Nothing is more frustrating than seeing that someone has hit your parked car, especially if you left the vehicle in a legit parking place where it should have been safe and sound.
Many people get confused about such a situation. They don’t know what to do at all or start acting irrationally, wasting precious time and effort instead of dealing with the problem right away and minimizing the damage.
In this article, we shall talk about the essential things to do right after you notice that someone hit your parked car, especially if the second driver didn’t leave any contact information.
Step-1 Call the Police
It is the essential step in case of most accidents. And somehow people often neglect it and avoid talking to Police as much as possible.
The Police Officer will document the accident thoroughly and issue a report that will become the essential document for your further Insurance Claim. Therefore, you need to make sure to get a copy of the Report. It is also a good idea to write down the badge number of the Police Officer who filled it.
Step-2 Document the accident
Take as many pictures as possible. Make sure to photograph the damage from different angles. Also, pay attention to the scenery; there may be tire marks on the road, debris, fragments of broken glass from the car that damaged yours.
You may also ask around. If there is a shop or an outdoor cafe, people might have seen the accident and remembered the car or even the license plates. There are also cameras on every corner today, and there is a big chance that CCTV filmed the accident.
If the second driver left a note with contact information, make sure to make the call as soon as possible to see if the information is accurate, and you can jumpstart the insurance claim process.
Step-3 Contact the Insurance Company
The sooner you contact your insurance company, the more details you will remember and provide for the case. Not to mention that the whole process may take some time, especially if the other driver didn’t leave you their contact information.
Technically there can be two scenarios:
- In-person accident – if the second driver left a note, you are dealing with a regular “in-person” accident;
- Hit-and-run – if no contact information is left, the accident can be treated as a “hit-and-run,” which is technically a crime. In this case, you will need as many pictures, videos, and witness claims as possible. Some insurance companies may automatically consider that the fleeing driver is uninsured. The outcome of a hit-and-run accident may also depend on the damage made to your vehicle or whether anyone got injured due to the accident.
It is also important to note that if you are driving a company vehicle, you have to notify the business’s insurance carrier.
Step-4 Go to the Body Shop
If your car needs repairs after the accident, make sure to address a reputable body shop. Sometimes the damage may lay beyond the visible cracks and bums. Therefore, you need a qualified mechanic who will examine your car thoroughly and eliminate the risk of malfunctions that may occur later on.
At OHS Body Shop, we offer thorough diagnostics and repair using the latest technologies. Our team consists of experienced mechanics who deal will all sorts of vehicles and different kinds of repairs.
Our branches are located all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. Contact OHS Body Shop each time you need routine check-ups and diagnostics for your vehicle or if the car needs any kind of repair and post-collision treatment.
