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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

WorraLiberty · 27/08/2019 18:26

IAskTooManyQuestions my borough is the same and many MNetters don't realise this.

However the OP has clarified now as I guess you X posted.

bambalaya · 27/08/2019 18:26

Don't pay it. If the CF choose to park on the pavement, they're at the mercy of pedestrians, prams etc. Fuck them

pooopypants · 27/08/2019 18:27

Fuck. That.

Please PLEASE do not pay, they were blocking a public footpath!!!!! I understand that you were coming from a place of doing the right thing, but Jesus! If you block a pavement, expect damage to your car.

And I'd be telling 'D'H to bugger himself too. I assume he's a driver though, one who thinks he can block footpaths.....?

LetThePotatoRest · 27/08/2019 18:27

@IAskTooManyQuestions where pavement parking is legal, drivers are obliged to leave adequate space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs, guide dogs, etc.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/08/2019 18:28

he car owner has contributed to the damage through their illegal parking.
It’s not illegal in most of England.

LetThePotatoRest · 27/08/2019 18:29

@thisisme2468 Your DH thinks you should have risked your life going into the road rather than risk scratching a car?!

Passthecherrycoke · 27/08/2019 18:31

Well you wouldn’t risk your life going in the road would you? You’d presumably only do so when the road was clear

WorraLiberty · 27/08/2019 18:32

@IAskTooManyQuestions where pavement parking is legal, drivers are obliged to leave adequate space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs, guide dogs, etc.

All they're obliged to do is park within the lines of the bays.

Some wheelchairs/mobility scooters still struggle to get by here. I think it just depends on the size/style.

1CantPickAName · 27/08/2019 18:37

That quote seems a little excessive but it’s impossible to say without seeing the damage. Could you get some quotes for yourself? There are are mobile paint repair people who can come and look at the car in the street to give you a quote, that way you will know whether you’re being ripped off or not. I would say to neighbor that while you’re happy to pay for the damage you caused, it is more than you expected and would they mind if you got your own quote? Their response might say a lot iyswim

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/08/2019 18:44

People go on the road all the time to cross it’s hardly risking your life.
Ian’s wheelchair user and would see it as my responsibility to work out if I can fit past or not.
Yes it’s frustrating to have to go in the road but you need to pay attention.

Samcro · 27/08/2019 18:50

Ffs why do peope defend selfish parkers,
Why should a wheelchair user have to go. In the road, which is for cars, because a selfish person has parked on the pavement, which is not for cars.

RaininSummer · 27/08/2019 18:52

Not your fault I think. Also makes it worse that you are a neighbour as they gave no thought to you and the chair.

LtJudyHopps · 27/08/2019 18:53

MyDcAreMarvel fair enough saying an able bodied person could go in the road. But a wheelchair user or pram?! No way!! They couldn’t exactly move quickly if a car came shooting down the road towards them! People shouldn’t park like twats. With no bays marked out his wheels should be on the road. OP don’t pay the CF a penny.
Did he ask or did you offer?
We have parallel parking and a path that comes down to the end. A small car fits on the end no problems but bigger cars block the path. I always hope they get damaged by someone with a pushchair for blocking the way!!

Beautiful3 · 27/08/2019 18:57

Just explain that you don't have that kind of money.

clucky3 · 27/08/2019 18:57

I definitely wouldn't be paying for this. They shouldn't have parked on the pavement, and this is why they have insurance. No way should you be paying a penny.

BonnesVacances · 27/08/2019 18:58

The owner has to notify his insurer about the accident. It's in the t&cs. Then his insurance will go up because it happened when he had parked irresponsibly. It's therefore not in his interests to pursue this.

So tell him you want to go via the insurance so it's all above board. Make up a friend who works in insurance who told you that you need to do this so it doesn't invalidate his insurance.

Oysterbabe · 27/08/2019 18:59

You are liable for it but they are utter cunts for parking on the pavement and for asking you to pay. I'd let them sue me.

marriedwithhounds · 27/08/2019 19:00

If you didn't want to pay, you shouldn't have offered to pay!!! Sounds like he was parked like a bit of a dick though.

Passthecherrycoke · 27/08/2019 19:00

But if he goes through his insurance OP won’t be paying anything so it’s not something she can tell them she wants to do?

That would only work if Op claimed on her own insurance (which she doesn’t have as she’s a pedestrian)

MRex · 27/08/2019 19:02

I wish you'd reported their bad parking and not given your details. Just tell them you won't pay because they are not legally allowed to block the pavement and you had simply brought it to their attention to allow them to fix the scratch and in the hope that they would stop parking illegally in a way that prevents people from using the pavement. You're happy to report future illegal parking to traffic wardens rather than letting them know if they want.

Original poster

thisisme2468 · 27/08/2019 19:05

Did you actually offer to pay?

Not in so many words. I apologised, they were a bit rude initially and then the car owner came out (older guy) and he started making excuses about why he had to park on the pavement. Hubby may have offered to pay it I was really embarrassed, hot and stuck!!

OP posts:

Original poster

thisisme2468 · 27/08/2019 19:06

@MRex I wish I’d taken photos and reported the obstruction too. And they are still parked like it today!

OP posts:

MRex · 27/08/2019 19:07

Photo now! Show them the photo, they won't check the time to confirm.

redcupbluecup · 27/08/2019 19:08

So they not only parked on the pavement but parked there knowing their neighbour uses a wheelchair. Cunts. Don't pay.

swingofthings · 27/08/2019 19:10

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
I agree same where I live and thst wa changed only a couple of years ago. Not totally clear though in terms of how much space thry should leave but I think you could be challenged in court as ultimately, you took the decision to go through and that caused damage.

The law is not always fair.

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