Guy banged my car with his car door, WWYD?

[walkdmc]

I have a 2011 Buick Enclave. I parked next to a truck today while I shopped. Upon returning to my car, I saw the man in the truck next to mine shut his car door and walk away. I noticed a large ding (aobut a quarter-size) in the back door, with either paint missing, or a smudge of paint off his truck (rubbing the spot didn't clue me in). I didn't see the incident but know it happened while we were in that store since I helped my kids in and out of the car and it wasn't there when we went in. The truck was there when we parked and when we returned to the car. Anyway, I called the (non-emergency line) police. An officer came out. As the cop was approaching my car to look at the damage, the driver of the truck showed up. I pointed out the ding and scratch to the driver and in front of the cop he said, "I'm sorry, the wind got a hold of my door. What do you need, my insurance card?"

Anyway, the officer wrote up our contact info, collected the man's insurance info., copied it on a paper and gave us each a copy. There was no report of what happened. When we split, I told the driver I'd take the car to a body shop for an estimate and call him. He asked me to take it to "my guy" and pulled out a business card of someone he's used before.

I have an estimate scheduled for tomorrow, with "his" guy, then I plan on calling the man. I'm nervous. Without a police report that indicates what happened, what prevents the other person from denying his involvement?

If you have experience with this type of situation, what happened?

 

[seashoreCM]

You do not have to use "his guy".

File a claim with his insurance company. With a copy marked "information only" across the top and bottom borders to your insurance company.

A small claims court judge will make the final decision if you so choose after failing to resolve it sooner. Said judge may use body language to help him in his decision.

Even though the policeman did not make a report, the fact he saw you will be recorded on the "police blotter" or log sheet at headquarters. The fact that the police were called will have at least one iota of strength in your favor.

 

[soccerchick]

If he denies it, your insurance company will deal with his. We had a similar incident at my BFF's house. She was having a party and we had to park on the street. Her neighbor across the street backed out of his driveway and into the side of our van, which was ridiculous since her street is very wide - shouldn't have been an issue at all. He denied it at first. We filed and our insurance got his to pay.

I hope you took pictures on your cell phone too. Document everything in cases like this - time, place, exact location, officer's name, etc.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Door dings are annoying. But is it really worth the deductable and possible increase in your insurance payment to file a claim? Maybe he asked that you give it to "his guy" so he'd cover the cost out of his own pocket?

 

[akcire]

The fact that he asked you to use "his guy" sounds like he is accepting responsibility. If the events happened in the order that you stated above, the man admitted liability in the presense of the police officer. If you find that you have a problem you can always get a statement from the police officer--I am assuming you go his contact information along with the insurance information.