What to Do If You Scratched a Car and Left?
4 Answers
Solutions for when you can't find the person responsible after your car gets scratched: 1. Check the dashcam. High-quality dashcams can clearly record all-around real-time situations. By reviewing the footage and screenshots, you can identify the target and find the responsible party. 2. Report to the police promptly. After filing a case, the police will investigate using various technical means. 3. Contact your insurance company. Note: If the scratch is minor, try to avoid making a claim because payouts are calculated based on the number of claims, which could lead to increased premiums later. If your car gets scratched, stay at the scene; leaving may result in only receiving 70% of the payout. For serious damage, you can claim under the vehicle damage insurance. Before contacting the insurance company, assess whether it's cost-effective.
I remember my neighbor Lao Wang had this happen last month—he scraped someone's car and drove off without leaving a note. Later, surveillance caught his license plate, and he not only got fined and penalized with points but also had to pay double the repair costs. If you've just driven away not too far, quickly turn back to check if the owner is around. If the car is still there, leave a note with your contact info under the windshield wiper—this counts as proactive remediation if the owner reaches out. If the car has been gone for over a day, it's best to directly report to the traffic police and take responsibility for the repairs. A friend of mine handled it this way—though fined 500 yuan, he avoided license suspension. Never wait for the other party to report it; if hit-and-run is investigated, the trouble will be much worse.
Last week, I felt terrible just from scraping a pillar while moving my car in the garage, let alone hitting someone else's vehicle. Don't panic in such situations—first, note down the time and location in your phone's memo app. If you have a dashcam, immediately export the footage as it's crucial evidence proving you didn't flee the scene. I recommend contacting your insurance company right away to file a report. Even if the other party hasn't found you, proactively reporting the incident fulfills your obligations. Remember to get a formal invoice from the repair shop, as it'll simplify matters if the other party seeks compensation. With twenty years of driving experience, I've seen too many minor accidents turn into major issues due to private settlements—honest handling is always the most hassle-free approach.
Last time my daughter scratched a parked car while driving and got so scared that she drove straight home. I taught her a three-step method: First, immediately look up the local traffic police number to report the incident and file a record. Second, post a message in local car owner groups to find the owner. Third, prepare compensation funds. Remember to take photos of the damaged areas, especially capturing the collision marks and the extent of paint damage. For minor scratches like this, settling privately is the most cost-effective solution. For example, I helped my daughter resolve it by paying 800 yuan, which was more economical than dealing with increased insurance premiums. If the owner reports to the police, apologize sincerely and don't stubbornly refuse to admit fault.
