Minor Car Park Bump

[Kuro]

I had a minor bump in a supermarket car park today.

I was reversing out of a space and it was clear when I came out but then a car on the opposite side had started to reverse aswell and we bumped.

The damage to my car was non existant just a blemish mark on the paint which buffed out. The thing is the woman in the other car was indicating that the gouged paint on her car was caused by me but it looked like existing damage i.e a scrape mark consistant with glancing a wall or bollard. If I had caused this there would have been like for like damage on my car including transfer of paint which there was none.

Anyway we have exchanged details and she just shrugged it off but I have a feeling she may have a word with hubby and try to get a repair out of it.

What should I do if I hear from her again?

[Pat2u]

I was lead to understand that all supermarkets had a park at your own risk policy if so then i am sure your insurance or hers would take no action as it would be on private ground and therefore not covered by both insurers.

I could be wrong but i doubt it as i can recall it happened to me a good few years ago, hope this might help you.

[Kuro]

I was lead to understand that all supermarkets had a park at your own risk policy if so then i am sure your insurance or hers would take no action as it would be on private ground and therefore not covered by both insurers.

I could be wrong but i doubt it as i can recall it happened to me a good few years ago, hope this might help you.

The thought had crossed my mind.

[Jamesbelfast]

The "Park at your own risk" sign isn't worth the cardboard or metal or plastic whatever it's printed on. It only relates to whoever controls the parking space. Basically what they are saying is they will accept no responsibility for loss or damage or injury unless it can be proved they were negligent but this has been challenged numerous times in a court of law.

Now when it comes to drivers taking their cars into public places such as car parks or filling station forecourts the rules of the Road Traffic Act apply. That involves complying in every respect such as driving with due care and attention, having insurance, having a valid MOT, etc, etc, etc,. Yes you can still be done for drunk driving in such a public place. So what is the definition of a public place you may ask. It is a place whereby you are compelled to enter for the pruposes of doing business - the definition of business is widespread indeed. Look at this way it is expected you will need to take your car into a filling station forecourt to fuel your car. It also covers areas whereby the owner invites the public in. A local social event such as an airshow, gymkana or such also apply or even a farmer advertising "Eggs for Sale" at the end of his laneway.

So trying to escape your responsibilities by claiming it is private ground is frankly a load of load of bunkum.

Now back to what the original query.

If you cause damage or injury to either a person or property then under common law you can be made respponsible by way of compensation. In the case of two cars reversing towards each other at the same time in can be argued two ways. Either one party hit the other or both parties inadvertently collided. If both parties can be made attributable then it can be judged to be a no fault scenario and both partues are then responsible for their own costs.

If it can be proven one only is responsible then whoever is at fault is liable for all costs. In this case maybe one of the drivers realised this and therefore made no comment regarding seeking damages. Unless there are independent witnesses or video footage it may come to a case of one persons word against the other and if this situation arises only civil court proceedings may settle the matter.:)

[Kuro]

The "Park at your own risk" sign isn't worth the cardboard or metal or plastic whatever it's printed on. It only relates to whoever controls the parking space. Basically what they are saying is they will accept no responsibility for loss or damage or injury unless it can be proved they were negligent but this has been challenged numerous times in a court of law.

Now when it comes to drivers taking their cars into public places such as car parks or filling station forecourts the rules of the Road Traffic Act apply. That involves complying in every respect such as driving with due care and attention, having insurance, having a valid MOT, etc, etc, etc,. Yes you can still be done for drunk driving in such a public place. So what is the definition of a public place you may ask. It is a place whereby you are compelled to enter for the pruposes of doing business - the definition of business is widespread indeed. Look at this way it is expected you will need to take your car into a filling station forecourt to fuel your car. It also covers areas whereby the owner invites the public in. A local social event such as an airshow, gymkana or such also apply or even a farmer advertising "Eggs for Sale" at the end of his laneway.

So trying to escape your responsibilities by claiming it is private ground is frankly a load of load of bunkum.

Now back to what the original query.

If you cause damage or injury to either a person or property then under common law you can be made respponsible by way of compensation. In the case of two cars reversing towards each other at the same time in can be argued two ways. Either one party hit the other or both parties inadvertently collided. If both parties can be made attributable then it can be judged to be a no fault scenario and both partues are then responsible for their own costs.

If it can be proven one only is responsible then whoever is at fault is liable for all costs. In this case maybe one of the drivers realised this and therefore made no comment regarding seeking damages. Unless there are independent witnesses or video footage it may come to a case of one persons word against the other and if this situation arises only civil court proceedings may settle the matter.:)

There was no damage to my car and nothing on my car to indicate that I had caused the damage she had pointed out on her car.

I have not not heard anything yet but if i do I will waste no time in pointing out that any insurance assessor would be able to see that the damage was already present. Hopefully that will nip it in the bud.

[Phoenix999]

This type of accident will be regarded as 'knock for knock' and each party would have to cover their own costs as neither side can lay the blame on the other.

I suggest you inform your insurance company just in case something comes out of it but I really doubt you will hear any more. Good luck

[Kuro]

This type of accident will be regarded as 'knock for knock' and each party would have to cover their own costs as neither side can lay the blame on the other.

I suggest you inform your insurance company just in case something comes out of it but I really doubt you will hear any more. Good luck

Would informing my insurance company be looked upon as a claim?

[The Cav]

i would not tell my insurance co until you receive correspondence or a call from the other people involved

sometimes insurance companies can be awkward even when you don't claim...when they become aware of an incident

keep schtum until you have to say something is my advice

[acetip]

i would not tell my insurance co until you receive correspondence or a call from the other people involved

sometimes insurance companies can be awkward even when you don't claim...when they become aware of an incident

keep schtum until you have to say something is my advice

most insurence co require you to inform them of an accident even if you dont make a claim.but some of them treat this as a claim and and this can effect your no-claim bonus.

a few years ago while reversing out of a parking bay at a supermarket i got hit by a women in a vectra (3 months old).there was no sign of her when i started backing up,she came from no where,and must have moving pretty fast.she hit my passat on the swan neck towbar.this went through the rim of one of her rear alloys and opened up her rear door just like can opener.she went 75 yards up the carpark before stopping.my insurence told me that it is automaticly assumed that the person who is reversing is respomsible in a court of law.all the damage the passat had was a very slight bend in the tow bar,not enough for me to bother fixing.

[Kuro]

i would not tell my insurance co until you receive correspondence or a call from the other people involved

sometimes insurance companies can be awkward even when you don't claim...when they become aware of an incident

keep schtum until you have to say something is my advice

I think I will go with this advice.

During the summer I suffered pothole damage to my MGZR. I called the insurance company who wanted to write off the car. I said no to this and got it sorted for £200.

A month or so later I got my renewal and it had gone up by 40%. When I looked they had the claim as still open even though I told them I would not be persuing it. Managed to get it removed and the premium went down again.

[Ravi Shankar]

It's always a good idea to get your phone out and take some pics if this happens in a car park.