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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - pavement parking

110 replies

thisisme2468 · 27/08/2019 17:57

I’m a wheelchair user. Yesterday I was travelling along the pavement in my chair and there were 2 cars parked half on the pavement half on the road. As I passed the 2nd, which was further onto the pavement than the 1st my wheel clipped the low wall in the hedge which made the chair bounced and the car ended up getting scratched. I did the right thing, knocked on the door and gave them my details. But I’ve now had a quote back for the repair and it’s £360 which I just don’t have. AIBU to feel aggrieved at having to pay out when the car was causing an obstruction in the first place?!

OP posts:
InterestingView · 27/08/2019 17:59

Why did you give your details? 100% their fault for parking so far onto the pavement. I wouldn't pay.

Soubriquet · 27/08/2019 17:59

Don’t pay

Their own fault really

HiJenny35 · 27/08/2019 18:00

Personally I wouldn't pay. They shouldn't have been obstructing the pavement. Did you take photos of the damage, how it was parked etc.

Original poster
thisisme2468 · 27/08/2019 18:02

I got photo of the damage but not how it was parked as he had to move it for me to get the chair out again!

OP posts:
Cheeserton · 27/08/2019 18:03

You didn't do it on purpose and they shouldn't have been on the pavement. I admire your intentions but you really shouldn't have given them anything, you really didn't need to and they should be ashamed of themselves pursuing any costs in the circumstances.

EggysMom · 27/08/2019 18:05

Tell them to claim on their insurance, that's what it is for.

WorraLiberty · 27/08/2019 18:06

Why do you have to pay?

I take it the car wasn't allowed on the pavement, rather than being parked in a pavement parking bay?

NeatFreakMama · 27/08/2019 18:06

I wouldn't pay and totally shocked they expect you to.

Sparklingbrook · 27/08/2019 18:06

They must have some nerve to ask you to pay for it. Angry

InterestingView · 27/08/2019 18:08

Block their number and ignore. Do they have your address??

Zampa · 27/08/2019 18:09

The car owner has contributed to the damage through their illegal parking. You wouldn't have scratched it if it had been parked correctly but you did scratch it.

You shouldn't have to pay IMO but certainly don't pay more than 50%.

WorraLiberty · 27/08/2019 18:09

I'm a bit confused OP.

When you gave them your details, was it because you were offering to pay for the damage?

If so, how much were you expecting it to cost?

I must admit I'd have no clue how much it costs to take a scratch out of a car but then again, I wouldn't have offered to pay if the car wasn't parked correctly.

Ravenblack · 27/08/2019 18:11

@thisisme2468 Tell the cheeky feckers to jog on. OMG what a nerve they've got! Hmm

I am sure they should not be parked on the pavement ANYway! (Happy to be corrected!)

Block the number. Hope you did not give them your address!

mumwon · 27/08/2019 18:12

forget it he shouldn't have parked on the pavement & obstructed your path -you should be suing him -threaten to counter sue its a disability issue - he could have damaged you or your wheel chair - dh says they should inform their insurance & tell them how it got scratched - I think they are chancers
pedestrianliberation.org/2011/01/19/damage-to-vehicles-left-on-the-pavement/
lots of other discussions on web

GruciusMalfoy · 27/08/2019 18:14

Maybe they'll learn a lesson. You shouldn't have to pay, they parked like shit.

Original poster
thisisme2468 · 27/08/2019 18:17

@InterestingView they live 2 doors down from me.

OP posts:
Samcro · 27/08/2019 18:18

Donot pay
No way would i pay if this happened with my dds chair
They were in the wrong

Original poster
thisisme2468 · 27/08/2019 18:19

@WorraLiberty I knocked on their door because I wouldn’t have liked to just go off and leave their damaged car.

Hubby is adamant that it was my fault I should have known I wouldn’t fit and I should have gone in the road or crossed over. He won’t hear anything about how the car shouldn’t be parked on the pavement! Angry

There are no parking bays on the pavement and no one else parks on the pavement as there is enough room if cars only park on one side.

OP posts:
SistersOfPercy · 27/08/2019 18:20

Do not pay.
And if he starts to postulate let him. Not a court in the land would order you to pay.
Personally I'd counterclaim for damage to my wheelchair.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 27/08/2019 18:21

Everyone is wading in with the 'illegal' parking comments - my borough has a mix of on pavement (both 2 wheel up and 4 wheels up in some areas) and on road parking. So don't presume that pavement parking is illegal, the OP hasn't actually clarified whether the parked car was actually illegally parked or not.

LetThePotatoRest · 27/08/2019 18:22

Do not pay the CF a penny! They were obstructing the pavement. They were in the wrong.

zippey · 27/08/2019 18:23

Don’t pay this.

Passthecherrycoke · 27/08/2019 18:24

OP you’re completely mad to offer to pay. £360 is nothing, my insurance once paid £6000 for a scrape. Many people will have whole panels/ doors replaced.

A pedestrian surely doesn’t have any obligation to leave a note if they accidentally damage a car?

You’re in a tricky situation though as you offered to pay and they know who you are. Maybe offer half?

HeadfirstForHalos · 27/08/2019 18:25

I would have been too ashamed at myself for causing a wheelchair user to get stuck between my car and the wall to ask for money 😮 The nerve of them. Totally their own fault.

WorraLiberty · 27/08/2019 18:25

Well if there were no parking bays on the pavement, you shouldn't have given them your details.

Did you actually offer to pay? Is that why you left your details?