Car bumped while parked on street

**robinc** · 04-09-2012, 03:16 PM

Recently I've been noticing an increasing number of scrapes and bumps on my car from other cars parallel parking around me. I went out to my car this morning and noticed how close an SUV was parked to me in the front. I looked at my bumper and there was a new deep scrape at the top of my bumper and at the edge of the grill below my hood that matched perfectly to grooves on the SUV's bumper. I took some pictures and wrote down the plate. How do I go about dealing with this? I'm beyond fed up with the inept parking skills of my fellow Philadelphians and am pissed since this is the third time this week I've noticed large scrapes that can't just be buffed out because they include dents and go down to below the actual paint. Do I call the insurance company or the police? It seems a bit extreme to call the police but they hit my car and did nothing about it. Why do people think it's acceptable to hit other people's cars while parking? That I will never know.

Thoughts?

**LUCas** · 04-09-2012, 03:28 PM

Bumpers were made for bumping. If you don't want scratched and dinged bumpers from parking on city streets, don't park on city streets. Sorry, but that's the facts. If you want to deal with it, they have rubber protectors for your bumper, get them. Otherwise, suck it up.

**JBL** · 04-09-2012, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by LUCas

Bumpers were made for bumping. If you don't want scratched and dinged bumpers from parking on city streets, don't park on city streets. Sorry, but that's the facts. If you want to deal with it, they have rubber protectors for your bumper, get them. Otherwise, suck it up.

Have to admit, while I hate to do so, but LUCas is 100% right.

Outdoor Parking Bumper Protector, Bumper Protection, Rear Bumper Guard

These are honestly the best you'll ever do to protect your car. They're ugly, tacky (IMO) and a minor, but extra step every day/night you park (cold, rain, etc.), but they're about as good as you can do. Some solid protection in terms of a sealant may make it a bit more difficult for marks to appear, but it's a fact of life. In fact, it's gotten so far for me (I'm a car person, black car owner and try to be meticulous about it's condition), I've learned how to remove and replace the bumper cover. I'll live with it, but when it comes time to move the car on, I'll likely do something to that effect.

**seand** · 04-09-2012, 03:35 PM

I always pick up my car with one hand and gently lift it into tight spots avoiding all contact with other cars. Unless there is kryptonite in a 1/2 block radius.

**LUCas** · 04-09-2012, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by JBL

Outdoor Parking Bumper Protector, Bumper Protection, Rear Bumper Guard

These are honestly the best you'll ever do to protect your car. They're ugly, tacky (IMO)

I'll return the begrudged compliment and also agree 100%. Scratches and dings on your car bumper say "the owner of this car is a person who owns a car". One of those things hanging off your car say, "the owner of this car is a tool and I should key they crap out of the doors for the hell of it" (not me, but others would).

**JBL** · 04-09-2012, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by LUCas

I'll return the begrudged compliment and also agree 100%. Scratches and dings on your car bumper say "the owner of this car is a person who owns a car". One of those things hanging off your car say, "the owner of this car is a tool and I should key they crap out of the doors for the hell of it" (not me, but others would).

Not begrudgingly agreeing with YOU, begrudgingly agreeing with your statement that you just can't expect to have nice things in a city.

**emc** · 04-09-2012, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by LUCas

Bumpers were made for bumping. If you don't want scratched and dinged bumpers from parking on city streets, don't park on city streets. Sorry, but that's the facts. If you want to deal with it, they have rubber protectors for your bumper, get them. Otherwise, suck it up.

Sorry, agree with this. Called the cops once because a car had backed into and dented a bumper (the car was still parked in the bumper) and the cops came out but basically said "what do you want us to do? It's the city."

**Gladys** · 04-09-2012, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by JBL

Have to admit, while I hate to do so, but LUCas is 100% right.

