What to Do If You Accidentally Scratched Someone Else's Car?

[DelAnastasia]

If a car owner accidentally scratches someone else's car, they should take photos for evidence if possible, stay at the scene to negotiate with the other party. For minor traffic accidents, both parties can quickly reach a settlement; alternatively, they can call the police to have traffic officers contact the other party for resolution, and then contact their insurance company for damage assessment to proceed with corresponding compensation. If no one is present at the accident scene, the car owner should first take photos with their phone as evidence, capturing the scene of the scratch between the two vehicles, including the license plates, and then move the car to a safe location to avoid causing traffic congestion. It is crucial not to flee after scratching someone else's car, as this constitutes a hit-and-run. If the hit-and-run does not constitute a crime, the offender may face fines; if it constitutes a crime, they should be held criminally liable and have their driver's license revoked, with the driver being permanently banned from obtaining a driver's license again.

[VanAndrew]

Today I experienced this exact situation! Last week while reversing, I didn't pay attention to the blind spot in the right rearview mirror and scraped the bumper of the neighboring car. My mind went blank for a moment, but I immediately reminded myself not to panic. I quickly turned on the hazard lights, stopped the car, and took out my phone to take photos from multiple angles: the scratch location, the relative positions of both cars, and the other car's license plate were all clearly captured. Then, I placed a note under the windshield wiper with my contact information, specifically writing 'Very sorry' in bold. Later, the owner called, and I took full responsibility, agreeing to meet at the repair shop he specified. The entire claim process was handled by the insurance company, and I only had to pay the increased premium for the next year. Now, every time I reverse, I walk around the car first before operating.

[EmmettLynn]

Bro, listen to me. The other day, I was in a hurry to drop off my kid at school and scraped the rearview mirror against a parked BMW while making a right turn. My first instinct was to check if anyone was around and consider fleeing, but then I immediately remembered my old driving instructor's words: fleeing after a minor scrape would mean full responsibility plus fines and points if caught. I promptly turned off the engine, got out of the car, and recorded the scene with my phone, especially capturing the license plate number and collision marks. Unable to wait for the owner, I left a note with my contact details tucked under the windshield wiper. Later, when the owner reached out, I suggested handling the repairs through insurance and compensating for their lost time. Surprisingly, they praised me for being honest. Now, I always keep sticky notes, a pen, and a copy of my insurance policy in the car.

[AnnaRose]

After accidentally scraping someone's car door in the supermarket parking lot, I took ten deep breaths to calm down. Upon confirming minor damage to both vehicles, I immediately sought a nearby security guard as a third-party witness. Simultaneously, I activated my phone's recording function to document the accident's time, location, and my willingness to take responsibility. When the car owner arrived, I directly presented my driver's license and insurance policy, contacting the insurance company on the spot to initiate the fast claims process. I specifically reminded the owner to have me accompany them during the entire damage assessment at the 4S dealership. Ultimately, the entire repair cost of 1500 yuan was covered by insurance. The entire process was free of arguments or disputes—professional handling saved a lot of trouble.

[StAlexander]

Last time when the road was slippery on a rainy day, I couldn't brake in time and lightly bumped into the rear of the car in front. I immediately turned on the dashcam to save the video evidence, which is crucial for liability determination. After getting out of the car, I first checked if the other driver was injured, and only started negotiation after confirming safety. Fortunately, it was just some paint scratched off the rear bumper, so we signed a simplified accident settlement form on the spot. Key point: You must report the accident to the insurance company within 48 hours! I uploaded the on-site photos and documents the same day, and the claims adjuster contacted me the next day about repairs. In the end, I compensated the other party 800 yuan for repainting, while the minor scratches on my own car were fixed with a touch-up pen.