To forgive and forget, or not?

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I was just sitting in my car before work, relaxing and drinking coffee, when someone decided to back into the side of my car. They initially started to drive off, but saw me jump out with my phone. The guy came back and apologized. I’m a pretty chill person, and I’m thinking of just letting the whole thing go. He seemed like a decent guy. He didn’t drive off. The damage isn’t great. Am I being too easy going here? What would you do?

I do have his business card and a photo of his truck and license plate.

I just think that life is too short to get too upset about most things

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

He came back and apologised. If he Had come back and told you your carwas in the way (based off of previous information, it was not), then maybe I would have treated him differently.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Welll..... this will affect the resale value of your car going forward. Do you want to get it fixed? His insurance should pay for it, rather than it coming out of your pocket at some point in the future. It will cost over $1,000, not just a few hundred. It's entirely up to you. It won't come out of his pocket, if he has insurance, if that's what you're worried about. Personally I believe people should be responsible for the consequences of their actions. But it's your choice.

 

[The Moonshiner]

So he hit your parked car and was gonna drive off but didn't only after he realized you were in it and now outside of it with your phone in hand?
It also looks like some actual damage. No way I'd let it slide.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wouldn't let it go. That's a fair bit of damage, and honestly, I'd be real annoyed that they wouldn't have stopped if they hadn't seen you. I've been in cars that have hit parked cars, there's no way he hadn't felt the impact

 

[Canadian Wind]

Ditto, agree with Moony and Jacin. The guy might have seemed nice after he was 'caught', but he was gonna run.

Only problem is this was in a parking lot. That's considered private property. Over here that would mean I would have to claim through my own insurance. Don't know what the laws are where you are.

 

[aart]

Not sure a claim could be made against the guy without a police report.

 

[sourland]

Not sure a claim could be made against the guy without a police report.

Always involve the police. Trying to be a 'nice guy' cost the Princess on a parking lot accident - guy claimed it wasn't him even though she had his information.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Thank you all so much for your advice! It’s been a long day, so I’m going to sleep on it and deal with it tomorrow!

 

[getaclue]

I don't know about your laws there, but I'd let it slide. Just tell the insurance company you found it that way after you came back out from the store. Here, if it's a private business' parking lot which is considered private property, and it's just a "fender bender" the law oftentimes won't even fill out a report.