Real time parking lot accident. Need RFD help.

[Pro]

Okay okay, not as real time as I had hoped but I was slow on the upload. I was actually trying to create a thread while waiting for driver to come out but wasn't quick enough.

So I head over to my local No Frill's on St.Clair and Alberta in Toronto for a quick grocery run.

and this happens...

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7285/20120701173941.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/20120701173941.jpg/)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7871/20120701173907.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/10/20120701173907.jpg/)

It looks a bit better than the original damage because I wiped away some of the other vehicles paint thinking it was just dirt.

A driver carelessly opens his car door and it slams into my rear driver side door. The end result is a dent and some deep scratches. The car is pretty much brand new.

Anyways, it all happened when I was inside the No Frill's and my trusty Blackvue camera recorded the footage.

Here you can see a blue BMW come in and park and then right behind that car is the Green Toyota Sienna (culprit). At 6 seconds you see him pull in very close and on an angle, then at about 55 seconds you can hear the loud thud when he hits my car.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FlEw9v3F5A

There's one more video to follow...

Here the driver realizes that he damaged my car and it's probably not a good idea to stay right beside my car. He jumps back in his car and moves to another spot.

If it wasn't for Blackvue I probably wouldn't have noticed all this went down. After I saw the damage I took out the microsd and put it in my Galaxy Note to figure out what happened. I waited for the driver to finish his shopping and come back to his vehicle. I then drove up on him, blocked him from being able to back out, and had the camera pointed to him. Unfortunately I used a different microsd card and it didn't have enough space to record the confrontation. My girl recorded it though on her iPhone.

I basically told him he has a more expensive grocery bill after today. I explained to him that I saw what happened and pointed to the blackvue that recorded everything. He didn't try to deny anything. I demanded his license, insurance, and phone number. After he gave me everything I told him I'll be in touch.

I plan on sending the photos to Ron at Chipmaster and getting an estimate and I'll be contacting the careless driver with a quote.

Did I handle this correct and is there anything else I can do to make sure he pays up for damaging my new ride?

[Pro]

Here the driver notices he damaged my car and takes off to another parking spot. It happens between 5 seconds and 35 seconds.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yftkDJFUDQ

Sneaky!

He had so much space on the other side too and didn't attempt to correct before slamming his door into my car.

Here are some pictures of how careless he's been over the years.


http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8760/20120701173211.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/20120701173211.jpg/)
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/8994/20120701173156.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/20120701173156.jpg/)

[spf1971]

I'm not sure what you think those clips show but they don't show anything. You see someone pull into a parking spot and leave but nothing that I saw indicates he hit your car. I'm not doubting that's what happened, just pointing out that the video doesn't actually prove anything.

[Pro]

I'm not sure what you think those clips show but they don't show anything. You see someone pull into a parking spot and leave but nothing that I saw indicates he hit your car. I'm not doubting that's what happened, just pointing out that the video doesn't actually prove anything.

I'm not sure you actually watched the video. Watch the very first video from 55 seconds to the end. You can even see the car shake and you hear the thud. You don't fully see but you can put it together and it lines up with what actually happened.

When I spoke to him he didn't deny anything.

[Poulet]

Good job. Get him to fix it.

[sandikosh]

I don't see the Toyota hitting your car.

[dc200]

The Toyota's back is completely stationary when I hear the thud. Did the driver hit your car with their door or their bumper?

[Pro]

Yeah it was with the door. He wasn't moving when he hit. Just carelessly launched open his driver door.

This stuff does happen all the time. People that drive already damaged vehicle usually don't care about others property.

Getting that quite Tuesday and seeing what happens from there.

[cliffclaven]

Good job OP! I remember seeing the dreaded "first scratch" on my mustang many years ago after coming out of a mall. I hate people.

[001Stunna]

Everytime i visit that same nofrills or any store in general i simply just park further away. It might mean i'll have a longer to the store but so what. Never had an issue.

Hope you get your door ding fixed though.

[5starpix]

Smart move! I watched the video and heard that ding and it lines up with your story. Good thing is that the other driver didn't deny what happened. Hope you get compensated for the damage!

[Supercooled]

Sue his ***** only foe tge fact rhat he tried to snake his way out of it. people who buy minivans have little demanda..er, kids so be wary about parking next ro vans. good job.

[kay188]

This is exactly why you have your camera always on.

