What should you do when you move off from behind a parked car

It’s dark, rainy and hard to see out of your rearview mirror. As you’re backing up out of a parking spot, you feel a sudden jolt as you accidentally reverse into a parked car. Oh no! Has this ever happened to you?

Or what about this? You navigate a crowded parking lot on a winter evening. When you arrive home, you notice a scratch on your bumper that you’re certain wasn’t there before you started navigating the parking lot. You’re worried you unknowingly hit a parked car.

The rules are relatively straightforward on what to do if you cause a car accident and all parties involved are present.

But what should you do if you hit a parked car and the owner is nowhere to be seen?

Here’s what you need to know (and do) if this happens to you.

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What to do if you hit a parked car (8 steps)

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What to do if you hit a parked car (8 steps)

Legal DO’s and DON’Ts after hitting a parked car:

What to do if you panicked and left the accident scene

Was the accident your fault?

Will your insurance go up after hitting a parked car?

What if someone hit your parked car and left?

State laws require all US drivers to obey a standard of “reasonable care, ” which means acting in a way any prudent driver would in a similar situation. Each state sets its own specific legal requirements in vehicle codes and other traffic laws and regulations. Whether an accident happens in a parking lot or public street, it makes no difference.

While it’s important to be aware of your local requirements, there are some common themes to help understand what the law requires if you hit an unattended vehicle and can’t find the owner of the other vehicle. Follow these steps to make sure you comply with the law and protect yourself from additional claims:

Legal DO’s and DON’Ts after hitting a parked car:

• DO leave a note and/or call the police

• DO talk to witnesses

• DO inform your insurance company

• DO contact an attorney

• DON’T freak out and leave the scene

• DON’T put yourself at risk of further injury by standing or waiting in an area with traffic

• DON’T forget to document the accident (take pictures and video)

• DON’T admit fault or apologize

1. Stay calm and breathe

First, stop your car and take a breath. Make sure you’re okay and that no one in your car is injured. If you or someone else is hurt, call 911 immediately. If possible, move your car off the road and to a safe place nearby. Turn on your flashers to warn others to be cautious as you will be getting out of your car.

You’re not going to go to jail for hitting a parked car if you take the necessary steps, so stay calm and make your health and safety your number one priority.

Facing facts:If it helps keep you calm, remind yourself that you’re not the only person to hit a parked car. According to the National Safety Council, roughly 20 percent of car accidents happen in parking lots and garages (approximately 50,000 car crashes per year).

2. Don’t commit a hit-and-run in a parking lot

A hit-and-run accident is when a person collides with a person, car, or object and flees the accident scene without stopping to exchange information or assist the other people involved in the accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a hit-and-run crash happens somewhere in the United States every 43 seconds.

A hit-and-run is considered a criminal offense. Depending on the state, a hit-and-run may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony punishable by fines, jail time, license points or all of these.

If you hit a parked car and leave, a police officer can use witnesses, surveillance footage, your license plate, and other evidence to identify and arrest you. As a result of a hit-and-run conviction, you will face higher insurance rates and you may even have trouble finding an insurance company to insure you.

So how do you avoid a hit-and-run?

1. Stop your vehicle at the scene of the accident, and
2. Locate the owner of the property or leave a written note providing your name and contact information (more on this in a moment).

3. Leave a note

When you hit a parked car, you’re expected to locate the owner of the car and notify them. This may be difficult or impossible in some situations, such as when the vehicle is unoccupied, which is why most states have adopted a minimal requirement to leave a note with your contact information.

Pin the note under the wiper (in a sandwich bag if you have one in case it rains). This note helps you avoid being accused of a hit and run. Don’t say anything in the note that puts you in a bad light or admits fault such as “I’m such a bad driver.”

Enjuris tip:To further protect yourself, it’s a good idea to take a photograph of the note secured to the vehicle.

Some states stipulate the exact details to include in the note, but at the very least the note should contain your:

• Name,
• Address,
• Phone number,
• A very brief explanation of what happened (e.g., “hit by car”)

Keep it simple.

4. Report the accident to police

Most states require you to contact the police if the crash results in an injury or any damage.

In addition, some states, including Florida and California, legally require you to report any accident to the police as well as provide your information. In New York, a driver must notify police if they’re unable to exchange information.

