Hit a Parked Car? Legal Options on What To Do Next

After hitting a parked car, the next steps will differ depending on the state you’re in, as regulations vary by state. This page provides a thorough overview of what you must do immediately after such an incident to avoid being accused of a hit-and-run and ensure a seamless resolution process. 

Here, we’ll detail your immediate next steps and provide a state-by-state breakdown of these regulations, helping you understand the legal requirements in your state. Later, we’ll review the intricacies of handling insurance claims and coordinating car repairs efficiently. 

It’s important to note that, occasionally, legal representation may be necessary in these cases, especially if you face legal challenges or disputes with insurance claims. We’ll provide tips on finding a qualified car accident attorney, including what you should look for and how to use our lawyer directory to secure the necessary representation.

By following this guide, you can confidently navigate the aftermath of hitting a parked car, meet all legal obligations, and handle the situation effectively.

What To Do Immediately After Hitting a Parked Car

If you hit a parked car, stay calm and ensure your safety first. Assess the situation and check for injuries, assisting if necessary. Then, move your vehicle to a safe location if possible. 

Step 1: Gather Information and Documents

Gathering information is essential, as it’ll provide a smoother claims process and protect you legally. You can do this by:

• Capturing images of the damage to both vehicles, license plates, and the surrounding area 

• Noting the make, model, color, and any identifying details of the parked car

• If there are any bystanders, ask for their contact information. Witnesses can often provide unbiased accounts of the incident.

Step 2: Leave a Note or Contact the Owner

If the car owner isn’t present, you’re legally obligated to leave a note. What the note must include varies by state, but generally, you should provide the following information:

• Your name and contact information

• Your insurance details 

• A brief description of the accident

Place the note directly on the damaged vehicle. If the owner arrives or can be contacted directly, exchange contact information and insurance details.

Step 3: Report the Accident

Report the accident to police if required by local laws or if there is significant damage. You can do this by calling the non-emergency number or visiting the nearest police station to file a report. A police report is often beneficial, as it may provide legal protection and help with insurance claims. 

You’ll also want to contact your insurance company promptly to report the accident. Provide all necessary information, including photos, witness information, and the police report. This will help the claims process go more smoothly and, again, provide you with legal protection.

What Are Your Legal Obligations When You Hit a Parked Car?

There are specific legal obligations when you hit a parked car, such as:

1. Stopping immediately, as leaving the scene can easily be interpreted as a hit-and-run

2. Locating the owner to report the accident 

3. Leaving a note if the owner isn’t present, including your contact information, insurance details, and a description of the accident 

You must also report the accident to the police if required by local laws or if there is significant damage. 

Failing to report the accident can result in serious consequences, including fines, criminal charges, and increased insurance premiums. As mentioned earlier, leaving the scene without reporting is considered a hit-and-run, which can lead to severe legal penalties and loss of driving privileges. 

Alabama

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief description of the accident.

• Report the incident to the local police if it results in significant damage or injury.

Alaska

• In cases of injury or death, remain at the scene until you have provided your information and rendered aid.

• If the vehicle is only damaged, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief accident description.

Arizona

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name and address.

Arkansas

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name and address.

California

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance details.

• Notify the police and your insurance company.

Colorado

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance details.

• Report the accident to the police if there is any property damage, injury, or death.

Connecticut

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police.

Delaware

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police if the damage exceeds $2,000.

Florida

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance details.

• Report the accident to the police if the damage exceeds $500.

Georgia

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance details.

Hawaii

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance details.

• Report the accident to the police if the damage exceeds $3,000.

Idaho

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, insurance details, and a brief description of the accident.

Illinois

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police.

Indiana

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police.

Iowa

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, and a brief account of the accident.

• Report the accident to the police if there is significant property damage.

Kansas

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police.

Kentucky

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information.

Louisiana

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and license number, and report the accident to the police.

Maine

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, insurance information, and a brief account of the incident.

Maryland

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information.

Massachusetts

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance information.

Michigan

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance information.

Minnesota

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, date of birth, and insurance information.

• Report the accident to the police.

Mississippi

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief description of the accident.

Missouri

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, registration, or license number.

• Report the accident to the police.

Montana

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, contact information, and a brief account of the accident.

Nebraska

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number. 

• Report the accident to the police.

Nevada

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name and address.

New Hampshire

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, license number, insurance information, and the vehicle registration number.

New Jersey

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, license number, registration, and insurance information.

• Report the accident to the police.

New Mexico

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief account of the accident.

New York

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief account of the accident.

North Carolina

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, license number, and license plate number.

North Dakota

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance policy information.

• Report the accident in cases of property damage exceeding $4,000.

Ohio

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license number. 

• Report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

Oklahoma

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police in cases involving injury or death.

Oregon

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief description of the accident.

Pennsylvania

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, insurance information, and vehicle registration number.

Rhode Island

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief account of the accident.

• Report the accident to the police immediately.

South Carolina

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and insurance details.

• Report the accident to the police immediately.

South Dakota

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and license plate number.

• Report the accident to the police immediately.

Tennessee

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your contact information, license, and vehicle registration number.

