4.If you were hit while you car was parked. If someone hits your parked car and remains at the scene, treat this as any other car accident. If you accidentally hit a parked car, caused an accident or hit a bicyclist, motorist or a pedestrian, there are steps you should take to minimize your liability and avoid criminal charges. Or maybe you return to your car in the parking lot after doing some grocery shopping, only to find a huge dent in your bumper and no note on your windshield. Typically an accident where you hit a car that is legally parked will result in you being found at. Many states extend hit and run laws to cover parking lot collisions. You’re side-swiped on the highway and the other driver speeds away. I am a single mom of four. If you are a victim of a hit run traffic accident, the legal consequences are more severe than in ordinary traffic accidents. Collision coverage helps pay to repair your vehicle if you hit another car (or another vehicle hits your car), regardless of fault. You could be 99% at fault for the accident and still be eligible for some financial compensation. Car accidents with parked vehicles generally do not include Hit And Run type of accidents, except if a driver strikes a parked car and then does not report the incident. But at the time it happened, you didn’t think there was any damage. Whether you scraped a parked car, hit a road sign, scratched or bumped into another vehicle, or even something more serious, it is entirely possible to not fully understand what happened at the time. It could also be covered by the collision portion of your insurance, but keep in mind your premium will likely increase after filing a collision claim, even if you're not at fault. Look for the same evidence if were hit while your car was parked, and if you can’t find any, at the very least, record the time you found the damage to your car, the time you parked you car, the exact location of your car when it was hit, and take pictures of the damage that was caused. If you have not chosen to carry the optional liability coverage, you will not have insurance that will cover the damage caused to your car in the hit and run. By law, a third party who hit your parked car is obligated to leave a note with their contact information if you weren’t present. If someone hits your parked car, the first thing you should do is call the police so they can investigate and create an accident report. Stay to see if you can find the car’s owner. Thank you for your follow-up. Police Report. The car was paid off and it was the only thing I owned of value, and I needed it to get back and forth to work. Crowded parking lots can be a driver’s nightmare and are often the scene of frequent hit and run accidents. Other folks' opinions don't really matter in terms of "need an attorney"; ultimately, that's a decision you have to make and shouldn't make it simply based on Joe or Jane Stranger saying so. Follow these steps if you hit a parked car: Do not leave the scene of an accident, it’s illegal. How to avoid liability and criminal charges for hit and run accidents. You can also take a picture of the accident scene and damage if your cellular phone has a camera. Find out your first steps, what you can do … If the driver left without leaving a note, then it’s a hit-and-run parked car situation. If you’ve come back to a scratched car after leaving it in a car park, or you’ve left your house to find your car has been hit, you need to take action. 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