A free parking space, what luck! But now quickly!
Oops, was that me? In a hurry, whining kids in the back seat, poor visibility, tailgating traffic, parking space smaller than expected, ... there are many reasons for a failed parking manoeuvre. In the heat of the moment, it can happen quicker than you think and you accidentally hit a parked car. Parking damage, i.e. an accident when pulling out or parking, is a common cause of damage to a car.
Fortunately, people are rarely injured in a normal parking collision. Nevertheless, there are some important steps that you need to take urgently after parking damage. Regardless of whether you caused the damage or are the injured party, parking damage is always a matter for the insurance company. You can find out what you absolutely must do in the event of a parking accident or other parking damage in our article.
I have hit a car - what should I do?
Even if the incident initially releases a good dose of adrenalin, you should keep calm and keep a cool head!
Time and again, there are hectic reactions or even hit-and-runs. Even if it is only a small scratch, it must be reported. A note on the windscreen is not sufficient.
As the party responsible for the damage, wait a certain amount of time if the vehicle owner is not present. Of course, you do not have to spend the night in the car park. However, a waiting time of at least 30 minutes is considered reasonable. However, if you do not find the owner during this time, you must call the police. We strongly recommend that you do not wait too long, as as the officers still need some time to get to the scene of the accident.
Under no circumstances, however, should you simply leave the scene of the accident, as you may otherwise be liable to prosecution for hit and run.
Someone drove into me when I was parking - what happens next?
Just as common and just as annoying: you return to your vehicle and then see the nasty surprise: your car has been hit, what to do? Whether it's a small scratch on the paintwork or even a dent, any damage disfigures your car and causes frustration. But how do you go about getting the damage settled quickly and in the best possible way?
There are usually two possibilities in the event of parking damage to your own vehicle. On the one hand, people may cause damage but not notice it. On the other hand, you may be the victim of a hit-and-run. In this case, be sure to ask for witnesses at the scene of the accident! With a little luck, the employees of neighbouring businesses will have noticed the person who caused the damage. Construction workers, senior citizens and taxi and bus drivers are regularly promising places to look for witnesses.
In any case, the police must be informed immediately. In addition to the police report, we also recommend that you keep a detailed record of all damage.
Informative photos are the be-all and end-all of the subsequent assessment. They should comprehensively document both the damage to the vehicle and its surroundings. The rule is: it is better to take one picture too many than too few.
Accident victims in your situation simply get the best support from fairforce.one.
Depending on the cause of the accident, customers receive an average of €4802 Additional payment
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Hit and run - these are the penalties
An absolute worst-case scenario: Your car is parked in the car park with a large dent. The person responsible in sight? Not a chance!
But the sad truth is: hit and run is not a trivial offence, but one of the most common road traffic offences. According to § Section 142 StGB the offence is "unauthorised removal from the scene of the accident". It does not matter whether you have only touched or seriously damaged another vehicle. In addition to points in Flensburg, you could face a prison sentence of up to three years.
In principle, the severity of the penalty is of course always determined by the individual case.
Wait at least 30 minutes for the injured party to exchange personal and insurance data and also inform the police.
Is a note on the car with a mobile phone number enough?
Even if you see it often: If you hit a car while pulling out of a parking space or hit it while parking, a note with your mobile phone number on the windscreen is not enough. If you then leave the scene of the accident, you are committing a hit-and-run offence. This is because the note could be removed by someone, made illegible by rain or otherwise rendered useless. The only way to be on the safe side is to wait a reasonable amount of time for the driver and inform the police if they do not turn up.
Parked car hit - insurance pays?
Have you hit a car while parking, for example? Your own motor vehicle liability insurance is responsible in this case. This is because the simple subdivision applies to damage caused unintentionally by yourself: damage to the property of others - i.e. the vehicle of the other party involved in the accident - is covered by your own liability insurance. The damage often caused to your own vehicle is the responsibility of your comprehensive insurance or your own wallet.
My car was hit in the car park, who pays?
My car was damaged in the car park, what should I do? If you were not at fault for the accident, the other party's insurance company is generally responsible.
In the event that you have been hit by another road user - whether pedestrian, cyclist, car or lorry driver - it is best to report the incident directly here:
Accident victims in your situation simply get the best support from fairforce.one.
The entire process of dealing with generic liability insurance is simple and cost-neutral for you. You will be mobile again quickly and keep your head clear. Don't wait too long, because reporting parking damage retrospectively can lead to a loss of claims.
The best possible damage report - a step-by-step overview
My car has been hit, what should I do? If you discover parking damage to your vehicle, it's best to report it to us quickly. Here is an overview of the safe procedure.
- You suffer damage as a result of parking damage.
- You report the incident to us online or by telephone free of charge on 0800 30 111 60.
- Our experts will get back to you immediately and discuss the next steps with you point by point.
- The claims settlement is initiated and you no longer have to bother with paperwork.
- Your complete claims are processed by specialised teams of lawyers using our software.
FAQ
After parking damage - who pays for a hit-and-run?
The question "Who pays for parking damage in the event of a hit-and-run?" arises for many drivers. This is because those responsible for dents and scratches in the car park are often already over the hill by the time you notice the damage yourself. In this case, your own comprehensive insurance comes into play and takes over the repair of the damage. However, partial casco or motor vehicle liability insurance does not cover this. This means that the injured party has to pay for the repair out of their own pocket if the person who caused the damage cannot be found.
learn moreMy parked car has been hit - what should I do?
If the person who caused the accident is still at the scene, exchange insurance and personal details with them and report the damage to the other party's insurance company. This is because they will settle the claim. If, on the other hand, the person who caused the accident has fled the scene and committed a hit-and-run, you should look for witnesses in the surrounding area and inform the police.
learn moreWhat happens if I hit a parked car?
In this case, stay at the scene of the accident, wait for the driver of the damaged car and/or call the police. Exchange insurance and personal details and report the incident to your insurance company. They will then settle the claim.
learn moreWhat do I do if I hit a parked car?
If you have damaged a car while parking or leaving a parking space, you should definitely stay at the scene of the accident. If the driver of the vehicle has not turned up after about 30 minutes, the police must be called. A note with a mobile phone number is not enough. If you leave the scene of the accident, you are committing hit and run. It is therefore best to wait for the driver or the police and exchange personal details and insurance information. Then report the accident to your insurance company.
learn moreIs it possible to report an accident to the police afterwards?
Even if you have left the scene of an accident without authorisation after a parking collision, you should still report the accident to the police. Although unauthorised removal already constitutes a hit-and-run, turning yourself in later can mitigate the penalty. However, you should not allow more than 24 hours to pass.
learn moreI have committed a hit and run, will the insurance pay?
If you are identified as the party responsible for the parking damage, your car insurance will still settle the claim. However, they can demand a portion of the costs back from you.
learn moreHit a car while parking? Insurance?
In the event of parking damage caused by you, your motor vehicle liability is responsible for settling the claim. Exchange your details with the driver of the car and report the accident to your insurance company.
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