Unusual accident at grocery store parking lot *Help please?
I picked up some groceries on Sunday, and when I was leaving the parking lot, a rather large (7 feet tall by 6 feet wide) metal cart holding the seasonal herbs/flowers rolled off the sidewalk and into my vehicle. I was unaware of this rolling cart because it hit my rear passenger wheel lip. I drove forward about 10 feet, and looked at my rear view mirror, and saw an entire cart of flowers flipped on its side, and everything is on the ground (the entire display, probably 100+ pots of flowers). The associate quickly shouted in my direction if I was okay, so I got out of my car, said I was fine, but looked to see if there was any damage on my car and there was a large dent, about 3 inches wide, and paint transfer from the cart.
The associate asked that I park, go inside the store, and someone would come take a look. Basically an associate took a few photos, we went back inside, and I wrote down exactly what happened and left my contact information. I got all the names of the associates involved. Nobody really knows why the cart ended up rolling by itself, but the 2 associates said they did try to stop it. Anyway, I called the store today to followup since I was told the store owner would call me this morning. Once we got on a call, he was very defensive, saying he hasn't looked at any videos yet to understand the situation, nor talk to any of his store staff (as if I made up the story?). He did say he looked at 2 photos, and quickly said looks like there was previous damage (there was no previous damage) and a lot of rust. He said the store has insurance, but he says rolling carts are an act of God, and this type of an accident will likely not be covered by insurance. He then goes on to say a few years ago, a rolling shopping cart hit someone in the parking lot, and insurance didn't cover it, but he (store owner) did "something nice" for the customer. This is the part where I think he is trying to weasel himself out of the this. He did offer that if I wanted to have this fixed, I can get a few quotes as he will call me back this Wednesday for next steps.
So I went back to the parking lot today, and tried to move one of those metal display carts. They seem to be reasonably heavy, maybe 30-40 lbs. I also noticed that none of these carts have wheel locks on them, or any sort of mechanism to prevent them from rolling. I know these carts are used for seasonal displays, and they are not permanent fixtures, so is there any negligence on the store's associates part for not securing it properly? I've never been into any sort of accident, and to be in such an unusual one as a first..I don't really know what to do. Turning to you guys on RFD for some advice.
Also, any body shop recommendations in the Mississauga area?
Thanks
The associate asked that I park, go inside the store, and someone would come take a look. Basically an associate took a few photos, we went back inside, and I wrote down exactly what happened and left my contact information. I got all the names of the associates involved. Nobody really knows why the cart ended up rolling by itself, but the 2 associates said they did try to stop it. Anyway, I called the store today to followup since I was told the store owner would call me this morning. Once we got on a call, he was very defensive, saying he hasn't looked at any videos yet to understand the situation, nor talk to any of his store staff (as if I made up the story?). He did say he looked at 2 photos, and quickly said looks like there was previous damage (there was no previous damage) and a lot of rust. He said the store has insurance, but he says rolling carts are an act of God, and this type of an accident will likely not be covered by insurance. He then goes on to say a few years ago, a rolling shopping cart hit someone in the parking lot, and insurance didn't cover it, but he (store owner) did "something nice" for the customer. This is the part where I think he is trying to weasel himself out of the this. He did offer that if I wanted to have this fixed, I can get a few quotes as he will call me back this Wednesday for next steps.
So I went back to the parking lot today, and tried to move one of those metal display carts. They seem to be reasonably heavy, maybe 30-40 lbs. I also noticed that none of these carts have wheel locks on them, or any sort of mechanism to prevent them from rolling. I know these carts are used for seasonal displays, and they are not permanent fixtures, so is there any negligence on the store's associates part for not securing it properly? I've never been into any sort of accident, and to be in such an unusual one as a first..I don't really know what to do. Turning to you guys on RFD for some advice.
Also, any body shop recommendations in the Mississauga area?
Thanks
how to deal with this situation.