Replying to Settle an Argument

Hey guys. I was asked by the people involved to post this here to help settle the argument with the least amount of bias possible. I was luckily not directly involved in the incident, so I hope to describe it as objectively as possible. Names have been changed for anonymity.

NS Court is now in session.

I’ll describe the scenario as best I can. A handful of friends meet at Bill’s house to prepare for a day at the lake. Cars are parked along the driveway and street. We plan to take Bill’s car as it can tow the trailer. Guests (including Ted and Jim) have placed their lake bags next to Bill’s car (by the rear passenger wheel, important) in preparation to pack, as Bill’s car is locked at the time. Ted’s bag contains a freshly-purchased Sony Alpha a6300 and kit lens.

As preparations with trailer inspection (which Ted is helping with) are finished, Bill prepares to hook the trailer up to the car. Bill has to back up and turn 90 degrees to line the hitch up. Jim tells Bill he is good to start backing. Ted is unaware Bill is about to start backing as he is working on the trailer. The bags, unfortunately, are in the path of the front passenger wheel as Bill turns while backing up. Crunch.

The only damaged item in the pile of bags is Ted’s camera. It won’t turn on, and the lens is cracked.

Ted paid $1000 USD for the camera and lens. He estimates it will cost another $1000 to replace if he can find the same deal again. No insurance was purchased for the camera, neither Bill nor Ted have renter’s insurance, and neither of their auto insurance companies will pay for it.

How do we break this up?

A. Bill, Ted, and Jim each pay 1/3 of the replacement cost. Bill for actually running the camera over, Ted for placing his bag in a bad spot (not considering the need for Bill’s car to turn to pick up the trailer), and Jim for telling Bill he was good to go. This removes subjectivity, assuming each component of this scenario carries equal weight.
B. Add subjectivity to the above scenario, and decide the individual proportionality of cost to each person involved.
C. Ted has suggested that Bill pay 85% of replacement cost, as Ted is already into the camera $1000.
D. Any other mix of involved persons, whether the cost be settled completely by one person, two people, or all three.

I can provide more details as necessary. For the sake of minimizing bias I ask that those involved do not post in this thread.

Thanks for reading, I hope we can start to reach an agreement based on what you guys have to say.