I scraped another car in my apartment's parking lot, but they were partially in my space. Who is at fault?

Question

I was backing my car out of my parking space this morning in my apartment's parking lot when I scraped the side of the car next to mine. However, the other car was partially in my space. I drove awya without leaving a note (I should have left one). I am going to go home and eventually leave a note.

Can the other person get the police involved before I can leave a note, or will the police be unable to get involved since this happened in my apartment's parking lot?

Who is at fault here? I backed into the other person's car, but the other car was partially in my space (which I didn't notice at the time). If the police can't get involved, then who determines fault?

Answer 1

Tell the truth -- do you really think you're allowed to damage somebody's car just because they encroached over the line a little bit?  or even a lot.  Come on.  Why didn't you just get out & slash the tires?  If you get home today and there's a strange car in your spot, are you justified in setting it on fire?

You're already at risk for hit & run, or "leaving the scene" or whatever they call it.

Answer 2

If the other vehicle was stationary, you are at fault, as the onus is on you to allow enough room to pass the car without contact.

If you don't make the owner aware, either by leaving a note, or by leaving your details at the police station within 24 hours, and the other driver phones the police to report it, you risk being charged with failing to report an accident. You will get a fine and points on your licence, and there is a chance that your insurer could increase your premiums when they find that you have points on your licence.

Answer 3

If you hit a parked car while your driving who do you think is at fault?

Answer 4

I am afraid that you have behaved badly. You should have seen the person concerned and exchanged details. Legally you are to blame because yours was the moving vehicle. You can complain that the other car was parked where it shouldn't have been but the onus is on a driver to take due care and to be observant.

If the police have been informed it will make your case much more serious. They could argue that you drove away to hide the fact that you had had too much alcohol etc.

Exchange details with the person. Do not admit liability, although it will be hard to deny this. Then your insurance companies will deal with the matter. You will probably lose your no-claims bonus and find that next year your premium is much more.

Answer 5

Your at fault> Hope they didn't file a police report? As leaving the seen is not a good thing>

Bring your check book$$$

Answer 6

You are at fault. You hit a stationary object. It doesn't matter where it was parked, or whether you didn't notice it.