What to do if Someone Hits your Parked Car

You’re out shopping, you’re lugging your bags back to your parked car in anticipation of opening the boot and putting your shopping inside, when you notice your car isn’t quite how you left it. Many of us have been in this situation at some time or another and it’s incredibly frustrating. Someone has damaged your car while it’s been parked. They may have left a note with their contact details, or even waited around for you, but of course, this isn’t always the case. So, what should you do if someone hits your parked car?

As accident repair specialists in Chesterfield and Rotherham, we’ve seen our fair share of vehicle damage over the years, and plenty of cases where parked cars have been hit and damaged. Whether it’s a small scratch or dent, or more extensive damage, there are several steps you need to take.

What to Do if They Left a Note

If you return to your parked car to find that someone has accidentally hit it and left a note, the first thing you need to do is carefully assess the damage. Whatever the extent of the damage, take plenty of pictures. If the other motorist has left a contact number, pick up the phone and swap insurance details. In some cases, the other motorist might offer to pay for the damage there and then. If they’re still around at the scene, make sure you talk to them immediately and take pictures of their car too.

The next step is to contact your insurer. Whether or not you want to make a claim, you still need to let your insurers know about any damage. If you don’t, it could invalidate your policy. Following this, go straight to the garage, even if the damage seems to be small. CRS specialise in accident assistance and accident repairs, so we’re always happy to help at this stage. Seemingly cosmetic damage should also be checked just in case it gets worse due to exposure to the elements, and to ensure that there’s no internal damage to your car’s systems that you’re not aware of just by looking. Don’t forget that visible damage could cause your car to fail its MOT, so getting it fixed as soon as you can is important.

What to Do if They Didn’t Leave a Note

Although it’s very frustrating when this happens and you might think there’s no chance of finding out who caused the damage, it’s always worth checking if there are any CCTV cameras nearby, especially if you’re in a public car park, or parked outside a shop or a business. If that’s not the case, you should call the police. Hit and runs are illegal so its really important to record the crime. In addition, the police might be able to help you reach the other motorist, and therefore get the compensation you deserve. From here, follow the same steps as outlined above by assessing the damage, contacting your insurers, and then going to a garage.

Smart Repairs Chesterfield and Rotherham

Here at CRS accident repair specialists in Rotherham and Chesterfield, we are experts in SMART repairs. So, if you’ve been in an accident, or had your car damaged by another motorist, we can help. We’re able to carry out checks on vehicles to assess for minor damage, making sure that nothing is left unchecked. For crash repairs, as well as alloy wheel refurbishment, car body repairs, and car interior repairs contact CRS on info@cosmeticrepair.co.uk or call Chesterfield 01246 450012 or Rotherham 01709 374443 or get an online quote here.