A recent report revealed that an overwhelming 77% of drivers have been involved in at least one car accident! What’s more, drivers are likely to get in about 3-4 car accidents over their lifetime. Since not every car accident is avoidable, getting informed on how to handle an accident can help save you a lot of money and stress.
Below, we’ll go over exactly what to do if you hit a parked car to protect yourself from further problems.
Stop and Evaluate the Scene
We know what you’re thinking – ‘I hit a parked car now what?!’ First, stop and evaluate what happened. If you hit a parked car you should get out of the way of traffic and park your car first. Next, exit your vehicle and evaluate the scene.
You’ll want to take note of how much damage is visible on both your car and the other person’s vehicle. If possible, it’s a good idea to take some photographs of both cars if damage is present.
Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident: Hit & Run Charges
If you hit a parked car you should be aware of hit and run charges and how they could impact you. By law, it’s illegal to leave the scene of a car accident where property damage is present.
Getting convicted of a hit and run can lead to serious consequences including a fine, imprisonment, driver’s education courses, and a criminal record. This law doesn’t outline what to do when you hit a parked car, though. You have a few options on how to handle the situation if there isn’t another driver present at the scene.
If the driver of the other vehicle is inside the parked car, then you’ll want to treat the accident just like you would any other crash. Get each other’s contact and insurance details, take photographs of the damage, speak to your insurance company, and if necessary, report the incident to the authorities.
What Should You Do if You Hit an Unattended Vehicle?
Hitting a car in a parking lot is more common than you’d think. In these situations, there often isn’t a driver in the car. Since you’re obligated not to leave the scene, you have a few options.
First, you could wait for the other driver to return to their vehicle. If you’re in a parking lot in a grocery store, then there’s a good chance that the other driver won’t take too long in the store. Depending on the severity of the damage, it might be worth it to wait. After all, hit and run charges are way more severe than simply accepting fault in a minor fender bender.
Of course, waiting around for the other driver potentially for hours isn’t always possible. If you can’t stay at the scene, leave a note that outlines your contact details, insurance information, and an explanation.
Should You Report the Accident?
What should you do if you hit an unattended vehicle and the damage is pretty serious? Should you report the accident?
In these situations, it might be in your best interests to have an officer come out to the scene and confirm your contacted details and what happened. The officer will also help detail the extent of the damage on their official report. Taking this step could help protect your legal rights if the other driver challenges your side of the story or the extent of the damage later.
If you do run into any problems, contact a lawyer. Sometimes, minor parking lot accidents can turn into complex claims if the other driver attempts to claim you damaged their vehicle more than you actually did.
What to Do If You Hit a Parked Car
Now that you know what to do if you hit someone’s car while parked, you should feel more confident in handling the situation if it comes up in the future. By following the steps above, you’ll protect yourself legally and financially.
While you may end up having to report the accident and file an insurance claim, the trouble you endure is far better than facing criminal hit and run charges.
If you have more legal questions about your situation, then our office can help. Whether you did get hit with a criminal charge or the other party is making the situation out to be far worse than it is, our lawyers can help you uphold your rights. Contact our firm now to discuss your accident in detail with our lawyers.