Freak accident; scratched neighboring car in parking lot; what would you do?

[closeupready]

So I went out last weekend to the mall with a couple friends; I was in the back seat.

We pulled in, and I started to get out, opening the door, but the wind was so incredibly strong that as I opened the door, the wind whipped it fully open, hitting the car parked next to ours, leaving a small dent.

No one was in the neighboring car, and we went in to do our business. I did think to write down the license plate number, though when we returned to the lot, the neighboring car was gone.

What would you do? Is there a protocol to follow? I mean, do I contact the DMV or what?

[suninvited]

1. you could have left a note on the cars windshield

at the time the accident happened. Just tucked it under the windshield wiper blades. I have always heard that is the normal protocol.

At this point, you could call your local police station and have them contact the owner of the car for you.

[av8rdave]

2. I've had that happen. I left a note on the car and offered to pay lesser of repair/deductable

And I did.

[Deep13]

3. I would have left a note...

...but insisted it was an act of nature that you could not prevent. At this point, telling the police might be the only way to contact them.

On the other hand, no one has ever left a note for me after denting, scratching or hitting my car with a shopping carriage.

[closeupready]

5. That's the ironic part - the owner of the vehicle in which I was stated someone had dented his car

and failed to leave a note or anything else. Still, two wrongs don't make a right, I'm aware.

The only problem with contacting local police is that I don't live in that area - perhaps I should contact the police department where the accident happened?

[UTUSN]

4. The coolest response from the owner of a "victim" car

My door swung a bit too easily and made contact with the truck next to it. The owner saw it all. It wasn't bad enough to leave a dent or scratch. I apologized and was embarrassed. He didn't even check for damage, just shrugged it off with a polite, non-cuss version of "shit happens."

[DainBramaged]

6. The cause of ALL of the dents and nicks I get is people not giving a shit

and those dents and nicks can be expensive. If you don't get at least touch up paint on them if you go to bare metal, the rust will start in a few months. And then there is no stopping it.


I've had people pull up next to me get out slamming their door into my car, and refusing to acknowledge me until I shout I'm calling the police. Then there is an exchange of funds or a driver's license to which an estimate is sent and the damage paid for.

[Lisa D]

7. What would you want a person who dented your car

in the exact same circumstances to do? Do that.

[Heidi]

8. Do the right thing. If that's what you really WANT to do, you'll find a way to

use that plate number to accomplish it. :thumbsup:

[closeupready]

9. Yes, I will.

:)

[Heidi]

10. Thank you.

:yourock: