be peed off as well but also grateful for your honesty as you could have just driven off. Well done