Car park law UK

[leeleeoz]

Hi, I recently scraped a small pillar in a car park on the passenger side, that was not tall enough to see over the bonet of my car. I scraped it as I took off out of the actual parking space. I would usually claim it was my fault, but because of the height of the pillar and that it was not on a curb, is there any way this could be the fault of the retail outlet I was visiting? Is there any law governing car parks and how they are laid out? Anyone have any advice. Cheers.

[boxtops]

You'd have to prove that the shop was negligent in putting the pillar there, and at that height, without any bumper protection (some have rubber round them for this reason).

[pink-kittens]

but you knew it was there? Why would anyone else but yourself be responsible for hitting it?

This isn't about how the car park is laid out, it's about where the bollards are placed. It was on the floor, not all bollards are on pavements. Since when did you see a pavement in a car park?

[KJN]

Understand your feelings but would think that somewhere in that car park is a disclaimer, next time you are there have a look around it will probably be hidden.

[rsvp]

agree with the disclaimer post - somewhere in the car park there will be a 'parking at own risk' type notice I sure.

[DrFilth]

imagine the small pillar being a small child

if you hit it you are at fault

[chas2008]

i have done exactly the same thing in a motor dealership car park, very annoying but my fault, end of.
You struck a sationary object it cant be the bolards fault as it was there when you parked...you avoided it then.
As said it could have been a child or even a pram

[trivia360]

most car parks issue a disclaimer ie that you park at your own risk, besides a quick visual check before you entered your car would have prevented this..moreover you wouldn't have seen a small child or animal either

[leeleeoz]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer. I don't think I was clear enough in saying that I was very aware of the pillar. From a parked position, I drove forwards out of the car space (not reversing) which required immediate left hand turning in order to exit. There was no way of seeing where the pillar was due to the height and not being protected by a curb. Curbs were featured throughout the rest of the car park. Also it was an open air carpark, with not many people around, so I was aware that there were no small children or animals in the vicinity as I drove forward.

[pink-kittens]

you were, in your own words, aware of the pillar/bollard. Therefore YOU, yep its a new concept, YOU are responsible to pay for your own damage

[pink-kittens]

"so I was aware that there were no small children or animals in the vicinity as I drove forward."

shame you missed the bollard then because you WERE aware of that lol
Priceless

[joko]

well...hundreds of people must have used that space before and after you and managed to naviagte it without damaging their cars, so really it seems like you turned too quickly...

[Old_Geezer]

Legally probably not. Apparently it's the thing to do, to increase the risk of others damaging their vehicles. Unsure why, I assume it must amuse someone somewhere.

[ubasses]

You haven't said how badly you scraped the car, probably be cheaper to pop to local garage and get it done than claim on insurance and have premium put up.