What to Do If You Scratch a Parked Car and Can't Find the Owner?
3 Answers
Solutions for scratching a parked car and being unable to find the owner are as follows: 1. Most car owners leave a contact number for moving their vehicle. In case of a scratch, you can proactively contact the owner to explain the situation. 2. If the owner hasn't left a contact number, you can also use the 12123 police platform to get in touch with the owner. 3. You can indirectly contact the owner through the insurance company. 4. If you're in a hurry and can't wait for the owner at the scene, you can leave a note. It's important to note that if the car is parked and you're the one who scratched it, it's best to take photos as evidence, capturing all sides of the car. At this point, you should also analyze whether the car was parked illegally, such as in a clearly marked no-parking zone or occupying a non-motorized vehicle lane. If it's a violation, you may refuse to compensate.
Last week I was scared to death when I scraped a parked car by the roadside, thinking it was all over since I couldn’t find the owner. After calming down, the first thing I realized was not to flee—it’s morally justifiable and fleeing could be illegal. I took out my notebook, tore a page, and wrote ‘Sorry for scratching your car, contact me for compensation,’ including my phone number and name, then placed it under the windshield wiper. I also took several photos with my phone, capturing the full scene, including the license plate and details of the scratch, as evidence to avoid disputes later. Upon returning home, I immediately called my insurance company to report the accident—they would help locate the owner and handle the compensation. The whole process shouldn’t be delayed too long to prevent the other party from reporting to the police, which could lead to more trouble. The key is to be patient; everyone understands these small accidents, and being honest is better for everyone involved.
After decades of driving, minor accidents are inevitable. Here's a simple approach: If you scratch a car, don't panic or flee. Write a note with your contact details and place it in a visible spot on the car, like the corner of the window. Be polite, for example, 'Please contact me to resolve this.' Simultaneously, take photos to document the size of the scratch and the surrounding environment to clarify responsibility. If there are surveillance cameras or security guards nearby, ask if they have any recordings. Later, file a report with the police just in case the owner doesn't see the note and it escalates into a hit-and-run case. A call to the insurance company can usually track down the vehicle information to settle compensation. Stay calm, handle the matter, and move on—it's no big deal.
