Accident at a Parking Lot
Well, life is not fair. We hear that all the time. Even you are right in some situation, it does not mean you will deserve what you expected.
What happened on Monday
On Monday, my girlfriend, her mom and I were sitting in my car at a strip mall parking lot. I pulled my car in reverse gear and backup my car to exit the parking slot. I always turn my body and look at back directly instead of my rear mirror to back up. Than I saw the car right behind me start backing up. I almost able to exit the car park, but I stopped. My instinct told me I could either move my car back to the slot, or I could honk the car hoping the car would stop. So I honked. In a second or so, her car bump to the back of my car.
Without know much about parking lot accident. I presumed that I did the right thing. I stopped, tried to warn the other car, and I got into an accident. Immediate, I asked my girlfriend to look for a witness and hoping I can resolve the matter.
In the end, I got a witness. My girlfriend said that the witness's description were fairly close to what happen. Trusting what my girlfriend had said. I believe I should be in a good position in case of argument. I talked to the lady who was bumped to my car and I am sure she was at fault, at least she was the one keep saying sorry. You could definitely feel she wasn't paying attention at that time.
I asked her if she looked at the rear mirror. She said she did. I asked her if she hear the horn. She said she had the radio turn on too loud and could hear me. (Later when I think about it, my horn is at the front of the car, with your window closed and radio on, you hardly notice some one is honking at you)
Well, I got her information and she got my info. I moved my car back to the slot, wait for her to come out first, then I left.
That night, I called her, she told me she will need to talk to her insurance company and her husband. Sure, that make sense. I told her to get damage estimate too.
What happened on Tuesday
The next day I drove my car to get a estimate. I only need a rear bumper replacement. Well, great, now let call that woman and see what she would say.
She decided to go though insurance. I say alright. From her voice, I felt that she isn't the one making the decision, but I know that I am getting into trouble to deal with her insurance company.
So I called to her insurance. The claim department told me they are willing to pay 50/50. Meaning I pay for half of her car's damage, and she pay half of mind. Feeling unsettled and frustrated, so I called my insurance and hoping I can win the case here in the morning.
What happened on Wednesday
I have 2 choices, deal it myself, or file a claim. I know that I already had one fault about 2 years ago. If I file another claim and it turns that that is also my fault, my insurance cost would surely increase. However, feeling that justice is on my side and I have a witness, I decided to put forward a claim.
What happened on Thursday
My insurance company adjusted called, and ask for detail. I told her everything I knew and I am hoping for the best. As I talk to her more, I found out more about what happen when there is a parking lot accident.
What happened on Friday
I got a call from the adjuster, she told me the witness's statement didn't help at all. I said what! Without letting me question on why, she told me that it will be a 50 / 50. Feeling stunt and feeling my insurance company not being able to help, I let the insurance company do the rest of the job.
Facts and advices about parking lot accident
- pretty much most of the parking lot accident are a 50/50 split. It is better to deal this matter yourself instead of file a claim.
- you don't need to get a appraisal from the police station if it is under $1000
- doesn't matter what is the magnitude of the claim, it will hurt your insurance record
- unless you are at forward gear, otherwise it is hard to justify who's right or wrong
- go to a police station and file a report no matter what because there will always be a dispute between you and the other party. It is better to go though the police instead getting your insurance company to help (think about this, in the end, insurance company only wants your money each time you file a claim)
- must get a witness, ask the witness what she saw and see if it matches your situation
- when you are backing out, if you saw someone is leaving behind you, yield the other person first, it is better to be "polite" than get into trouble.
- if you happen to see someone backing out while you are, just move your car back to the slot
- ask advices from your friends and family rather than deal this situation yourself. Other people may have better experience
After Thought
Life is not fair, that's the game. Every "little" decision you make can lead you to trouble. Avoid troublesome rather than fighting for right and wrong. In the end, no matter who's right or who's wrong, no one would cares about it much. Everyone will just do their job; the insurance company will file their claim; the party at fault always say they are right. Money rules everyone's behavior!
