what should I do? I know that I am at fault but how culpable am I considering I was boxed in so there was no turn unless I pulled all the way out and the truck behind me had its nose a foot out of the parking square. The attorney may be able to request that the hearing be moved to allow you more time to prepare. Being tired really isnt considered an excuse for a hit and run. Unless I can make a case for my arguments and fault is 50/50. If you hit an unoccupied vehicle and cause property damage, Illinois law requires you to leave a note containing your contact information on the vehicle. Do I need an attorney for this? I panicked since I've never been in this situation before and I just didn't want to get in trouble. I was backing out a parallel parking space when another car hit me on the side. How should I go about this? Then the first guy who was drinking slammed the car door on my husbands side and scratched /bruised his underarm . Adrenaline may have concealed your discomfort, especially since you ran away. I totally get it. Assuming there were no injuries, you would likely receive a fine if you fail to do and are caught. Assuming it was me, I left a note with my name, #, and description. These requirements differ by state, but heres a breakdown of whats required where you live. I suspect he was either drunk or drugged. My car did not even get a scratch. I was going to wait until there was more room for me to switch lanes, but cars behind me were honking. The police will want to know (a) your contact information, and (b) the location of the accident. My question is, if that person went back to obtain security footage (even thought there was no damage), could they claim that I caused damage that might have happened afterwards? The dicer of the other car did not own it, its his girlfriends. It has been several days now and Im sick to my stomach thinking about it. Thanks for sharing your story! Were scheduled for virtual court March 18th, how so I present this so that he is required to fix my car? Leaving the scene of an accident in Texas is illegal and can result in felony or misdemeanor charges. Hi, I was illegally parked and reversed into someone unknowingly to me at the time, I returned 5 mins later to find the other car owner waiting on me and both cars bumpers were touching. If you suspect that a police report includes misinformation, you should consult with your lawyer to see what your options are. I live in Georgia, if that helps with advice.. A month ago, I was driving my boyfriends card and I was pulling into a starbucks park lot. I apologize for my ignorance, as this the first time Im going through this stressful situation. I hit a parked car in a mall and because of panic I just left it but I returned and the damaged car wasnt there already what to do? There was no Damage to the other vehicle and very little to mine. The other cars were very close to the line making it difficult to fit into the spot and I scrapped the car on the right turning in. Luckily a police report was not filed because no one was hurt. Hopefully to him also have insurance. tail pipe. I didnt get the tag number and the guy sped off when the lights changed. I hit a unocuppied parked car in Iowa and panicked and left the scene. However, its also possible that a court would find the other party partially at fault for being outside the parking lines (this is particularly likely if the lot is unlit, etc.). Find all the information it in this article. After reading what I had to do here I tried to find the place where I was and leave my data in the building next to the parking lot but I could not find it, I was completely lost and panicked yesterday and I do not remember exactly where I was driving. The man got out of his pick up surveyed the damages decided it was no biggie jumped in his pick up and drove off. I dont think theres any need to continue to call the police to check in. The damage was purely cosmetic but even that can be pricey. She had said she had blew her horn which I did not hear. They will for sure file a claim as their bumper has damage and its a body style where the bumper is integrated to the side and back panels. If the driver of the unattended vehicle calls the police, the police (or the driver) will contact you. No dents just paint runoff on my car and the car I hit scraped paint or rub-off. I did file a motor vehicle crash report to our dept of vehicle services (which I was told to by an attorney). I went back inside my workplace but didnt know who to report it to. If possible, move your car off the road and to a safe place nearby. Because theres no damage, I would recommend taking several photos of the truck that you hit. For example, the innocent party might later claim that you never paid them or that there was more damage than they originally thought. Consider what skills and experience you can offer. Im glad it all worked out in the end. I truly did not know that I had bumped her car. I grabbed my insurance and registration but he just asked for my phone number and took my license plate. Please do not hit and run. IT happened early this morning and its now 12 hours later and I still dont know what to do. The man was reminded he did not report the incident he was forced to stop and provide his info by Security around the corner of the location of the actual scene. Since this is complicated by the original drivers apparently having caused the accident and then fled the scene, you should consider contacting a lawyer instead of handling it yourself. But I never left the hospital I parked in another spot further down because there wasnt any in the tiny lot by the doors, my car was still near theirs and visible. I didnt have any time to speak to a lawyer. Call 911 if someone has been injured due to the accident or if the road is blocked in such a way that further accidents seem likely. I have lived in America for 2 years and I still do not know all the laws or how to cope. I hit a car parked on the corner. Thank you. I wouldnt recommend paying any damages without seeing an estimate first. I realize the rates are going to go up but Im worried about the other car giving the details that he left first and returned later. My car has deep scratches and white (no black marks from the car behind me) so I still believe I hit a pole. With that in mind, you dont have to pay for her Uber. I called the police, they did a report, I called my insurance company and reported the accident, sent the picture and the witness names. I wish you can remake this content to make it a recent topic. I thought i might of hit a parked car but i was scared so i left. Nevertheless, leaving a note describing what you saw (particularly if you have information that can help the owner of the car identify the at-fault driver) would certainly be kind and potentially helpful. In Illinois, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury or death, you must immediately stop at the scene of the accident and remain there until you have provided your name, address and registration to the person you struck. You might want to be proactive and call the police department yourself to make a report. I would recommend contacting the disciplinary section of your state bar association and filing a complaint first. The defendant is either fined or sentenced to spend up to twelve months in prison, even for minor offenses. If youre at fault, the short answer is probably. There was no one in the van.. Any thoughts? My car was legally parked near the cafe and it was hit by another car. Without knowing the details of your case, its impossible for me to know whether your attorney acted appropriately. Im completely irresponsible for doing that, but truthfully, all that I was thinking about was my insurance information. 