My New Car got dinged by Jerk in Parking Lot - Updated

[Capt Caveman]

Update:

Good news!!!

At first the jerk would not return the insurance company's phone calls. Well, they finally were able to get in contact with him and he admitted that he did hit my door.

Check for $250 is in the mail!

-----------------------------------------------------------

Damn it!!!!

Got back to my car and noticed a scratch/ding on my rear driver side door. I parked in a manner to avoid this. I look at the car next to me and notice a scratch on the rear passenger side door edge and it looks it matches up exactly with my door.

I call the parking lot security guy over and he thinks the same thing. He goes into the store to ask them to call for the car's owner. As he goes in, this older couple come out. I tell him what happens and his first words are 'you're not going to get me caught-up into this. I've seen this happen before here'. The asshat thinks I'm trying to scam him. He denies everything and just ignores me. The woman asks that the guy unlock the door and when he does, I swing his door open and the scratches line-up exactly. He again says he didn't do it and refuses to listen to the woman who's telling him to deal with me.

In the end, the security guy shows up and he refuses to talk to him and they just drive off. Now, I have to go thru insurance. I took a ton of pics and have the security guy's information. Am I screwed or am I going to be able to get his insurance company to pay?

The scratch is thru the paint. Any ideas how much it's going to be to push out the dent and repaint the whole door? I'm not happy....

Cars from behind:

Scratch(bad reflection of other car):

Another pic of scratch and more bad reflection:

His door:

Scratch on his door:

 

[HarryLui]

http://www.youparklikeanasshole.com/

 

[Capt Caveman]

If you didn't notice but if people parked within the lines, nobody would be able to open their doors and get out of their cars.

 

[HarryLui]

And your parking manner got your the ding, by having way to much inviting space on both side of your car for careless people just to swing opening their door instead of cautiously opening the door.

Park far away from every other car to avoid ding.

Good luck dealing with insurance.

 

[soccerballtux]

you should have called the cops right then and there. I don't know if they would have come out, but I think that's what you should have done.

 

[C1]

It's a shitty deal. The damage extends to both doors and even beginning quarter panel.
The less expensive way is to do a blend repair. That could still easily be $700 -$800. Repainting the affected panels could easily be $1800 or more because cars have clear coats. Also, you got to pick a competent repair shop (and that's why the price is so high) otherwise the repaint will show especially as the car ages.

I would report the event to my insurance agency. Tell them what happened. Also in California, any accident involving more than $500 must be reported to the DMV. Technically the old couple could be liable for not reporting this event. You could also try taking them to small claims court if you can convince th judge that they were responsible.

 

[Rifter]

I would take it to a shop get a estimate and then take them to small claims.

 

[thescreensavers]

Yea bad parking by you... find another spot then

But yes it sucks, happened to my car a few times so far.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It's a shitty deal. The damage extends to both doors and even beginning quarter panel.
The less expensive way is to do a blend repair. That could still easily be $700 -$800. Repainting the affected panels could easily be $1800 or more because cars have clear coats. Also, you got to pick a competent repair shop (and that's why the price is so high) otherwise the repaint will show especially as the car ages.

I would report the event to my insurance agency. Tell them what happened. Also in California, any accident involving more than $500 must be reported to the DMV. Technically the old couple could be liable for not reporting this event. You could also try taking them to small claims court if you can convince th judge that they were responsible.

The damage is only to one door. The reflection is so bad, it makes it difficult to tell. Crap. I was hoping this might be just a couple of hundred dollars.

 

[KK]

It's a shitty deal. The damage extends to both doors and even beginning quarter panel.
The less expensive way is to do a blend repair. That could still easily be $700 -$800. Repainting the affected panels could easily be $1800 or more because cars have clear coats. Also, you got to pick a competent repair shop (and that's why the price is so high) otherwise the repaint will show especially as the car ages.

I would report the event to my insurance agency. Tell them what happened. Also in California, any accident involving more than $500 must be reported to the DMV. Technically the old couple could be liable for not reporting this event. You could also try taking them to small claims court if you can convince th judge that they were responsible.

Private property rules are probably different as its more of a civil matter.

I would see what your insurance would say with how to proceed.

 

[Kroze]

He must have said, who's this asshole parking like a boss? let me show him who's the boss for parking like that.

 

[JackBurton]

I'd be pissed some asshat like you is taking up two parking spaces that close. If you want to double park, do it where there are no other cars around (waaaaay in the back parking lot). If you park between two cars, expect to be dinged. People are fucking inconsiderate and there is no changing that. And apparently, that inconsiderate attitude goes both way for you.

