Car accidents can happen anywhere and it can happen at any moment. A car accident can involve a collision between two moving vehicles or a collision between a moving and parked vehicle. Hitting a parked car can be scary and confusing, especially if you’re not sure what to do next. Even if you barely dinged the other vehicle, you still have responsibilities and steps to follow.
Leaving the scene of an accident involving a parked car is considered a hit-and-run. Doing so is illegal. A hit-and-run accident can lead to serious consequences, even if the damage is minor.
If you drive away without stopping, you could face criminal charges. In most states, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage is a misdemeanor. You could face fines, points on your driver’s license, or even jail time. Repeat offenses often lead to harsher penalties.
While you may think no one saw you, there’s a good chance there are security cameras nearby. Many parking lots and homes have surveillance footage. If the car owner reports the damage and your license plate is captured on camera, you could still be tracked down and face hit-and-run charges.
Leaving the scene can also affect your car insurance. If you’re caught, your insurance provider may raise your insurance rates or cancel your insurance policy. You could also be held responsible for the full out-of-pocket costs.
No matter how minor the damage, you have legal obligations after a car accident. They include stopping, assessing the vehicle damage, and making a reasonable effort to exchange information with the owner.
Before leaving the scene, you’ll want to take the following steps: 1) Stop at the scene of the accident and do not drive away; 2) Make sure to check for the owner of the vehicle and exchange contact and insurance information; 3) Leave a note if no one is around with your contact and insurance details; 4) Take photos of visible damage and 5) Call the police if there are injuries or significant damage.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (206) 441-0900.
