I live in Houston, Texas.
I was recently visiting a friend who lives in a house on a cul-de-sac. This cul-de-sac is usually very crowded, so people there just grab any parking spot they can. I’m not sure what the proper term for this area is, but the cul-de-sac has one of those round, grassy areas in the middle of it encircled with a curb. I parked up against that, behind another vehicle that was already there, and joined my friend inside his home. (The car that hit me was not the car that I parked behind. The car that hit me was exiting from a driveway.) After being in his house for about 5 minutes, his grandmother alerted me that someone had backed into my vehicle. I went outside to see what was going on and saw his neighbors standing behind my vehicle with their vehicle half-way sticking out of their driveway.
I was immediately met with aggressive behavior from his neighbors, a middle-aged couple. They began to yell at me, telling me that I shouldn’t have parked in front of their house. (I was in between my friend’s house and their own. Either way, I was on city property, not their own.) The lady driving blatantly stated, “I backed into you because I’m not used to people parking behind me.” She clearly had enough room to back out and appeared to be somewhat ditsy. Her husband told me that I was “f**king stupid for parking there.” This man wouldn’t stop yelling, so I commonly said, “You don’t have to act like an ass towards me.” At this, he calmed down and apologized. We surveyed the damage to both vehicles. My vehicle had a horizontal crease along the back bumper and across the gas tank on the passenger side, paint scuffs, and large chunks of paint missing.
The lady’s husband told me that he worked at a car dealership and could have everything fixed for me. He gave me his business card, but I declined and instead asked to see his insurance information. Apparently, I pissed him off by asking to exchange information and he yelled at me that he didn’t have any car insurance. His wife got upset and began to yell at me, too. He brought out his home owner’s insurance instead. I attempted to copy his name, address, etc. down, but he wouldn’t allow me to physically hold the insurance paper even after I asked politely. The couple continued to yell at me, so I asked, “Could you both please just act like adults?” (I’m only 18.) While I was talking to this man, his wife drove off in the car that hit me. I got what little information I could and called my father to see what to do. He told me to leave if the people were getting aggressive, so I did.
We filed a police report and called the insurance company to explain what happened. They’re launching an investigation today, but I was wondering who is at fault? Keep the following in mind:
(1) There were no signs denoting that it was illegal to park where I did, and some aspects of traffic law aren’t exactly common knowledge.
(2) They did not have car insurance, so they were driving illegally.
(3) The lady that backed into me pulled out in the wrong direction. (She was trying to exit via the entrance side.)
(4) It was basically a hit and run. (The lady drove off before I was able to take pictures of her vehicle and get her plate number. I had my friend run some reconnaissance and got it later anyways : P)
I have about 5 witnesses that can attest that all of this is true on my behalf.
Thank you to anyone that gives me the time!
They hit a parked car the insurance company is going to say it was their fault no matter what.
The person who hit you is liable.
sounds like shes definitely at fault
yeah it’s their fault, they were just pissed because they don’t have insurance. you shouldn’t have to worry.
You are making it harder than it has to be.
If you were parked legally, he’s at fault for hitting a parked car. Period.
It is definately her fault. She’s got 2 witnesses and you have what? 5? and she was driving illegally and she did a hit and run…… its definately her fault so dont worry about it sweetie
Yeah, they are screwed. Contact an officer and make a report ASAP. You COULD be charged with leaving a scene now. Make sure to protect yourself. You were on city property-not private. It should be handled by the law. Make sure to inform the officer of them not having insurance too. They deserve the $500.00 ticket for being like that to you. Whatever you do, get a report filed! Your insurance company needs it too.
Its the fault of the person that ran into your vehicle. Not your fault.
The woman that hit you is responsible. Isn’t it mandatory ot have auto insurance in Texas? If it is, and they don’t have it, this could definitely cause some issues for them, They may have an “umbrella” policy which includes their home and auto together. Let the investigators do their job. It will be fine.