Falsely Accused of Hitting Another Car

LsyncTee on 07/08/2021 - 13:17
Last edited 08/08/2021 - 12:21 by 1 other user

Hi everyone,

Back in October 2020, I was parallel reverse parking into a spot in between two cars. The car parked in the spot behind me claimed that I hit their car whilst parking (supposed damage. However, my car has no damage, plus my bumper panels are rounded.

How could my rounded panels cause the damage/dents in the photo, and if so, the licence plate holder would have needed to be damaged first (which it isn't). After 10 months, my insurance company has just notified me that they've managed to find a witness who claimed that I did hit their car, and hit their car twice whilst parking. After 10 months!

My insurance company says that because they now have this witness that magically appeared from nowhere, we are liable to pay for the damages. I'm happy to pay for my mistakes, but in this case, I absolutely did not hit their car whilst parking, and there's no way my car could even do that kind of damage. It just doesn't make sense.

I feel like I am wrongly accused here and there's nothing I can do.

Can someone please let me know what my options are?

Thanks for your time :)

EDIT: Back in October 2020 when this "happened", we exchanged insurance details because according to the police, regardless of whether I hit them or not, they have the right to make a claim. I had their insurance company reach out to me, and even had a debt collector agency contact me, but I refused to pay as I was not at fault. I was surprised that they didn't reach out to my insurance company instead, which I eventually directed them to. Many months later, we are in this current situation where they've found a witness. Our insurance company has said that we can either pay the excess which is $650 or pay for their damage outright which is $660.

EDIT: Added link to right bumper. Yes it's scratched up but it's a 23 year old car; but nothing that could have made the dents on their car: (rear right bumper

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    bmerigan on 10/08/2021 - 21:46

    How about FIRSTLY if someone claims there's an accident then it's the law to exchange details. It's not an admission of anything.

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  jackspratt on 09/08/2021 - 00:02

  Why did the insurance companies keep "reaching out", rather than just contacting you?

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  screensaver on 09/08/2021 - 02:42

  One day I opened mu door and touched another car door beside me. The owner came out and said I had to pay. It was at a place where I had a vending machine. There was a tiny mark you needed a magniyting glass to see. I just paid the 450 He sent me 2 quotes I think

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  fishka2 on 14/08/2021 - 17:54

  Correct me if I’m wrong and slightly mid topic, but one has to only exchange details in case of an accident. If I know there was no accident, I would treat it as a non-event and wouldn’t exchange anything with anyone. Let them make a false police report and deal with people who have a bit more experience in fraudulent claims? If the police were to investigate, they would examine the evidence which is clearly non-existent and would not proceed with any charges. Following that, good luck to the scammer to chase you privately without your details. ..?

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  minniethemoocher on 18/08/2021 - 19:34

  Have you measured the point from the ground the damage is on the Ford Focus? Is it physically possible for you car even to damage that part of the car with your bumper? To me it looks unlikely and I agree it looks like tow bar damage. But did your car possibly touch theirs in the car park? Is that why you gave your details.

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  ItchyBallsack on 19/08/2021 - 20:39

  From the photos it doesn't look like the damage was done by OP's car. I would of just drove off in this situation as there was no accident. The Ford driver probably caused that damage on their own due to the PowerSHIT transmission launching themselves forward.

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