What to Do If Your Parked Car Gets Scratched and the Other Driver Flees?

[LaCarlos]

Sometimes when parking briefly by the roadside, the owner may still be in the car. In such cases, the dashcam usually records the incident clearly. As long as the other vehicle's license plate is captured, reporting to the police can help locate the perpetrator. With such evidence, the offender has no room for denial. If the car gets scratched in a parking lot, you can request surveillance footage from the parking facility to identify the responsible vehicle. You can directly report the incident to the police, who can then access traffic or roadside surveillance cameras to quickly locate the vehicle involved.

[JosiahLee]

Last time my car got scratched, I was furious too. But I calmed down and called 122 to report to the police first. The officer asked me to take photos of the scene on the spot, including close-ups of the scratches and the surrounding environment. Then I went around nearby shops asking for surveillance footage, and luckily a convenience store had captured the license plate of the offending vehicle. The police reviewed the footage and tracked down the responsible owner. The repair costs were fully covered by the other party's insurance in the end. Also, a reminder to everyone: try to park in areas with surveillance cameras when parking roadside. If something happens, don't overlook any eyewitnesses—their testimonies are crucial. Remember to report to the insurance within 6 hours, or they might refuse the claim. Although car damage is frustrating, following the procedures is always the right way to go.

[OCole]

I have experience handling situations where a car gets scratched and the perpetrator flees. Step 1: Secure the scene and don't move the vehicle, take panoramic photos with your phone as evidence. Step 2: Look for witnesses or surveillance cameras; if there are none nearby, go to the traffic police station to request road surveillance footage. Step 3: Report to the traffic police to file a case, as you'll need the accident determination certificate to claim compensation from the other party. Remember to check if your insurance includes collision coverage; if it does, report the claim within 24 hours—the non-liable party won't have to pay for repairs out of pocket. When parking, try not to cross lines or block pathways to reduce the risk of being scratched. Lastly, I recommend buying a dash cam with parking surveillance—it's a small investment that can save you a lot of trouble.

[SanEvelyn]

I usually handle this in three steps: First, take photos of the damage with my phone, focusing on the scratches and tire marks on the ground. Then, check with nearby property management for surveillance footage—convenience stores and banks often have cameras that might have captured the incident. Next, call 110 to file a report; traffic police can track down the responsible party using the license plate. When contacting my insurance company, I make sure to have photos of my vehicle registration ready and clarify that I’m not at fault. Keep all repair invoices during the repair process, as they’ll be useful for compensation. I recommend avoiding parking at intersections or corners, as these spots are most prone to scratches. Also, save your insurance company’s contact number in your phone for emergencies.

[DeCecilia]

Don't rush to chase if your car gets scratched! Last time I dealt with this, I first turned on the hazard lights to secure the scene and took six photos from all angles, even close-ups of paint chips on the ground. Then I contacted the road administration to check for roadside surveillance and visited nearby shops to register the license plate. The police followed a simplified procedure to issue a liability determination document—if the other party was fully at fault, they had to cover the repair costs. Remember to file an insurance claim within 48 hours of the accident for vehicle damage coverage. The most practical advice is to park in marked spaces—much safer than random parking. Keep the 4S repair invoice; if the other party refuses to pay, take legal action directly.

[DelRose]

I totally understand this frustrating situation! If you find a scratch, immediately use your phone to record a video, circling around the car to capture the license plate number and surrounding environment. Then, check with the city management to see if there are any smart street surveillance cameras, and visit the traffic police station to fill out the "Traffic Accident Investigation Assistance Form." The hit-and-run driver won't get away—the police will track them down using the license plate. When claiming compensation, make sure to include lost wages and transportation costs, and don't be too lenient. It's advisable to avoid parking in front of garage exits to reduce the chance of being scratched. Investing in a dashcam with collision detection is very useful; for around 200 yuan, it can automatically record three minutes of footage after an accident. Stay calm throughout the process, take photos, and then drive away to avoid delaying your schedule.