Parking lot damage

[k0ua]

About 3 years ago on a very windy day, I was sitting in a car about 100 yards from the Wal-Mart lot and saw an errant cart that was apparently not put into the cart corral being blown by the wind and heading for a car at the extreme end of the lot. Obviously the owner of this car parked it far far away from any other cars so that he would hopefully minimize any damage from other cars. This cart continued to pickup speed from the wind and lower elevation. I could see what was going to happen in a few seconds, as the cart accelerated to an estimated 20 mph. The cart slammed into the side of the car and bounced off, leaving a huge dent I could see from even that distance.

"stuff happens".

 

[timswi]

My grocery store has a sign that basically states when you park in their lot you release the store of liability for that sort of damage. Park at your own risk sort of thing.

Yup, those signs are pretty universal around here. Sux, but I'd say it's going to be on the OP. Hit and runs are the same story, pretty much.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Wed night I saw a truck cap along the side of the road that had blown out of a parking area on the other side of the road. Glad that didn't hit me. We are supposed to get high winds 50+mph starting tonight and all day tomorrow, with low temps.

 

[oosik]

The Costco store has several "at you own risk" signs posted around their parking lot. Others may have this type sign also - I've never noticed.

Unless the store management agrees to pay for repairs, I'd drop it. In the end, if you press it - you'll just be feeding the legal system & its minions.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

Around here people take the carts back to the store when they are done. I know it is strange. I guess they feel they borrowed the cart and you should take it back when you are done.

 

[Sprinklerman]

I was out plowing snow last night and we do a very large lot , winds were gusting at 50 mph , a shopping cart was coming my way . I won the cart was no match for my plow .

 

[TomSeller]

I was out plowing snow last night and we do a very large lot , winds were gusting at 50 mph , a shopping cart was coming my way . I won the cart was no match for my plow .

What about the little white haired lady pushing the cart in her white pants and white jacket?

 

[riptides]

What about the little white haired lady pushing the cart in her white pants and white jacket?

I did not think that part of MD got enough snow to warrant plowing last night.

 

[Sprinklerman]

I did not think that part of MD got enough snow to warrant plowing last night.

There was 4 inches in Pasadena Md , road crews were out , parking lot guys were out , spread a lot of salt. We plow and salt any accumulation , even a 1/2 inch . This would sound crazy to areas that get accumulation on a regular basis . But its basically liability negation .

 

[Sprinklerman]

What about the little white haired lady pushing the cart in her white pants and white jacket?

whoops

 

[jhasafety1]

They put the signs up to discourage you from reporting. If the store manager doesn't take it seriously let your insurance file the claim.

 

[riptides]

Here is an update:

I sent a letter to the big box store explaining what happened to the car in their parking lot. I recommended they put strips up in the cart collection area so this does not happen again. I did not ask for restitution, nor did I call out the store manager. No response.

We visited our insurance claims adjuster. They basically told me the car has hardly any value and to seek out body shops for repairs. They also said that if the repairs are over a certain "hardly any value" they will mark the car as "totaled" and send a check. I ask what they would do with it, and they said if they reclaim it, they would sell it at auction. I found that odd and will ask my agent about this process of "totaling" a car.

I am screwed I think. I had side damage on a small truck not that long ago that spanned the door and bed and it was over 3k. This damage to the car, spans the length of the car. The car was like new condition. I had one rock ding on the hood. I guess normal wear and tear finally caught up to it in one night.

 

[MoKelly]

Sorry. To get anything from the store, you will need to prove they acted negligently. Hard to do without video proof or an eye witness.

Signs that say "we are not responsible" don't mean a thing if you act negligently. You cannot eliminate your legal obligations by posting a sign.

MoKelly

 

[MikePA]

They basically told me the car has hardly any value and to seek out body shops for repairs. They also said that if the repairs are over a certain "hardly any value" they will mark the car as "totaled" and send a check. I ask what they would do with it, and they said if they reclaim it, they would sell it at auction. I found that odd and will ask my agent about this process of "totaling" a car.

Sadly, it's not odd at all. The insurance company multiplies the current book value of the car by a certain percentage (75%?) and if the repair costs are more, the car is totaled.

 

[Scooby074]

This is why the coin release shopping cart system is good. You have to put money in to release an empty cart from the string, and you get it back when you return it. It's an unattended system that works well. In Germany they used a one Deutsche Mark coin, that was before the Euro conversion.

The airport here installed a baggage cart system from a company called Expresso. They are very nice rollers, made out of aluminum! And they have brakes! Of course they are German. No doubt they were pricey but they do exude quality. A braking system such as this would eliminate many of the parking lot cart collisions, the question is would the box stores pay for it? I think we know the answer.

No coin system either (which is a surprise, because the company makes them in a coin op version), but they do have a guy on a powered cart cruising all over picking up the abandoned ones.

Main features - VariCart | EXPRESSO

 

[kenmac]

Sadly, it's not odd at all. The insurance company multiplies the current book value of the car by a certain percentage (75%?) and if the repair costs are more, the car is totaled.

This is why after my vehicles become of a certain age.. I only obtain liability coverage on that vehicle

 

[Danno1]

Sadly, it's not odd at all. The insurance company multiplies the current book value of the car by a certain percentage (75%?) and if the repair costs are more, the car is totaled.

I'm pretty sure I've heard it's closer to 50-60%. But that might vary with the age of the vehicle. Mine are usually older than most!



.

 

[riptides]

I'm pretty sure I've heard it's closer to 50-60%. But that might vary with the age of the vehicle. Mine are usually older than most!

This one was a 12 year old car, insurance said 75 percent. Too bad, it was pristine.

 

[KubotainNH]

Not uncommon and sometimes you can keep the car for short money. Here in NH there's no title needed after a certain age. My SIL's Camry was hit, they cut her a check and said she could have the car if they deducted what a junk yard would pay them. The car had just been fixed up, new tires etc so I fixed the body and it's still being driven. No title needed so not even totaled per the books.