If you return to your parked car to find it has been hit, it can be a stressful situation. Hopefully, the driver who struck your car stayed on the scene and is awaiting your return, or they left a note with their insurance details and personal information. Even if no information was left, you need to have an accident report completed. Call the police and get photos of the accident scene, as this can help you with your claim. Check the local area to determine if there are any witnesses. If you find witnesses, ask them to provide written statements and be sure they include their names and contact details. You will need to enlist the help of an attorney to pursue a personal injury claim to recoup compensation for your losses.
Damages from Someone Hitting My Parked Car
Just a minor hit can cause your car to suffer major damage. Auto repairs are quite expensive. Body damages and mechanical damages can add up fast. Just a minor dent can cost well over $1,000 to fix. Auto body shops charge upwards of $100 to $150 an hour for labor. Damages could run into thousands of dollars for a hit that occurred while your vehicle was parked in a parking spot.
Look around the area for traffic cameras or surveillance cameras. This could prove beneficial because the whole incident could have been caught on tape. Your personal injury attorney could subpoena the tape and use it as evidence to track down the guilty party. If the other driver is never identified, the claim will be filed with your uninsured motorist coverage. They might try to deny the claim, but your attorney will help you gather supporting evidence.
Supporting Evidence After Someone Hit Your Parked Car
When your parked car was hit, it caused damage to your car. You will need to get photos of all the damages. Be sure to get a written estimate for fixing the damage. Be sure to keep any receipts for towing, if applicable, and any receipts for a rental car that you use while your car is in the shop. You will want to use all these things to seek reimbursement for your losses from your parked car being hit.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If someone hit your parked car, you will want to be compensated for your losses. You shouldn’t be responsible for the damages that someone else caused. You will not have any out-of-pocket expenses because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. Your lawyer will not get paid until you are compensated for your losses through a judgement or a settlement.
There is a statute of limitations, which is a time limit, for you to pursue a personal injury claim. If you wait too long, you cannot recover compensation for your damages. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your case details reviewed by an attorney in your area.