Handling A Hit-And-Run On Your Parked Car In Texas

Accidents involving parked cars are not necessarily uncommon, especially in areas like parking lots where there is a lot of crowding. However, every driver is responsible for staying behind and exchanging information after hitting a parked car.

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, our Houston car accident lawyers have experience navigating the complexities of parked car accidents. We can help you collect evidence, file a claim, and get the compensation you deserve.

Keep reading to find out what you should do if someone hits your parked car and flees from the scene.

Get Medical Care

If you were in the vehicle at the time of the car accident, you may need to get medical care. There are a variety of injuries you could have sustained, such as whiplash, fractures, a concussion, or internal injuries.

It is a good idea to get medical care even if you do not believe you are injured. Some injuries are invisible, and you want to create a paper trail proving that you were hurt when you file a claim.

Take Photos

If possible, you should take photographs of any injuries, property damage, and the scene of the accident. Law enforcement will also take photos when they show up, but it is always better to document what you think is essential.

Find Witnesses

Depending on where your car was parked, there may be witnesses nearby who saw the hit-and-run accident. You should exchange contact information with witnesses so that they can later be contacted to get a witness statement. Do not try to get witness statements yourself, as this is something your Houston car accident lawyer will handle for you.

Look For Cameras

Depending on the scene of the accident, it is very likely that there were surveillance cameras nearby that may have caught the accident on camera. For instance, many parking lots have cameras, or there may have been a business that had cameras pointed at your vehicle.

Make a note of any cameras you see so that your hit-and-run accident lawyer in Houston can access the footage later on.

File a Police Report

After a hit-and-run accident on your parked car, you need to call 911 and stay at the scene of the accident. When law enforcement arrives, they will document evidence and help you file a police report documenting what happened. A police report is very important as it can provide proof that the accident occurred when you file a claim.

Filing a police report is especially important in hit-and-run accidents since you want the person at fault to take responsibility for their actions. This will also help you get compensation to cover any damage or injuries.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After you have documented what happened at the scene of the accident, you should call your insurance company to start the claims process. You do not have to include a lot of information; the most important thing is that you report the accident to get your claim started.

If the person who hit your vehicle is not found, your insurance claim is going to be your best bet at getting compensation. This is also where having uninsured motorist coverage can come in handy, as it will cover hit-and-run accidents.

Penalties For Hit-and-Run Accidents

Even though hitting a parked car is a crime, it is not severe in the grand scheme of things. However, this becomes much more serious when the person flees the scene, creating a hit-and-run accident. When this happens, it becomes a criminal charge.

If no one was injured and the damage was less than $200, it is only a class C misdemeanor with the potential for a $500 fine. If no one was injured but the damage is more significant than $200, this could result in a class B misdemeanor with the potential of being charged with up to six months in county jail and up to a $2000 fine.

Common Causes of Parked Car Accidents

Parked car accidents are quite common nationwide and can result in thousands of injuries and deaths on a yearly basis. Even though they are not the most severe type of auto accident, they still have the potential to cause extensive injuries and property damage.

The most common causes of parked car accidents involve distracted drivers who are not maintaining a safe distance from parked vehicles. Another common cause is when drivers are speeding through parking lots or through areas where cars are parked on the sides.

Some parked car accidents can also be the result of limited visibility, which may or may not be the driver’s fault.

Will Your Insurance Go Up If Someone Hits Your Parked Car?

One of the biggest concerns related to car accidents is the impact this will have on your insurance premium. The good news is that Texas insurance companies will not raise your premium if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident on your parked car.

In this instance, collision coverage will kick in, helping to compensate you so that you can repair or replace your vehicle. This applies to most cases in which you are not at fault when another person strikes your vehicle.

Keep in mind that hit-and-run accidents involving parked cars can get more complex since the driver at fault has to be found. In some instances, they may not be found, so you will need to rely on your insurance coverage to cover the damage.

If the other driver is found, you should be able to get compensation from their insurance provider if they have one.

Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, our hit-and-run accident lawyers in Houston are experienced in Texas law and have helped hundreds of car accident victims navigate this process. We ensure you get the compensation you deserve by helping you create a claim, provide evidence, and negotiate on a settlement amount.

Are you the victim of a hit-and-run parked car accident that resulted in injuries or extensive damage to your vehicle? If so, call our Houston office today at 832-745-4878 to speak with one of our car accident attorneys.