What to Do If You Scratched Someone Else's Car While Parking and Ran Away?

[LeValentina]

It is considered a hit-and-run traffic offense, which is illegal. You need to surrender to the police or recontact the owner of the scratched vehicle to seek forgiveness and provide compensation. If the circumstances are particularly severe, you may face imprisonment of three to seven years; if the hit-and-run results in death, the penalty is imprisonment for seven years or more.

[MaliaDella]

I was quite panicked when it first happened, but experience taught me that fleeing would only escalate the issue. Hit-and-run is illegal, with penalties ranging from fines to point deductions or even license revocation. The best course is to immediately return to the scene—if the owner is present, offer a sincere apology and propose compensation; if no one's around, leave a note explaining the situation with your contact and an apology. Then, notify your insurance company to initiate the claims process—they'll handle it for you. Remember to check if the other car has a dashcam to avoid escalated trouble from being traced. Owning up to mistakes not only avoids legal risks but also maintains neighborly relations. I recommend practicing reversing skills more to reduce the risk of scrapes.