What to Do If You Scratch Another Car While Opening the Door?

[LeVera]

If you hit another car's door while opening your car door, the person opening the door is fully responsible. If it's just a scratch on the paint, you can negotiate and settle it privately. If you don't want to pay out of pocket, you can file an insurance claim, but be aware that filing more than two claims within a year may result in a premium increase the following year. Here are more tips for opening car doors safely: 1. Install door edge guards: These are mainly to prevent your car from being scratched when others open their doors. If you're worried about scratching another car, you can also attach them to the other vehicle after purchase. 2. Park farther away: Some parking lots don't have marked spaces, so try to park as far left as possible. This allows more distance from the car on the right, so even if the neighboring car fully opens its door, it won't scratch yours.

[DeVera]

Last time I accidentally scratched the car next to mine while opening my car door, and I panicked. But after calming down, I immediately found the owner of the other car to apologize and explain the situation clearly, making sure not to run away as that would make things worse. Together, we inspected the damaged area, took photos for documentation, and exchanged contact details including names, phone numbers, and license plate numbers. If the owner wasn’t present, I would leave a note under the windshield wiper explaining the situation and providing my contact information. Then, I contacted my insurance company to file a claim and prepared the necessary documents, ensuring all details were complete and accurate. Accidents like this can happen to anyone, so it’s important not to blame yourself too much—the key is to handle it responsibly. To minimize risks, it’s best to choose wider parking spaces in parking lots.

[VonCamille]

When I encounter such situations, I first take a deep breath to calm myself down and avoid impulsive anger, as accidents can happen to anyone. Then, I proactively approach the other car owner to sincerely apologize and explain it was unintentional, preventing the conflict from escalating. If the owner is not present, I leave a note expressing my apologies along with contact details. Next, I handle the damage by taking detailed photos of the scratches with my phone, documenting their location and size for insurance claims later. In daily parking, I pay extra attention—choosing empty spots, checking mirrors, and opening doors slowly to prevent recurrence. Even small incidents can teach us to be more considerate of each other.

[Lucy]

I once scratched someone else's car while opening my door, which was a profound lesson. Now, I always take an extra glance at the rearview mirror before parking to ensure there are no cars nearby or leave enough space to open the door safely—never rushing it. I open the door gently and slowly, holding it with my hand to prevent accidental swings. If necessary, I'll even try parking in a different spot. Prevention is a hundred times more important than remedy.