What to Do If You Hit a Parked Car in Florida

It happens to almost everyone at least once in their life: You cut it too close while parallel parking in a tight spot, or back up a little bit too quickly or too far while leaving a parking space and bump into a parked car.

Like the good samaritan you are, you stop immediately and get out to make sure no one is hurt and inspect the damages. Now what?

If I Hit a Parked Car, Do I Need to Report the Car Accident to the Police?

In the state of Florida, you must report the accident to law enforcement right away if property damage exceeds $500.

I Hit a Parked Car and Left No Damage, Can I Leave the Scene?

After inspecting the other car and finding no damage, you may be tempted to just drive away. Don’t.

Even if you don’t see any damage, it’s still a collision, and there are certain steps you need to take to minimize potential future legal problems.

If You Hit an Unoccupied Vehicle and Cannot Find the Owner, You Should

Take Photos of the Damage: Be sure to take close-up photos of both cars and the damage. Make sure the pictures include the license plate of the other car.

Find and Talk to Witnesses: Try to find anyone who witnessed the accident and get their contact information and description of what happened.

Contact Your Insurance Company: Even if the other car owner doesn’t call you or make a claim, it’s a good idea to let your insurance company know about the incident. Failure to notify your insurance company of the accident can result in them refusing the claim down the road.

Penalties for Hit and Run on a Parked Car in Florida

If you hit an unattended, parked car and intentionally leave the scene without providing contact information, your tiny fender bender turns into a hit and run.

Penalties for a parked car hit and run can include:

• License revocation
• Second degree misdemeanor
• Up to 60 days in jail
• $500 fine

Contact Car Accident Lawyers at Hartpence Law for a Free Consultation

Waiting is the worst part. Anything can happen after you hit a parked car, and you can’t rely on everyone to do the right thing.

Don’t let the guilt associated with this mistake eat away at you, and definitely don’t let someone looking to make a quick buck take advantage of you. Contact us today to go over the details of your accident and determine your legal options, call us at (855) 680-4911 or schedule a free consultation.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney/client relationship.