What To Do If You Hit A Parked Car But There’s No Damage

What to do if you hit a parked car but there’s no damage?

In this article, you’ll learn about:

what to do if you hit a parked car and there’s no damage
what happens if you unknowingly hit a parked car
what to do if you hit a parked car and leave
what to do if you hit a parked car and can’t find the owner
whether your insurance will go up if you hit a parked car
how many points you’ll get on your license for hitting a parked car

Let’s dig in.

The Hive Law Has Been Featured In

Get A FREE Consultation!

We run out of free consultations every month. Sign up to make sure you get your free consultation. (Free $350 value.)

What To Do If You Hit A Parked Car But There’s No Damage?

If you hit a parked car but there is no visible damage, you should take several steps:

Leave a Note: Leave a note on the parked car with your contact information, including your name and phone number.
Document the Incident: Take pictures of both your vehicle and the parked car to have a record of the situation.
Inform Authorities: Report the incident to the local police or non-emergency line, providing them with the details of what happened.
Notify Your Insurance: Inform your insurance company about the incident, even if there is no apparent damage. They can provide guidance on how to proceed and may need to document the event.

What Happens If You Unknowingly Hit A Parked Car?

If you accidentally and unknowingly hit a parked car, you should:

Stop Immediately: As soon as you realize you’ve hit a parked car, stop your vehicle. Do not drive away from the scene.
Assess the Situation: Check for any damage to both your vehicle and the parked car. Even if there is no visible damage, it’s essential to follow the proper procedures.
Wait for the Car Owner: If possible, wait at the scene for the car owner to return. Exchange information and offer to share your insurance details if necessary.
Document the Incident: Take photos of both vehicles to document their positions and any damage, even minor dents or scratches. This can serve as evidence if needed later.
Contact the Authorities: Report the incident to the local police or non-emergency line. Provide them with details of the situation, including the location, time, and any relevant information.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about the incident, even if there appears to be no significant damage. They can provide guidance on how to proceed and may need to document the event for your records.
Cooperate with Authorities: If the car owner or authorities arrive, cooperate fully and provide any necessary information or documents.

What Happens If You Hit A Car In A Parking Lot And Leave?

Leaving the scene after hitting a car in a parking lot without taking appropriate action is illegal.

This is a hit-and-run charge and it can lead to both criminal and civil consequences.

Here’s what typically happens:

Police Investigation: If the owner of the damaged car reports the incident to the police, they may launch an investigation to identify and locate the driver who left the scene. This can involve reviewing surveillance footage, talking to witnesses, and other investigative efforts.
Criminal Consequences: Leaving the scene of an accident without fulfilling your legal obligations is often considered a crime. It may be categorized as a hit-and-run or leaving the scene of an accident, depending on your jurisdiction’s laws.
Civil Liability: In addition to potential criminal charges, you could be held financially responsible for the damages to the other vehicle. The owner of the damaged car may file a civil lawsuit against you to recover the cost of repairs or other damages.
Insurance Implications: Your auto insurance company may consider the incident a hit-and-run, which can result in higher insurance premiums or even the cancellation of your policy.
Driver’s License Consequences: Depending on the severity of the incident and the laws in your jurisdiction, your driver’s license could be suspended or revoked.

What To Do If You Hit A Parked Car And Left

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious matter, and it’s important to take responsibility for your actions.

Failing to do so can result in legal consequences and difficulties with insurance claims.

If you’ve hit a parked car and left the scene, you need to return to the scene.

Go back to where the accident occurred as soon as possible.

Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in many places.

Returning is the responsible course of action.

Let’s say the owner of the parked car is not present.

You should leave a note with your contact information, including your name and phone number.

Finally, you should contact your insurance company.

They can guide you through the claims process and provide assistance.

FAQs About Hitting A Car Without Damaging It

Here are other questions clients ask us about hitting a car without damaging it.

Will My Insurance Go Up If I Hit A Parked Car?

Yes, your insurance is likely to go up if you hit a parked car.

However, it can depend on several factors:

Coverage: If you have collision coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, it may cover the cost of repairing your vehicle after hitting a parked car. In this case, your insurer will handle the repair costs, and you will be responsible for paying your deductible. Your rates may not necessarily increase due to this type of claim.
Fault: If you are found at fault for the accident (for example, if it’s determined that you were negligent or driving recklessly), it can increase the likelihood of your insurance rates going up. Insurance companies may consider this a “chargeable accident.”
Claims History: Your insurance history plays a role in rate changes. If you have a history of frequent claims, especially at-fault claims, insurers may view you as a higher-risk driver, which can lead to rate increases.
Severity of Damage: The extent of the damage to both your vehicle and the parked car can influence rate changes. If the damage is minor and the repair costs are low, it may have a smaller impact on your rates compared to a significant accident.
Insurance Provider: Different insurance companies have different policies and rate structures. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that prevent your rates from going up after your first at-fault accident. It’s essential to check with your specific insurance provider for their policies.

How Many Points For Hitting A Parked Car?

Points on a driver’s license are typically associated with moving violations or traffic offenses.

Examples would be: speeding, running a red light, or reckless driving.

Hitting a parked car is usually not considered a moving violation.

Therefore, it may not result in the accumulation of points on your driving record.

Instead, hitting a parked car is often treated as an accident or collision.

The consequences may involve:

Insurance Claim: You may need to report the accident to your insurance company, which will then determine the extent of your liability and any associated increases in premiums.
Financial Responsibility: You may be responsible for covering the cost of repairs to the parked car, either through your insurance or out of pocket.
Legal Consequences: Depending on the circumstances, you could face legal consequences if you leave the scene of the accident without taking proper action, such as leaving a note with your contact information.

Minimize Your Hit-And-Run Charges

If you are facing a conviction of hit and run, fill out the form on this page.

Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience you need to defend your rights.

This way, you don’t:

get wrongfully convicted of criminal homicide
spend decades in jail needlessly
never see your family or loved ones again
get wrongfully accused of a serious crime by police officers

You deserve a fair trial in the criminal justice system.

We can provide you with that.

Talk soon.

Get A FREE Consultation!

We run out of free consultations every month. Sign up to make sure you get your free consultation. (Free $350 value.)

What To Do If You Hit A Parked Car But There’s No Damage

Table of Contents

The Hive Law Has Been Featured In

Get A FREE Consultation!

What To Do If You Hit A Parked Car But There’s No Damage?

What Happens If You Unknowingly Hit A Parked Car?

What Happens If You Hit A Car In A Parking Lot And Leave?

What To Do If You Hit A Parked Car And Left

FAQs About Hitting A Car Without Damaging It

Will My Insurance Go Up If I Hit A Parked Car?

How Many Points For Hitting A Parked Car?

Minimize Your Hit-And-Run Charges

Get A FREE Consultation!

Share This Post With Someone Who Needs To See It

© 2024 The Hive Law