Hi, I live in an apartment complex with an assigned parking space in a subterranean garage. I rarely drive (maybe once every or every other week?) and never really had any reason to inspect the passenger side of my car. Last weekend, I drove my car out during the day time and noticed several (rather severe) dings on the passenger side of my car.
I never really noticed them because it's on the passenger side plus my apt garage is poorly lit. I knew the dings were cause by my neighbor forcefully opening her driver side door because her car is assigned to the the adjacent parking space on my passenger side, all the markings were the same height (the "dings" were caused by the type of same car) and all the markings were white (her car is white). Moreover, since I rarely drive my car, it is almost always parked in my apartment garage.
Actually I'm not even sure if I should call the damage "dings"--the paint has chipped off at several places and the metal body actually has indented where she (my neighbor) hit with the edge of her car door.
I would like her to pay for the damages she incurred but I'm not sure how to do it since I've never experienced something like this before. I tried asking the building management but they didn't want anything to do with this. But if it happened on their property, shouldn't they be at least partially responsible? I am not sure..
This is the course of action I'm planning to take. Please let me know if I'm not taking the right or most efficient approach to handle this.
1. I want to explain the situation to the on-site management team, the management company, and the other party (my neighbor) in writing. Problem is, the management will not release my neighbor's unit number so I am not sure how to contact her. Furthermore, should I address what I expect from them (e.g. monetary compensation to cover the repair expense) in this letter or simply explain what happened?
2. If those three parties are unresponsive or refuse to pay for the damage, should I take this matter to small claim courts? I would like to avoid that if possible since I have no idea how small claims court operates...is there an alternative approach I should take?
3. When should I contact my insurance company regarding this issue--now or after the party or parties' refusal to pay?
For the time being, I requested that the management office arrange a different parking spot for my car. However, since I didn't want an open-roof parking spot, I have to wait for the first covered-spot to become available on Jan 1. You think this could be used against me?
I feel very lost since no one is willing to help me and I think it'll be completely unfair for me to pay for the body repair out of my own pocket. Please help! I appreciate your advice. Thank you!
I never really noticed them because it's on the passenger side plus my apt garage is poorly lit. I knew the dings were cause by my neighbor forcefully opening her driver side door because her car is assigned to the the adjacent parking space on my passenger side, all the markings were the same height (the "dings" were caused by the type of same car) and all the markings were white (her car is white). Moreover, since I rarely drive my car, it is almost always parked in my apartment garage.
Actually I'm not even sure if I should call the damage "dings"--the paint has chipped off at several places and the metal body actually has indented where she (my neighbor) hit with the edge of her car door.
I would like her to pay for the damages she incurred but I'm not sure how to do it since I've never experienced something like this before. I tried asking the building management but they didn't want anything to do with this. But if it happened on their property, shouldn't they be at least partially responsible? I am not sure..
This is the course of action I'm planning to take. Please let me know if I'm not taking the right or most efficient approach to handle this.
1. I want to explain the situation to the on-site management team, the management company, and the other party (my neighbor) in writing. Problem is, the management will not release my neighbor's unit number so I am not sure how to contact her. Furthermore, should I address what I expect from them (e.g. monetary compensation to cover the repair expense) in this letter or simply explain what happened?
2. If those three parties are unresponsive or refuse to pay for the damage, should I take this matter to small claim courts? I would like to avoid that if possible since I have no idea how small claims court operates...is there an alternative approach I should take?
3. When should I contact my insurance company regarding this issue--now or after the party or parties' refusal to pay?
For the time being, I requested that the management office arrange a different parking spot for my car. However, since I didn't want an open-roof parking spot, I have to wait for the first covered-spot to become available on Jan 1. You think this could be used against me?
I feel very lost since no one is willing to help me and I think it'll be completely unfair for me to pay for the body repair out of my own pocket. Please help! I appreciate your advice. Thank you!
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