Has this happened to you, you return to your car and find fresh damage, but no driver in sight? When someone hit your parked car and left without leaving their details, it’s more than just frustrating. It raises immediate questions: Who will pay for this? Should I call the police? Will my insurance even cover it?
If you’re dealing with a hit-and-run in California, the steps you take next can make all the difference. From taking photos and filing a report to knowing when to talk to a lawyer for accident car claims, this post will walk you through exactly what to do after hitting a parked car or having yours hit, so you can protect your rights and avoid costly mistakes.
1. Stay at the Scene and Stay Calm
If someone hit your parked car and left, your first instinct might be to drive off and deal with it later, but staying put is one of the most important things you can do. It shows that you're acting responsibly and gives you a chance to gather everything you need.
Staying at the scene of a hit and run parked car incident helps with your car insurance claim. You’ll want to document the damage before anything changes or gets cleaned up. Even if no one saw what happened, your presence could lead to answers.
Resist the urge to follow the other driver. Let law enforcement take care of that. Your job is to stay calm and focus on what you can control right now.
This keeps your case clean, supports your claim, and protects you legally in a parked car hit and run, especially if your vehicle ends up blocking traffic or sitting in a public spot.
2. Take Photos of the Scene and the Damage
Before you call anyone or file an accident report, take a few minutes to document what you see. These photos will be important if you decide to file an insurance claim or need proof of property damage later.
- Capture close-up and wide shots of damage, surrounding area, debris, tire marks, and nearby cars.
- Include timestamped photos if possible (some phones do this automatically).
- Look for any paint transfer or license plate fragments.
Try to include anything that connects your car to the accident. This could help later if someone finds the vehicle that caused it. If your car was hit while parked, photos can show the impact and location clearly, which is exactly what your insurance company will ask for.
You don’t have to be a pro photographer. Just focus on showing what happened. If you ever need to follow up on a claim, clear photos make it easier to explain your side.
3. Look for Witnesses or Nearby Cameras
Once you’ve taken photos, look around and see who’s nearby. Witness statements can make a big difference, especially when someone hit your car while parked and left without stopping.
- Ask anyone nearby if they saw or heard the incident.
- Check homes, businesses, and parking lot poles for doorbell or CCTV footage.
- Important: Some systems auto-delete footage within 24–72 hours, act quickly.
Security cameras may have captured the car that hit yours. This can help identify the license plate number or show what direction the driver went. The sooner you ask, the better your chances of getting that footage.
Even if no one saw the moment it happened, someone might remember hearing a loud noise or seeing a suspicious car nearby. The details they give could help you file a stronger police report or back up your insurance claim.
4. Call the Police and File an Official Report
When your parked car gets hit and the driver takes off, it’s important to file an official accident report. Even if the damage looks small, making a police report helps protect you later.
Let the officer know it was a hit and run parked car case. Ask for the officer’s name and your case number, you may need these for your car insurance or any future legal action.
Without a report, your insurance provider might deny the claim or delay the process. Saying “someone hit my car and left” only goes so far without proper documentation.
If you plan to fix your car or seek coverage, this step makes everything smoother. It also helps police track patterns in the area if hit-and-runs happen often there.
5. Take Notes and Write Down What You Remember
Right after the accident, write down everything you remember. The small details you capture now can support your case later and help fill gaps if there's no video or witness.
- Jot down time of day, exact location, weather conditions, and noise or smells.
- If you saw the vehicle, note the make, model, color, direction of travel, or partial plate.
- Memory fades fast, document details while fresh.
If your car got hit while parked and you’re missing key info, anything you do remember might still help. Even things like a loud bang or a specific direction the other car sped off in can back up witness statements.
When you're dealing with a hit and run on a parked car, notes make the difference between a shaky report and one that supports your insurance or legal claim.
6. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve filed a police report and gathered your notes, reach out to your insurance provider. Most require quick notice, often within 24 to 72 hours, for you to stay eligible for coverage.
