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Steps to Take if Your Parked Car Was Hit in a New Jersey Lot
A Thorough Car Accident Guide to a Parking Lot Hit-And-Run
“Someone hit my parked car and left. What should I do?” The sheer shock of reaching your car in a parking lot and seeing that tell-tale ding, a deep scratch, or a sickening dent is a moment every car owner dreads. Discovering damage to your unattended vehicle is an incredibly frustrating moment, and it’s a common scenario in New Jersey parking lots. It’s especially unnerving if it’s a hit-and-run incident, there’s no note or information provided, and the responsible driver is nowhere to be found.
New Jersey state law allows the responsible drivers involved to meet their obligations by leaving a written notification if they hit an unoccupied vehicle or other property and cannot locate the owner, usually with a note securely tucked under the windshield wiper. This information must include the driver’s full name, address, contact details, and insurance information. If someone hit a parked car in NJ and drove off without doing this, it officially becomes a hit and run on a parked car.
Quick Summary of the Steps to a Parking Lot Crash
Stay calm and check for injuries
Take photos and videos of the damage and the surrounding areas.
If the driver is gone, look for witnesses, security cameras, or a note.
File a car accident report with the police.
Notify your insurance agent promptly and understand your coverage.
Choose a certified collision center that provides insurance assistance and warranty on repairs.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what to do when someone hits your car and drives off, so you can manage a difficult parking lot car accident calmly and efficiently. We’re here to give you a step-by-step checklist for what to do with a hit and run so you can protect yourself and your vehicle and get the maximum compensation.
Feeling Stuck After a Hit and Run on a Parked Car? Call Mizzoni's 24-Hour Towing Service
If your parked car is damaged to the point of being undrivable, you need more than just a regular auto body shop in New Jersey. We offer 24-hour towing service to bring your vehicle straight to a certified collision center. Be it a damaged windshield or scratched body paint, our technicians begin your collision repair properly, ensuring your vehicle’s long-term safety.
"Someone hit my parked car and left. What should I do?"
Coming back to a damaged car is frustrating, but you’ll feel a lot more confident if you know your next steps. The certified technicians and insurance experts at Mizzoni’s Auto Body are here with the definitive guide on what to do, from documenting the scene to handling the insurance claim, ensuring your car gets restored the right way.
Immediate Action at the Parking Lot Accident Scene
Whether you find damage to your legally parked car by a curb or in one of the designated parking spaces, your initial response can make a lot of difference.
Stay Calm and Ensure Safety First
Finding your car damaged is upsetting, but you must try to remain calm and not panic. Check for injuries immediately if someone in the vehicle or any pedestrian was hurt. If someone suffered injuries, call 911 immediately. If it is safe and possible, move your vehicle to a secure parking spot to avoid further damage or becoming a traffic hazard.
Document the Damage and the Scene
Gather as much crucial evidence as you can for further processes. Capture the overall scene with multiple photos and videos, especially the specific damage to your car. If the driver is there, photograph their license plates. Look for skid marks or other surrounding road markings that show what happened. This material is essential when filing a New Jersey car accident report.
Find the Responsible Driver
If the driver is present in person, you need to exchange information, especially their insurance carrier details. If they left a note, call the driver using the contact number they provided. If the driver is gone, look for any witnesses or check for security cameras on nearby lampposts or at adjacent businesses. This can provide key evidence to find the responsible party.
Legal Requirements and Due Diligence
Dealing with a parked car hit-and-run case requires prompt legal action. If you don’t take quick action to establish the facts, you may find it difficult to recover the damages caused to your vehicle, no matter how slight the damage seems.
Mizzoni’s Expert Trivia for New Jersey Hit and Run Cases
In New Jersey, leaving the scene of an accident is against the law, especially if it involves injuries or significant property damage. According to TrafficTickets.com, leaving after causing only property damage can lead to a fine between $200 and $400 and up to 30 days in jail for a first offense. Points may also be added to the responsible party’s license.
Need Certified Collision Repairs for Your Car Damaged in a Parking Lot? Get a No-Obligation Quote
Even a minor fender bender can cause frustrating damage, and the repair cost is often less than you think! Our I-CAR Gold-certified collision experts specialize in addressing any damage, whether it requires frame straightening or paintless dent repair (PDR). Don’t let that damage compromise your vehicle’s value—get started now with a transparent, no-obligation quote.
Navigating the Insurance Claim Process
That feeling of helplessness after a hit-and-run can quickly turn into anxiety about money. Will insurance cover a hit-and-run? Don’t worry, but you’ll need to work closely with your insurance provider to turn all that documentation you gathered at the scene into a solid claim.
Notify Your Insurance Agent
Report the incident to your insurance agent as soon as possible, unless you don’t want to file a claim. Your agent will ask for the police report number, photos, and any other evidence. Even if the other driver who hit your car is never identified, you may still have insurance coverage under your policy.
Fault Determination
Since your car was legally parked, you are generally not at fault. Determining who is at fault in parking lot accidents often comes down to right-of-way, but a parked car hit involves the moving car being responsible.
Understand Your Coverage Options
Your next move should be to check your policy and figure out which types of coverage you have for a parking lot crash, especially if the other driver can’t be found. However, review your deductible and policy terms thoroughly.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) usually pays for hit-and-run damage in New Jersey. This coverage is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or does not have insurance.
Collision Coverage
Collision insurance can also pay for the repairs if the other driver cannot be identified, though you will likely have a deductible. You must weigh the cost of your deductible against the total cost of repairs.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
If you were in the car during the accident and suffered injuries, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage could cover your medical expenses. New Jersey is a “no-fault” state for personal injury claims.
Parked Car Hit in NJ? Get Warranty-Backed Repairs and Insurance Assistance at Mizzoni’s Auto Body
Dealing with a parking lot accident is stressful enough. At Mizzoni’s Auto Body, we streamline the entire insurance claims process, even negotiating directly with your insurance provider to ensure your vehicle is repaired back to factory conditions. We also stand behind all our work with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on all our repairs for as long as you own the car.
The Deductible and Insurance Hike Reality
Most policy claims often require paying a deductible. If you can successfully identify the responsible driver, their liability coverage should pay for the damage, and you can avoid the deductible. Also, your insurance premiums might go up after a claim, so make sure you read your policy terms for that.
Legal Action
If the driver is identified later, you have legal options. You can file a lawsuit for damages or pursue compensation through their insurance. If the driver is uncooperative with their insurance, small claims court is an option for minor damages, like a fender bender.
Mizzoni’s Expert Advice for a Parking Lot Car Crash
“Any supporting information can make or break your insurance claim, so it’s a good idea to gather as much of it as possible. Also, be mindful of your deductible and premium increase after an insurance claim.”
Choose a Certified Auto Repair Shop
Getting your car fixed correctly is the final and obviously essential step. New Jersey law gives the car owner the right to choose any auto body shop they prefer, so you are not legally obligated to use one recommended by the insurance company. Look for auto body shops that offer insurance assistance, towing services, and a written warranty. Certified repair shops also check for hidden frame damage that is often caused by lower speeds and is common in parking lot accidents.
From Parking Lot Crash to Perfect Factory Finish—Start Your Free Damage Assessment
Mizzoni’s Auto Body is one of the leading auto body shops in New Jersey. Our I-CAR Gold-certified technicians have the expertise in handling complex collision repair in our advanced facilities, and we have teams managing all the necessary insurance paperwork. Mizzoni’s is a certified collision center for auto body and structural repairs, and we offer a lifetime warranty on all our work.