The penalties for failing to report an accident to authorities are more severe when injuries are involved. In Illinois, for example, you can be charged with a felony for fleeing an accident scene and failing to report an injury within 30 minutes.

5. Take photos and video

Take as many photos as you can using your phone or a camera. Be sure to take photos of the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any damage. If possible, attach a timestamp to the photos. Most smartphones have a timestamp feature.

6. Talk to witnesses

Talk to any eyewitnesses and take down their contact information immediately (witnesses are notoriously difficult to track down after a crash). Identifying witnesses helps show that you didn’t flee the scene and can reinforce your version of events. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching strangers, feel free to wait for the police and let them talk to the witnesses.

7. Call your insurance company

Your insurance company expects to be notified of any accident, even if you weren’t able to locate the vehicle owner and left a note. If you fail to notify your insurance company within a certain period of time, your insurance company may deny coverage.

8. Consult an attorney

While not legally required, we strongly recommend you schedule a free consultation with a local car accident attorney near you. A car accident attorney can help you collect damages or can help minimize your liability.

What to do if you panicked and left the accident scene

In a moment of panic, people often make the grave mistake of leaving the scene of the accident after hitting a parked car. This is a hit-and-run, which is considered a criminal offense, and the owner may have up to 2 years to file a claim.

Fortunately, there are ways you can make the situation right and clear your conscience.

First, how long ago was the accident? Did it happen less than an hour ago? If the parked car is still there, go back and leave your contact information on the windshield.

If the car is gone, there are two steps you should take:

1. Contact the police. Most states require you to contact the police following an accident. What’s more, all states require you to contact the police if you’re involved in a hit-and-run. Although you may still be charged with a hit-and-run, contacting the police and explaining what happened may help you avoid a conviction or it may result in reduced penalties.
2. Contact an attorney. If you’re worried about civil liability or criminal charges, it’s a good idea to meet with a car accident attorney. Most initial consultations are free.

Was the accident your fault?

If the car you hit was parked, you will likely be deemed “at fault” for the accident. However, you might be able to avoid liability or at least reduce your liability if you can prove that someone else was responsible or partially responsible for the accident. For example, you may have hit the parked car after swerving to avoid another car that was out of control or perhaps the parked car was illegally parked.

Assuming you’re not in a no-fault state, the person responsible for the accident will be responsible for paying the damages. You won’t be legally obligated to repair your own car unless it’s unsafe to have on the road. .

Will your insurance go up after hitting a parked car?

If you’re at fault, the short answer is probably. Ultimately, though, it’ll depend on your insurer, your insurance policy, the amount of damage and if you’ve filed a claim before. Some insurers have “accident forgiveness,” which allows a single at-fault collision without increasing rates.

Should you settle out of pocket? It’s worth noting that most insurers require you to report any accident within a reasonable time. This protects them and you. However, to avoid increased rates, people do sometimes choose to settle with the other driver out of their own pocket, but this carries some risks. For example, the innocent party might later claim that you never paid them or that there was more damage than they originally thought.

Ultimately, only you can decide what risks you’re willing to take.

What if someone hit your parked car and left?

If you or the police are able to identify the hit-and-run driver, you can make a claim against their insurance or file a personal injury lawsuit against them.

If you’re unable to identify the hit-and-run driver, the following optional insurance policies may still provide coverage:

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage provides coverage for damages sustained as a result of an accident involving a driver who can’t be located.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage provides up to $10,000 in coverage regardless of who’s at fault. Whether or not PIP covers hit-and-run accidents depends on your specific policy.
• MedPay coverage. MedPay coverage provides coverage for medical expenses regardless of who’s at fault. Again, whether or not MedPay covers hit-and-run accidents depends on your specific policy.

Additionally, there is something called “parked car insurance.” If you have a car that you only drive a few times a year (perhaps you keep it parked on the street most of the year), you can purchase parked car insurance (sometimes called “storage coverage”). This type of insurance generally doesn’t include liability coverage, but may cover the damages caused by someone who crashes into your parked car and flees the scene.

If you hit a parked car, try not to beat yourself up.

Everyone makes mistakes and many make this one. In the words of poet Alexander Pope: “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

Have you ever hit a parked car? What was your experience? Feel free to share your story in the comments below

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