What to Do If You Scratch Someone Else's Car?
2 Answers
First, get out of the car and assess the scratch damage. If the other vehicle is illegally parked and you want to file a claim under your scratch insurance for the paint damage, you need to call the police. If there are surveillance cameras and you are caught on camera, you cannot escape responsibility. If the car owner reports it to the police, you will still have to compensate for the damages. If you are in a hurry to attend to other matters, write your phone number on a note and place it under the other vehicle's windshield wiper.
If you accidentally scratch someone else's car, I think the first step is definitely not to run away, but to honestly admit the mistake. I've been in a similar situation myself—while reversing, I lightly scratched my neighbor's car, leaving a small mark, and I felt quite nervous. First, I got out to inspect the extent of the damage; a shallow scratch might just need polishing, while a deeper one would require repainting. Then, I left a note under their windshield wiper with my name, phone number, and an apology so the owner could contact me directly. Later, the owner called, and after I sincerely apologized, we discussed the repair plan. Since it was a minor issue, they said a small shop would suffice, and I directly covered the repair cost. If the scratch is severe or the owner isn’t present, you can also take photos as evidence to prevent disputes. In short, running away would only worsen the situation—you might get caught on camera and fined, or even damage relationships. It’s better to take responsibility, handle it properly, and maintain your reputation.
