Who is liable for a dented car when its parked in one lot and the business next door has a garbage can hit it?

If the owner of the business next door was negligent in not properly securing the trash cans for the business and your car was damaged as a result of that negligence, then that business owner would be responsible to pay for the damages caused by his careless conduct. Dale Larrimore

You should file a claim with the business' general liability insurance carrier. It would appear that the business is liable for failing to properly secure their cans. Legal Disclaimer: Mr. Lundeen is licensed to practice law in Florida and Vermont. The response herein is not legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. The response is in the form of legal education and is intended to provide general information about the matter within the question. Oftentimes the question does not include significant and important facts and timelines that, if known, could significantly change the reply and make it unsuitable. Mr. Lundeen strongly advises the questioner to confer with an attorney in your state in order to insure proper advice is received.