[downloader]

you have not proof of him hitting your car! you only have footage of him parking next to you. The damage could have already been on your car

[Matrixvibe]

This is exactly why you have your camera always on.

+1

[Hooped]

I'm on your side and so glad you caught him. I like the idea of that camera Interesting!!!

I always park in the BACK of lots for this very reason. People just bash their doors open. But.....

This happened more recently (well 6 months ago) to me, JUST before I sold my car. :evil: It was a strip mall parking lot so not a lot of space. Not a mark on it, came out from a restaurant and a my wife notices a huge dent and scuff on the passenger side door. I was mad, but what can you do. Some people just don't care. I'm so careful when I open my doors not to even touch another car and have been teaching my kids the same thing now so when they grow up, they don't turn out to be like these narcissists!

Good luck to you and I hope he's learned a lesson from this!

[mmagda]

holy ***** . Buy some touch up at the dealer/CT and fill it in yourself.

ITS A CAR! ***** HAPPENS.

Before you bark at me for saying the above, yes i deal with this ***** all the time, I always come out to more dents/dings/pits/scuffs daily. It happens. The sooner you accept it, the better.

If you got rear-ended like me a few weeks back [re-bar bent, trunk lid offset, spare tire well dented] then i'd applaud you for this effort. But for a 5$ touch up pen, you're wasting your time for nothing, not to mention your blood pressure.

Yeah, this is not an 'accident' this is a joke... You could get more damage from a woman squeezing between cars with her purse and scuffing your door.

[dc200]

holy ***** . Buy some touch up at the dealer/CT and fill it in yourself.

ITS A CAR! ***** HAPPENS.

Before you bark at me for saying the above, yes i deal with this ***** all the time, I always come out to more dents/dings/pits/scuffs daily. It happens. The sooner you accept it, the better.

If you got rear-ended like me a few weeks back [re-bar bent, trunk lid offset, spare tire well dented] then i'd applaud you for this effort. But for a 5$ touch up pen, you're wasting your time for nothing, not to mention your blood pressure.

Yeah, this is not an 'accident' this is a joke... You could get more damage from a woman squeezing between cars with her purse and scuffing your door.

I never knew touch up pens could also remove dents.

[Pro]

I usually park that extra distance and walk in. I still notice that people will park directly beside me even when there are many other spots open. The spot that the driver pulled into was an extra wide one. It's just he didn't give a shhh. Very careless and overly aggressive when opening his door.

I'm like many here that work hard for their things and I also treat other peoples things with care and respect. Like I stated, it's pretty much a brand new car. Why should I go out and buy touch up paint that isn't going to fix a dent and probably turn yellow?! And why should I let this slide? People need to take responsibility for their actions when something goes wrong. He tried to bail. That's pretty low.

Just when I feel my faith in humanity is raising up again, something like this happens. I know these things happen and sometimes it's just a matter of time. But if something's going to happen it should be from my own mistake(s).

I am going after this guy to the fullest. I just want to be sure that I'm doing it the right way. I have his insurance, drivers ID, and phone number. I'll be getting a quote on the repair tomorrow (I hope) and I'll let him know what it'll cost to fix. I think that's pretty much all there is to it. If I'm missing something, please let me know.

I will continue to update this thread too.

Blackvue for life! Honestly! I can't express how good of an investment it is to get a dashcam.

[hagbard]

Take the video to the police and have him charged with a hit and run.

[ssainani]

Take the video to the police and have him charged with a hit and run.

i am almost certain this would get the original poster in more trouble than they think. You cannot trap people with your car if you think they may have dinged you.

they're lucky the person they accused was probably scared and didnt call the cops on them.

even the video doesnt really show anything - the impact and sound could be something totally unrelated.

stop being a sociopath and suck it up --> dings happen and are a part of daily driving.
if you dont like it take the bus.

[aemi]

Take the video to the police and have him charged with a hit and run.

No.

Whatever the OP did will teach him a lesson. To look for video cameras in the car, that is.

[Pro]

Take the video to the police and have him charged with a hit and run.

Heh, that may be a bit harsh. It would probably be a "hit and hide" if anything.

If he really wanted to get a way he could have. I just didn't make it easy for him. I made it easy for him to see the damage he already did.

The cops are often in this parking lot. Wish they were there.