What happened on Monday
On Monday, my girlfriend, her mom and I were sitting in my car at a strip mall parking lot. I pulled my car in reverse gear and backup my car to exit the parking slot. I always turn my body and look at back directly instead of my rear mirror to back up. Than I saw the car right behind me start backing up. I almost able to exit the car park, but I stopped. My instinct told me I could either move my car back to the slot, or I could honk the car hoping the car would stop. So I honked. In a second or so, her car bump to the back of my car.
Without know much about parking lot accident. I presumed that I did the right thing. I stopped, tried to warn the other car, and I got into an accident. Immediate, I asked my girlfriend to look for a witness and hoping I can resolve the matter.
In the end, I got a witness. My girlfriend said that the witness's description were fairly close to what happen. Trusting what my girlfriend had said. I believe I should be in a good position in case of argument. I talked to the lady who was bumped to my car and I am sure she was at fault, at least she was the one keep saying sorry. You could definitely feel she wasn't paying attention at that time.
I asked her if she looked at the rear mirror. She said she did. I asked her if she hear the horn. She said she had the radio turn on too loud and could hear me. (Later when I think about it, my horn is at the front of the car, with your window closed and radio on, you hardly notice some one is honking at you)
Well, I got her information and she got my info. I moved my car back to the slot, wait for her to come out first, then I left.
That night, I called her, she told me she will need to talk to her insurance company and her husband. Sure, that make sense. I told her to get damage estimate too.
What happened on Tuesday
The next day I drove my car to get a estimate. I only need a rear bumper replacement. Well, great, now let call that woman and see what she would say.
She decided to go though insurance. I say alright. From her voice, I felt that she isn't the one making the decision, but I know that I am getting into trouble to deal with her insurance company.
So I called to her insurance. The claim department told me they are willing to pay 50/50. Meaning I pay for half of her car's damage, and she pay half of mind. Feeling unsettled and frustrated, so I called my insurance and hoping I can win the case here in the morning.
What happened on Wednesday
I have 2 choices, deal it myself, or file a claim. I know that I already had one fault about 2 years ago. If I file another claim and it turns that that is also my fault, my insurance cost would surely increase. However, feeling that justice is on my side and I have a witness, I decided to put forward a claim.
What happened on Thursday
My insurance company adjusted called, and ask for detail. I told her everything I knew and I am hoping for the best. As I talk to her more, I found out more about what happen when there is a parking lot accident.
What happened on Friday
I got a call from the adjuster, she told me the witness's statement didn't help at all. I said what! Without letting me question on why, she told me that it will be a 50 / 50. Feeling stunt and feeling my insurance company not being able to help, I let the insurance company do the rest of the job.
Facts and advices about parking lot accident
- pretty much most of the parking lot accident are a 50/50 split. It is better to deal this matter yourself instead of file a claim.
- you don't need to get a appraisal from the police station if it is under $1000
- doesn't matter what is the magnitude of the claim, it will hurt your insurance record
- unless you are at forward gear, otherwise it is hard to justify who's right or wrong
- go to a police station and file a report no matter what because there will always be a dispute between you and the other party. It is better to go though the police instead getting your insurance company to help (think about this, in the end, insurance company only wants your money each time you file a claim)
- must get a witness, ask the witness what she saw and see if it matches your situation
- when you are backing out, if you saw someone is leaving behind you, yield the other person first, it is better to be "polite" than get into trouble.
- if you happen to see someone backing out while you are, just move your car back to the slot
- ask advices from your friends and family rather than deal this situation yourself. Other people may have better experience
After Thought
Life is not fair, that's the game. Every "little" decision you make can lead you to trouble. Avoid troublesome rather than fighting for right and wrong. In the end, no matter who's right or who's wrong, no one would cares about it much. Everyone will just do their job; the insurance company will file their claim; the party at fault always say they are right. Money rules everyone's behavior!
Comments