Dealing with a car accident involving a parked car

Car accidents are, by their very nature, an annoyance, especially when a parked car is involved. From a minor fender bender to something more serious, there are a few things you’ll need to remember. Whether your car has been damaged by someone else or you’re the one at fault, here’s what to do when you have an accident involving a parked car. 

I hit a parked car – what do I do?

Firstly, check if anybody was in the car at the time of the collision and ensure there are no injuries. For anything serious, call 000 immediately. Then, take a deep breath and try your best to remain calm. While this is an extremely stressful experience, it’s vital that you remain level-headed. Once those who have been injured are attended to, try to speak to the other driver and exchange the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Registration number
• Insurance details

Take photos of the damage

It’s important that you properly document the extent of the damage with clear photographs or videos. Take as many photos or shoot as much video footage as you can at various angles and distances – close-up and wide-angle shots.

Determine if your car is driveable

It can be difficult to ascertain the extent of damage incurred on the car from looks alone. What may appear to be a small dent could actually have caused significant internal damage. If you believe that your vehicle is unsafe or unable to be driven, call your insurer immediately and arrange to have it towed.

Leave a note if the owner is absent

If the other driver is not present and does not return to the scene in a reasonable amount of time, write down your details and fasten the note securely to the windshield.

Report the accident to the police, if required

While the criteria for reporting an accident to the police varies from state to state, there are some situations when contacting the police is needed. For example, if:

• someone is trapped, injured, or killed
• there are hazards present such as a blocked road or significant debris, leaking fluids, structural damage to property, etc.
• your car is significantly damaged

Contact your insurance company

At the end of the day, we’re all human, and sometimes we may have difficulty remembering things, especially a few days after an incident. That’s why reporting the accident is vital when it’s fresh in your mind. Once you provide details of an accident, your insurer can begin to assess the claim. The claim's outcome will depend on who was at fault and your type of cover.

What if someone hits my parked car?

Imagine you’ve just spent an enjoyable day at the shops, your cart is stacked full of your favourite things. As you’re loading the items into the boot you notice a dent in your door panel that wasn’t there before. A frustrating occurrence made even more vexing when the at-fault party leaves no note. Stress not, as there are certain things you can do to find a quick resolution.

Report the accident to the police, if required

If someone has been trapped, injured, or killed as a result of the accident, call 000 immediately. If your car has been significantly damaged, been in a hit and run, or the other driver is uninsured, you should contact the police. In these specific scenarios, filing a police report can be beneficial to your claim. Be sure to pass on the police report number to your insurer to make the claims process goes smoothly.

Are there penalties for a hit and run accident with a parked car?

Yes, in every Australian state or territory, there are penalties for a hit and run accident. The severity ranges from region to region. Find out what penalties apply to your region here:

• NSW
• VIC
• QLD
• TAS
• WA
• ACT
• NT

Check for witnesses or surveillance footage

Start by asking those within the vicinity of your car if they witnessed anything. A first-hand witness can provide an in-depth and/or accurate account of what happened. If the accident occurred in the car park of a shopping centre, ask the security services if they have CCTV footage. If your car has been in a hit and run accident, this footage may be able to identify the third party’s car registration. If there is no CCTV, ask them if they witnessed anything, or observed any erratic driving, or suspicious behaviour.

Identify the other party

If a note has been left on your car, contact the driver ASAP. It will likely be fresh in their mind, so it’s best to contact them straight away to gather information about the incident, including their:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Registration number
• Insurance details

Communicate clearly

As this can be a frustrating experience, it is important that you remain level-headed and calm during the process. Remember, accidents do happen. Be forthcoming with the necessary information to all parties involved. This includes the other driver, insurance providers and the authorities. Alongside documenting the details mentioned above, useful information you should also record includes:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Name, address, and phone number of any witnesses
• Photos of the crash site and damage to the cars

Whose insurer do I call if I am not at fault?

Even if you’re not at fault, it’s wise to contact your own insurance provider ASAP to lodge a claim. The sooner you get the ball rolling on the claim, the sooner you can potentially come to a resolution.

Reporting the accident to your insurer

To ensure you have a quicker claims process, have all of the necessary information – the other driver's name, address, and registration number. – readily available if possible, as well as your own policy documentation. If the police have been involved, obtain the police report or provide the report number to your insurer.

Filing a claim

No matter who’s at fault, filing a claim is the same process for making any kind of claim. When you’re with GIO making a claim is simple. All you have to do is click the Make a Claim button below and select your policy from the dropdown list or make a claim through the GIO App.

Once you have provided the necessary details of the accident, we’ll assess your claim. The claim's outcome heavily depends on the type of cover you have, who was at fault and whether or not your vehicle is repairable.

You may need to make a Compulsory Third Party (CTP) or Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Insurance claim if someone is injured. Time limits apply, so it’s best to make a claim as soon as you can following your accident. Remember, at GIO, we’re here to help.

Read more:

• What to do if you've had a car accident
• What is the car repair or replacement process after a crash?
• Car accident and not at fault? What to do next

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Target Market Determination also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.