Parking lot fender-bender and now the other driver is changing his story — what do I do?

I used to work claims and I want to tell you something that might sting a little: insurers LOVE parking lot accidents because fault is genuinely murky under most state rules and it gives them room to negotiate down. That said, a credible third-party witness who has no connection to either driver is actually one of the most valuable things you can have. Get that person's statement documented as formally as possible — even just a signed written account they email you. Also, absolutely follow up with the shopping center about their camera footage before it gets written over. Most systems only keep 2–4 weeks.

Just want to ask — are you physically okay? Side impacts can rattle you in ways you don't notice right away. I've seen people walk away from a hit like you're describing and then start having neck and shoulder stiffness two or three days later. If anything feels off, even minor, get it checked out and documented now. Don't wait until it gets worse.

Not legal advice, but parking lot accidents with conflicting accounts are a classic scenario where having an attorney reach out to the other insurer on your behalf can completely change the tone of the conversation. Adjusters tend to behave differently when they know someone is paying attention. If the damage is significant and you have a solid witness, it might be worth at least a free consultation to understand your options before you say much more to their insurer.

Three things, in order: 1) Get that witness locked down today, not tomorrow. 2) Call the shopping center and ask about cameras — be direct and polite, explain there was an accident. 3) Stop talking to the other driver's insurance without understanding what you're agreeing to. You're not being paranoid, you're being smart.

A couple of practical things: First, send a written request to the shopping center management asking them to preserve any security footage from that day and time. Do it in writing — email is fine — so there's a record that you asked. Second, if the witness is willing, ask them to write out what they saw in their own words and sign it. Nothing fancy, just a plain description. That kind of contemporaneous account carries real weight. Third, document your car damage thoroughly with photos from every angle if you haven't already.

The "weirdly cagey" vibe you're getting from his insurer is a red flag. They're probably already building a shared-fault narrative so they can reduce what they owe you. Do NOT give them a recorded statement without really thinking it through first. Anything you say will be picked apart. They are not on your side, even if they sound friendly on the phone.

Did you file a police report at the scene? And did the officer note the witness's account in the report? That matters a lot for how this gets treated. Also, when you say his insurer is being "cagey" — have they officially accepted or denied liability yet, or are they still in the investigation phase?

Ugh, I went through almost exactly this kind of thing in a parking lot dispute. The other driver gave a completely different version to their insurer and I felt like I was going crazy. The thing that saved me was a witness who was willing to give a recorded statement. If your witness is willing to do that, push hard to make it happen soon — people's memories fade and they lose motivation to stay involved.