Car Accidents with Parked Vehicles

While most car accidents occur with moving automobiles, there occasionally may be accidents which occur with parked vehicles.  These vehicles may be illegally parked, resulting in an illegally parked car accident with another vehicle.  In addition, the accident may arise if a pedestrian or bicyclist strikes the automobile, sustaining a properly or improperly parked vehicle injury.  Car accidents with parked vehicles generally do not include hit and run type of accidents, except if a driver strikes a parked car and then does not report the incident.

Consequences and Liability Factors

When one is involved in a car accident with a parked vehicle, there are various consequences.  Initially, many states require registered car owners to carry no-fault insurance on their cars.  No fault means that if one has an accident, the insurance will pay for injuries and damages the car causes to other people’s property and to properly parked automobiles.  Therefore, if one hits a properly parked car, then one’s no fault insurance is likely to provide insurance coverage for the damage sustained to that person’s car and/or bodily injury.  Moreover, if one fails to have insurance and damages the parked car, one can face significant penalties and fines, including the loss of driving privileges, fines of up to $5000.00, and civil law suits based upon uninsured motorist liability. Finally, if one hits a parked car and does not report the accident, therefore not reporting a hit and run accident, one can face criminal penalties for this crime.

Getting Legal Help

If one has been involved in a car accident with a parked vehicle, one should consider retaining the services of an experienced personal injury attorney.  An experienced attorney will be able to evaluate one’s claim and determine whether one has any legal claim or legal defense, depending upon the particular circumstances of the case.  Moreover, an experienced attorney can assist in navigating his or her client through the complexities of the legal system and answer any questions a client may have during the process.  Finally, an attorney can make sure that one’s rights are adequately protected while obtaining the most advantageous outcome in the matter.