About 3 months ago I was getting into my car at my apt building when a woman came over to my car and knocked in a very upset manner. I thought it was some kind of emergency, but no, she says I hit her car with my door. I was surprised, because I had just gotten in and if I had done it, didn't realize. I said as much, trying to be apologetic. She started freaking out about the paint on her car. She was looking all over the door and finds a speck of paint the color of my car (white), about 1 mm by maybe 4 mm. It was honestly tiny. In retrospect, I should have seen if it lined up with my car door but it was such a small speck that I thought she would calm down about it later - there was no dent at all, just a tiny piece of paint that may have been from my car, who knows. I apologized a lot since she seemed upset and I was in a hurry to get to work, then gave her my email.

Anyway, I thought she seemed to be going a bit overboard at the time, saying she would have to repaint the whole door. I just told her to contact me.

Now, 3 months later she leaves a note on my car saying I have failed to "come to a settlement" - which is inane, because she never contacted me. I kind of assumed she came to her senses, but no. Now, I really wish I had handled this differently, because I have no clue if I caused ANY damage at all, and I don't know if I should ignore her or what. I'm not trying to duck responsibility here, but I'm also very suspicious of the whole thing, especially if she went out and got her door repainted without going through insurance. Any legal minds want to tell me where I stand here?

I'm not a lawyer. But I would talk to your insurance company and see what they say.

IMO just ignore her. There's no way after 3 months she can demonstrate that any damage came from you or your car.

Not to mention, if the white spot on her car is paint from someone else's car, it should come off with a fingernail or at worst a clay bar (about $16-18). If you really want to screw with her, sneak out late with a clay bar and clean off the spot. When she brings it up next, just say "what spot?"

(11-23-2010 01:53 PM)texd Wrote:  Not to mention, if the white spot on her car is paint from someone else's car, it should come off with a fingernail or at worst a clay bar (about $16-18). If you really want to screw with her, sneak out late with a clay bar and clean off the spot. When she brings it up next, just say "what spot?"

haha. I haven't looked for her car, but I may now to see if there even is a spot. I had honestly forgotten all about it.

Thanks for the advice, all. I normally prefer to be straight up with people, but I guess in this case it's more prudent just to ignore her. I've managed to quell my anger that someone would sit around worrying about a paint spot for 3 months while I donno, just about anything else is going on in the world, but hey I drive a crappy BMW, maybe I just don't know the state of constant anxiety induced by driving a 'trailblazer with a custom paint job.' heh.

If you can find her car, take photos. You will want to show the lack of any damage. Get a newspaper in the photo so you can prove the date too. You don't want her to go key it afterwards and claim you damaged it.

I drive a rather large truck and once rubbed my tire across the quarter panel of a parked car. I left a note with my phone number and subsequently got a phone call. (The woman was very nice so I can't relate to the craziness with which you're dealing.) She said she had gotten an estimate for $200 and she didn't care whether we involved the insurance company. I told her I would be happy to pay for the repairs and leave the insurance company in the dark. She wanted me to write her a $200 check. I told her I would only pay the repairman directly and that she would have to sign a letter saying I had fulfilled my duty. I never heard from her again.
It very well may be the case that she just wants you to give her some money.
If I were you I would be nervous she may damage your car in retaliation since she seems to live in your apartment complex. Perhaps you should go the route of having her get an estimate for an agreed upon repair (if you did in fact damage her car) and then see if it is really worth it to her to put the car in the shop and be inconvenienced. If she realizes she won't be getting paid, she may just drop it.
People...they're the worst!

"People...they're the worst!"


Not always. A good friend was recently involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler. His SUV was pretty much totaled, and he suffered a broken rib. Before this, he was suffering from a bad back. He said a lot of his friends want him to sue and some even think he should seek compensation for his back. His response was, "How could they suggest that?" and that he would be happy with a fair settlement for his car.

(11-23-2010 03:59 PM)JSA Wrote:  "People...they're the worst!"


Not always. A good friend was recently involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler. His SUV was pretty much totaled, and he suffered a broken rib. Before this, he was suffering from a bad back. He said a lot of his friends want him to sue and some even think he should seek compensation for his back. His response was, "How could they suggest that?" and that he would be happy with a fair settlement for his car.

Just a Seinfeld quote, JSA. I like people just fine. In fact, some of my best friends are people.

Good for your friend.