This has happened to me a few times. This time it was not really in my control at all as I was on the other side of the car and my Dad's GF was with Hip Hop on that side of the car.
What do you say to someone that gets out of the car and starts bitching at you about your car door bumping their car? I mean obviously we try to not have that happen. Sometimes though the kids slip up and it happens. Sometimes I slip up occasionally and misjudge the distance and it happens. **** happens as they say. We certainly do not do it on purpose. I never cared if someone does it to us as long as it was not intentional.
Well I guess I can remember 2 times when someone has jumped out of the car and yelled at us about it. One time it was my door and I did not even realize it touched her car but she said it did. The other time was this weekend with Hip Hop and again I did not even notice it. I mean you can say "Sorry" but what do they really expect beyond that? Do people really file insurance for something like that? They jumped out and yelled without even looking to see if it left a mark and as far as I know it didn't leave a mark. But they are just mad about it anyway. I would think you would want to check for a mark before yelling at someone about it. Especially when it was a child who did it.
I have never said anything to anyone about this ever. It definitely has happened to me where someone bumped my car with their door and I was sitting in the car, but I figured its an accident no big deal. Did not see the need to say anything to them about it.
I don't know how I would respond. As long as it was a gentle bump and not a slammed into, I would just let it roll off and go on about my day. I am usually extra careful to set my door against the neighboring vehicle if I know it is a tight fit to get out so that it can't cause damage.
There's nothing you can say other than "I'm sorry". I would look to make sure there isn't a new dent. If so, I'd offer to call the police so "we can get a police report for the insurance claim". If not, I'd probably offer to get mall security for them, so they can 'report my horrible deed'. Hopefully the blowhard would see that they were being ridiculous. If not, you've got the threat of someone on the way to keep you safe if needed. Then I'd be very obvious about writing down their license plate number to prevent revenge dents and walk on.
Good plan Winds. I usually just mumble an "I'm sorry" and try to get the heck out of there as quickly as possible. I could understand them being upset if it actually did leave a dent or took off paint but they come out yelling before they even look at the car so that is what is so odd about it the two times it happened. You have to hit a car pretty freaking hard to really leave a mark. You would think they would at least check for damage before freaking out. That is why I kinda just book it out of there because I wonder about their sanity.
I think it depends on how you say you're sorry. If you just mumble, "oh...sorry" and walk away, I'd be kind of P.O.ed too.
I've been on both sides of it. If a person sincerely apologizes, I feel better about letting it go. But some people are so rude, they act like it's my fault because I was parked there. My car should've gotten out of there way.
It's happened to me before, once as I was getting out of my car the wind caught my door and whacked the car next to me. I was horrified and apologized immediately. I checked for damage, and though there wasn't any, I apologized again.
I think it depends on how you say you're sorry. If you just mumble, "oh...sorry" and walk away, I'd be kind of P.O.ed too.
I've been on both sides of it. If a person sincerely apologizes, I feel better about letting it go. But some people are so rude, they act like it's my fault because I was parked there. My car should've gotten out of there way.
It's happened to me before, once as I was getting out of my car the wind caught my door and whacked the car next to me. I was horrified and apologized immediately. I checked for damage, and though there wasn't any, I apologized again.
If the car obviously whacked into it I would apologize. But in both instances I did not even realize the car door touched their car so it had to be a minor hit or I am just super unobservant. I would assume since it did not leave a mark it would seem to be more likely to be a minor hit. I would not think I would need to apologize for a minor bump because it is just so not even on my radar. Like with so much going on in my head I would not even notice a tiny tiny bump happening.
If you are super sensitive about your car getting touched at all then it is kinda on you that you parked next to other people.
I think you should apologize, and not a mumbled "Sorry," but a sincere, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump your car." If the person continues after that, ask if they want to call the police to report an accident, and then you can exchange insurance information. Hopefully that will get them to drop it.
That's happened to me once (that I had an altercation over a door tap). From your OP, it sounds like this is happening to you kind of frequently? If so, then you need to be more careful and teach your kids to be more careful. Is your car large?
2 times in like 10 years is not what I would call frequently. What would be the honest point of exchanging insurance info if there was no damage to the car? Same with calling the police? I mean could you explain what would we even tell the police or insurance people or why you would think they would need to be involved?
My car is a standard sedan. So my car is actually smaller than most peoples around here. If the door is hitting it is usually because they have a large car. We live in the land of giant SUVs, Hummers, Suburbans, giant Ford F250s, etc.
IMO, the point in offering the police to file an accident report is that, if it's a serious issue, you are willing to be responsible and deal with it. But if it's not a serious issue and they just want to vent, then you aren't willing to put up with that.