What would you do?

[magnatom]

Yesterday when getting into our car, my wife noticed some new scratches on the passenger side. Our car is silver and there were some blue paint scuffs on the side of the passenger door which were obviously from another car door. Our car is parked in a private parking bay, which has another right next to it (not private).

On closer inspection we realised that the the blue marks matched a car that often parks next to us (someone from the flats nearby). So I took some photos.

This morning I noticed that the blue car was parked next to us again, so on the way out I had a look. Lo and behold, there are silver marks on the edge of the drivers door that match the positions of the blue marks on our car!

These marks were of the type that certainly could have happened accidentally, but it would have been obvious at the time what had happened. Had I done it I would have left a not of apology and offered to pay for repairs (especially as it is a neighbour).

So what should I do. I am tempted to leave a note on their car asking them to pop around to my house to discuss this. I feel that I am well within my rights to ask him to pay for the repairs. If he isn't willing I could take it to insurance.

I know that the scratches are just cosmetic etc, but it is the principle. I can't stand people damaging other peoples belongings and just walking away.

What do you think I should do, and will the photo evidence? I have taken photos of his car and mine, would this be enough for insurance?

 

[Fnaar]

First of all, give the benefit of the doubt, and 'assume' it was accidental/absent-mindedness which went un-noticed by your neighbour at the time. All being well, s/he will say 'oh dear, sorry' and sort it out. If they go into denial mode, then you get medieval on their ass show the photos and take it from there....

 

[Dayvo]

Without doubt you should approach them (in your normal and civil manner, that is) and ask them if the scrach marks on their car were caused by them opening their door onto yours!

They could, of course, say that the marks were caused by your car door opening on theirs!

Sounds like they are to blame!

If they deny it, just deck 'em!

 

[Maz]

That's not a nice position to be in. I think I'd speak to them politely, on assumption it was an accident on their part. See what they say about it and take it from there.

 

[magnatom]

Aye, I'll certainly be civil. A polite note (I don't know where in the flats he stays) will be left on his car the next time I see it, unless I see him at the car of course! Maybe I should have my helmet camera on at the time!

Dayvo, as the marks are in the middle of my door and at the edge of theirs, i.e. on the edge of the door frame, there is no way it could have been our door hitting theirs.

 

[Maz]

If they deny it, just deck 'em!

We'll need helmetcam footage of that one. Thank you.

 

[Alan Frame]

Are they definitely scratches, or will they polish out with a bit of T Cut ?

 

[Alan Frame]

Or, and this might be stretching things a wee bit, report it as a non-stop RTC.

A Road Traffic Collision is where a motor vehicle is involved in a collision on a road or in a car park open to the public, where someone else's property or vehicle is damaged or any person or animal is injured (animal means: horse, cattle, ass, mule, pig, sheep, goat or dog).

This was lifted off a police website.