Unknowingly Hit A Parked Car: 5 Important Steps (2026)

If You Hit a Car, Will You Hear It?

If you do hit a parked car, you’re more likely to hear it or feel the impact than not. However, there’s a possibility that if you’re very focused on something else, like fitting into a tight parking spot, you may not notice at all.

Unless the impact was extremely minor, you will likely notice some level of damage on your own car later. For instance, if you have some trouble getting out of a crowded parking lot, you might accidentally brush against another vehicle without knowing. Once you get home, though, you may find a small scrape on the side of your vehicle.

Is Leaving the Scene Always Considered a Hit-and-Run?

Leaving the scene of an accident is always considered a hit-and-run, even if you don’t see any visible damage. Sometimes a vehicle can suffer mechanical issues as a result of the collision, and you won’t be able to tell.

This can mean that the owner can report the crash, leading you to be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the accident’s severity. You will no longer have to only worry about a car accident lawsuit but criminal charges, too.

What Happens If You Leave the Scene?

It might be tempting to leave the scene of the accident if you see no visible damage to the car or any witnesses around. However, this is a bad idea. Traffic cameras, home security systems, and video doorbells may have caught footage of the accident, and it’s possible that a witness you didn’t see watched the accident happen.

If you've ever wondered what happens when someone hit a parked car and left, the legal and financial consequences can be serious. For example, you may be charged with a hit and run. This is usually a misdemeanor offense, and depending on your state and local laws, a conviction may come with several penalties:

• Fines
• License suspension
• Points on your license
• Jail time

If you are convicted of a hit and run, your average car insurance per month may also increase.

What Should You Do if You Hit a Parked Car?

Whether you realize you hit a parked car right away or only after the fact, knowing the steps to take may be able to help you keep negative consequences to a minimum.

If You Immediately Realized You Hit the Car

If someone in the parked car suffers an injury, or if you suffer any injuries yourself, it’s important to call 911 to summon medical help immediately. After that, you should do the following:

• Stay at the scene, but make sure you’re out of harm’s way.
• Call the police to report the accident.
• Leave a note with your name, contact information and a brief explanation.
• Take photos of the accident scene.
• Report the accident to your insurance company.

Taking photos of both involved cars is important even if you see no damage. If you don’t, the other driver could potentially claim you caused more damage than you actually did.

If You Deliberately Fled the Scene

If you were aware of the accident, panicked and left the scene, you can still take action to reduce your risk of facing criminal charges. First, return to the scene if possible. If the vehicle you hit is still there, you can call the police, explain what happened and leave a note for the driver. You should also notify your insurance company.

Whether the car you hit was still at the accident scene or not, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer. An attorney can offer you valuable advice, and if you are criminally charged, they may be able to advocate for you.

If You Left the Scene Because You Were Unaware

If you unknowingly hit a parked car and only noticed the damage later, it’s still worth returning to the scene and reporting the accident if the car is still there. If it isn’t, you should contact a defense lawyer.

An experienced defense attorney is likely to have helped at least one person in the same situation, and they can advise you on the next steps to take.

What if You Didn’t Actually Damage the Car?

Some states only require you to report auto accidents if there is property damage involved. If you live in one of these states, you might think it’s legal to leave the scene if you don’t see any damage to the car.

But even minor accidents can cause invisible damage, including:

• Damage to various engine components
• Fluid leaks
• Misalignment
• Damage to the vehicle’s suspension
• Stress or structural damage to the vehicle’s frame

Some of this damage is impossible to see with the naked eye. To protect yourself from potential legal consequences—the driver from unknowingly driving a damaged vehicle—it’s best to report an accident if you aren’t sure.

Will Insurance Cover an Accident if You Didn’t Realize You Hit a Car?

The answer will depend on where you live. If your state is one that follows no-fault laws, such as Florida, your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will cover your losses, while the other party’s insurance will cover theirs. Only if the losses go beyond what PIP covers can the other party go against your own insurance.

That’s not the case when dealing with tort states. If you live in Georgia and you hit a parked car, for example, you will most likely bear tort liability, meaning your liability insurance will have to pay for the other party’s losses. That will result in your insurance rates spiking.

Do Dash Cams Help if You Hit a Parked Car?

Dash cams can help if you hit a parked car, but only if they’re legal in your state. They can help document the accident and can show, for example, if the vehicle was parked illegally.

Some states, like Alabama, allow you to have a dash cam, but it must sit on the actual dashboard. Video is allowed in all public places and can be used as evidence. A state like Washington has very specific guidelines of where you can place the camera, and not respecting these could invalidate the footage.

Did You Unknowingly Hit a Parked Car?

You might understandably be worried if you hit a parked car and only realized it later. However, a defense attorney may be able to provide helpful advice on what to do next. Many defense attorneys even offer free consultations.

If you aren’t sure how to find the right lawyer, ConsumerShield is here for you. We’re dedicated to helping people like you understand the law and putting you in touch with qualified legal professionals. Contact us to get started with a free case review today.