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In parking lots, hitting a parked car can lead to serious legal consequences, potentially classifying the incident as a hit-and-run accident. Understanding your legal duties and the implications of such accidents is crucial, especially when seeking the guidance of an attorney near you to navigate the complexities of property damage and insurance claims.
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Learn about the legal implications of hitting a parked car and how it can lead to a hit-and-run accident. Understand your responsibilities, potential penalties, and the importance of consulting with an attorney near you for proper guidance.
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A heroic attorney in a suit and cape helps an individual write a note after hitting a parked car in a busy parking lot. The scene includes two damaged cars, surrounding vehicles, and parking lot features, all depicted under muted shades of gray, purple, and yellow.
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Jan 28, 2025 08:36 PM
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Is It a Hit-and-Run Accident If It's a Parked Car?
Introduction
As you're backing up in a parking lot, you accidentally hit a car parked behind you. You get out of your car and see that there's been no serious damage to the vehicle. Are you free to leave? The answer is no. Leaving the auto accident scene is against the law in every state. This article explores how hitting a parked car can turn into a hit-and-run accident and why you need a personal injury lawyer if you have suffered damages.
Types of Hit-and-Run Accidents
Generally, a hit-and-run accident is one in which you leave the scene of an accident before having fulfilled the duties imposed by law, such as:
- Rendering aid
- Exchanging driver's licenses
Be mindful of your state traffic laws. Your state may impose fines, penalties, and even jail time if you leave the accident scene without making an effort to fulfill your duties.
There are two types of hit-and-run accidents:
- When you hit a car and speed off
- When you hit an unattended parked car and leave no information
It's still a hit-and-run accident if you hit an unattended parked car and fail to provide your information.
Legal Duties After Hitting a Parked Car
If you hit an unattended parked car, you should first check if anyone is injured. If so, call for medical help immediately. Next, make a reasonable effort to identify the owner of the vehicle and notify them about what happened. If you're unable to find the owner of the vehicle, leave a written notice of the following information:
- Your name and contact information
- The model and make of your car
- Your license plate number
Some state laws require you to file a police report, even if you have left your information with the owner of the vehicle.
How Do I Deal With Property Damage and Insurance Information?
When hitting a parked car, even if the damage seems minor, you are dealing with someone else's property. Therefore, assess the damage accurately and document it for the insurance claim process. Take pictures of the damage to both cars. In your written note left for the other car's owner, include your insurance information along with your personal details. If your car was damaged and you have collision coverage, your insurance company may cover the costs, less your deductible.
Misdemeanors and Criminal Charges
If you leave the scene of an accident without providing appropriate information or filing a report, you may face criminal charges. Hitting a parked car and not leaving a note can be classified as a misdemeanor.
Here are some potential consequences for this kind of misdemeanor:
- Fines: Fines can vary greatly based on the severity of the accident. For minor accidents, fines can be a few hundred dollars but could escalate to several thousand dollars for more serious incidents.
- Probation: A judge may sentence you to a probation period. During this time, you're required to comply with certain conditions, such as meeting with a probation officer regularly, maintaining employment, not committing any more crimes, and potentially attending driving classes.
- Community Service: Depending on the circumstances, a judge may require you to perform community service as part of your sentence.
- Imprisonment: In more severe cases, or if it's not your first offense, you could face jail time. This is less likely for minor accidents but still a possibility.
- Points on Your Driver's License: A hit-and-run accident will add points to your driver's license, which can lead to increased insurance rates and potential suspension of your driving privileges if you accumulate too many.
- Insurance Consequences: Beyond legal penalties, your car insurance rates are likely to increase significantly after a hit-and-run incident. In severe cases, your insurance company might even choose not to renew your policy.
Conclusion
If you suspect negligence or are involved in a hit-and-run accident, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney is vital. ReferU.AI is the only platform that leverages AI to efficiently and accurately assess each user's unique legal needs and objectively recommend attorneys based on their proven success in similar cases according to actual court records. By providing smarter results, users gain easier access to better representation and outcomes. Visit ReferU.AI to find an attorney near you today.
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