Bad Luck

[Douggie]

i thought you had to have the clutch in to start the car?

Yep, but he said that he pushed the clutch in with his right foot and started the car. So he wasnt' completely inside the car, just reached over to the key and started it. Then he proceeds to leave the car and withdrawed his right foot (and it happened that it's in gear).

Seriously, the dealer isn't gonna do squat since you're the one who started the engine (last touch). I'm surprised that he didn't ask you to pay for damage for the Altima you hit. And like you said in the very first line, it's your fault. So why would they pay for that?

 

[Rusty]

Always leave it in gear, set the brake, and you don't have to think about whether you're on a hill or not; it's just a habit. It's a law listed in the driver handboooks in many states (mine anyway).

Rusty