Outdoor Parking Bumper Protector, Bumper Protection, Rear Bumper Guard

These are honestly the best you'll ever do to protect your car. They're ugly, tacky (IMO) and a minor, but extra step every day/night you park (cold, rain, etc.), but they're about as good as you can do. Some solid protection in terms of a sealant may make it a bit more difficult for marks to appear, but it's a fact of life. In fact, it's gotten so far for me (I'm a car person, black car owner and try to be meticulous about it's condition), I've learned how to remove and replace the bumper cover. I'll live with it, but when it comes time to move the car on, I'll likely do something to that effect.

good advice

Originally Posted by seand

I always pick up my car with one hand and gently lift it into tight spots avoiding all contact with other cars. Unless there is kryptonite in a 1/2 block radius.

LOLOLOLOLOL - i needed that.

Originally Posted by emc

Sorry, agree with this. Called the cops once because a car had backed into and dented a bumper (the car was still parked in the bumper) and the cops came out but basically said "what do you want us to do? It's the city."

Your only other recourse is to get a parking spot somewhere in a garage or something. If you are that concerned. Otherwise it's just going to happen over and over again and drive you crazy. The sisyphus of parking.

**kitkat492** · 04-09-2012, 06:50 PM

My car has been bumped and scratched over the years. The last one occurred in October and my neighbor saw them damage my car and then park right in front of me. Needless to say my neighbor wrote down the plate number and served as a witness which was helpful. A police report is needed if you decide to submit to your insurance company and attempt to have the negligent party be held responsible. Although, without a witness, it may be difficulty to prove.

**robinc** · 04-09-2012, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by kitkat492

My car has been bumped and scratched over the years. The last one occurred in October and my neighbor saw them damage my car and then park right in front of me. Needless to say my neighbor wrote down the plate number and served as a witness which was helpful. A police report is needed if you decide to submit to your insurance company and attempt to have the negligent party be held responsible. Although, without a witness, it may be difficulty to prove.

Thanks for the advice.

**robinc** · 04-09-2012, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by LUCas

Bumpers were made for bumping. If you don't want scratched and dinged bumpers from parking on city streets, don't park on city streets. Sorry, but that's the facts. If you want to deal with it, they have rubber protectors for your bumper, get them. Otherwise, suck it up.

Not everyone can afford to "suck it up" and not park on the street. If people could learn how to parallel park I wouldn't have these issues.

**It'sJessMe** · 04-09-2012, 11:06 PM

I'm a very good parallel parker but sometimes spaces are really tight. One day I was parking at my kids' school and gently bumped the car behind me - and I do mean gently. I barely felt it. Mind you, parking at school is not a stress-free situation - it's a major street, lots of parents are parking or leaving, the sun is always in the wrong spot, and there's often a truck across the street making it even more chaotic. Well, the mom of the car behind me happened to be standing there and just flipped - started screaming at me, "YOU BUMPED MY CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". She ran over and started inspecting her bumper intently and angrily. Well, there was nothing there, I park carefully and hadn't more than grazed it. She didn't know what to do with all that misplaced anger and just harumped away, but I thought it was so funny - does she really think that parking on a city street, her car is going to remain pristine?

**the mule** · 04-10-2012, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by LUCas

Bumpers were made for bumping. If you don't want scratched and dinged bumpers from parking on city streets, don't park on city streets. Sorry, but that's the facts. If you want to deal with it, they have rubber protectors for your bumper, get them. Otherwise, suck it up.

"Bumpers were made for bumping" - I hate when people say that because it excuses careless parking that damages someone else's valuable property. Bumpers weren't made so people could feel their way into parking spots, they're meant to protect you from an impact while in motion.

With that said, people are careless and if you park on the street in the city your car is guaranteed to get dents and scratches all over the bumper. If you're really concerned about it get one of those bumper badgers mentioned above. Count yourself lucky if that's the worst of it. I've had SUVs back into my front grill several times until it was completely destroyed, which then cost me $1000 to replace.

**robinc** · 04-10-2012, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by the mule

"Bumpers were made for bumping" - I hate when people say that because it excuses careless parking that damages someone else's valuable property. Bumpers weren't made so people could feel their way into parking spots, they're meant to protect you from an impact while in motion.

