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Can she blame this door ding on me legally?
Anonymous2 views4 answers
Hi, i was contacted about the car next to mine in our apartment complex about having a door ding and the same color paint as my car on it. She suggested we deal with this without cops or insurance, it is a minor ding. I did not cause this ding, and there is no new physical marks, paint transfer, dents on the edge of my door whatsoever. The only thing tieing me to this is that the paint is the same color. I did not admit fault, or agree to pay her damages, simply suggested getting the repair priced. When she did this, she removed the yellow paint tieing my car to this. She says she took pictures of it and had other people verify that the paint was the same color. What proof is NEEDED to put this on my car/me legally? What will happen if she does contact police? Thank you
The police are extremely unlikely to be interested in this incident. Not only would it be almost impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were responsible, even if you did it, it you didn't realize it there is no crime in that. Now if someone saw you damage her car, then you stared at if for a while then slinked away....that would be a problem.
On the civil side, she could sue you and if she can prove its more likely than not, (that is 51% or more likely that YOU created the dent) then she could get a judgement against you and you'd have to pay. She may have evidence such as a chemical analysis of your paint and the paint transfer to her car. Or someone who saw you do it. Or even evidence that you ALWAYS park next to her and there was a visual match of the paint may be enough to convince someone to 51%.
Most likely she cannot prove that it is your car. Are you the only person who parks/drives your car? If not you might want to ask that other person as well.
I wouldn't worry too much about this.
Most likely nothing will happen. You deny doing it and there are no witnesses. Further, she removed the paint which seems to be her only evidence and which was circumstantial at best.
