What Happens If There Is An Accident In A Parking Lot?

Accidents happen! Parking lots can be crazy places. Whether you’re at the mall, the grocery store or even just grabbing a quick coffee… all those vehicles coming and going can up anyone’s chances of being in a parking lot accident. Ever wonder if your insurance will cover parking lot accidents? WHAT HAPPENS IF I HIT SOMEONE ELSE’S CAR IN A PARKING LOT? If you do hit a car in a parking lot, here’s what to do next: Don’t leave the scene. If you drive away without telling anyone, that’s considered a hit-and-run. You could face a whole other set of legal issues if a security camera or witness spots you in the act. So do the honest thing and stick around. Get out of harm’s way. Even a simple fender-bender can block traffic or scatter broken glass. Make sure you’re a safe distance from anything dangerous and be mindful of the flow of traffic. If needed, put your hazard lights on to alert nearby drivers. Try to locate the car’s owner. Ask a store employee to page the owner of the car over the loudspeaker. Leave a note. It’s the right thing to do… and potentially even the law. Not leaving a note is considered a hit-and-run in the vast majority of states, even if the damage was just a small scratch. Keep it simple and polite. Include your name, contact information, and a brief explanation of what happened. Leave it in a secure spot where it won’t blow away. Consider calling the police. If the damage is serious, they can help you file an incident report and track down the car’s owner. Car-Lotta reminds you to call your insurance agent. Your agent is there to answer questions and help you understand what’s covered.