Who's fault is this?

Quentin

Now you've admitted liability and offered to pay, then the bumper could be the least of your worries. (And it would need replacing if it absorbed any of the impact, even if no damage is obvious).

There may be other expenses the third party will want you to pay. (Hire car or loss of use of car whilst being repaired, costs and time involved taking car to garage, any loss of earnings, delayed medical/psychiatric problems etc).

And the third party may not be happy getting the job done at your mates garage for fear of a botch up.

Inform your insurers anyway about the incident, as you may want them to pay in the end (you have to put them in the picture anyway).

Mojisola

You can see now why insurance companies always tell you never to admit liability at an accident - you are not always thinking straight and don't have time to think about everything.

Have you measured the height of the bump on your car and the bump on hers? Ask her if you can look again at her car and compare heights. Does hers look like a new bump?

Where was her car by the time you had stopped? If you and your mother are both convinced that she was not parked where she said, then it is two against one. It's also worrying that she has changed her story. As you have offered to mend the bump, I think you have to stand by that, but I would offer the bump only (not the bumper).

I'm wary about this because we had an elderly neighbour who was accused of damaging another car in a car park - they followed her home and were quite threatening towards her, demanding money. When we looked at the damaged car, it was already showing signs of rust and the height of the bump didn't match our neighbour's bumpers.

photome

Mojisola wrote: »

You can see now why insurance companies always tell you never to admit liability at an accident - you are not always thinking straight and don't have time to think about everything.

Have you measured the height of the bump on your car and the bump on hers? Ask her if you can look again at her car and compare heights. Does hers look like a new bump?

Where was her car by the time you had stopped? If you and your mother are both convinced that she was not parked where she said, then it is two against one. It's also worrying that she has changed her story. As you have offered to mend the bump, I think you have to stand by that, but I would offer the bump only (not the bumper).

I'm wary about this because we had an elderly neighbour who was accused of damaging another car in a car park - they followed her home and were quite threatening towards her, demanding money. When we looked at the damaged car, it was already showing signs of rust and the height of the bump didn't match our neighbour's bumpers.

But the OP heard a bang so did hit something and the OP was reversing out in to the path of oncoming traffic, my guess is the insurance company would put the blame on the shoulders of the reversing vehicle.

I had a van hit me a while back , it broke a wing mirror and put a small dent in the wing...nearly £600 to put right on a focus,

Iamthesmartestmanalive

This was 100% your fault as you were reversing into an open road and whether the car was there when you started the manouvre is irrelevent, its your responsibility to ensure it is clear throughout the manouvre

As for the bumper, you don't need to but she can just get the insurance involved and if its deemed needed they will pay out

At the end of the day your obviously wanting to do this on the cheap, she will not want her car back in anything less than 100% condition as why should she

I would just pay up as the insurance excess and consquentials mean your a loser either way

Mojisola

photome wrote: »

But the OP heard a bang so did hit something and the OP was reversing out in to the path of oncoming traffic, my guess is the insurance company would put the blame on the shoulders of the reversing vehicle.

I think you're right about the insurance company. It's just strange that the neighbour changed her story - in the first version she was parked and surely the OP would have seen her, in the second "she said she came from my left side & said it was both our faults & she didn't see me reversing just like I didn't see her".

It's always difficult when we're hearing one side of a story - but that's all we've got to go on. No harm in looking carefully at the bump on the neighbour's car and paying up if everything looks right.

Shade_2

Hi all & thanks for your opinions. I know it's my fault hence why I'm going to pay for the damage. I was just curious because she wanted a new bumper when the mechanic said it isn't necessary. In his words its a dent and a bit of paintwork. Nothing major. He'll do a 100% job that's why I recommended him & because hes reasonable. Who wouldn't want the repair done on the cheap providing the damage is fixed 100%? If I had the money I would of told her to go to a garage of her choice even though its 65-80 a hour labour but I can't afford it. I barely make enough to scrape by as it is. Thank you all again.

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Shade wrote: »

Hi all & thanks for your opinions. I know it's my fault hence why I'm going to pay for the damage. I was just curious because she wanted a new bumper when the mechanic said it isn't necessary. In his words its a dent and a bit of paintwork. Nothing major. He'll do a 100% job that's why I recommended him & because hes reasonable. Who wouldn't want the repair done on the cheap providing the damage is fixed 100%? If I had the money I would of told her to go to a garage of her choice even though its 65-80 a hour labour but I can't afford it. I barely make enough to scrape by as it is. Thank you all again.

This isnt your choice though, she could just get the insurance involved and the fact you recommended the mechanic whose findings she disputes isnt great either

Quentin

Reverse the position - would you be happy to have your car repaired by a mate of the bloke who caused the damage if someone hit you?

She is entitled to a repair at the garage of her choice - get her to come here and have a read of your thread!

Shade_2

Quentin wrote: »

Reverse the position - would you be happy to have your car repaired by a mate of the bloke who caused the damage if someone hit you?

She is entitled to a repair at the garage of her choice - get her to come here and have a read of your thread!

If the the position was reversed & the car was repaired 100% then yes I would go to the garage that the person recommended to me.

All she's entitled to is the damage repaired 100%. Whether that be a new bumper, side mirror, rear bumper; whatever, as long as its repaired 100% then I don't see how the location of the garage makes much difference. As long as he's a reputable mechanic then what's the problem?

Actually I don't think I should of referred to him as a mate. I should of said on friendly terms as a mate is a bit strong so I apologise for that.:o By a "bloke" I guess you're referring to me .....I'm not a bloke. . .

cyclonebri1

All thats been said is correct and I think you realise that.

You only have the 2 choices I feel, ie, let it go the way she wants, be that a new bumper, or just put it in the hands of the insurer and let them sort it out.

2 further bits of advice tho'

Don't so much as ask advice of your insurer, ie, "how much no claims would I lose" or it is likely to go down as an accident anyway.

If you do go the way of paying yourself, pay her directly and get a disclaimer that the payment is final. That way if there is any further argument, say about the paint patch etc, then you are well out of it.;)