How is an accident determined when a car rolls away unattended?
2 Answers
On-site evidence collection. Here are the relevant details: 1. Insurance company: If the insurer acknowledges that "unattended vehicle rollaway" falls within the coverage scope of the main auto insurance policy, they will handle subsequent matters. However, if they deny the claim or only partially compensate, and you accept this outcome, the case is considered closed. 2. Disagreement: If you disagree with the decision, you must file a lawsuit to obtain compensation. Additionally, an unattended vehicle rolling away inherently constitutes an accidental incident. If your purchased insurance doesn't cover your own vehicle damage, the collided vehicles, pedestrians, etc., may still receive compensation from the insurer - this primarily depends on the auto insurance agreement and policy provisions.
I've been driving for decades and have seen plenty of such incidents. A car rolling away when unattended, like forgetting to engage the handbrake on a slope or brake failure, hitting another vehicle or pedestrian - the responsibility almost always falls on the owner. Legally, this is called parking negligence - the owner must compensate for damages and may face fines or penalty points. Last time my neighbor's car rolled and hit a utility pole, insurance covered it but with a high deductible, leaving him with significant losses. I always engage the handbrake firmly and choose level ground when parking, plus regularly check brake pad wear - never cut corners. If an accident happens, you'll bear full responsibility. Safety first means fewer troubles. Drivers must always remember these small details to avoid risks.
