I can feel the bad critics coming, but I need advice.

[Andy.B]

You have insurance, he has insurance, call them. This is what it's for. When I was in college, I had a classmate rear end me while I was stopped at a redlight. He was probably fiddling with his phone, but who knows. He tried sob stories, bullying, confrontation, etc, to try and get me to let him have his uncle 'fix' the car and leave insurance out of it. I stood firm, called the police, and went through insurance, and not surprisingly, the car was totalled. (He hit me hard enough to push my car into the semi trailer in front of me. Both the front and rear of the car where smashed).

I know it's too late now, but I always call the police to write a report in the event of an accident, whatever the damage, whomever is at fault. You never know what kind of crazy/scumbag you are dealing with, and documentation is critical to protect yourself.

I would just give her your insurance information, and tell her to contact them. You are not obligated to hand over money.

[dishwab]

I'll be another one to jump on board and say DO NOT be held to ransom by this woman. If she wants the money and her case for it is legitimate (i.e.: it's truly your fault) let her go through the proper channels.

[kickinindian]

Alright I managed to muster this up for you guys so you can get a visual.
This is legitimately my schools parking lot, the black circle is my car in the actual spot I park in everyday and the arrow is in the direction i'm backing out. the red arrow is the cavalier. Now the blue circles are where cars are located in between me and seeing the cavalier approaching, tomorrow when I see the footage I will see exactly the cars in the exact positions since that's a little hazy in my memory.

what kind of asshole paints a football field on asphalt?!

[anabolice30]

stupid highschool kids shouldn't ..........

1, if you're at fault then she is required to get three quotes and you only have to pay the lowest.

2, usually but not necessarily the person backing up is at fault.

3, by not involving the law there is no way of telling who's fault it is, if she wants to pursue this she will have to take it to court.

4, do not pay her a dime, do not agree to anything except that it was an accident and that at the very least you split the cost of both of the damages.

This, and honestly sounds like they owe you.

[brent5631]

what kind of asshole paints a football field on asphalt?!

About every band program in america... Easy to practice positions on concrete.

Yes I admit the band nerd is overflowing here...

[Fusion]

I bet it used to be mom's car and she has feelings for that crapbox.

[Eddie Lives On]

I'll be another one to jump on board and say DO NOT be held to ransom by this woman. If she wants the money and her case for it is legitimate (i.e.: it's truly your fault) let her go through the proper channels.

This.

Here's my take. First off, find out how accidents in parking lots are handled in Colorado. Where I live, parking lots are no-faults. If this is your case too, then just shove the proper documentation down her throat and be done with it.

Second, it's just a POS Cavalier. A bumper is probably $50 at a junkyard anyway.

Helpful link #1
Helpful link #2

Link #1 says to seek advice from a legal professional, but link two was answered by a legal professional. If you want to take it a step further and confirm for yourself, feel free to do so.

That being said, YOU are an involved party, and you ARE aware, so no need to tell her. At that point, I'd print something out stating the below, so if she's less of a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffles that time around, have the kid as well as the mom and yourself sign two copies. Simply let her know that you will fix your car and her son can fix his, but that you are not going to pay for his, nor will you ask them to pay for yours. Preferably do this in writings AND record the encounter, if she's out of PMS that is.

I'd also park somewhere where the cameras work, just in case the kid tries to damage your car out of spite. You'll pay for your stuff and be done with it. If she's stupid enough, she'll take it to court. At that point, if you win, you can always get paid back for the repairs you have done to your car.

Good luck

Edit: Pics of the mom. Also, I'm sure you have her phone number by now, so bang her once this is settled.

[downforce22]

Dang sorry to hear, good luck!

[Conki]

It depends. Usually, if a person is backing out of a parking spot, they have right of way.

? No.

But in this situation, if he started backing out before the Cavalier turned onto the isle, then he had the right of way.

[gtdragon980]

? No.

But in this situation, if he started backing out before the Cavalier turned onto the isle, then he had the right of way.

That is pretty much what I meant. If his car was already sticking out of the parking spot before the cavalier approached, he has right of way.

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[vertbmw]

Like others said do not admit fault or pay anything. If she persists get a supena for small claims court for damages for your car.Most people would back off when there is a possable loss on their side. It costs like20 bucks once she can see you a serious she will let.it go.

[Conki]

That is pretty much what I meant. If his car was already sticking out of the parking spot before the cavalier approached, he has right of way.

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If the Cavalier was already in the isle, moving towards him, then the Cavalier had the right of way. In this specific situation it is possible that the Cavalier was at fault.

However it is safe to say that in a similar accident the person backing out of the parking spot is to blame 99% of the time. You stated the opposite. The car traveling in its lane has the right of way, the parking or "unparking" car has to wait.

[Zreberlcoe]

Alright tonight I'm going to have the kids mom call us and we are going to tell her we need her insurance information and that I am not at fault and we are not paying her for anything because there is no proof that I am at fault nor is he.

[gtdragon980]

If the Cavalier was already in the isle, moving towards him, then the Cavalier had the right of way. In this specific situation it is possible that the Cavalier was at fault.

However it is safe to say that in a similar accident the person backing out of the parking spot is to blame 99% of the time. You stated the opposite. The car traveling in its lane has the right of way, the parking or "unparking" car has to wait.

It depends. Usually, if a person is backing out of a parking spot, they have right of way. At the same time, you cannot just assume right of way and back out without making sure the area is clear.

I realize that I probably shouldn't use the term "right of way". You are right, the car traveling would have the right of way. In reality, when you back out of a parking spot, you should always be looking for oncoming cars, but in some cases, it is not feasible say if you are in your e30 and there are two Expeditions parked on either side. This will greatly limit your visibility, allowing you only the use of the rear window until you've backed out far enough to see the sides.

This poses a problem because well, you don't have the "right of way" but, you also cannot see if there are oncoming cars. That is where insurance companies come into play to determine fault. If you see a car sticking out of a parking spot, slowly moving further, you would naturally stop and allow them to continue. Sure, you have right of way and can continue, but then this poses a risk of an accident due to the person backing out being unable to see. Some insurance companies will put the driver passing at fault because they failed to avoid an accident. Anywho, I stand corrected about the right of way thingy!

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[GT BMW E30]

hold up........... assigned parking. Do you mean assigned section for students to park or you have your own parking space? This young generation is getting over. lol Anyway I say your wrong. Due to not paying attention. Being aware of surroundings. Seems like other kid was not paying attention either.