I'm going to contact Hollywood and have them send over the CSI crew for paint analysis. :P

[nagasadow]

I'm going to contact Hollywood and have them send over the CSI crew for paint analysis. :P

No just send them the crappy video and they'll do this

http://media.moronail.net/images/stories/dg_pictures/0910/2010.jpg

[Simaahoy]

If this was a certain someone (http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ragu-has-been-charged-insurance-fraud-scam-foiled-dashcam-1149189/ ) people would be keen to track this person down. Too bad

[JamesA1]

Everyone has plenty of dings, dents and scratches from the parking-lot door-basher brigade, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't nail their ***** to the wall if you catch one of them in the act. Unfortunately the problem is that your video doesn't prove anything, and if you were asked by a judge, you would have to say that you didn't personally see it happen. If you took it to court, you might get a sympathetic judge whose car got dinged recently, and a defendant who sounds like they're lying, and it could go your way on the balance of probability. But it's not likely. If the offending car was still parked there and you could line up their door with the mark, that would have helped.

[thetim]

Yeah it was with the door. He wasn't moving when he hit. Just carelessly launched open his driver door.

This stuff does happen all the time. People that drive already damaged vehicle usually don't care about others property.

Someone did that to me in an empty parking lot once - where they flung open the door of their beat up old Grand Prix and dented my door/transferred paint (car was maybe 1.5 years old then). Had no reason to park right beside me, either. The entire lot was empty.

[ultran00b]

Same thing happened to me in Waterloo on Canada Day. Parked my freshly washed car in a spot at the King/Columbia McDs and see a middle aged man swing open his door (Tan Ford Focus) into my Rexus (driver's side rocker panel) and then drive off as I was eating in the restaurant. Left a little scratched patch. Oh well.... What a fgt.

[alexg26]

Always try and park far away if you can, but sometimes some dum ***** comes right next to you because they cant watch the lines on the ground so they use your car to line up .
park far as you can in nofrills parking lots.. people there dont give a crap how they park.....
the wife hates when a park far away...lol

[Poulet]

Sorry, but if you can't get out of your car, then change spots. Make his lesson expensive. This will probably fix his bad habit. Get your car fixed by a pro.

Always hold your door when you come out of your car. Make sure not to touch the other car. Just don't swing your door on the car parked beside. Doesn't matter if the car is all rusted and dented. Plain and simple. If you can't do this, walk or pay up.

If I had a camera like this, I would do the same.

[quanta]

Unfortunately the problem is that your video doesn't prove anything, and if you were asked by a judge, you would have to say that you didn't personally see it happen. If you took it to court, you might get a sympathetic judge whose car got dinged recently, and a defendant who sounds like they're lying, and it could go your way on the balance of probability. But it's not likely. If the offending car was still parked there and you could line up their door with the mark, that would have helped.

No Perry Mason action needed here. From how the OP described it, the green minivan's driver confessed on video taken by the OP's LG's iPhone camera, AND gave the OP his insurance info. Open and shut case I say.

[sassysue]

my broker said in a parking lot if a car gets hit its 50/50 both

[zzz3]

my broker said in a parking lot if a car gets hit its 50/50 both

Does your broker also wear an FBI shirt and claim to be a female body inspector?

[Matrixvibe]

Does your broker also wear an FBI shirt and claim to be a female body inspector?

lol

[dealiah]

What IS this camera? Where to get one!

Right after the BF got his car fixed after some woman (who is a horror show to our species) rear ended his little beast with a giant SUV, he got dinged and dented and twisted back side ('corner') while in a plaza parking lot. Woulda been grand to have had a camera set up...

[sassysue]

Does your broker also wear an FBI shirt and claim to be a female body inspector?

:lol::lol: your so good

[The Templar Knight]

I'd be in jail now if that tool did that to my car.

You have great restraint and my respect.

[jenny_z_z]

I'd be in jail now if that tool did that to my car.

You have great restraint and my respect.

You're going to assault somebody for dinging your car.....?

[skwigglyline]

You're going to assault somebody for dinging your car.....?

if someone tried to get away with doing something wrong and then fleeing id want a word or two with him..

some posters are saying its just a ding and to get over it...its the principle of the situation...why let some punk think he can get away with it, obviously the dent or damage was bad enough that the guy had to move to a diff spot.... and who cares if the video doesn't show anything, it was enough to get a confession. Without a vid he wouldn't have known at all..!

