Here’s What To Do If You’ve Hit A Parked Car

Here's What To Do If You've Hit A Parked Car

According to the National Safety Council, one in five accidents happens in parking lots and a study by Allstate Insurance found that 69 percent of all hit-and-runs involve parked cars. If you hit someone in a parking lot or you discover your vehicle has been damaged in a parking lot, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Here’s What To Do If You’ve Hit A Parked Car:

Don’t Leave the Scene

Even if you are in a parking lot, striking another car is an accident and the law requires that you remain on the scene. If you leave, you could be charged with a hit-and-run, even if the damage is minor. Most parking lots today have video surveillance so it is highly likely your license plate can be reported to police. If the police have to track you down, the punishment will be severe with fines, possible license suspension and as many as six points added to your license.

Locate the Owner

You can step into a business that uses the parking lot in order to find the owner of the car. Take down the license plate as well as the make and model of the car. If you are in the parking lot of a mall or department store, they should announce over the PA system that the owner needs to report to the parking lot. If you are unable to find the owner, leave a note with your name, address, contact number and an explanation of what happened. Don’t include any insurance information and don’t give too many details. For example, you don’t want to say you were not paying attention as this can be used against you later. Tuck the note under the windshield wiper and be sure to use ink that will not run should it rain. In some states, you can be fined for not leaving contact information.

Photos and Witnesses

If possible, take photos of any damages as well as the license plate number of the other car. This can protect you from the other person claiming damages that did not exist at the time of the accident. Look around to see if anyone else in the parking lot saw what happened. Be sure to get their contact information and ask them to write down what they saw.

If Someone Hits Your Car

If you discover your car has been hit in a parking lot and the person did not stay or leave a note, call the police to get a report. They can ask for video surveillance that could identify the suspect. Take photos and look for witnesses who may have seen the accident.

Always contact your insurance company whether you were at fault in a parking lot accident or it was caused by someone else. For more information, contact us today by filling out the easy form online.

How To File An Auto Insurance Claim In New Jersey

How To File An Auto Insurance Claim In New Jersey

No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, there is a chance that you will be involved in an accident at some point. An accident can be caused by a tree limb falling on your car in your driveway during a storm or someone running a red light as you head to work one morning. No matter what caused the accident or who was at fault, you will need to know how to file an auto insurance claim for your damages.

When Should You File a Claim in New Jersey

You need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Claims should be filed for vandalism, if your car was stolen or if the damage was caused by something other than a collision, like a tree limb or fire. Your insurance card will have the phone number of your insurance company or agent and most companies have after hours numbers you can call if your claim occurs at night, on weekends or on a holiday. Some companies will allow you to file your claim online as well. If you only have liability coverage on your vehicle, you will not be able to file a claim for damages to your own car as that only covers damage to someone else’s car or property. Collision and comprehensive coverage will pay for damage to your own car.

Information You Will Need

When you contact the company, you will need to give them your full name and policy number as well as the start and end dates of your policy. They will need to know the date and time the damage occurred as well as the names, addresses and phone numbers of any drivers, passengers and witnesses. You will also need to provide driver’s license and plate numbers for all vehicles involved. If the damage was the result of a collision, the insurance company may also require a copy of the police report which often has all the information included regarding the drivers and vehicles.

NJ Claims Process

Once your claim is filed, it will go through a process at the insurance company. First, the case will be assigned to a professional, normally an adjustor, who will handle the claim. The adjustor will review your coverage with you and review the details of the accident. An evaluation will be made which could include inspection of your car, reviewing injury reports and taking a sworn statement from you about the circumstances. They may offer you an initial payment to cover the cost of a rental car and other expenses. When the investigation is complete, the company will offer you a settlement. You may want to discuss your options with an attorney depending on the severity of the accident. Once you accept the settlement, the case is closed.

Injury Claims

If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, your injuries may be covered by the other drivers’ bodily liability coverage. In a no-fault state, your personal injury protection coverage pays for your injuries. You may also have additional medical payments coverage that could cover the cost of injuries suffered by other passengers or if you were injured as a pedestrian. Your uninsured/underinsured coverage will also cover you if the other driver does not have enough insurance to pay for your injuries or has no insurance at all. If you are injured, take photos of the scene and any visible injuries. Visit a doctor immediately to document any injures. Be aware that accident injuries may not become evident until a day or so after the accident, so if you develop additional problems, see a doctor right away. Document any time missed from work, paid transportation to medical appointments and any other expenses such as medical equipment.

After an accident, it is critical to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. If you are injured, visit a doctor immediately and follow all instructions you are given. Document all details of the crash and any injuries. If you have been in an accident and need assistance, schedule an appointment today.