The lesson here....quit parking close to other cars if you don't want to be dinged. BUT if you do happen to get dinged and know who did it, just kick the shit out their door (And I mean REALLY kick the shit out of their door). It doesn't fix your door but it makes you feel a hell of a lot better.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I'd be pissed some asshat like you is taking up two parking spaces that close. If you want to double park, do it where there are no other cars around (waaaaay in the back parking lot). If you park between two cars, expect to be dinged. People are fucking inconsiderate and there is no changing that. And apparently, that inconsiderate attitude goes both way for you.

The lesson here....quit parking close to other cars if you don't want to be dinged. BUT if you do happen to get dinged and know who did it, just kick the shit out their door (And I mean REALLY kick the shit out of their door). It doesn't fix your door but it makes you feel a hell of a lot better.

????? I was on the end, there is no car to my right. I took one spot. When I pulled in, the car on my left was partially in the spot I took which was I why I parked partially out of the spot. That car left and the car that dinged parked pretty much the same way b/c the car on their left was also in their spot.

Notice how the parking lines are about as wide as a car? If everyone parked in the lines, no one would be able to open their doors and get out of their cars.

Get a clue next time before commenting.

 

[yh125d]

You park like an asshole. If you're worried about dings, double park at the back of the lot, not the front, where normal people are trying to park

 

[JackBurton]

????? I was on the end, there is no car to my right. I took one spot. When I pulled in, the car on my left was partially in the spot I took which was I why I parked partially out of the spot. That car left and the car that dinged parked pretty much the same way b/c the car on their left was also in their spot.

Notice how the parking lines are about as wide as a car? If everyone parked in the lines, no one would be able to open their doors and get out of their cars.

Get a clue next time before commenting.

Ok, sorry, my bad. Is yours the Volvo (I thought it was the Audi)? If so, I take it back and you just owe him a kick in the door panel.

 

[Raduque]

Where do you live so I can avoid that town where everybody parks like a bunch of assholes?

 

[Throckmorton]

I'm surprised his door even opens that wide. BTW, remember when vehicles had rub strips?

 

[punjabiplaya]

anyone watch Curb Your Enthusiasm? lol @ parking

can you post some pics of your coloring books?

 

[IcePickFreak]

Yeah looks like everyone in that parking lot parked like an idiot, although you are way over the line. This is why you park way at the back of the lot away from everyone and spend that whole extra 30 seconds walking to the building.

Repair won't be cheap as the paint will likely need to be blended past just that one door - it's hard to tell how big it is in the pic. I'd say anywhere from $800-$1000, but autobody pay rates vary so much by area it's hard to be certain. I agree with KK though, I'd give your insurance company all the info & pics and see what they say about it.

 

[JackBurton]

Where do you live so I can avoid that town where everybody parks like a bunch of assholes?

No doubt. Every fucking car is out of their space in that pic.

 

[Throckmorton]

It does look like those parking spaces are way too small. There are some lots like that here, where you literally can't open your door unless everybody parks perfectly. Even then, a large person wouldn't be able to get out.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Ok, sorry, my bad. Is yours the Volvo (I thought it was the Audi)? If so, I take it back and you just owe him a kick in the door panel.

NP

 

[Capt Caveman]

Where do you live so I can avoid that town where everybody parks like a bunch of assholes?

It's just this one shopping place. Between Trader Joe's, Starbucks and a Microcenter. The place is a parking zoo. I guess to be able to have enough parking spots for the place, They made them so narrow that no one can fit a car in one.

 

[C1]

It is hard to tell the damage from the PIXes provided. If just a scuff then sometimes it can be buffed out. If really scratched, then either a blend (ie, partial paint) or a full repaint of the door is required. Correctly repainting the whole door with a clear coat will cost a bunch ($1000 dont be surprised).

Warning that if this is a new car, then either get the job done right (ie, cant tell it was painted on) or just leave the scuff as a scuff wont look nearly as bad as a poorly repainted door that in a year shows different than the rest of the car.

 

[Eli]

Ugh, parking lots with spaces that are too small piss me off. And I have a tiny car.

Also again.. whats with blocking out people's license plate numbers? You see hundreds a day. It's not privileged information.

As for small claims.. totally not worth it, unless you just want to make a point or have a lot of time on your hands.

I think this is part of why I just don't care about my cars cosmetically. I would like to, but it's an exercise in futility. It would drive me insane if I tried. A car is a tool. It's going to get dented, dinged, used, abused, eaten in, and most of all.. driven.

Edit: Though I'm certainly not saying that I wouldn't be pissed if some jackass dinged my door like that.