Guy dings my car then threatens to sue me...

[IBM/2SS/RS/LS3]

Originally Posted by Nessal

*******LAST UPDATE #3*****

But what is surprising is that apparently the guy that owns the SUV has been going around the building talking behind my back. But luckily for me, I have an outstanding reputation here. People actually came up to me to tell me what this douchebag was saying behind my back.

Sounds like a HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT to me..... HR folks love this kind of crap.

[steeleshark2]

Any update OP??

[Moorepheus]

sorry, to hear about the people that you work with/near. I work with 50 or so people and I never park anywhere near the building or any other car. In fack, I get made fun of parking all the way at the end of the lot, away from anyone else. This way, no way they are going to ding my car.

IMO, you just just fix it.

Good luck

[Nessal]

Originally Posted by DroptopZ

I'm sorry to hear that. I think if you get measurements with photos, you still have an EXCELLENT case for small claims. PM me if I can help, if you decide to pursue further. It really doesn't matter how silent those people are--it just means the owner will end up paying instead of the person who actually did it.

I actually thought this one through. He could simply say that he got his own damage some other time and it's not from my car. I would have a hard time saying otherwise even though I know it's BS.

[Nessal]

Originally Posted by 01pewterz28

You know just be an Ass rent a SUV one day (day off) and park next to him open the door a few times into his keep the door open and back up scrape the hell out of his door. Once done just pull away and return the SUV come to work in your SS and act like nothing happened.

I got a friend that works out of state that offered that to me when I saw him yesterday. Since he travels in to HQ for meetings once in a while, he drives a rental when he is here.

[Nessal]

Originally Posted by themossman

Take it to HR...you don't need to be dealing with the politics of the office.

If HR won't deal with it, you're SOL...

HR was the reason that I'm on my own on this. HR department is the first people I talked to about this. They were the ones that referred me to the facility manager. All they said was "Awww I'm so sorry!"....or "We have been getting a few of these lately so you're not the only one!". As if that made me feel better.

[Tiberious]

Fix it properly, if you can spare the $ so you can put this behind you properly....otherwise the damage will just nag at you like an itchy scar. Sounds like you have someone offering to help out if you pursue this legally, despite the unhelpful security guy....HR won't like that bit....

Best of luck however you proceed!

Tib

[DroptopZ]

Originally Posted by Nessal

I actually thought this one through. He could simply say that he got his own damage some other time and it's not from my car. I would have a hard time saying otherwise even though I know it's BS.

You know, I know that seems likely... but even if you don't win, you make him go through the pain of getting dressed nicely, taking off a morning, showing up, swearing in, and then lying in front of a judge. Some people refuse to lie under oath (just a thought). Many states, if he is a no-show and has been properly served, you get a default judgment.

Additionally, if the paint transfer matches along with the height, the preponderance of the evidence is that he did it. When I get disputed cases like this given to me, even if my driver denies it, but the evidence matches up? We pay the claim to mitigate it and prevent the possibility of a suit.

Anyway, good luck whether you let it go or decide to pursue... but I can say (having taken people to small claims FOR work, AND having defended these claims, etc) that you'd have at least a 60-70% chance of victory. Plus, even if you lose it's a pain in his ass

[colemanvoice]

I only read your updates, but good story. Bad incident, but good story. I'm sure you have these guys thinking about how they open thier doors now. You may have prevented countless more future door dings in this world.

[2001ragtop]

Originally Posted by Nessal

HR was the reason that I'm on my own on this. HR department is the first people I talked to about this. They were the ones that referred me to the facility manager. All they said was "Awww I'm so sorry!"....or "We have been getting a few of these lately so you're not the only one!". As if that made me feel better.

Do the following:

1) Purchase a "beater" vehicle. Keep the Camaro at home or in storage

2) Do not ever park anywhere near "that guys" car again because due to the fact that you made a scene, he can create a "fake" situation and make it look like you messed up his car and he could try to get you fired.

3) You should get your car fixed, stay away from the guy who dented you and just move on. It sounds like this is a no-win situation and will only get worse the more you complain. Just try to avoid taking your nice car to work where your car is at great risk of damage. Work = place to have your "work" vehicle, not your "nice/awesome" vehicle.