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<p>Really? Where?<<</p>
<p>From the original message: And in one sense, I did cause the damage to her car. But I feel she is partly (at least) to blame because she parked her car so close to mine. </p>
<p>Seems that the OP is claiming an excused damaging of the car that would negate liability.</p>
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<p>This is key. Are you sure that you didn’t look at the other’s car door after you got in, even a cursory look? You probably would have looked over there after you saw your door touch the other door. You might have seen that there was no dent at the spot that your car door touched her car door. Maybe you saw other dents in the door that were already there.</p>
<p>In the alternative, I agree with zipyourlips–I’d see if your door matches up with their dent. Paint transfer may not have happened–the dent could well have been a dimple that can be “pulled out.”</p>
<p>Do people really get that upset about dings on their cars? Isn’t it just a part of owning a car? My car has two or three dings/marks from what I gather are shopping carts/and or doors, and one bigger dent. </p>
<p>I have never considered tracking down the people responsible for them, not only would it be impossible, I just think of it as part of normal wear and tear.</p>
<p>If I were that much into the condition of my car, I would never drive it. And then what use would it be?</p>
<p>As for people parking so close to another car that it is impossible to get into that car without damaging the one that parked too close, I have never crawled across the passenger seat or through the back, unless they have parked so close that I physically have to. If someone does a crap ass parking job they deserve whatever happens to their car.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how opening your door could’ve caused a dent. Yes, a small scratch PERHAPS if you opened it quickly, but never a dent. Something tells me that you are being used as an excuse to fix her car.</p>
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It can definetly cause a dent. it won’t be a huge one but it can easily dent the metal in which will require more than touch-up paint to fix. A car door is pretty heavy and when it swings on its hinges and impacts another car, usually on a curved part, it’ll definitely dent it. </p>
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I’m less than happy if I get a ding in my car. I don’t consider it par for the course. I agree that it’s a risk but I go out of my way so they don’t happen. There are definitely other drivers who don’t seem to care at all though given the way they park and pop their doors open regardless of other cars around them and the way they park too close to other vehicles. Some people seemingly care little for the appearance of their vehicles.
It sounds as if your car is one of those I try to stay away from. :)</p>
<p>Note that I drive an old classic car every day so I’m more careful than most but I’ve always been that way even with the family car.</p>
<p>“I have never considered tracking down the people responsible for them, not only would it be impossible, I just think of it as part of normal wear and tear.”</p>
<p>I’ve been hit from behind with some scratches to the bumper and have lots of door dings but I just consider it wear and tear. The amount of time and money that it would cost to repair certain things would not be a net benefit to me or the person causing the damage. And I take a risk when parking in lots where there are lots of children being carted around.</p>
<p>Of course I keep my cars to 200,000+ miles and you do accumulate scratches and dings along the way.</p>
<p>It’s that first scratch or ding that hurts the most. After that, it’s all downhill (particularly for those of us carting kids around in our minivan or SUV).</p>
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<p>Isn’t that the truth! I refuse to drive H’s car until it has had its first scratch or ding.</p>
<p>We were at Whole Foods today and I had just put the groceries in the trunk and was in the driver’s seat. A car pulled up on the left and parked, rather close to us. There wasn’t anyone in her space to the right - it was an open spot. She opened her door without looking and, of course, it banged into ours. She looked out her window and saw all of us staring at her. She was an older lady and looked horrified. So she closed her door, waited a moment, then opened it carefully and then went to shop.</p>
<p>I tend to be very careful opening my door and I do have a protective strip. I didn’t bother checking for damage as it had been a long day and I had a few trips yet to make.</p>
<p>“It sounds as if your car is one of those I try to stay away from.”</p>
<p>LOL. You are safe parking next to me. I am very respectful of the cars next to mine as long as they are parked properly, i.e. not so close that I have to bang my door into them to get into mine.</p>
<p>Is the other car dented, paint scratched or both? If it is just a dent with no accordian pleats (shouldn’t be with this type of situation) it can be inexpensively removed with magnets. Do get together with your accuser (preferably with a parent too) and compare the damage to the height and location of where your door could have potentially impacted the other car.</p>