Someone Hit My Parked Car: What Should I Do Next?
Recent reports from Allstate Insurance have found that 70% of hit-and-run accidents involve a parked vehicle.
At The Jones Firm, we realize that this is unfortunate for the owner of the parked vehicle because they usually don’t know what to do in such situations. Victims usually don’t receive compensation for the damages done to their vehicle because the offending driver is long gone.
Parking on the street further increases the chances of your car being hit by someone driving by.
Hit-and-run accidents are complicated legal matters. To help you understand what to do if someone has hit your parked car, here are a few helpful pointers.
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What To Do When Someone Hits Your Parked Car
Table of Contents
- Stay at the scene: it’s important to stay exactly where the accident took place as you have much higher chances of figuring out who hit your parked car. If you were parked at a shopping center, you can ask if they have security footage of the parking lot.
- Contact the police: you should file an accident report as this is viewed as official proof to insurance agencies.
- Write down all details: take note of the time of day and the exact location of your parked vehicle. These details are necessary when filing reports about your parking lot accident.
- Check for witnesses: anyone who saw the parking lot accident happen could have information to help you track down the person who hit your parked car. If you are parked next to other vehicles, wait for their owners to come out and ask them if they saw anything suspicious.
- Contact your insurance provider: contacting your insurance and notifying them of the accident is necessary. You likely will have to file a claim with them concerning the accident.
- Find an auto accident attorney: an attorney can help you in the legal sphere of figuring out how to get your damages covered for the hit and run accident. Before signing anything or giving a statement of the accident, you should consult your auto accident attorney. This will help you avoid pitfalls that could result in your damages not being covered.
Did someone hit Your Parked Car? Here Are Two Possible Scenarios
- There are two different scenarios that could play out when your parked car has been hit. Of course, each of these scenarios comes with its own set of particulars, and your case likely will have its own set of qualifiers.
- Despite that, it is necessary to know how to handle each scenario in the event that you are faced with a parked car accident.
The Hit And Run Driver Was Identified
This scenario is ideal.
If the hit and run driver was identified through surveillance footage or at the time of the accident, you will have a much easier time getting your damages covered. Working with your auto insurance will also be much easier than it would be without the identity of the guilty driver.
This is why it is especially important to check for witnesses or surveillance coverage; you may have a chance of identifying the guilty driver and having your damages covered.
Even if the driver was identified, it’s still important to work with an auto accident attorney. If your parked car was hit, you should never underestimate the amount of legal help you will need to help solve your auto accident case.
The Hit And Run Driver Was Not Identified
This scenario is the most difficult to reconcile and requires professional legal help in almost every case. Without witnesses or surveillance footage of the accident, you may have to reconcile the damages to your vehicle without the help of your insurance.
In order to negotiate with your insurance company or protect you from them shifting all of the blame onto you, you need an auto accident attorney.
You will also need a written estimate from a qualified auto shop to present to your auto attorney. This will help your attorney negotiate with your insurance to help you get more damages covered.
Work With A Reliable Insurance Claim Attorney
Working with an insurance claim attorney is the easiest way to minimize legal stress and get your damages covered. Worried about having to pay out of pocket for a parking lot accident?
You need to work with a reliable insurance claim attorney to protect your finances. Parking lot accidents, though often small-scale, have the ability to greatly affect finances. This is why it is vital to work with an insurance claim attorney. An insurance claim attorney will negotiate with your insurance to help them understand that you weren’t responsible for the accident.
Dax Jones of The Jones Firm is an experienced auto accident attorney and insurance claim attorney. He understands the implications of parking lot accidents and has helped many clients in their hit-and-run cases in the past.
If your car was involved in a parking lot accident, don’t delay in contacting an insurance claim or auto accident attorney. To schedule your first consultation, contact The Jones Firm today.
