Does a Parking Lot Scratch Count as Hit-and-Run?
2 Answers
This behavior constitutes hit-and-run after a traffic accident. Below is an introduction to hit-and-run after a traffic accident: 1. Hit-and-run after a traffic accident: Hit-and-run refers to the act of a motor vehicle driver fleeing the scene of an accident without authorization while the accident is occurring, thereby making it impossible to determine the civil, criminal, and administrative liabilities arising from the traffic accident, with the purpose of evading or escaping responsibility. 2. Manifestations of hit-and-run after a traffic accident: The driver knowingly causes a traffic accident and flees the scene by driving or abandoning the vehicle; the driver is suspected of driving under the influence or without a license and, after reporting the accident, fails to fulfill the obligation to wait at the scene for handling, abandons the vehicle and leaves the scene, then returns; the driver takes the injured to the hospital but does not report the accident and leaves the hospital without reason; the driver takes the injured to the hospital but leaves the hospital after providing false names, addresses, or contact information to the injured or their family; the driver absconds during the investigation period; the driver leaves the scene and denies the occurrence of the traffic accident, but there is evidence to prove that they should have known about the accident.
Whether leaving after a minor collision in a parking lot constitutes a hit-and-run depends on whether the driver was aware of the incident and intentionally avoided responsibility. Having handled many such disputes, from a legal perspective, as long as the driver knowingly caused an accident and deliberately left the scene, it counts as a hit-and-run regardless of whether it occurred in a parking lot or on the road. Last year, there was a case where a driver reversed into a neighboring car in a supermarket parking lot and drove away hoping to get away with it. Later, surveillance footage proved the driver was fully at fault and guilty of a hit-and-run, resulting in 12 demerit points and a 2,000 yuan fine. However, if the driver genuinely didn’t notice the collision—due to minimal body vibration or poor lighting—traffic police usually review surveillance to confirm it was unintentional, in which case it wouldn’t be considered a hit-and-run. In short, it’s advisable to check surrounding vehicles immediately after a collision and leave contact information to be safe.
