I woke up this morning to find my car had been damaged by the car next to me this morning in my apartment building. I know this is private property, so I'm not sure if the police can do anthing. The car that hit me was in an assigned spot, and I was parked next to them. I've lived there for over a year, and I see the car all the time, so I know it's the same car and I can found out who they are. The damage isn't too terrible, just hurts that someone would do this to my car. Its right in front of the rear tire on the passenger side. What is the best way to go about this? Talk to them and then if they don't cooperate further my actions against them?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

First are you sure they're the ones who hit you? Did they know that they hit you? If not they will probably cooperate fully. How bad's the damage? If it's really bad and they don't cooperate get a lawyer involved.

I would call the police. That is a hit and run. However, although a particular car parks next to you every day is not proof that the car damaged yours.

I parked next to the assigned spot at 730 last night and my car was fine, and this morning at 8 when I went to my car it was damaged, so I'm pretty sure that car was the one that hit me.

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Originally Posted by Rockstar714

I parked next to the assigned spot at 730 last night and my car was fine, and this morning at 8 when i went to my car it was damaged, so I'm pretty sure that car was the one that hit me.

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Pretty sure won't work in a court of law, I'm afraid. Someone could have been turning around in the space and hit you, for example. Are there security cameras in your parking lot?

Not sure, my mom was asking the apartment manager about that today. As soon as I get home I'm checking their car for paint transfer, because their's definitely transferred onto mine. If anything my boyfriend's sister works for the state patrol and they can identify the car by the paint transfer.

Report it to the Police before you do anything - I'd be surprised if the State patrol would open its lab for a paint transfer without a Police Report and/or serious damage. Also report it to your insurance company. Being pretty sure it was the car parked next to yours is not legally helpful but I would check your car, check their car, ask them about it - is it possible they struck your car and didn't realize it?

Could be. I'm checking the car today when I get home and taking pictures if necessary. And I reported it to my insurance already as well.

The police will not repospond to a private parking lot dent and the State Crime lab doesn't have time for paint transferes so I would approach the own of the car. You are making assumptions that may seem quite valid but aren't considered evidence. Be cautious about reporting a claim to your insurance company. Consider that total damage amount and look at your deductible. Also ask your agent how your company will handle your rates after a claim, they could go up.

I am in NYS and the Police will investigate a hit and run accident on private property as they would investigate any other crime on private property; it is always a good idea to check with your insurance agent before you make a claim on your insurance. However, if the car was parked and you were hit I would be very surprised if the accident counted against you. Most agents advise you to make a Police Report before you file with your own insurance company. Depending on your damage in this accident your deductible might be more than the cost to repair the damage.