Hi, I think I recently reversed into a car of my neighbour's relative which was parked on the street. It was my first time leaving the garage of the new property, I was in a lot of hurry and had my baby with me in the car. From all the stress I didn't even fully notice what happened when I felt a slight bump. I did not notice the car either. I had to leave for an urgent appointment, so I instinctively left and decided to check what happened later, as I really could not do it at the time. When I came back home, the other car was not there. In the evening my neighbours knocked on my door and started talking about their relative's car. I apologised and said I will pay for the damage. It was a very stressful day for me for other reasons and I just wanted for it all to finish, plus it is my first accident and I had to idea what to do at all . Neighbours said they will get a quote. One week later they turned up with a quote which seems significantly overpriced. I asked to have a look at the damage as I haven't even had a chance to look at it the day it occurred. They showed it to me. Based on the name of the repairer and the amount of damage, the quote seems to be unreasonably high, but I am not an expert. I said I will get a quote too, which they happily accepted. I brought up my concerns about their quote, and they said they will get another one. They got another quote from another premium repairer for a similar amount. They provided photos and video for me to get a quote as well, but unfortunately the repairers are not giving estimates based on photos and videos. Every single repairer asked me to bring the car to them for an estimate.
The neighbour's relatives took my email address and other contact details and emailed me the quotes asking me to transfer money into their account asap. I replied saying I am waiting to hear from my repairers and that they would need to bring the car in for a quote. They replied saying that "I am sure your repairer can give an estimate on the repairs. It is an inconvenience to bring car up there for evaluation." and "I am still upset that you did not advise that you reversed into her vehicle, that is not in the best conduct. Please advise your actions in the 2 x quotes as I do not want this to become a legal matter."
What are my rights in this situation? I literally don't know anything about my rights. I don't even know what exactly happened on that day. I felt a bump, so I verbally confirmed it was probably me and agreed to pay for the damage as it seemed to make sense at the time. I could not exit my car, check the damage, take my own photos and discuss it on the spot as I had something very urgent to attend to. I did not expect the other party to obtain such high quotes and be unwilling to bring their car to my preferred place for an estimate. In the subsequent days of living in this property I also noticed this neighbour's visitors are occupying a significant part of the street with their cars, so I am not even sure how close to my exit the other car stood that I reversed into it so easily. The other party is now threatening it will become a legal matter, and I have no idea what to do, I feel so stupid and powerless. I would be thankful for any information or advice on my situation.
The neighbour's relatives took my email address and other contact details and emailed me the quotes asking me to transfer money into their account asap. I replied saying I am waiting to hear from my repairers and that they would need to bring the car in for a quote. They replied saying that "I am sure your repairer can give an estimate on the repairs. It is an inconvenience to bring car up there for evaluation." and "I am still upset that you did not advise that you reversed into her vehicle, that is not in the best conduct. Please advise your actions in the 2 x quotes as I do not want this to become a legal matter."
What are my rights in this situation? I literally don't know anything about my rights. I don't even know what exactly happened on that day. I felt a bump, so I verbally confirmed it was probably me and agreed to pay for the damage as it seemed to make sense at the time. I could not exit my car, check the damage, take my own photos and discuss it on the spot as I had something very urgent to attend to. I did not expect the other party to obtain such high quotes and be unwilling to bring their car to my preferred place for an estimate. In the subsequent days of living in this property I also noticed this neighbour's visitors are occupying a significant part of the street with their cars, so I am not even sure how close to my exit the other car stood that I reversed into it so easily. The other party is now threatening it will become a legal matter, and I have no idea what to do, I feel so stupid and powerless. I would be thankful for any information or advice on my situation.