What should you do after you hit a parked car?

Driving an Orlando Toyota makes you actively try to be the best driver you can be on the road. However, although you try your best, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and your Orlando Toyota accidentally hit a parked car. You might not know what to do if you have not been in this situation (which hopefully you haven’t). The good news is, here at Toyota of Orlando, our experts want to prepare you with real-life car scenarios. So, you’ll get through a stressful situation in the least stressful way possible in your Orlando Toyota. 

Here are the steps to take 

Step 1. Wait for the owner

Did you know that if you leave the scene of a car hit you cause, you can be found guilty of a hit and run, and up to six points can be added to your driver’s record? So, if you hit a parked car, please do not leave the scene, even if there is no damage. I promise it won’t be as bad as you think, and you’ll get through it. 

What you want to do is wait by the car for a reasonable amount of time. In the meantime, while you’re waiting, document as much as you possibly can. 

Here are some suggestions. 

• The make, model, color of the other car

• The time, date, and location of the accident

• Write down what caused the accident in detail

• The names and contact information of witnesses involved

Make sure to take pictures and keep calm. I promise everything will be ok. Then, if it’s been a reasonable amount of time, go ahead and leave them a note under their windshield wiper and walk into the stores or businesses nearby and ask if they would notify their customers about what happened.

Step 2. What to write in the note

You might not know what information is necessary to write on the note you’ll place on their car. Here is a cheat sheet: 

• Your name

• Contact information

• Auto insurance policy information

• An explanation of what happened

This allows you to leave the scene legally and it is up to the owner of the car to contact you back to resolve the situation further. 

Step 3. Call the police

If there is significant damage to the car, go ahead and call the police so you can get a police report and presence. Many states require this since it’s difficult for the average person to estimate the damage. 

Step 4. Contact your insurance company

Once everything is settled, and you leave the scene, you need to contact your insurance company and notify them of what happened. If you don’t do this, they can refuse the claim. Your property damage liability clause should cover the damage to the other vehicle, while collision insurance coverage will cover your Orlando Toyota car cost. 

Toyota of Orlando can help you take care of your auto repairs after an accident! 

Come into our dealership and our trusted service autos will take care of you. Call (407) 298-0001 to schedule an appointment. We’re located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.