Help! Someone Hit My Parked Car!

Ouch! It’s no fun when someone hits your parked car. Here’s what you should do.

Accidents involving parked cars are not the same as accidents involving moving vehicles. For one thing, unless you were in the parked vehicle at the time of the crash, you most likely did not sustain physical injuries.

Also, unless they thoughtfully left a note, you are unlikely to discover the identity of the individual who hit your vehicle. Unfortunately, in Washington, some motorists may quickly disappear after crashing into a parked automobile, so you may never be able to identify the culprit.

We at Cunnane Law, a leading Washington vehicle accident firm, are frequently asked what to do next. Experience has shown that following these four procedures will boost your chances of collecting compensation under your collision policy.

1. Call the Police

A police officer can stop by and fill out an accident report. This report is extremely useful because it clearly proves that an accident occurred. If you don’t have it, you’ll need other evidence proving that someone hit your parked vehicle.

Obtain a copy of the police report or, at the very least, the police report number. The report will be required by your insurance company.

2. Take Photographs Showing the Damage to Your Vehicle

You should photograph any damage while you wait for the police officer to come. Take shots from all sides of your vehicle as you walk around it. You should also magnify any visible damage. Paint can smear off a vehicle after a collision, so try to photograph it as well.

Take photos of nearby landmarks to help you pinpoint where your vehicle is parked. Important information, such as the location of your automobile and the time you noticed it had been hit, should also be documented.

3. Talk to Witnesses

Someone may have witnessed another driver crash your vehicle.  Walk around the neighborhood and inquire if anyone noticed anything. They might have, in which case you should make a note of the make, model, and color of the car at fault. Take down the name of any witnesses, as well as their phone number or email address. Check whether any surrounding businesses have security cameras. These cameras are sometimes positioned toward the road, and they may have filmed the accident as it happened. If that’s the case, you might be able to obtain a copy of the video.

4. Submit a Claim to Your Insurer

Call your insurance company as soon as possible and report the accident. Your agent will advise you of any additional information required. They may also have claim forms that you must complete. Unless you can identify the motorist who hit your parked car, you will most likely only be able to file a claim under your collision policy.

5. Do you require assistance? Cunnane Law can help.

We are a reputable Washington car accident law office, and we want the general public to know that we are available to assist them with their legal matters. If you have been hit and injured, we can help you get compensation, but we need you to contact us first to begin the process.

Don’t delay. Please call us or send an online message to schedule a free consultation.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.