Your responsibilities in case of an accident—What to Do When You Hit a Parked Car
What To Do When You Hit a Parked Car Every state has its own unique set of laws regarding a driver's duty and responsibilities after a collision. For example, failure to follow these duties in North Carolina may result in civil liability or criminal penalties such as a misdemeanor. It’s estimated that more than 50,000 accidents a year involve a parked car. Unfortunately, just because the car wasn’t moving doesn’t mean the accident won’t hit your driving record or raise your insurance rates. While any accident can be stressful, handling a minor auto collision doesn't need to be complicated. This article explains what to do if you hit a parked car. Liability in General Generally, the driver who was moving is liable for damages suffered by the owner or occupants of the parked car, as long as the non-moving vehicle was legally parked or stopped. If a parked car is easy to spot for drivers, anyone who strikes that car is responsible for the accident. However, if the parked car was p