Traffic accident involving illegally parked car

cloclo SG

I was driving on Killiney road in the direction of Orchard road when I accidentally hit the side mirror of a car parked on the roadside double yellow line, next to Singtel Comcentre. I was trying to avoid on-coming traffic on this narrow single lane road and drove too close to his car. We exchanged our contact details with the driver of the car, who is the chauffeur of the owner of the car. The owner originally claimed $200plus for damage, which we agreed, but later he came back to us and said that there's an additional charge of $1000 plus cos he couldn't close his side mirror due to the accident which had messed up the whole wiring system. He claims that it's entirely my fault as the driver was in the car when the accident happened (though he was not physically there. He based his judgment on the testimonials of his driver and his maid). He claimed that his driver was actually dropping off his son at the speech and drama school on the opposite side of the road and it was totally legal to do so. But in reality, the driver was not there when it happened. If his driver wasn't in the car, then it's considered that he was illegally parking on double yellow line, right? Secondly, if the car was parked illegally and obstructing the traffic, should he not bear half of the responsibility of the accident? Lastly, how can I be sure that the side-view mirror was in working condition before the accident? Unfortunately, none of us had taken any photos to prove our stories as we had hoped to settle things without going through insurance companies.

cloclo SG

Sorry for the messy message...the original text is as follows: I was driving on Killiney road in the direction of Orchard road when I accidentally hit the side mirror of a car parked on the roadside with double yellow line, next to Singtel Comcentre. I was trying to avoid on-coming traffic on this narrow single lane road and drove too close to his car. We exchanged our contact details with the driver of the car, who is the chauffeur of the owner of the car. The owner originally claimed $200plus for damage, which we agreed, but later he came back to us and said that there's an additional charge of $1000 plus cos he couldn't close his side mirror due to the accident which had messed up the whole wiring system. He claims that it's entirely my fault as the driver was in the car when the accident happened (though he was not physically there. He based his judgment on the testimonials of his driver and his maid). He claimed that his driver was actually dropping off his son at the speech and drama school on the opposite side of the road and it was totally legal to do so. But in reality, the driver was not there when it happened. If his driver wasn't in the car, then it's considered that he was illegally parking on double yellow line, right? Secondly, if the car was parked illegally and obstructing the traffic, should he not bear half of the responsibility of the accident? Lastly, how can I be sure that the side-view mirror was in working condition before the accident? Unfortunately, none of us had taken any photos to prove our stories as we had hoped to settle things without going through insurance companies.

ditzy SG

If neither of you have any paper or photographic proof of what happened, and only a verbal agreement to settle it, what proof does either of you have against each other?

Absolutely none. Next thing he's going to claim injury to his passenger from you, are you going to entertain that?

Xcert SG

ask him to claim from ur insurance...what messed up the wiring?the most is the side mirror motor spoilt...

mrwonderful SG

always take photos during any accident no matter how minor. without photos you cant prove anything.

cannot trust singaporeans nowadays. they are too cunning to not take advantage of your error.

if he wants to bring in insurance companies you can try fight it out. should be difficult though

cloclo SG

Thank you all for the info. Unfortunately, I think whether the car was illegally parked or not, the fact that it was immobile, the liability is 100% on me. Settlement by insurance company is too cumbersome and I'll lost out on my discount premium, so my best option is to settle it privately. Anyone know how I should protect myself against further claims in future once the original settlement has been made? Should I still make a police report?

Hwaimeng SG

i think after that he also going to claim his $5k sound system on you because the side mirror system crash with his sound system after you knock on him