According to ZipDo’s Education Report 2025, parking lots account for over 20,000 accidents each year in the USA. The common cause would be some combination of driver distraction, inadequate lighting in the lot, narrow parking spaces, or vague parking space design.
A collision involving a parked car is particularly unfortunate. In cases of a hit-and-run of a parked car, a no-witness case can be frustrating to deal with.
The damages to your car may vary from a minor scratch or chipped mirror to more significant issues. Acting quickly after discovering the damages to your car will preserve your rights to work to your advantage and enhance the likelihood that you will be insured.
Let’s discuss the steps you should take if another person bumps into your parked car.
Assess the Damage and Document the Scene
After viewing that your auto has been damaged in the parking lot, take a quick look at the extent of the damage and the scene of the accident. Remain calm and try to evaluate the situation. Consider the perceived length of your vehicle as you scan for dents, scratches, and broken pieces.
Take snapshots of the damage from multiple viewpoints to capture the location. Tag any relevant things you see in the area, like brief direction signs or street signs.
Getting the satisfaction that you have done the right thing in the accident has a way of easing your fractional discomfort.
The right legal team can help you determine your most viable recovery options and maximize the compensation you secure for your damages, according to car accident lawyer Scott Renick.
Gather Information and Witness Accounts
The next key action following an accident is to start to gather information and verify the accounts of witnesses in the event. Begin by writing down any verifiable details about the occurrence, which could include when and where the incident took place. Keep in mind to look at the district or surrounding cars and check for visible signs of destruction.
In case any of the bystanders are around, ask with a courteous tone in your voice to see if they witnessed anything. Sometimes these people would become the most valuable witnesses for you. If possible, kindly request their names and contact details.
Another good suggestion would be to verify whether there were any security cameras in the neighborhood capable of capturing it all. The visual proof of stitched-up surveillance tapes will serve as a valuable resource to help the cops assess the incident.
Report the Incident to the Authorities
Documentation becomes important when an accident occurs since it may be used to file future insurance claims. An official report from law enforcement authorities becomes important for reference purposes in the future.
As minor as the harm might seem, the document has a power of its own in providing insurance coverage for you. The police might also be involved in the gathering of any clarifications that would be useful to your case.
Store eyewitness reports and field notes in an easily accessible area. This will enhance the credibility of your accusations. The documents you have collected could possibly help you garner the support of other people.
Notifying the relevant authorities immediately will guarantee your safety and well-being during a challenging time.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Once you have reported the event, the next important step is to approach insurance. The insurance is there to support you and help you handle the expenses of the accident. When you call, you must provide details about what happened, when, where, and, if relevant, the other party.
The staff of the insurance company has the time to handle any additional documentation needed to assist you in making a claim. Feel free to ask them anything. Do not forget that you want to feel secure and be heard, and the whole idea is to help relieve some of the stress when you are dealing with all that insurance stuff.
Follow Up on Repairs and Claims
Until the repair of the car is completed, you should keep in touch with the insurance company contact person about the progress and other claim particulars.
You must keep calling to know if your claim is approved and how the car is getting on with the repair.
Another important task that can help you is to coordinate with your insurance company. See to it that they got all the papers and are clear on the status of your claims.
You are entitled to receive regular updates. Open lines of communication often help you remain in control and establish a sense of community with those who are trying to assist you.
