2 Car Doors Collided (Both Parked) - What Are My Options?

Uncle Roger on 16/12/2022 - 18:01
Last edited 16/12/2022 - 18:03

Hey all,

Parked at Aus Post to pickup some parcels, and as I opened my car door, it knocked into the open (?) door of the car next to me, leaving a scratch on their door.

Now I honestly have no idea if the other door was already opened (I don't think it was?), or if we both opened our doors at the same time.

The two passengers in the other car were a bit over-dramatic for what was clearly an accident ("oh my god!" etc), and immediately put the blame onto me. We have each others information etc, and she said she'd get a quote from her insurance company. (She also told me its probably not worth it to take it to insurance, and I could just pay her cash…)

For all I know, the other driver is at fault, but they're just pinning the blame on me, and there's nothing I can do. Alternatively, it could have completely been my fault! I obviously want to do the right thing, but just don't know what I can do in this situation.

I did notice a security camera trained right where our cars were parked, and I've contacted Australia Post to see if they could somehow provide footage from the time of the incident (doubt this will happen though).

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 16/12/2022 - 18:03
    +24

    You don't look where you're opening your door? Bit of a concern…

    • Uncle Roger on 16/12/2022 - 18:04
      +4

      I always look when I open my door, thats why I suspect we may have both opened our doors at the same time…

      • jv on 16/12/2022 - 18:09
        +11

        I always look when I open my door

        Doesn't sound like you did this time…

      • bdl on 16/12/2022 - 18:20
        +1

        Throw it to your insurance and try your luck - you may as well if you are considering paying the other party cash anyway.

      • Keplaffintech on 16/12/2022 - 19:18
        +11

        I honestly have no idea if the other door was already opened

        Wouldn't you have an idea if you looked?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 16/12/2022 - 21:20

      Perhaps OP was trying the 'Dutch Reach'.

    • HeWhoKnows on 18/12/2022 - 22:41

      Sounds like both are at fault here

  • bdl on 16/12/2022 - 18:19
    +6

    Fuiyoh! Camry damage la

  • nocure on 16/12/2022 - 18:25
    +4

    That'll buff out…

    • mattie on 18/12/2022 - 15:13

      I agree , rub with toothpaste or multi purpose thinners or jiff

  • Murkymerv on 16/12/2022 - 18:27
    -4

    Keep on pushing OZ post for the footage , although you were parked in their spot which is bookable in Vic !

    • Domingo on 18/12/2022 - 17:51

      Where did OP say they were parked in the mail zone?

  • Ocker on 16/12/2022 - 18:31
    +3

    Logically it would be the first car door that was opening would incur the damage. That is, the second door opened would strike the side panel of the first door?

    • jamesorion on 16/12/2022 - 18:47
      +5

      Not necessarily. Depends on the angle the already open door was at.

  • Drakesy on 16/12/2022 - 18:32

    Some people…

  • Ghost47 on 16/12/2022 - 18:33
    +1

    Fuiyoooo this sounds like a headache haiyaaaa.

  • sam-1966 on 16/12/2022 - 18:37
    +1

    Sounds like the start of a bad Hallmark Christmas movie…

    • jjjaar on 16/12/2022 - 21:18
      +2

      “They were both back in their hometown for the holidays…”

      “They met under the most random of circumstances…”

      “This holiday season, watch a miracle happen in: A Parking Lot”

      • Gowrie29 on 18/12/2022 - 13:44
        +1

        I've watched worse

  • randomusername2017 on 16/12/2022 - 18:43

    Interesting paintwork on that door though…

  • PissLUR on 16/12/2022 - 18:50

    do you have comprehensive insurance?

    • Uncle Roger on 16/12/2022 - 19:02

      Yup - Budget Direct

      • PissLUR on 16/12/2022 - 19:05
        +2

        i wont do anything unless their insurance started nagging you.

        • Herbse on 18/12/2022 - 14:16

          This. If they're convinced they can prove its your fault. They'll go down that route.