23-year-old man 'panicked' and left the scene of a crash. I still ended up hitting the one person and they got pushed into the other person that Im sure they were right up against. After leaving the scene of an accident, you should follow these key steps: Contact the Authorities: Ideally, after an accident, you would exchange information with anyone else involved in the crash. Youre not required to exchange information if there is no visible damage. You should call your insurance company right away, and ask for a copy of the security report. You wont lose your license based on this incident alone. The driver came out saw where I lived and came to my house. Because this happened in a church parking lot, I would recommend posting a flyer on the church bulletin board. I want to deal with the owner directly without insurance if possible. I hit a parked car when leaving a friends house, it was dark and didnt realize how close I was to it. I had an accident I hit the car in front of me, I left the scene as I felt threatened by other driver I panicked. I hit a car pulling in to the parking space of Walmart and lady was in car she asked me for my information we exchanged it all I told her I dont have insurance Im a little afraid of whats going to happen next I told her Ill pay for the damage since it was a lil dent she filed a claim against me through her insurance what happens next? If the police or your insurance company are able to track down the hit-and-run driver, then youll be able to file an insurance claim with their insurance company (if they have insurance) or a personal injury lawsuit against them (if they dont have insurance). I went back that same week to try to find them and confess but sadly I wasnt successful. It is especially important to do that if you hit a parked vehicle and leave the accident scene because you may face criminal charges that can be penalized with prison time and/or fines. On the phone they said they need me to do a police report but I wasnt in trouble. Im thinking she is going to reverse her car so its not banged into mine and park her car correctly, NOOOO she backs up and SPEEDS OFF! Now, Im trying to get a hold of my adjuster or anyone to cancel the unwanted claim and getting a run around. Too bad I wasnt a minute after, they probably were going to leave. There were no lines in the lot so gauging distance was kind of difficult and my car is a little bigger (SUV). Also, what do I have to do? It would be much better for your parents to hear it from you than for them to get a call from their insurance adjuster if he ends up making a claim. I did not file a police report but there was one filed. Thanks so much and I look forward to your response! Again, thank you for commenting and we hope youll continue to find the information helpful. I havent seen the other car or talked to the driver, because I had no idea I had even hit them. The law requires you to leave a not if you hit a parked car. I did manage to get a pic of her car and two witnesses that stayed with me and got her plate # for me and they gave me their info so I could call on them as witnesses. There were no witnesses, and no security cameras on the property. The guy who made me hit the other car did notice wht he cause because he stoped about 2 cars away but then just took off fast. That car has no damage just license plate band. I guess let the dice roll where they may. In the days that followed I began to get all the information I provided above. They are slanted spaces and everyone has to back in. I got out and looked and didnt see any damage at all. Will my payments increase? My car is fine just some mis-coloring on the bumper. What are my options? Accident damages can be severe, even if they do not appear in the moment of confusion. What can I do to make this right and what will happen to the original owner am I in a lot of trouble now? Shes now asking me for my VIN number. I just check my information online and it said I had a criminal offense I was awarded 3 points on my drivers license which I thought was awful I had been a driver with a clean record for 44 years. He then sent me a text and told me that he found someone to fix it for $250.. I was driving from the food back on april 04 19 the police pull me over asd ask me if I hit a car I said no I had my dauther I give him my informasion. I would take some pictures of your car so the owner of the car you hit cant later claim that the accident was worse than it really was. We didnt see any other damage. 0 Comments. Im embarrassed to not have any info of the other party, aside from photos of them walking to their car and their vehicle, vehicle damage, and plates. Two gentlemen got out, looked at the scene for a few minutes, and then got back into their van and calmly drove off. I hit a parked car in Walmart parking lot and didnt realize it until my insurance contacted me stating the police got my information from surveillance video. I showed her the rubber line. A police report was taken. It was a hit and run accident where the driver left the vehicle abandoned about l mile passed my house. But there was nobody around from what I remember. I was leaving a parking lot and I accidentally scratched the drivers side rear bumper of the car behind me. A judge or jury will probably be more lenient with perpetrators who accepted their fault and turned themselves in than if the police bring them in. The parked car was actually not supposed to be parked there anyway because it is a no parking zone on Fridays. Someone driving by stopped to see if we needed help and called 911. I went over to check the other car, but I couldnt see any visible damages. So I went and looked at the car and there was no visible damage. This is particularly true if you are not licensed, are high or drunk while driving, or feel responsible for the accident. Please help. Its also a good idea to get a police report after any collision, no matter how small. Hi, Russ. At this point, the other driver will probably file an insurance claim with your friends insurer and it will be treated like any other car accident. Thanks. I would be sure to take pictures of your vehicle as well, so the other driver cant later claim the accident was more severe than it really was. 1. If you have pictures of the spot where he was parked, that will be useful to provide to your insurance company. 2. 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