Even the best drivers can be subject to an unintentional auto accident — specifically when these accidents involve parked cars. From small towns such as Farmington, Utah to larger cities on the East Coast, avoiding parking lots and congestion is not an easy task. So what’s considered proper etiquette in the unfortunate situation that you do hit a parked car?
Almost every auto accident lawyer here at Robert J Debry & Associates has been on both sides of an auto accident involving a parked car — and one thing is certain: the rules of etiquette apply, whether you’re in Farmington or on the East Coast. Here’s what an auto accident lawyer recommends doing in the unfortunate event that you hit a parked car.
The Golden Rule: Never Hit and Run
You’d think this would be common sense, but you’d be surprised by how many people take off after hitting a parked car — without even leaving a note. In most states, a hit-and-run is considered a misdemeanor. However, as almost any lawyer will quickly point out, this is only if the hit-and-run resulted in damaged property; if someone was injured in a hit-and-run, it’s a felony.
Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents occur almost everywhere on a daily basis, from small-town Farmington to beach towns on the West Coast. Bottom line: You’re much better off leaving your information if you hit another vehicle.
Leave Your Name, DL Number and License Plate
If you hit a parked car, the best thing to do is to attempt to locate the owner/driver of the car so that you can engage with him or her directly regarding any damage you may have inflicted. However, we realize that this isn’t always an option.
The second-best thing is to leave the following information: your full name and address, driver’s license number and license plate number. Place the information underneath the windshield wiper or another location where the car owner will certainly see it. If you do this, you’ll have all your bases covered when the owner of the vehicle contacts you.