Thank you for that. It's something I find annoying as well. And thanks for your input.

**pdlt** · 04-10-2012, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by LUCas

Bumpers were made for bumping. If you don't want scratched and dinged bumpers from parking on city streets, don't park on city streets. Sorry, but that's the facts. If you want to deal with it, they have rubber protectors for your bumper, get them. Otherwise, suck it up.

If there were a "like" button I'd use it here. Absolutely agree. This is a major city and parking is tight. It is not "careless" to bump another car while parallel parking, it just happens sometimes and that's what bumpers are for. I'm a damn good parallel parker and tapping bumpers can't always be helped. It's just the reality of the situation. You can't expect to have immaculate, unscathed bumpers and live in the city. It's a shame but it's the reality and you can't get all pissed off at anyone who GENTLY bumps into your car in order to fit into a parking spot. Now if the other driver RAMS your car and causes real damage, it's a different story.

On the flip side of this issue are the A-holes that purposely take up 2 spots so that no one will be able to fit in front or back. Quite honestly, if I can, I do my best to squeeze my car in there. And usually I have to make use of my bumpers in order to fit into those extra tight spots.

**hubba1** · 04-10-2012, 09:40 AM

I also agree with the majority here, I am a great parker, and can get into a very tight spot... BUT sometime a very light tap will occur, I don't think mine are enough to do any damage, but it can happen I guess. Also, I have parked in a spot with some room, then come out the next morning and have cars on my ass and front end with just about no room, sorry- they are gonna get tapped in order for me to get out!

**guzzijason** · 04-10-2012, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by hubba1

I also agree with the majority here, I am a great parker, and can get into a very tight spot... BUT sometime a very light tap will occur, I don't think mine are enough to do any damage, but it can happen I guess. Also, I have parked in a spot with some room, then come out the next morning and have cars on my ass and front end with just about no room, sorry- they are gonna get tapped in order for me to get out!

Yep. I'm an experienced and well-practiced parallel parker. I typically have no problem getting into spaces without touching the other cars - including some spectacularly impossible spots that are *extremely* tight (just a few inches front and back). With that said, nobody's perfect, and every once in a while, a bumper gets bumped. Just the way it goes.

__Jason

**robinc** · 04-10-2012, 11:05 AM

Well now I don't have to wonder why there are so many dings on my car. Apparently other people don't extend the same courtesy that I do to them. I overestimate the distance between cars so that I don't tap them because tapping a car is hitting a car and can do damage no matter how lightly you do it. My post was made because I need to deal with someone who road up onto my bumper with their SUV because they thought they could fit into a spot meant for a smaller car. If you can't fit, don't park there. Apparently what I thought was a common courtesy is not at all.

**JBL** · 04-10-2012, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by robinc

Well now I don't have to wonder why there are so many dings on my car. Apparently other people don't extend the same courtesy that I do to them. I overestimate the distance between cars so that I don't tap them because tapping a car is hitting a car and can do damage no matter how lightly you do it. My post was made because I need to deal with someone who road up onto my bumper with their SUV because they thought they could fit into a spot meant for a smaller car. If you can't fit, don't park there. Apparently what I thought was a common courtesy is not at all.

*ding*ding*ding*

I hate to say it, but you're 100% right. I love my car--and all cars for that matter. I try my best to keep off of other peoples' cars and can confidently say that I've never caused any damage to anyone else's car. That being said, it was a very specific point that I made when I bougt a car that it'd be pre-owned (used), if only because I knew I wouldn't flip out as hard seeing dents and knicks on a used car as I would on my brand new off the floor car. I also refuse to buy a brand new car until I can afford the garage that fits it.

FWIW...I hear great things about DR. Colorchip, especially in terms of ease of use and color matching ability. Also, if I could do it all over again, I'd have gotten one of those leather car bras. Can't stand them on most cars, but I'd have to deal.