- Notify your insurer promptly, many require notice within 24–72 hours.
- Ask about your policy’s coverage: collision, uninsured motorist, and deductible rules.
- Submit your police report number, photos, and witness info (if any).
You’ll likely need this information to open an insurance claim, especially if you’re asking about uninsured motorist coverage or wondering, “does insurance cover hit-and-run parked car?”
This is also a chance to ask your insurance company if filing will affect your premiums. Being open and prepared gives you a better shot at getting your car fixed without added stress.
7. Understand What Coverage May Apply
After a hit-and-run, your car insurance might still help, even if the other driver is never found. The type of coverage you have makes a big difference in what gets paid and what doesn’t.
Collision coverage is often used when the at-fault driver is unknown. If you have it, your repairs could be covered, minus your deductible. For others, uninsured motorist property damage coverage may apply, but this depends on your state and your specific insurance company.
It’s also smart to check how a claim could affect your insurance premiums. Sometimes it’s worth filing, and sometimes it’s not if the repair cost is low. Ask your insurance agent to go over your coverage options so you know what to expect.
Knowing your policy limits and rights upfront helps avoid surprises later. A quick call to your provider can help you understand what’s possible and what isn’t.
8. What If Someone Left a Note?
If you find a note on your windshield, take a close look at it. It should include the person’s name, phone number, license plate, and insurance company info.
Don’t rely on the note alone. Take a photo of it, just in case it gets lost or damaged. Even if it looks legitimate, still file an accident report with the police and inform your insurance company.
Some notes turn out to be fake or missing key details. Treat the situation seriously until it's verified. Your insurance documents and agent will guide you through the next steps.
Following up protects you if things go wrong later or if the other driver changes their story. You don’t want to skip a step and regret it down the road.
What If You’re the One Who Hit a Parked Car?
Hitting a parked car can happen, but what you do next matters more. You are legally required to leave your full name, contact information, and insurance documents.
In many places like California under VC 20002, leaving without this information is a misdemeanor. It’s a serious offense and could lead to legal trouble, even if the damage seems small.
The best option is to report the incident to the police. Doing it right protects your driver’s license, your vehicle registration, and your record.
It also shows the other driver and the authorities that you’re acting responsibly. Taking ownership right away is the safest legal path forward.
Can You Sue Someone Who Hit Your Parked Car?
If someone hit your parked car and you’re able to identify them, you do have legal options. You may be able to sue for property damage, car rental costs, or your deductible.
This is common in cases where the other driver leaves the scene or gives false information. A hit and run accident with a parked car isn’t just frustrating, it’s also a legal issue if the driver can be found.
Having a license plate number, contact info, or insurance details makes it easier to move forward. These details can also support an insurance claim if a lawsuit isn't necessary.
If you’re unsure about how to start or what your rights are, a lawyer can explain the process and help you understand what to expect from your case.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few common missteps can make a hit and run on a parked car even harder to deal with. Avoiding these helps your claim and protects your legal rights.
- Leaving the scene too quickly without full documentation
- Not calling the police
- Failing to check for cameras or eyewitnesses
- Accepting a fake note without reporting
- Waiting too long to file a claim
Each of these mistakes can delay your case or make it harder to get help from your insurance company. If you hit a parked car and left, or someone hit your car and left without a note, it’s best to treat it seriously from the start.
Taking the right steps early on helps your case, your claim, and your chances of getting fair coverage or legal results.
Talk to a Local Car Accident Lawyer Today
If your parked car was hit and the other driver left the scene, you're not alone. These cases happen more often than people think and dealing with car insurance and vehicle repair on your own can be stressful.
A local accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, deal with the insurance provider, and explain if legal action makes sense. They know how to handle these situations and get results.
Whether you need help with an insurance claim or just have questions about what to do next, we’re here to support you.
Contact Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, Accident & Injury Lawyers at (626) 793-8607 for a free consultation. Let's talk about how to protect your rights and move forward.
