Apartment Parking Damage Liability

Summary

In California, property owners may be liable for damages due to unsafe conditions. Document the damage and the scene, report the incident to apartment management, and consult a local attorney for further advice.

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I went to an apartment complex to pick something up from someone on OfferUp. The location was in a gated apartment complex which required a gate code, which he provided to me via text before I arrived. I entered the code and proceeded to look for his unit which was #*. When I found his unit there was an open parking spot which was as close to the unit as you cam possibly park. The spot I pulled into was one of * spots, all of which are labeled visitor. As I pulled into the space and waited for my front tires to tap the parking block, I heard a loud pop! So naturally I decided to back up and see if maybe I ran something over. However my bumper was now stuck on the parking block because the block had been damaged and there was a * inch piece of rebar sticking straight up and got caught under my bumper and ripped part of it off. Damaged the underside of the bumper as well as put a hole in something because there was blue fluid pouring out under my car. I had to have the guy from offerup help me get my car unstuck from the block so that I could hopefully leave. which I did leave a drive carefully home. But now my car is messed up and I can't afford to fix it! What do I do?
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Adrienne. To better assist you, please let me know where this incident took place (city, state).
At an apartment complex in Vista CA
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Adrienne. In California, property owners may be held liable for damages due to unsafe conditions. Here are some steps you could take:
- Document the damage and the scene.
- Report the incident to the apartment management.
- Consult with a local attorney for further advice.