• Report the accident to the police immediately.

Texas

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, phone number, insurance details, and a brief description of the accident.

• Report the accident to the police within five days.

Utah

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information.

• Report the accident to the police immediately if property damage exceeds $2,500.

Vermont

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and license number.

• Report the accident to the police immediately. 

Virginia

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and license number.

• Report the accident to the police within 24 hours. 

Washington

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name and address.

West Virginia

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief description of the accident.

Wisconsin

• Stop immediately. 

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief account of the accident.

• Report the accident to the police immediately in cases involving injury or death.

Wyoming

• Stop immediately.

• Attempt to find the owner.

• If the owner cannot be found, leave a note with your name, address, and a brief account of the accident.

Potential Legal Consequences of Hitting a Parked Car

Regardless of your state, leaving the scene without notifying the car owner or the authorities is considered a hit-and-run. This can result in:

• Hit-and-run charges, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the damage and local laws

• Fines, which vary by jurisdiction 

• Criminal liability that could lead to jail time, especially if injuries are involved

Failing to report the accident can also severely impact your driving record and insurance. A hit-and-run conviction will add points to your driving record, potentially leading to your driver's license suspension or revocation. Additionally, insurance companies view hit-and-run offenses as high-risk behavior. This can result in increased premiums or even the cancellation of your policy. 

How To Handle the Insurance Claims

Reach out to your insurance company to properly report the accident. You’ll need to provide details like the accident's date, time, and location. Your insurance company will require all evidence and documentation, including photos of the damage, the police report, witness statements or contact information, and the note left on the other car. From there, your insurer will contact the other driver’s insurance company to discuss the claim if necessary. 

Your insurer will determine liability based on the evidence. If you’re found entirely or partially at fault, this may impact your coverage or premiums.

How To Coordinate Car Repairs

Coordinating repairs involves reporting the damage to your insurance company. From there, the company will guide you through the claims process and provide a list of approved repair shops. If necessary, you may need to communicate with the car owner to inform them of the steps you’re taking. However, in many cases, your insurance company will take care of this. 

Choosing a repair shop

In most situations, selecting a repair shop is significantly easier if you choose one approved by your insurance company and with a positive reputation for quality work. It’s generally advisable to read online reviews from Google or Yelp, as these can lend an unbiased perspective to your decision-making process. 

If you have time, consider getting multiple estimates to better understand the repair costs. Ask for a detailed breakdown of the repair process, including the parts needed, labor costs, and the timeline for completion.

Handling disputes

Ideally, your experience with car repairs would go without a hitch, but this isn’t always the case. If there are disputes over repair costs or responsibility, be sure to address them promptly. Discuss any discrepancies with your insurance adjuster and the repair shop to find a resolution.

If the car owner disputes the repairs, provide documentation and evidence of the steps taken. If the case is difficult to resolve, consider mediation or legal advice to ensure a fair outcome. 

When To Hire a Lawyer

If you hit a parked car and are facing legal challenges, it’s time to hire a lawyer. In general, it’s ideal to seek legal representation if:

• You’re charged with a hit-and-run or other criminal offense

• There’s significant damage or injury involved

• The insurance claim is disputed or denied

• You’re unsure about your legal rights and obligations

A lawyer can help navigate complex legal and insurance issues, protecting your rights and guiding you through the process.

Tips for finding a qualified traffic attorney

Hiring the right lawyer can make a considerable difference in resolving your case effectively. You can feel confident in your decision by:

1. Conducting thorough research

Look for attorneys with a solid online presence and positive client reviews, as this can speak to the overall quality of their reputation. You can also check for any disciplinary actions or complaints against a potential attorney on your state bar association’s website. 

2. Seek attorneys with experience

Prioritize lawyers who specialize in car accidents or personal injury law. Their expertise in this area means they are more familiar with the nuances of traffic laws and insurance regulations. Additionally, look for attorneys with a proven track record in handling cases similar to yours. Experience with hit-and-run cases, insurance disputes, and property damage claims may be particularly valuable, depending on your situation.

3. Schedule initial consultations

Many attorneys offer free consultations, an excellent opportunity to discuss your case and get a feel for their approach. There’s no harm in shopping around, so consider scheduling initial consultations with multiple attorneys. 

During the consultation, ask about their experience with cases like yours, their success rate, and their strategy for handling your case. This is also a great time to assess their communication style and responsiveness. You’ll want an attorney who listens to your concerns and keeps you informed. 

Use Expertise.com

Utilize our lawyer directory, where we’ve researched and vetted attorneys for you. We list top-rated traffic attorneys based on reputation, experience, and client satisfaction. While browsing the directory, you’ll have access to detailed profiles, making it easy to compare and choose the right attorney for your needs. 

Are you looking for a more personalized approach? Call our concierge service. Within minutes, you can connect with a legal professional who can help with your situation. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What should I do if I can't find the owner of the parked car?
• Will my insurance rates go up after hitting a parked car?
• Can I be sued for hitting a parked car?
• What if you hit a parked car, but there’s no damage?
• What do you do if you knock someone’s mirror off in the parking lot?