It is relatively dark, rainy and you can hardly see out of your rear-view mirror. As you are struggling to reverse out of the parking lot, you feel a sudden jolt. That is when it hits you that you have just reversed into a parked car. Oh no! Why has this happened to you?
Now you go into panic mode, wondering what you need to do next. Don’t worry because you are not alone. In fact, statistics show that at least 69% of all hit-and-run accidents involve a parked car.
While the law is relatively clear on what to do if you cause a car crash and all involved parties are present, it is silent on what needs to happen in case one of the parties is nowhere to be seen.
So, what should I do if I hit a parked car? Follow the steps outlined below to ensure you comply with the law and protect yourself from any other claims.
1. Relax and Breathe
As we mentioned in the introduction, you don’t have to panic because you have hit a parked car. The first thing you need to do is stop your car and breathe. Ensure you are okay and no one in your vehicle is injured.
If anyone is injured, be sure to call 911 immediately. If your car is blocking the way out, move it to avoid inconveniencing others.
You can also turn on your hazard lights to warn others that something unfortunate has happened and you are handling it.
Ensuring you and all the passengers in your car are safe should be your priority.
2. Wait for the Owner
If you collide with another car (whether parked or moving) and you flee the accident scene, your case will be treated as a hit-and-run.
Being found guilty of committing a hit-and-run is much worse than waiting for the car owner and negotiating how to handle the damage caused.
One case of hit-and-run can attract up to six points to your driver’s record. So, if you hit a parked car, don’t leave the scene. Wait for a reasonable amount of time to see if the owner will appear.
If the incident happened in a business or local store parking lot, go inside and try to find the other car owner. When you are speaking to the car owner, understand that they may be frustrated and angered by the news.
So, you need to stay calm and let them know that you are willing to take full responsibility for the damage caused. Exchange contact information and insurance information.
The bottom line is that hitting a parked car and leaving is the same as fleeing an accident scene.
3. Leave a Note
When you hit a parked car, try to make a reasonable attempt to try and find the owner, but you aren’t successful; ensure you leave a note with your information.
Pin the note under the wiper in a plastic bag just in case it rains. The primary purpose of the note is to ensure you are not accused of hit-and-run.
But don’t say anything in your note that may be interpreted as an admission of liability. For instance, don’t include something like “sorry, I ruined your car.”
All you have to include in the note are the exact details you would’ve exchanged with the other driver if they were present. These include your full name, phone number, address, and a brief explanation of what happened.
Keep it simple and let the car owner decide whether they will contact you to seek compensation or not.
4. Protect Yourself
One major concern in such a case is that the driver of the other car could attempt to claim that you caused extensive damage to their vehicle that was already there.
So, to avoid being a fraud victim, take as many photographs of the accident scene as possible. Be sure the pictures are clear and show the exact positioning of each vehicle. You should also take photos of pre-existing damage to the car.
If there are any witnesses, request to take their contact information and any statement that could help ensure you are not deemed at fault for any damage you didn’t cause.
5. Call the Police
If there is significant damage to the other car, many state laws across the country require you to call the police. Since it is pretty difficult for you to estimate the amount of damage you have caused, the police can help you.
The police will also file a report and get in touch with the other vehicle owner if you cannot find them. The police report provides an accurate account of what happened so that the other driver doesn’t end up claiming something different.
Hitting a Parked Car and Leaving – Is That Fleeing an Accident Scene?
Sometimes, you may panic and leave the scene hurriedly. Will such a scenario be considered as fleeing an accident scene? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
The moment you are involved in an incident of hitting a parked car and leaving, your case becomes a criminal offense, and the other driver will have a certain time limit within which to file a claim against you.
The time limit will depend on the state’s statute of limitations. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to make the situation right.
First, figure out the amount of time that has passed since the incident occurred. If it happened within a few minutes or hours ago and you think the car is still there, go back and leave your contact information.
If the car is no longer there, the best option is to speak with an experienced car accident attorney immediately. An attorney can contact the police on your behalf and protect you from being charged with a criminal offense.
The second option is to contact the police yourself and be honest about everything. Tell them that you panicked and you didn’t intend to run away. Let them know you have realized your mistake and want to report the incident.
Bringing Insurance into the Situation
Assuming you have taken all the steps outlined above, your auto insurance company will generally cover the costs of the damage you caused to the other car.
The liability component of your policy is designed to protect you in such situations. Liability coverage is mandatory in most states, so you most likely have it.
A critical point you need to know is that the minimum required liability coverage varies from state to state.
For instance, if your liability amount is $5,000 and the damage is worth $7,000, you will be responsible for the $2,000 above the limit. With the relatively high cost of cars today, hitting your policy limit is pretty easy.
Therefore, it is critical to carry more than the minimum required amounts to safeguard your assets in case of such things. However, liability coverage doesn’t cover damage to your own car should you incur any damage from hitting a parked car.
What If I Hit a Parked Car and There Is No Damage?
If you hit a parked car and there is no damage, you should still follow the steps outlined above to notify the other driver of what happened. You should also inform your insurance agent about the incident.
No matter how minor the damage may seem, if you hit a parked car and leave without writing a note to the other driver, you will be guilty of a hit-and-run accident and subject to penalties that your state’s law imposes in such cases.
A Car Accident Attorney May Help You!
Being involved in an accident isn’t an offense in itself, but it does create responsibilities that you must take seriously. If you have been involved in an auto accident, you can get help from an experienced car accident attorney.
Keep in mind that even a minor incident such as scratching a car while parked can result in complex legal issues. Therefore, it is crucial to understand your rights and how to handle the legal process.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced car accident attorney!
