Someone Hit My Parked Car: What Should I Do?

If you’ve recently had a parked car accident, then you understand the frustration: You left your vehicle in a parking lot only to return and find a crumpled fender or dented side door. After examining the vehicle, you realize the driver who was at fault left no contact information. What recourse do you have?

A Common Scenario: The Parked Car Accident

Such scenarios happen all too often. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, almost 36,000 accidents involving a parked car occurred in 2014 alone.1 That makes them one of the leading types of vehicle crashes in the state.

Although assigning blame is relatively easy in such cases—unless there was a pile-up or chain reaction, the vehicle that ran into your stationary car will be at fault—a parking lot accident can become complex fast. That’s because a parked car accident can lead to one of two scenarios. Either the driver:

1. Leaves his or her contact information before departing; or
2. Flees the scene of the accident without so much as exiting the vehicle.

While the first situation is relatively straightforward, the second scenario presents complications.

Responsible Drivers: Dealing with the Best-Case Scenario

If the driver does wait around or leaves contact information, you have plenty of options. Assuming you can identify the driver who hit your vehicle, then you’ll want to:

1. Get the driver’s personal information (name, address, phone number), if they haven’t given it already.
2. Obtain their insurance information so you can file a claim with their provider.
3. Call the police if the damage appears to exceed $1,000.
4. Report the accident to your insurance company.
5. File a claim with the driver’s insurance company.

Although it’s good to let your own insurance company know of the accident, it’s always best to file a claim with the other party’s provider first.

Hit-and-Run Parking Lot Accident: Dealing with the Worst-Case Scenario

What if the driver does a hit and run, leaving you high and dry? Unless there are surveillance cameras in the area or reliable eyewitness who can identify the vehicle or the driver, you’ll likely have no way to uncover the identity of the culprit. That means you’ll be left without any way to contact their insurance provider and claim damages.

Worse comes to worst, you’ll have to contact your own insurance company in order to recoup the costs of repair. There are a number of insurance policies that cover such an incident, including:

1. Collision coverage, which often covers a hit-and-run scenario
2. Uninsured Motorist coverage, if you know the identity of the driver but they don’t have insurance
3. Comprehensive coverage, which usually covers a parked car accident

Most likely, you’ll be able to handle the matter without contacting a lawyer, but if you were injured while you were sitting in a parked car, then contact Shuman & Associates immediately. We can help you evaluate your case and seek compensation for your pain and suffering.

If You Or Someone You Know Has Been Involved In A Car Accident, CALL (800) 722-9744 NOW To Speak To An Experienced Injury Attorney For FREE.

Since 1996, the Law Offices of Marc J. Shuman & Associates has been helping Car Accident victims, all injured victims and their families navigate the complex legal process. As experienced personal injury, worker’s compensation, auto accidents, compensated and wrongful death attorneys, we can help you evaluate the facts, assess your options, navigate the legal challenges, and advocate on your behalf. Marc J. Shuman & Associates has over 77 combined years of experience advocating for over 10,000 injury victims and their families recovering over 50 million dollars on their behalf.  We advocate on your behalf, so you can focus on the task of recovery.

Sources:

1. Illinois Department of Transportation. “2014 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics.” Page 14. http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Resources/Safety/Crash-Reports/crash-facts/2014%20CF.pdf