What to Do if a Parked Car Hit and Run Accident Occurs?
In the United States, parked cars are involved in 69 percent of hit-and-run accidents, according to a 2010 Allstate Insurance survey. You could feel embarrassed and want to flee if you unintentionally hit a parked car. It can also be very upsetting if the individual who hit your parked car did not leave a note with any contact information. Here’s what to do in each situation.
Stay at the site if you hit a parked car; it’s the law.
- A hit and run is when you flee the scene after hitting a parked car. A hit-and-run conviction can result in a sizable fine, jail time or community service, and licence suspension.
- Leave a remark if the parked car’s owner or driver cannot be located. The majority of states demand that you leave a note with your name, address, phone number, contact information, a description of what happened, and, if you were driving someone else’s car, that person’s name and address as well. If you happen to have it on hand, you might also want to leave your insurance information. No information that might be used against you later while the insurance companies are settling the claim, such as admitting in writing that you weren’t paying attention, is necessary. Securely tuck the message beneath the wipers.
- Take photos and videos of the situation before you depart that document the two automobiles’ conditions as well as their licence plate numbers. This can provide as protection for you if the owner of the parked car alleges that you caused more damage than you realised.
- Find some witnesses if you can. Take a video of their description of the hit and get their contact information. This will demonstrate your diligence in looking for the owner and your acceptance of responsibility for the accident.
- Make a call to your insurance provider right away so that they can hasten the claims procedure. After you pay the deductible, your collision policy will cover your own vehicle, while the property damage liability portion of your insurance will pay for damage to the parked automobile.
If your parked car was hit:
- The first thing to do if you return to the parking lot from the mall and discover your car has been hit is to see if the driver is still present and gather his or her contact information. If the other driver departs, search the area for any notes or information they might have left.
- Search the area for any witnesses if there was no note left. See if you can spot the licence plate of the other car on security’s footage of the parking lot. Collect the narrative of what happened from any eyewitnesses you can locate, and make sure to get their names and contact information.
- Take pictures of the damage to your car to hasten the insurance claim procedure.
- Call the police if the damage is severe enough. They can get a report and presumably shorten the wait for access to any security cameras.
- If the other driver left their contact information in a note, get in touch with either one or both insurance companies.