When you accidentally hit a car with your door, it can be a very stressful situation.
You’re probably worried about the other person and the damage to their vehicle, but there are some things you should do right away to make the process easier for everyone involved.
If they don’t accept payment at that moment, write down their contact information so you can follow up later.
Second, if the other person gives you their contact information, follow up as soon as possible so you can get any details from them about what happened.
Lastly, if anyone was injured in the accident, get medical attention for them right away and file an accident report at your local police station within 24 hours of the incident.
Apologize To The Owner Of The Car
The first thing to do when you accidentally hit someone’s car with your door is to apologize.
This is an important part of showing that you’re sorry and that you’re trying to make things right.
If it’s possible, offer to pay for any damage to their car. If they refuse, make a note of the license plate number so that you can give them a call later in case they change their minds.
If they start yelling at you or get aggressive, just be calm and explain that it’s not your intention to cause harm, but accidents do happen sometimes—especially when there are so many vehicles on the road all day long.
They might call the police if they feel threatened by your apology, but don’t worry if you have done nothing wrong, then it should be clear once they get there as well.
Make sure the person is okay
Make sure the person is okay. If they are not hurt but upset, apologize profusely and offer to pay for any damage done to their vehicle.
If they are injured, ask if they need medical attention or if they’d like someone else to call 911 or have someone stay with them until help arrives.
If they’re angry, ask if they want to discuss it in private or right then and there
if they’re angry, ask them if they want to discuss it in private or right then and there.
If they choose the latter option, take responsibility for your mistake and apologize. Explain that it was an accident and that you hope they’re not too upset about it.
If they want to talk about it in private first, follow them into their house or car or whatever and listen carefully to what they have to say.
If they seem like they’re getting heated up, don’t argue back or try to defend yourself; just let them speak.
When they’re done talking (this may take a while), thank them for taking the time to talk with you and explain that you really appreciate their honesty.
Then ask if there’s anything else you can do for them like replacing some of their broken items—and offer your help if possible!
If you’re both calm, ask what happened and how much it will cost to fix
If you’re both calm, ask what happened and how much it will cost to fix. Ask if they have insurance or if they’d like you to have yours.
If they don’t have insurance, offer to pay for the damages and then make a note of the time and place so you can file an accident report with your insurance carrier.
If they do have insurance, wait until they’ve gotten in touch with their insurer before making any decisions about payment.
If they are not calm, stay calm yourself. Don’t escalate the situation by becoming angry or defensive.
If they become aggressive or abusive, take down their license plate number and call the police immediately—even if you don’t think you’ll press charges against them later on
Offer to pay for the cost of repairs
When you accidentally hit someone’s car with your door and need to pay for the cost of repairs, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, if you do not have insurance, you should offer to pay for the cost of repairs.
If it was just a small ding and nothing more, it can be tempting to let it go, but this is not a good idea.
If you don’t want to offer money, at least offer your contact information so they can reach you later.
Conclusion
It’s always best to take responsibility for your actions and offer to pay for damages, even if you’re not legally required to do so.
Remember that auto insurance is there to help pay for damages if they are your fault. If you’re at all unsure of what to do, consider talking with a lawyer before making any decisions.
