Introduction – Parked Car
You anticipate pleasant travel and the completion of your assignment every time you get in the automobile. And if you are not going on a long journey, you’ll probably have to park your car somewhere. The last thing you want when leaving your car in a parking lot is for it to be damaged.
Unfortunately, there is always the chance that you will come back to see your vehicle hit and damaged. Finding the offender can be a big hassle, whether it was a driver who was too aggressive, a misdirected driver, or just someone who didn’t see your parked car. If you’re lucky, the person who hit your vehicle might leave a note with their contact information. Security cameras can also help. Else, you might have to deal with it on your own.
What To Do When Someone Hits Your Parked Car?
You’re done with work and heading home, looking forward to a lovely time. But gosh, your bumper has been damaged. It often leaves you in an awkward situation with no idea what to do when this happens. You can feel intimidated and left with few options for recourse.
While it may be tempting to find the offender and confront them, it’s essential to take a few moments to assess the situation. First, stay calm and check if the culprit left you a note or if it is a hit and run with no note or contact information.
Someone Hits Your Car And Leaves A Note
Thankfully, you found a note. At least you now have some lead that can help you out. Below are steps you should take if a note were left after your parked car was hit.
- Contact the driver
The note should have the other driver’s contact information. Ideally, they would also give their insurance information. If not, it is best to contact them to get that documentation.
- Find Witness to the Accident
If you did not see the car damaging your vehicle or find a note left by the offender after the accident, you should look for an eyewitness. Speak to people around during the accident, and hopefully, they’ll know who did this to you.
Whenever you find any eyewitnesses to a crime, it’s essential to get as much detail as possible and check that they’re willing to act as a witness. If they are, don’t forget to take their phone number if it becomes necessary later on.
- Contact the police
It’s a good idea to notify the police after an accident as it may help with other things. For instance, there’s a chance that an officer will file an accident report. This report might be required for an insurance claim depending on how severe the accident was
If there are significant damages, personal injury, or death resulting from an accident, several states require you to make a police report.
- Document the accident
Documenting the accident is an essential step in resolving it quickly and fairly.
Start by taking pictures of the scene and the car. Write down what happened and when it happened. Take photos of any visible damage to the vehicles. Take a picture of the license plate, registration, and driver’s license information.
- Contact your insurance company
If you were not in the car when it was hit, you would only have a claim for property damage. To file a claim for this type of loss, you must first call the insurance carrier and provide them with your contact information.
Someone Hits Your Parked Car but Does Not Leaves A Note
Leaving a note would be courteous if you crashed your car into someone’s parked car. If the culprit does not leave a message, it is a hit and runs.
If the culprit isn’t found, you will need to file a claim with your insurer. Two types of insurance coverage may help compensate you for any damages:
Collision coverage: Collision coverage is an insurance policy that covers the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it is damaged in an accident with another vehicle. This type of coverage compensates you for damages in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage protects the driver and passengers in the case of a collision with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. However, this only covers bodily injury. If you weren’t in the parked car at the time of the accident and were not hurt, this coverage wouldn’t apply.
While it is upsetting to realize your parked car suffered damage, it can worsen when you know that your car insurance doesn’t cover the damage because you didn’t purchase specific auto coverage.
It is important to note that collision coverage is optional in most auto insurance plans, and typically you have to confirm with your provider before purchasing it. Uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory in all states, so you should contact your insurer to see what coverages are included in the insurance policy you purchased.
In Summary
Accidents involving a parked car happens often, so it’s better to be prepared instead of dealing with them when you are already shocked. Comprehensive insurance is necessary when you cannot identify the person who hit your car. Car insurance companies are more likely to cover the damages than third-party insurers. Understanding what to do when someone hits your parked car will go a long way toward resolving your problems and recovering damages.
Contact Us
Drive Well Driving School: Do you need assistance selecting the best products for your vehicle? Do you need information on matters bothering your automobile? We have a specialized team of professionals standing by to help you. We are located at 44297 Pawnee Ter, Ashburn, VA 20147. For more inquiries, call our hotline at 703-817-5047, or reach us via email at info@drivewelldrivingschool.com.
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