Parking accident - Quick! Ask OcUK!!

ryder · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:06

At work this morning I was reversing into a space, between 2 cars (both parked nose in first)
Whilst reversing, the car to the right opens its drivers door which hits the corner of the rear of my car...

Who is at fault? Should I just call my insurance company for their opinion? I don't want them to click on my file and write accident all over it.

I said to the other driver (a colleague) that I'm not sure I want to go through insurance depending on the cost of the damage (which is a buckle in his door about the size of my hand)

The only upside is, my car is fine

trusty German metal.

Biohazard · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:08

Sinque · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:10

Definately them.

Makhaira · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:13

It's their responsibility to check it is safe to open their door.

shauncr91 · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:14

Makhaira said:
It's their responsibility to check it is safe to open their door.

This.

Trifid · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:17

Makhaira said:
It's their responsibility to check it is safe to open their door.

This.

And whatever you do, do not tell your insurance company! They will put it on your record and will be listed as having an accident.

LiE · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:19

^ Yep. Even if it's not your fault your premium will go up.

*Moangroan* · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:24

Who was the other driver blaming...u or him/her.

lsg1r · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:25

not your fault if someone is stupid enough to open their door while a car's reversing/driving into the space next to it while on a car park, they should have checked to see if it was clear first - they clearly didn't.

Firestar_3x · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:27

Its in a carpark so 50/50.

lemzip · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:27

yep, happened to me aswell. Was in a parking lot and came back to my back bumper being damaged. Checked the car next to me and what do you know his front bumper had my paint on it. Rang up the insurance to see what i should do as i have pics etc and ended up leaving it. Anyway came to renew and i had a accident on my file and my ni claims vanished.

anyone cleared it up as i didnt actually put a claim in, but none the less it was very odd.

ryder · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:30

Thanks for the input, most other people I've asked have been saying its 50/50...

The other driver is blaming me, and is going to get quotes for the repair.

If I can't call my insurance company for advice however, where do I stand in disputing the fault of the accident?

capriboy1978 · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:34

Firestar_3x said:
Its in a carpark so 50/50.

likely without a 3rd party

Trifid · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:36

ryder said:
If I can't call my insurance company for advice however, where do I stand in disputing the fault of the accident?

If you can't settle this privately than it will have to go to insurance. Call them tonight as to not leave it too long. A non fault accident often puts your premium up.

*Moangroan* · 5 Jan 2010 at 18:36

Would ryder be allowed to ring up the bent door mans insurance direct without contacting his own insurance to dispute \??

Fr0dders · 5 Jan 2010 at 19:11

ryder said:
Thanks for the input, most other people I've asked have been saying its 50/50...

The other driver is blaming me, and is going to get quotes for the repair.

If I can't call my insurance company for advice however, where do I stand in disputing the fault of the accident?

theres your issue

she denies liability and claims you were racing round the car park, her door was already open, and in your haste to park rammed her door

You portray the picture of the innocent motorist, a victim to the dosey bint who cant check before openning her door.

Who'se right ? you've no way of telling from the damage, so it comes down to witnesses. If neither of you have anybody (people in the car dont count, would have to be a bystander) then you will end up claiming on your own insurance ie 50/50. Pay to repair the damage on your car yourself and dont claim on the insurance, Deny all liability and let your insurance force her to claim from her own insurance.

Fr0dders · 5 Jan 2010 at 19:13

Trifid said:
If you can't settle this privately than it will have to go to insurance. Call them tonight as to not leave it too long. A non fault accident often puts your premium up.

inform your insurance that its her fault for openning the door into your path, and that you dont wish to claim.

Then you've not had any claims that you need to declare, and your insurance company can go tell her to get stuffed.

Unless she fabricates imaginary witnesses that werent there. Then things get sticky. Heres hoping if she works in the same building though, she wont stoop that low ...

ryder · 5 Jan 2010 at 19:27

Its a he, and he does work with me, but he's not a close colleague.
There is a witness, who saw it from a distance...
Think I am going to wait for the quotes he comes up with though...

Trifid · 5 Jan 2010 at 19:46

MrLOL said:
inform your insurance that its her fault for openning the door into your path, and that you dont wish to claim.

Then you've not had any claims that you need to declare, and your insurance company can go tell her to get stuffed.

A quote from an Elephant

"Do you have any accidents, losses, thefts, incidents or claims in the last 3 years"

The best case scenario would be a non fault accident with damage to the other parties vehicle - because you were involved in that incident.

Disco Boy · 5 Jan 2010 at 20:28

Firestar_3x said:
Its in a carpark so 50/50.

Tosh. I had an incident in a car park which was my fault and it went down as... my fault.