What to Do If You Scratched Someone Else's Car While Reversing and Left the Scene?
2 Answers
If you accidentally scratched someone else's car while reversing normally and you have insurance, you can file a claim. Report to the police to determine liability, and then proceed with damage assessment. With insurance, you won't need to pay out of pocket. This is not considered a hit-and-run. Leaving the scene without reason is generally considered a hit-and-run in traffic accidents. However, if there is evidence proving that the party was unaware or could not have noticed the accident, it cannot be judged as a hit-and-run.
The other day I accidentally scraped my neighbor's car while reversing, panicked, and drove away immediately. Afterward, the more I thought about it, the more guilty I felt, realizing it might seem like a hit-and-run, possibly making the owner think I did it on purpose. After calming down at home, I realized the best way to make amends was to return to the scene or contact the parking lot manager to leave a note explaining the situation, providing my contact details so the owner could reach me to discuss compensation. If it's serious, I could also call my insurance company for advice—they can help coordinate repair costs to avoid disputes. In short, running away only makes things worse; taking responsibility is the right path, avoiding legal risks and easing my conscience.
