Parking Lot - Hit & Run

[te'sp11g20]

What is the name of your state? California

Recently there has been alot of vehicles vandalized at the the retail store I worked at (3 within the month - all employees). I was told to park closer to the entrance of the store so that camera's will be able to keep an eye on the car. As I drove to work on 6/7 I parked near the entrance of the store next to an island on the driver side. When I got out off work at 1:30am I found damage along my rear passenger quarter panel and bumper. It appeared that someone was backing out the the space and turned too early. The person did not leave a note on my car. The police would not come out because it occurred on private property and the cost of damage is $2500. The question is, does the company that I work for pay for this damage? I was at work and it does not seem fair that I would have to pay for any of the damages. I went back the next day to view the video and apparently there is no camera feed in front of the store but only on the sides of the entrance. I do not want to spend my weeks at working trying to pay damage that was never caused by me. Thank you.

MOD: Please move to Automobile and claims. Thank you.

 

[moburkes]

What is the name of your state? California

Recently there has been alot of vehicles vandalized at the the retail store I worked at (3 within the month - all employees). I was told to park closer to the entrance of the store so that camera's will be able to keep an eye on the car. As I drove to work on 6/7 I parked near the entrance of the store next to an island on the driver side. When I got out off work at 1:30am I found damage along my rear passenger quarter panel and bumper. It appeared that someone was backing out the the space and turned too early. The person did not leave a note on my car. The police would not come out because it occurred on private property and the cost of damage is $2500. The question is, does the company that I work for pay for this damage? I was at work and it does not seem fair that I would have to pay for any of the damages. I went back the next day to view the video and apparently there is no camera feed in front of the store but only on the sides of the entrance. I do not want to spend my weeks at working trying to pay damage that was never caused by me. Thank you.

No, they are not responsible. They didn't require that you drive to work. Your collision coverage will pay for this damage, minus your deductible. Things happen that aren't our fault. That is what your insurance is for.

 

[te'sp11g20]

Thanks Moburkes for your reply,

Even with my deductible it will cost me well over two weeks of pay. I really do not see how this is a safe or a secure place to work. I live pay check to pay check this should not have even happened. It worries me even more that there is no camera directly in front of the store. They can not be held for being negligant? There has been so many more incidents but nothing has been done to improve our security? I can get hit again in the parking lot and this time I would be working one month for free!

 

[moburkes]

Thanks Moburkes for your reply,

Even with my deductible it will cost me well over two weeks of pay. I really do not see how this is a safe or a secure place to work. I live pay check to pay check this should not have even happened. It worries me even more that there is no camera directly in front of the store. They can not be held for being negligant? There has been so many more incidents but nothing has been done to improve our security? I can get hit again in the parking lot and this time I would be working one month for free!

Then maybe you should have chosen a lower deductible, if you are unable to pay to have your vehicle repaired. Accidents happen. Unfortunately, your vehicle was hit by someone who didn't stop to tell you. It happens every day. Your situation is not unique, nor special. Out of curiousity, were you concerned about not having a camera in front of the store before your vehicle was hit? It must not have concerned you, because you still work there. You're not working for free. You get a paycheck for the hours that you work.

 

[cbg]

How is your employer responsible? They have no way of controlling how other people drive.

 

[te'sp11g20]

Thanks again Moburkes,

First i really do appreciate the feed back. Second, I just wanted to better understand the situation before I made any changes. My deductible is not the highest but it shows how much I make at this company. I assumed there was a camera when i parked there since a manager had told me earlier to park closer to the entrance to be more safe. Now I do know that there is not one and now probably not going to work today or this entire week. Thank you.

 

[moburkes]

Thanks again Moburkes,

First i really do appreciate the feed back. Second, I just wanted to better understand the situation before I made any changes. My deductible is not the highest but it shows how much I make at this company. I assumed there was a camera when i parked there since a manager had told me earlier to park closer to the entrance to be more safe. Now I do know that there is not one and now probably not going to work today or this entire week. Thank you.

You're not going to work because there is no camera? Did you think there was a camera when you parked in the other area? You are making no sense.

 

[te'sp11g20]

I am not going to work because I feel like the area I work in is not very safe or secure. I do know where the camera's are now but even that does not control how people drive or do what they do. I am simply going to shift locations (to somewhere with less traffic) and switch with someone else. I am just shocked that there is no camera at the entrance. Some mishap can occur in front of the store and no one would really know. How about being mugged while walking to my car. No thank you. I rather not subject myself to that situation.

 

[te'sp11g20]

How is your employer responsible? They have no way of controlling how other people drive.

I am not making them responisble for how other people drive. I am saying they did not provide a secure work area (my opinion). If they had a camera there, I would have definately had that cars liscense plate number. For that I would hold them responsible for not safe guarding my property while being there (wish i could but then again.. i didn't have to drive). It is not like I was at a party or downtown. I was at work. I am just angry and do not want to pay for any of this, but apparently I have too.

 

[moburkes]

I am not making them responisble for how other people drive. I am saying they did not provide a secure work area (my opinion). If they had a camera there, I would have definately had that cars liscense plate number. For that I would hold them responsible for not safe guarding my property while being there (wish i could but then again.. i didn't have to drive). It is not like I was at a party or downtown. I was at work. I am just angry and do not want to pay for any of this, but apparently I have too.

The parking lot is not a work area. A camera MAY OR MAY NOT have recorded a license plate. It depends upon the angle of the camera, the amount of light, etc. Something could have blocked the camera which prevented it from recording the accident. It doesn't matter where you were. Your car can get hit anywhere at any time.

I'm not sure that you are going to find a job where there is a security camera on your vehicle at all times. Good luck.

Sorry this happened to you, but it could have happened even if you weren't at work.

 

[AHA]

I am not going to work because I feel like the area I work in is not very safe or secure. I do know where the camera's are now but even that does not control how people drive or do what they do. I am simply going to shift locations (to somewhere with less traffic) and switch with someone else. I am just shocked that there is no camera at the entrance. Some mishap can occur in front of the store and no one would really know. How about being mugged while walking to my car. No thank you. I rather not subject myself to that situation.

You say you live paycheck to paycheck, but all of a sudden you can afford the repairs AND stay at home for a week unpaid??
Hopefully you'll be spending that week finding another job.