a lady is claiming I scratched her car (insurance, home)

[loveme121]

Hey everyone,

Last night I was at a show working backstage. during intermission, I moved my car, which is a 2001 green Oldsmobile intrigue to the other side of this Mother's car, which is a white SUV because I thought it'd be easier to back out of when I left to go home after the show. This person was taking up to parking spots and I remember being close to the person's car on my driver's side than the lady's SUV which was on my passenger side. I can't recall ever hitting the lady's SUV. I remember going into my passenger side to get something that I forgot and remembered not seeing anything different to my car. Later that night around 8:02 p.m. I got told by her that my car hit her car. Obviously, I was freaked out because I didn't remember ever hitting her car. and told her that I would pay for the damages because I thought it was that major. She said I wouldn't be able to afford it. so she took my name and number down, well i'm an occasional driver on my Fiance's insurance so of course, I called him, while I was on the phone with him, I was looking at my passenger side once again I saw a huge scratch mark with her paint on it, which is white, mine is green, and then looked at her car where she said she'd need it fixed which was the back panel and saw no damage. she took off without ever giving me her information. i then called the police but they said they couldn't do anything about it. So i'm wondering, with me having more damage, can she claim that it was me?

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by loveme121

...told her that I would pay for the damages because I thought it was that major. She said I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I don't know the legalities involved, but I just wanted to say that despite your post's title, if she said that [what I put in bold], she is not a lady. That's a nasty thing to say.

I'm sorry that you had this mishap. I hope that it gets cleared up easily.

[MikePRU]

It sounds like there was an exchange of paint. So, someone hit the other person. It seems this is going to end up being a "he said, she said" situation. Not sure how the insurance companies will handle things if you said she hit your car and she says you hit her car.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

It sounds like there was an exchange of paint. So, someone hit the other person. It seems this is going to end up being a "he said, she said" situation. Not sure how the insurance companies will handle things if you said she hit your car and she says you hit her car.

Having just gone though this, it goes nowhere. Without a witness, police report, video, etc, it just boils down to he said/she said and that's the end of it.


Of course, that's not to imply the other lady can't stamp her feet and make things difficult for the OP. Given the implication of an expensive SUV and parking across 2 spaces...I'd be she would try to make something of it.

[CaseyB]

All you can do is tell your insurance co. that you aren't responsible. It wouldn't hurt to file a police report as well.

[loveme121]

I tried calling the police after she left and they said there was nothing they could do.

[CaseyB]

I meant go down to the station and file one in person. At least inform the insurance co.

[GeePee]

Usually in these he said she said cases insurance will have a court style hearing to determine liability

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Usually in these he said she said cases insurance will have a court style hearing to determine liability

I would add to the OP - tell your insurance company your side of the story as soon as possible. There is no way for anyone here to guarantee a result for you, but you may run into a tougher time if you wait to claim it with your insurance company. Especially if she's on her game and did it right away. If you have to wait for the insurance company to contact you first and ask about it, you might face more of an uphill battle. So get a start on it ASAP.

Also maybe check with the facility/lot and see if they have cameras in that area. They might. And they're might be footage of the accident. Though again, having a police report started would also help.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Usually in these he said she said cases insurance will have a court style hearing to determine liability

Where did you hear that? Are you sure you aren't thinking of surcharge appeal hearings?