Someone Hit My Parked Car and Left: What to Do Next (2025)

What Are Drivers Supposed to Do if They Hit a Parked Car?

Each state has its own laws dictating what a driver must do if they hit a parked vehicle. Many states require the at-fault driver to take these steps:

• Make a reasonable effort to find the driver
• Leave a note with contact and insurance information
• Call the police

Some states only require a driver to call the police if there is substantial damage to the parked car. Unfortunately, some drivers try to escape responsibility by fleeing the scene without leaving any contact information. In most states, this is considered leaving the scene of an accident, and it’s a crime.

What to Do if Someone Scratches Your Car While Parked and Left: 6 Steps

When you know what to do after someone hits your parked car, you can preserve your ability to file an insurance claim and maximize your chances of locating the at-fault driver. Here are six essential steps to take:

1. Look for a Note

The driver may have left a note on your car with their contact information, a brief explanation of what happened, and their insurance information. Check around your vehicle for a note. It can be helpful to check the surrounding area in case the note was blown away.

2. Stay at the Scene

If you witnessed another car hit your vehicle, you might be tempted to jump behind the wheel and chase the driver down. However, your best bet is to stay on the scene and collect any evidence you can. See if you can get the license plate number and a description of the car as the driver drives away.

3. Call the Police

Even if you weren’t in the car when it was hit, the driver has still committed a hit and run. Your state might require you to file a police report in this scenario, even if the driver left a note. States also have different laws when it comes to what to do after a minor car accident.

Whether your state requires you to call the police or not, having a police report can be incredibly useful. If police come to the scene, they can gather evidence that might help them catch the at-fault driver. They can also fill out an official accident report, and that report may be essential if you ultimately decide to file an insurance claim.

4. Check for Witnesses

Depending on where the accident happened, there may be a chance that someone saw the other car hit yours. Look around the scene and approach any potential witnesses you see. Ask what they saw, and see if they’re comfortable giving you their contact information.

It may be useful if the police, your insurance company or your lawyer would like to ask them about the accident.

5. Take Photos

Taking photos of any accident scene is important, but it’s especially critical in this situation. High-quality photos may make it more likely that the police can identify the at-fault driver.

For example, if one car scratches another, it might leave traces of paint. If you take a close-up photo of a scrape on your vehicle, the police may be able to identify what color the offending car was. If they see a similarly colored car with body damage, they can then investigate to see if its driver was responsible.

6. Talk to Your Insurance Company

As soon as possible after the accident, you should reach out to your insurance company to report it.

Should You File an Insurance Claim?

It may prove to be impossible to locate the at-fault driver. However, if you can’t find the driver—or you find the driver and they don’t have car insurance—you may be able to turn to your own car insurance policy to cover the cost of repairs.

If you have liability-only insurance, though, it generally only pays for any car accident injury or property damage you cause. There are two types of coverage that may pay for repairs in a hit and run:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• Collision coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is designed to pay for your injuries or property damage if the at-fault driver has no insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance or flees the scene.

Collision insurance, on the other hand, pays to fix damage to your car even if you caused the damage yourself. Filing a claim with collision insurance may be more likely to raise your average car insurance cost per month than an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim would.

Do I Need a Lawyer if Someone Hit My Parked Car and Left?

You aren’t required to retain a lawyer after someone hits your parked car. However, if your car has serious damage, it might be worth considering.

A hit and run lawyer might be able to help track down the at-fault driver. Additionally, if your insurance company is only partially covering your car repairs, your lawyer may be able to negotiate with the company to try to obtain a fair settlement.

Not sure how to find the right lawyer? At ConsumerShield, we connect people like you with qualified legal professionals. Fill out our form to get started with a free case review today!