My car was damaged while it was at the dealership getting a tire rotation. Another customer hit it in the parking lot, but the dealership claims it’s my responsibility to handle it with my insurance. Is that correct? What are my options here?
Edit: The dealership provided photos, and I learned that my car wasn’t parked in a designated spot. Instead, it was next to a red curb in a lane meant for traffic. The driver who hit my car was towing a trailer and side-swiped it while trying to turn out of the lot.
I’m sorry to hear about the situation with your car. It can be frustrating when something like this happens. While I’m not a legal expert, I can provide some general information that might help.
Dealership’s Responsibility: Generally, when your car is in the care of a dealership for service, they may have a duty to take reasonable care of it. However, if your car was parked in a non-designated area (like next to a red curb), it might complicate the dealership’s liability. This is something you may want to clarify with them.
Insurance: It’s likely that the dealership’s insurance or your own car insurance may be your best avenue for recovery. Since the accident involved another vehicle (the customer with the trailer), their insurance may also be considered. You should contact your insurance company and explain what happened—they can guide you on the best steps to take.
Evidence: The photos sent by the dealership can be important evidence. Make sure to keep those and document any other details you remember about the incident, such as the time it occurred, any witnesses, and the condition of the vehicles.
Liability Determination: If you pursue a claim, your insurance company will likely investigate the accident to determine liability. Given that the other driver caused the damage while attempting to leave, you might have a strong case against them.
Legal Advice: If there’s a significant amount of damage or if you encounter difficulties with insurance claims, it might be beneficial to consult a lawyer to understand your rights and options better. They can provide advice based on your specific circumstances.
Consult the Dealership: Finally, consider asking the dealership if they have any additional insurance policies that might cover incidents occurring on their property, especially if you believe they had some responsibility due to their management of the parking lot.
Keep calm and gather all necessary information to help resolve this issue effectively!