MemberPeople sometimes “bump” cars when parallel parking… it happenes. But if you bumped a car and nicked their bumper a bit, are you legally responsible for contacting the person and paying for the knick?
What do you think?
Memberuh, yeah. i would be TICKED if someone “bumped” my car from parallel parking. to me, a “bump” is a “hit” if it leaves any kind of mark!
MemberYes. While some bumps don’t leave a noticable blemish, it will lead to spiderwebbed paint. You should leave your info.
MemberYeah. I don’t know about legally — I would assume that yes, you legally have to. Either way, I think it would be really unethical not to.
Did you do a bump-and-run, or are you just curious?
ETA: After reading the other comments, I feel I need to add that I do NOT live in a big city or crowded area, and I rarely have to parallel park. I can’t say for sure about the ethics of ‘bumping’ in the city.
MemberUhm, I’m able to parallel park without hitting anything. I expect others to do the same. A little tiny accidental bump is no big deal, but if it leaves a mark that’s a problem. I don’t know about legally, but ethically if you hit someone’s car you should leave your info.
ETA: If you leave a mark on an unattended car, I’m pretty sure that counts as a hit and run. I lived in Montreal city most of my life and not myself, nor my friends, nor my parents ever routinely bumped other cars while parallel parking. If I can’t fit in to a spot, I park farther away and walk.
Member@kelly105: I have not “bumped” anyone while doing this..but if there was no damage then I personally wouldnt bother. I mean, if theres nothing noticeable what are they going to say? “Oh you hit my car but theres no damage..so bye.”
Member@kittybean: You obviously don’t live in a city. people bump cars when parallel parking all the time. That is why this is such a grey are for me.
I mean, that’s why it’s called a bumper?
MemberI dont know legally what the case is, but if someone hit my car I would be so pissed. I would want them to contact me and if it were me I would contact them.
MemberIn my neighborhood, if you don’t get home from work before 5pm, you’re not going to get a parking spot within 4 blocks of your house. If there is a parking spot that you can fit in, you do it – even if it means tapping other cars.
MemberMy old driver self would have said “Eh, whatever.” But someone backed into my car at the movies and completely smashed in the right side on my bumper and didn’t leave a note and that sucked. But then if there’s no damage at all and you leave your info, they could try to squeeze money out of you to “avoid going through the insurance companies” as a friend of mine found out the hard way. She tapped a guy’s car parking and left a note with her info, the guy’s wife called back and said “Just cut us a check.” They wanted $400 bucks and there was barely a scratch on it. She gave them the money to make it go away but questioned whether it was worth it. I think she did the right thing, but honestly it could have probably been buffed out with a rag.
MemberAnyway, guys. I’m not really trying to defend myself and my opinion… I’m just trying to see what the general public thinks about this situation.
It seems like everyone here would be super pissed if their car got tapped. My car gets tapped so often, I just ignore the nicks now. I just accepted that I live in the city and it’s going to happend.
MemberI would expect someone to leave their contact information if there was an obvious blemish or bump and vice versa for myself!
MemberMember@KatyElle: Yeah, I have a similar situation. I gave the woman my phone number and told her I would take care of it. But if she comes at me with a $400 bill I will get my insurance company involved. I mean, my Fiance got his entire bumper replaced for $500!
MemberGetting bumped is to be expected in the city. I’m from a small town in NC where it never really happened, but when I moved to Philadelphia, I realized that this would be a risk simply from owning a car in a city where street parking is the standard in most neighborhoods.
Oh, and don’t let me get started on the number of times that my side mirror has been knocked off when I park on a narrow street! I have to keep hy-poxy on hand just to be prepared for the days when I walk to my car and the mirror is just hanging by the electrical cord. I drive an older ford focus and can’t fold in the side mirrors :-/