  • jv on 16/12/2022 - 18:52
    +7

    Without proof, the insurance will say 50/50 so you'll lose your excess…

  • Leanne59 on 16/12/2022 - 18:58
    +10

    Australia Post should be able to give you the information if it is captured on their cameras. My daughter had an issue where she moved out of the way at a red light to let an emergency fire truck and she was hit by the car in the next lane who insisted it was her fault. We called the local fire station and the next day they provided the information that showed he was in the wrong.

  • Davo1111 on 16/12/2022 - 19:11

    Now I honestly have no idea if the other door was already opened (I don't think it was?), or if we both opened our doors at the same time.

    on that basis, you are guilty.

    sorry

    Let insurance sort it.

    • figarow on 18/12/2022 - 14:21

      Don't be sorry.

  • core101 on 16/12/2022 - 19:14
    +3

    I assume your door is fine, as there is no photo. The longitude markings would suggest your door was moving across her paintwork. Consider her cash settlement offer vs cost going through insurance.

  • Muzeeb on 16/12/2022 - 19:31
    +1

    Just be grateful it wasn't your bonuts that collided.

    That would be some expensive shit.

  • l005e on 16/12/2022 - 19:36

    I think accidents in car parks are always 50/50 in the eyes of insurance company's.

  • p1 ama on 16/12/2022 - 21:05

    OP - in this case, you opened your car door into theirs because the edge of your car door hit the side of their door.

    Given how minor this damage is, I would say go with the cash settlement, but make her actually get a quote and if you want to be sure, just go to a body shop with your photo and get a ballpark figure of how much to expect.

  • djones145 on 16/12/2022 - 21:36

    two doors open at the same time to combine and crash together…
    omg did u guys turn super saiyan

  • pegaxs on 16/12/2022 - 23:10
    +1

    Both of you talking about involving insurance for something that would be fixed with some spit and a piece of rag.

  • backpaqer on 17/12/2022 - 08:00
    +3

    My wife once opened her door and the wind got hold of it and slammed it into the car next door. I hung around until the owner of the car turned up and offered to pay for repairs. It was coming up to Christmas and he said, it's only minor and to have a merry christmas. hopefully the same can happen here.

  • try2bhelpful on 17/12/2022 - 13:18

    Without proof it was you that scratched them I don’t see a court awarding damages for such a small scratch. That scratch could be fixed with a bit of touch up paint.

  • 2esc on 17/12/2022 - 20:32

    That doesnt look like a normal door edge impact they dont look like that!

    Pursue cctv footage but the angle may not show enough. I suspect you may of hit their door but damage doesnt look like normal door damage possibly already there and your coping yhe blame. Is there any marks on your door edge?

  • VehemenceThePhoenix on 18/12/2022 - 13:45

    You should have just checked if the door opening would meet up with that point when closed.

  • Willy Beamish on 18/12/2022 - 14:04

    Most likely waited for someone to park beside them and open door at same time to claim insurance, looks like they already don't take care of their car based on that picture.

    No claim to be made

  • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 18/12/2022 - 14:14

    Are you sure the damage was actually from your door and they are not trying to pin some pre-existing damage on you? Did you try opening your door afterward and confirm where it would have impacted?
    Years ago (back when car bumpers could withstand a low speed impact without damage) I rolled into the back of another car at a red light. We both got out and they were like "look at the damage you did", there was nothing on my car. I pointed out that some of the damage was rusted so clearly not new, and when I pushed my car up to the back of the other car it was obvious due to the height difference between my bumper and the impact damage that did not align that it could not have been caused by my impact. Gave them my details but never heard from them again.

  • Herbse on 18/12/2022 - 14:15
    +1

    Don't accept the blame, tell them if they want to go through insurance they can.
    If both doors were opened and you both have damage that can prove it then insurance will say its both parties fault.

    Don't let the squeaky wheel get the grease in this situation.

    This is a case of shit happens.

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