Woman driver reverses into MY car and then shouts at ME!

Woman driver reverses into MY car and then shouts at ME!: Today, after leaving the gym and walking to my car, I got in and was just ready to set off, when the woman parked in front reversed her fancy red Vauxhall Astra Twintop right into my average black Peugeot 206.

My first thought was, “I do hope my front lights haven’t been damaged”, given what a royal pain it would be to sort them out and how they’re a legal requirement. I got out and went to inspect the front of my car. The lights were fine, but there’s a small metal bumper under the bonnet that looks like it’s just bent slightly and doesn’t seem to want to clip back in. She eventually emerged, too. And then the fun began…

Instantly, she starts shouting, demonstrably posing the question of why was I parked where I was. Admittedly, it was in one of those sort-of half-spaces that everyone uses in the world which isn’t strictly a full parking space, but at the same time isn’t an invitation to reverse into whoever’s using it.

I calmly replied, “Er…. you hit me(!)”
Her: “I don’t care! You shouldn’t have been parking so bloody stupidly in the first place!”

And so it went on, her repeating her implausible defence, while I remained calm, although I did question her early on, “Didn’t you even see me?”
Her: “No.”
Me: “Not when you’re looking out your back window while reversing?”
Her: (silence for a while) “I shouldn’t have to worry about someone parking there when it’s not a proper space!”

As she ranted on, when I could get a word in edgeways, I countered, “I’m not arguing about it, love.”

I then went into my car to get a pen and something to write on, expecting to exchange insurance information. She got into her car and attempted (badly) to reverse out to leave. I went over to stop her driving off and said, “I want to get your details”, a question to which she seemed very put out in answering, and I explained further that if my metal bit can clip back in and there’s nothing else wrong, then I won’t need to pursue it, but if there is, then I’ll need her details. She remained in the car for the rest of the discussion.

Her: “Your car? Look at where you were parked! What about my car?!”

Her: (pause) “… Tracey Smith…. what else do you need?”
Me: “Phone number. Address. Insurance company.”
Her: “07…. (and continues with number) …Don’t know the rest. You’ve got my number plate. You can look up the rest.”
Me: “You don’t know your address?”
Her: (pauses before eventually giving the first line of the address and the Greater Manchester suburb)
Me: “Postcode?”
Her: (reluctantly gives postcode)
Me: “Insurance company?”
Her: “I don’t know it.”
Me: “Okay. Do you want my details?”
Her: “No.”

She then started bleating her opinions about parking all over again, to which I replied, “I’m not arguing it, love.” and walked back to my car. I started to drive off, but couldn’t because she’d pulled back out too far, yet still expected me to be able to leave. I flashed my lights to indicate that I couldn’t move further forward. She lurched her car forward a bit and I drove off.

So, my question is – when you’re parked in one of those half-spaces that isn’t technically a space someone should park in – yet everyone does – does that reduce your rights in any way?