What to Do If Your Car Gets Scratched on the Side of the Road and You Can't Find the Person Responsible?
3 Answers
Subsequently, clearly explain to the police the approximate time, location, and details of the incident, while also checking if there are any surveillance cameras nearby and informing the police. If the scratch is not severe, you can handle it yourself. If the damage is serious, it's better to report it to your insurance company and wait for the insurance adjuster to assess the damage.
When my car gets scratched on the roadside and I can't find the person responsible, I first stay calm and quickly move the car to a safe spot to avoid further collisions. Then, I carefully inspect the scratched area, taking multiple photos and videos with my phone—not just of the damage details, but also the surrounding environment, parking space number, and possible surveillance camera locations. Next, I report the incident to the police in detail, providing the time, location, and photo evidence. The police may check nearby surveillance to help identify the culprit. I also contact my insurance company to truthfully explain that the responsible party can't be found—some policies include no-fault coverage that can help with claims, requiring forms and details to be filled out. I usually recommend parking in places with surveillance cameras, like shopping malls or residential areas, and installing a dashcam to record the vehicle's status, minimizing future risks. When handling such situations, stay composed and follow the steps to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
After discovering my car was scratched with no responsible party found, I would immediately contact my insurance company to report the situation, providing on-site photos and detailed images of the damage. They typically have procedures for handling such no-fault incidents, and I might need to wait for the investigation results to see if the loss can be covered. If the repair cost is minor, I would pay out of pocket to fix small scratches at a trusted repair shop; for significant damage, the insurance company would send an assessor to evaluate. Throughout the process, I emphasize timely communication to avoid delaying the claims process. Parking on the roadside is indeed risky, so I will pay more attention to choosing areas with less traffic or installing a dashcam to monitor the surroundings, enhancing my sense of security.
