Parking behind garage door

[GeQiuju]

What is the name of your state? California

My baby sitter parked her car behind my garage door on our property. When we backed our car out of the garage, we hit her car. Does she have any responsibility in this accident?

Thank you.

 

[gobonas99]

What is the name of your state? California

My baby sitter parked her car behind my garage door on our property. When we backed our car out of the garage, we hit her car. Does she have any responsibility in this accident?

Thank you.

You're kidding, right?

YOU, and you ALONE, are responsible for the accident. As the operator of the vehicle, you have the responsibility to look behind you when you are backing up, to ensure that your path is clear.

You cannot use the excuse that you didn't think anything would have been in your way. What if a child - what if YOUR child - had been in the driveway, and you backed up without looking, and the child was injured (or worse)...would it then be the child's fault? No, it's not...it is your fault.

Your insurance company will find you to be 100% liable for the accident.

 

[GeQiuju]

We thought we are the only ones at fault in the beginning.

However, I saw two other questions posted in this forum before that seemed to be somewhat similar to our case: A neighbor kid parked a bike behind the garage door and the owner of the house backed his car out of the garage, hit the bike and damaged his car. When asked who is at fault? Both replies said that the kid’s parent is liable and should pay for the damage of the car.

Is there really a difference between hitting a bike and hitting a car parked behind the garage door?

 

[gobonas99]

We thought we are the only ones at fault in the beginning.

However, I saw two other questions posted in this forum before that seemed to be somewhat similar to our case: A neighbor kid parked a bike behind the garage door and the owner of the house backed his car out of the garage, hit the bike and damaged his car. When asked who is at fault? Both replies said that the kid’s parent is liable and should pay for the damage of the car.

Is there really a difference between hitting a bike and hitting a car parked behind the garage door?

Then whoever answered those questions was incorrect....or else you did not do a full and complete search. All of the links below support my answer that the driver who is backing up is 100% liable for all damages incurred:

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=198649
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=199041
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=136383
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=108201
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=97751

If you don't believe me, contact your insurance agent, and I'm sure that you will find that I am correct on this matter.

-Christina

 

[man-o-man]

...... Is there really a difference between hitting a bike and hitting a car parked behind the garage door?

The only possible arguements concerning the bike is that it could have been laying down (so it was out of sight) and that the owner of the bike did not have permission to be on the property and therefore should not have been able to leave this item on the other partys personal property.

But please note: I said "arguement". I tend to agree with the other replyeees that the operator of the vehicle in motion is liable for damages due to that vehicle being "in motion." No damage would have occurred if the car hadn't backed up.