Finding your car scraped, dented, or worse can leave you frustrated and unsure of what to do first. Do you call the police? Can insurance help? And what happens if the driver who hit you is long gone?

Smith Law Center has represented Virginia drivers for over 75 years and has recovered more than $1 billion for our clients. If someone hit your parked car, our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for repairs, lost use of your vehicle, or injuries resulting from the crash. 

Keep reading to learn what to do when someone hits your parked car, and call (757) 244-7000 for a free consultation if you need help with your claim. 

Immediate Steps To Take If Your Parked Car Is Hit

After discovering your parked car has been hit, here's what to do right away. These steps work whether the driver who caused the crash stayed at the scene or fled.

Check for Injuries

Anyone who was sitting in the vehicle should be checked right away. Even a low-speed strike can cause neck, back, or head injuries. Call 911 immediately if someone is hurt.

Call the Police

Virginia law requires drivers to stop after an accident that causes property damage or injury. An officer's report creates an official account of the crash. When the other driver is present, the police can collect their details. If the driver has already left, the report still supports your insurance claim and may classify the incident as a hit-and-run.

Exchange Information

Obtain the other driver's name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance card details. A note left on your windshield should be kept as well. Even a phone number is better than nothing, since it can help track down coverage later.

Photograph the Scene

Take photos of your car from several angles to capture the full extent of the damage. Include close-ups that show dents, scratches, or broken parts, as well as wide shots that reveal where your car was parked. Skid marks, shattered glass, and nearby security cameras should also be included, as they can help establish how the collision occurred.

Ask About Witnesses

People standing nearby may have seen the collision or noticed the car that caused it. Write down their names and numbers. A simple description of the vehicle or driver can make proving fault easier.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Most policies require you to report any collision quickly. Start with the basics—"someone hit my parked car"—then give the time, location, and whether the driver stayed. From there, your attorney can help handle further communication with the insurance company if needed.

Taking those steps addresses the immediate situation and gives you a starting point for holding the other driver responsible. From there, it helps to understand the common reasons that lead drivers to hit parked cars.

Common Reasons Parked Cars Get Hit

Many accident reports in Virginia start the same way: someone damaged my parked car.  Knowing what caused your accident helps explain the circumstances when you're dealing with insurance companies and potentially pursuing legal action.

• A driver drifts while distracted. Glancing at a phone, GPS, or passenger can cause a vehicle to veer and clip the side of a parked car.
  
• Backing goes wrong. Tight lots and crowded curbs invite mistakes when someone misjudges space while reversing.
  
• Limited visibility. At night or in heavy rain, drivers may swing too wide and strike a car sitting at the curb.
  
• Speeding through a lot. Rushing through a garage or shopping center leaves little time to avoid parked vehicles.
  
• Driving under the influence. Slowed reflexes and poor control make impaired drivers far more likely to hit cars at rest.
  
• Congested school pickup lines. With cars packed close and parents trying to squeeze past, parked vehicles are often sideswiped.
  
• Narrow city streets. Vehicles brushing mirrors or scraping doors is common where space is already tight.

No matter the reason someone hit your parked car, you deserve to understand your rights and hold the responsible party accountable. Get the answers you need now.

Call Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 today or message us online for a free case review.

What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car and Leaves

When the driver leaves without stopping, Virginia law treats the incident as a hit-and-run. Failing to stop after causing property damage can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the amount of damage and whether anyone was injured. Even if the other driver is never found, the police report will show that you did your part to report the crime.

From a civil standpoint, fault almost always rests with the driver who hit the parked vehicle. Under Virginia's contributory negligence rule, though, compensation can be denied if the vehicle's owner parked in a way that contributed to the crash.

For example, if your car is fully within the marked space at the curb and another driver sideswipes it, fault rests with the moving vehicle. But if your car is parked outside the lines and sticking into the lane, an insurer may argue that your parking contributed to the crash, and that argument alone can block compensation.

Compensation You Can Recover If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Most people think of a parked car accident as a dented fender or scraped paint. Some crashes cause much more, and compensation can extend to:

• Car repairs or replacement. The cost to fix your vehicle, or to replace it if it is totaled.
• Getting around. Reimbursement for a rental car, rideshare, or other travel while your vehicle is out of use.
• Medical care. Coverage for treatment of injuries, including doctor visits, medication, or therapy.
• Missed paychecks. Income lost if your injuries kept you from working.
• Pain and stress. Compensation for the physical pain and emotional toll of the crash.

Consider a car pulling into a grocery store space too quickly and striking the driver's side of a parked vehicle. The person inside is left with a totaled car, a back injury that requires therapy, missed time at work, and pain that continues long after the crash. In such situations, compensation must cover far more than just property damage.

But insurance companies often resist paying the full value of these claims. That leads directly to the question: when is it worth hiring a lawyer?

Do You Need to Hire a Lawyer?

Some parked car claims resolve quickly, but others stall because insurers deny coverage, delay payment, or argue that you share fault. A lawyer can help in situations such as:

• The other driver left the scene and you need help with a hit-and-run claim.
• The insurer denies coverage or delays payment.
• Injuries lead to medical bills, missed work, or lasting pain.
• The damage is severe enough that your car is considered a total loss.

An attorney can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and handle negotiations with insurers, so you don't have to. That support can make the difference between a denied claim and a fair recovery.

Call Smith Law Center

When a parked car accident results in an insurer undervaluing your claim or blaming you for the crash, having an experienced attorney on your side matters. 

Smith Law Center has helped Virginians recover compensation for vehicle damage, medical care, and lost income for over 75 years. Call (757) 244-7000 today to schedule your free consultation.