What Happens If You Hit and Run a Parked Car?
If you’ve hit a parked car and left the scene, you may be facing hit-and-run charges. But there are many things you can do to avoid being caught in this situation. In this article, you’ll learn about penalties and insurance coverage, as well as how to get help if someone hits your parked car.
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Leaving the scene of an accident
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense. It can result in a criminal record, a suspended license, and insurance issues. It can also result in probation or jail time. Moreover, it could also negatively affect your employment. To avoid such consequences, contact a lawyer to discuss your case.
Leaving the scene of an accident when you drive away after hitting a parked car is a criminal offense in Pennsylvania. Under the law, you must identify yourself and leave the property’s owner’s name and address, as well as contact information. In addition, you should take pictures of the accident scene and contact the owner’s insurance company to inform them of the accident.
Penalties
If you hit a parked car, you may be subject to penalties. Most states consider this a misdemeanor and prosecutors can impose jail time. The penalty can be as severe as a year in jail. To avoid being arrested, you should try to find the owner of the parked car first. Be sure to leave their name, vehicle registration number, and contact information so the police can contact them.
You may be arrested if you hit a parked car and then flee. In some cases, you may also be subject to civil penalties. These include property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Insurance coverage
If you hit a parked car, you have several options when it comes to filing a damage claim. You may not have to claim if the vehicle was not damaged beyond repair, or you may only have to pay the deductible. Nonetheless, you should not drive away without informing your insurance company immediately. Otherwise, your rates could go up.
After you have contacted your insurer, you should make sure you get all the details about the accident. If you have witnessed the accident, try to get the other driver’s information. This information may be important later if you need to make a claim.
Getting help if someone hits your parked car
If someone hits your parked car, you can pursue compensation from the responsible party. If you are not able to contact the other driver, you can also file a claim for damages with your own insurance company. This compensation can cover your economic and non-economic damages. Typically, you will have more economic damages than non-economic ones. After all, repairing your car or purchasing a new one will cost you money.
The driver of the car that hit your car must leave the scene to file a police report. This is required by law in Pennsylvania. The police officer will be able to gather more information about the accident. You will need to provide them with photographs of the accident scene.