[Pro]

UPDATE:

So I've gotten a hold of this guy and we've been talking. What he is offering isn't even close to cover the costs of the full repair. He's stating that since his deductible is X, he should only be paying that. To me it doesn't seem like he's wanting to accept full responsibility for his actions. I presented two quotes to him and the one from the original car dealer is more, while the other one is somewhat cheaper. He isn't thinking he should pay the full amount. Does this even make sense?!

Also, while my vehicle is in the shop I'll be need a rental. Another expense that he doesn't want to cover. As it stands right now, I'm really leaning towards taking legal action against this man. It's becoming more and more frustrating talking to him and it doesn't seem like a smooth resolution is going to happen.

When I think about it more and more. I probably should just sue. I think about how he tries to get away after damaging the vehicle and would have if I didn't have any footage.

Has anyone gone through a situation like this? Is representing oneself in court a good idea or should I just find a small claims court lawyer?

Oh and about going through insurance. I would have to pay my deductible, which is high. Even though I have his insurance. My insurer says they won't go after him. It just doesn't work like that when it comes to a case like this.

Any advice is appreciated. TIA!

[vaportech]

Did insurance find you at fault? If not why are they charging you the deductible?

[tr!xxy]

Did insurance find you at fault? If not why are they charging you the deductible?

OP is going thru insurance? For that little ding? He should try PDR.

[Pro]

Did insurance find you at fault? If not why are they charging you the deductible?

I didn't put in a claim. I only asked what the process would be if I were to put in a claim.


OP is going thru insurance? For that little ding? He should try PDR.

It looks a lot better in the picture. You can't fully make out the extent of the damage. PDR is not going to get that out because it has gone past the paint to the metal. If it was something that PDR could take care of I probably wouldn't care as much. Oh, will PDR take out a one foot paint imprint into pearl white paint? I don't think so.

[tr!xxy]

It looks a lot better in the picture. You can't fully make out the extent of the damage. PDR is not going to get that out because it has gone past the paint to the metal. If it was something that PDR could take care of I probably wouldn't care as much. Oh, will PDR take out a one foot paint imprint into pearl white paint? I don't think so.

It's worth a shot, take a look at the gallery of Dent Doctor...

http://dentdoctorcanada.com/

[Pro]

It's worth a shot, take a look at the gallery of Dent Doctor...

http://dentdoctorcanada.com/

Appreciate the site. I know of this technique and I think it would work if the dent didn't end up past the primer to the metal. Not only that, but the imprint looks bad once you inspect it in person. I don't think PDR is an option for me.

Has anyone gone through the process of suing someone that is refusing to accept responsibility for their carelessness? I've been trying to find a small claims lawyer that has free consultations but so far I've had no luck.

[vaportech]

Just claim under your insurance. You won't be found at fault

[Pro]

Just claim under your insurance. You won't be found at fault

Would I need an admission of fault from the guy or would the footage be enough?

Plus, isn't there a chance of my rates going up even when not at fault?

[MrBobby]

His 3rd party liability insurance would cover your deductible if he admits to it/is found at fault.
It sounds like he is willing to admit that and honestly it probably won't cost him a dime if you don't show the footage to his insurance.
The video is no longer able to be viewed but from the description the video may show evidence of a "hit and run" and his premiums could go up but then again his insurance company will most likely just ignore it, pay your deductible and not care to be perfectly honest.
I really don't understand why people don't go through insurance for these things, that is the whole point of your insurance company telling you to leave a note and accept responsibility. By taking responsibility and going through insurance nothing happens to you (the person who caused the damage) and the other driver gets their vehicle fixed where ever they want.
As long as you aren't getting 2+ claims against you every few months then your insurance won't care since it isn't involving moving vehicles.

[iLLNESS]

whatever you do you should probably make sure you keep record of conversations you have with him, and make sure you have him somewhere admitting fault. from there have your insurance handle it with your evidence.

in reality though, if you dont want this to happen just park at the back of a parking lot. the people who are like this are also generally lazy :P people who park near the back of a lot when it isnt busy generally do it for two reasons: they know exercise is good for them, and they know there is less chance of this ***** happening to the car they consider of good value/looks. just dont be an ***** and double park to avoid this because then you just might end up getting a nice ding on your door.