What to Do If You Accidentally Scratched Someone Else's Car?
2 Answers
If you accidentally scratched someone else's car, you should immediately call the traffic police to handle the situation and gather evidence as soon as possible. In case of an accident while driving, you can retrieve the dashcam footage immediately. If there is no dashcam, check if there are any surveillance cameras nearby. The first priority in an accident is to preserve evidence. If you scratch someone else's car, do not flee the scene. If the other party reports to the police and there is sufficient evidence to prove that it was indeed your fault, it can be determined as a hit-and-run. Scratching someone else's car can also be handled through the normal insurance procedure. The repair costs can be directly reimbursed by the insurance company. To smoothly proceed with the insurance claim, both drivers need to cooperate as much as possible, and both parties should be present during the damage assessment. Alternatively, you can choose to settle the matter privately if the damage is minor, such as a few scratches, and both parties are willing to resolve it privately and reach an agreement. It is best to have a third party present during private settlements, such as traffic police, 4S shop personnel, or insurance personnel, so that any issues arising after the repair can be witnessed by a third party.
Just scratched someone else's car? Don't panic, first stop steadily and check if your own car is okay without moving recklessly. Get out to assess the damage size. If the owner is nearby, sincerely apologize and exchange names, phone numbers, license plates, and insurance details. If no one is around, write a note with your contact information and accident details, then place it under the other car's windshield. Take photos with your phone as evidence: close-ups of the damaged area, overall parking position, the other party's license plate, and the note you left—capture everything comprehensively for easier claims. Immediately call your insurance company to report the accident; they can guide you through the next steps. Remember, last time I forgot to take photos, and the claim took forever. Usually, pay more attention to blind spots or insufficient parking space causing accidents—developing good habits helps.
