Someone Hit My Parked Car and Left in Lehigh Valley

Our personal injury attorneys in Easton, PA, are often asked, “What happens if someone hits my parked car and flees the scene after it happened?” Dealing with the aftermath of a hit-and-run incident after someone hits your parked car can be overwhelming.

If you have questions, such as “What do I do when someone hits my parked car?” or “Whose insurer do I call if someone hit my parked car and fled?” our Easton hit-and-run lawyers can help. Whether you need legal assistance or help understanding your legal opinions, we’re here to provide insight into exactly what to do if someone hits your parked car and leaves the scene of the car accident.

Contact an experienced attorney by calling 610-258-9955 for a free consultation.

Pennsylvania Hit-and-Run Laws

Pennsylvania laws require drivers involved in car accidents to stop, remain at the scene, and exchange information, regardless of fault. If someone hits your parked car and flees the scene, penalties depend on the severity of the hit-and-run incident:

• If someone hits your parked car and fleas, but the incident only results in significant damage to the vehicle, this is a third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by fines, potential jail time, and license suspension.
• If the other driver hits your parked car and causes an injury, the responsible party is looking at a third-degree felony, with penalties including a minimum of 90 days in jail, fines of $1,000 or more, and license suspension.
• If the other driver hits your parked car and the incident results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a second-degree felony. Penalties include a minimum of one year in prison, fines up to $10,000, and a longer license suspension.

Drivers must stop immediately, exchange contact and insurance information, and assist injured parties if necessary. If the other driver leaves without exchanging information, once you discover the incident, notify both the police and your auto insurance agent.

A hit-and-run accident lawyer in Easton, PA, can help secure compensation from the at-fault driver, and if the other party cannot be located using the license plate number found on security footage, our legal team will help you file a claim with your own auto insurance provider.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Hit-and-Run Parked Car Incidents in Lehigh Valley, PA

Here are some tips to protect your unattended vehicle from a hit-and-run incident in Lehigh Valley:

• Only leave unattended vehicles near well-lit, high-traffic areas with surveillance cameras nearby.
• Many dash cams have features that can record hit-and-run incidents, which can potentially capture the other driver’s vehicle and license plate number. Dash cam footage is generally admissible as evidence in legal proceedings. However, its admissibility may depend on how it was obtained, especially if it involves audio recordings that violate consent laws.
• Consider using car covers to reduce property damage from minor collisions.

What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car and Leaves in Lehigh Valley, PA

If someone hits your parked car and leaves, immediate actions should include accessing the property damage and documenting the car accident scene. The next steps should include:

1. Inform the Police: Contact the police to make a police report. The accident report is typically required by both the police and the auto insurance provider involved.
2. Document the Accident Scene: Photograph the damage to your vehicle and the car accident scene. If there are witnesses who saw the incident, note their details and exchange contact information.
3. Look for a Note or Security Cameras: Check for any note left by the responsible party. If you don’t see a note, look for surveillance cameras that could have recorded details of the hit-and-run incident.
4. Notify Your Insurance Provider: Inform your own insurance agent about the incident.
5. File a Claim: Once you have the police report and photos of your car and accident scene, file a claim.

Working with your insurer after a hit-and-run accident with no contact and insurance information from the other driver can be a difficult and complex process. An experienced auto accident lawyer in Easton, PA, can help ensure that your auto insurance provider upholds your legal rights under Pennsylvania law.

Legal Obligations After Hitting a Parked Car in Pennsylvania

If you had an incident with an unattended vehicle, as the responsible party, you are required by Pennsylvania law to locate the other party or leave a written note with your contact and insurance information and report the car accident to the police.

How a Lehigh Valley Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Can Help

Our car wreck lawyers in Easton, PA, can assist with a hit-and-run accident case by:

• Handling the insurance claims process with or without the other party’s contact and insurance information.
• Gathering evidence from surveillance footage or witnesses.
• Ensuring your evidence complies with Pennsylvania law.
• Negotiating with the insurance company for better outcomes.

We help hold the person at fault for the vehicle accident responsible for vehicle repairs. We’ll work with the insurance provider to provide a rental car during the repair process and will handle any legal actions with the insurance company to help hold the other driver accountable.

Insurance Claim Assistance

Navigating insurance claims is critical after a hit-and-run incident in Easton or the Lehigh Valley area.

First, your insurance agent investigates the car accident to determine whether your policy includes coverage for any property damage that’s caused by a fleeing driver.

In Pennsylvania, several types of insurance coverage can help protect drivers and compensate victims after hit-and-run accidents:

1. Uninsured Motorist (UM) is optional coverage but helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if the at-fault party cannot be identified or does not have an insurance provider. Pennsylvania vehicle owners are encouraged to carry UM coverage as it applies in hit-and-run cases.
2. Uninsured motorist coverage in Pennsylvania is useful when the at-fault party is identified but has insufficient coverage.
3. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning PIP coverage is mandatory and pays for medical expenses and some economic losses regardless of who’s responsible.
4. Collision coverage is optional but pays for repairs to your vehicle, even if the at-fault party is unknown. Policyholders must pay the deductible before collision coverage applies.
5. MedPay is optional but helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.
6. Comprehensive coverage can cover damages caused by non-collision events that occur during the incident, such as debris-related damages caused by the other party.
7. UMPD is optional and covers vehicle repair costs in hit-and-run incidents if the motorist cannot be identified and collision coverage is not in place.

Insurance Company Negotiations

We help secure Pennsylvania hit-and-run victim compensation by handling insurance company negotiations after a hit-and-run accident in Lehigh Valley. Our team helps get clients to get fair pay for repairs, medical bills, and related costs, ensuring victims aren’t burdened with unfair deductibles or denied coverage. When there’s no note left explaining what happened or in cases involving significant damage, our attorneys work to discover policy options and maximize compensation.

Uninsured Motorist Claims Process

If you cannot find the fleeing driver, UM coverage can help pay for property damage and injuries. The first steps include filing a claim with your own insurer. You’ll need to provide evidence you documented, such as the accident report and photos of your vehicle. The next steps include negotiating with your insurance agent to determine fair coverage.

FAQs For Hit and Run Accident Cases Involving Parked Vehicles in Lehigh Valley

My Car Was Hit While Parked, Will My Insurance Go Up in Lehigh Valley?

If you file a hit-and-run claim under collision coverage, it may lead to an increase in premiums, even if you weren’t at fault in the accident.

Does Insurance Cover Hit-and-Run Parked Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?

Yes, if your policy includes UM or comprehensive coverages, any damages by a hit-and run driver are typically covered by your insurer.

Someone Hit my Parked car, Whose Insurance Do I Call?

If the hit-and-run driver is identified or leaves a note, you can file the claim with their insurer. If the person at fault isn’t identified, you’ll need to file a claim with your own insurance company.

Lawyer For Hit and Run Parked Car Accident in Easton, PA

Parked car hit-and-run incidents often leave victims frustrated and unsure of their next steps. If you need answers to additional questions like “Will insurance pay if someone hits my parked car in Lehigh Valley?” or need assistance locating the person at fault for your vehicle damage, our legal team will help with every step, from filing the initial claim to insurance company negotiations in order to ensure your vehicle damage is fairly covered.

Call 610-258-9955 or contact an Easton hit-and-run lawyer online to see how we can help.