Scratching someone's bumper while parking (eyeglasses, insurance, how much)

[antinimby]

Long story short -- I was in the city a few days ago and was trying to squeeze into a tight space. While I was doing that, a lady and man came running out and screamed that I shouldn't. I stopped trying and was about to leave. Then they pointed to a couple of scratch marks on the bumper of the car in front of my car.

The lady said I caused it and that she and the man witnessed it and that I need to pay for it. She wrote down my license plate and said I have to pay for that damage. Apparently, she wasn't even the owner but either a friend/relative/neighbor of hers. She said I can pay her if I didn't want her to report me since she had my license plate.

I told her that I wasn't going to pay her or anybody because I didn't think I caused those marks and just drove off. Does she or the owner of the car have a case against me?

BTW, the car is not new and the bumper had quite a few other scratch/scuff marks besides the ones she claimed I caused.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by antinimby

Long story short -- I was in the city a few days ago and was trying to squeeze into a tight space. While I was doing that, a lady and man came running out and screamed that I shouldn't. I stopped trying and was about to leave. Then they pointed to a couple of scratch marks on the bumper of the car in front of my car.

The lady said I caused it and that she and the man witnessed it and that I need to pay for it. She wrote down my license plate and said I have to pay for that damage. Apparently, she wasn't even the owner but either a friend/relative/neighbor of hers. She said I can pay her if I didn't want her to report me since she had my license plate.

I told her that I wasn't going to pay her or anybody because I didn't think I caused those marks. Does she or the owner of the car have a case?

Tell them to get bent and purchase some bumper guards.

Scratched and nicked bumpers are a fact of life when parking on NYC streets. If you don't want your precious vehicle nicked then put it in a garage.

No, the NYPD or anyone else official is going to come after you, nor will the couple's insurance company because it is highly doubtful they will file a claim. Well someone lacking any sense *might* try but after laughing himself silly their insurance man will show them how much their premiums will go up on next renewal that that will be that.

[bilmin]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

Tell them to get bent and get some bumper guards.

Scratched and nicked bumpers are a fact of life when parking on NYC streets. If you don't want your precious vehicle nicked then put it in a garage.

No, the NYPD or anyone else official is going to come after you, nor will the couple's insurance company because it is highly doubtful they will file a claim. Well someone lacking any sense *might* try but after laughing himself silly their insurance man will show them how much their premiums will go up on next renewal that that will be that.

If you pay them please send me your name-- I have about 20 nicks dings and mini dents that I would like you to pick up. It will not come to anything unless the said accusers are from IOWA

[Henna]

This sounds almost like the broken eyeglasses scam.

[WhatTheHellMan]

Yeah, sounds like a scam. "I'm a friend but pay me and I'll give it to my friend." Please...


OP, likely nothing will come of it. Don't stress it!

[UrbanAdventurer]

Well you really should avoid trying to wedge your car into any questionably small space to where you might be dinging somebody else's car. That said, don't be giving money to anybody under any circumstances. Let the insurance companies deal with it.

[martinjsxx]

Originally Posted by UrbanAdventurer

Well you really should avoid trying to wedge your car into any questionably small space to where you might be dinging somebody else's car. That said, don't be giving money to anybody under any circumstances. Let the insurance companies deal with it.

Good advice but in some neighborhoods if you avoid all small parking spots you will be looking for a spot a long time.

[boatshoe]

If you park on the street in Manhattan, you're basically writing off your bumpers. I'm much more upset by the little yellow paint squigglies you get on the car body from taxi passengers throwing their doors open than some bumper scratches.

[likeminas]

If that happened to me, I'd be like;

"Oh boy. you're cracking me up here"

"I'll give you a couple of bucks just for me making me laugh so hard"

[bg7]

Originally Posted by boatshoe

If you park on the street in Manhattan, you're basically writing off your bumpers. I'm much more upset by the little yellow paint squigglies you get on the car body from taxi passengers throwing their doors open than some bumper scratches.

Exactly. Your bumpers will be scratched within a week of getting the car on the streets. Its like living here in a city of millions and worrying about breathing in other people's germs, or smelling urine on the subways in the summer. Its unavoidable.