Someone claiming I damaged their car

mitchino

Last night I was visiting a friend in a nearby housing estate. I could only find a parking space that was marked private, and decided to park there. When leaving my friend's, I discovered the owner of the private space had parked their car right behind mine, boxing me in. I figured out there was just enough room to do a multiple point reverse and squeeze past their car. So I got my friend and three others to watch all corners of my car while I manoeuvred it out very slowly. At no point was any contact made with any other car.
Today my friend was confronted by the owner of the parking space, who said her car had been damaged, her and her husband were calm at first but became increasingly aggressive.
I gave my friend my email and asked him to get the owner of the other car to contact me.
I have now received an email from her, with pics of the 'damage', demanding that I contact her to arrange a repair. She says she has CCTV footage of the incident that she is presenting to the police this week.
She has not asked for my insurance details, and I think they are chancers looking for a bit of cash. My friend says every corner of her car has scratches and dents.
I have inspected the rear corner of my car that would have been the one to make contact with hers, and there's not a mark on it.
I know for a fact that I did not damage her vehicle, and I have four friends who were watching closely and said I made no contact.

How should I respond to her email?

Brie

Step one - video your car with a date stamp to ensure you have proof that your car isn't damaged and make a note of which friend was at what corner of your car.

Step two - wait to hear from her insurance company or the police. 

If she continues to email you you might want to contact the police regarding harassment and potential insurance fraud.

At least that's what I would do.  Happy to hear alternatives.

mitchino

So don't respond to her email?

Woodstok2000

mitchino said:

So don't respond to her email?

I would respond advising her you have a date stamped video showing no damage to your car, and 4 witnesses who watched you leave and can confirm you didn't touch her car. Let her know you'll await contact from the police or her insurers and wont respond to any further contact from her.

Vitor

Reply once, calmly and in writing. State you did not make contact, no damage occurred, and your car shows no marks. Ask her to provide the full CCTV footage and any police reference number. Do not admit liability, do not offer payment, and do not phone her. If she believes an offence occurred, she should pursue it via her insurer or the police. Keep copies of all messages and witness details. If contacted by insurers, cooperate but maintain your position.

user1977

I don't see anything to be gained in responding at all. She can't do anything legal without your name and (physical) address anyway.

What your friend wants to do about their relationship with their neighbour may of course be a different matter.

Baldytyke88

mitchino said:

Last night I was visiting a friend in a nearby housing estate. I could only find a parking space that was marked private, and decided to park there. When leaving my friend's, I discovered the owner of the private space had parked their car right behind mine, boxing me in. I figured out there was just enough room to do a multiple point reverse and squeeze past their car. At no point was any contact made with any other car.

I think it's quite possible that someone could scrape another car without knowing. I often squeeze through tight gaps and I wonder how bad the damage would need to be for me to hear the scrape.

So it depends on your friends watching you, have you asked them again?

But the owner of the parking space should go through the proper channels and make a claim, they should contact the police and get your details.

sheramber

Police won’t be interested if the parking area is privately owned. 

user1977

Baldytyke88 said:

mitchino said:

Last night I was visiting a friend in a nearby housing estate. I could only find a parking space that was marked private, and decided to park there. When leaving my friend's, I discovered the owner of the private space had parked their car right behind mine, boxing me in. I figured out there was just enough room to do a multiple point reverse and squeeze past their car. At no point was any contact made with any other car.

they should contact the police and get your details.

The police aren't going to give them the OP's details (the police don't even have the OP's details, as far as we know).

The DVLA can give them the registered keeper's details, assuming the neighbour has the reg number. But that won't help them that much (there's no assumption that the registered keeper is liable here).

Baldytyke88

sheramber said:

Police won’t be interested if the parking area is privately owned. 

AI Overview - Yes, you absolutely should contact the police if the other car didn't stop after an accident, as it's a legal requirement and crucial for your insurance claim, creating an official report for the "hit and run," and potentially helping find the driver if you have details like the registration. Reporting it within 24 hours is best, even if you're just reporting it online or to a non-emergency line, especially if there's damage or suspicion of an offence, to protect yourself and comply with the law

user1977

Baldytyke88 said:

sheramber said:

Police won’t be interested if the parking area is privately owned. 

AI Overview - Yes, you absolutely should contact the police if the other car didn't stop after an accident, as it's a legal requirement 

...if the accident occurred on a road or other public place...