Can I File a Claim if Someone Hits My Parked Car in Jacksonville, FL?
Property damage to your car can occur in a variety of contexts in Jacksonville, Florida, such as a collision after a driver runs a red light. It can also happen even when your car is parked and stationary.
The good news is that you could have several ways of paying for damages to your vehicle. In some cases, you might be able to sue the other driver for damages.
What Should I Do if My Car Was Hit While Parked?
It can be difficult to remain calm after your car is hit while parked on the street or someone backs into your car in a parking lot. You may be angry and frustrated. Depending on the amount of damage, you might not be able to drive your car.
The first thing you should do is report the car accident to the police. Florida requires drivers to report an accident that results in $500 or more in property damage. Because you cannot be sure how much damage the other driver caused, it is best to report the accident.
If the police do not respond to the accident scene because no one was injured, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Call 911 to report a hit-and-run accident if you cannot locate the person who struck your vehicle. The emergency operator will instruct you on what you need to do.
It is wise to take photographs of your vehicle and make a video of the damage before moving it. Take wide-angle and close-up photos to ensure you capture all damage to your vehicle. Property damage could include scratches, dents, broken windows, smashed fenders, and broken lights.
If there is other evidence, take photos of the evidence. For example, take pictures of skid marks or debris before anything is removed or covered.
Make sure you get the names and contact numbers of any witnesses. Also, note whether there are cameras in the area that could have captured the moment when your parked car was hit by another vehicle.
Does Insurance Pay for Damages When Someone Hits a Parked Car in Jacksonville?
All Florida drivers are required to have a minimum of $10,000 of Property Damage Liability insurance coverage. PDL insurance pays for damage to vehicles when the driver causes an accident. Therefore, if a driver hits your parked car, you should be able to file a PDL claim with their insurance provider.
However, $10,000 might not cover the damage to your vehicle, or the driver might not have stopped after hitting your parked car. In those situations, you might need to turn to your insurance coverage for payment.
You are not required to purchase optional insurance coverage in Florida. However, many drivers pay for the coverage to protect themselves in case of an accident.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident or you hit a stationary object, such as a tree or building. Therefore, contact your insurance provider to determine if your collision coverage applies. Most policies pay for damages if your parked car is hit by another driver, including hit-and-run accidents.
If you have uninsured motorist overage, it should pay if a driver hits your parked car in Jacksonville and flees the scene. Underinsured coverage might pay if the driver’s PDL insurance coverage does not pay for all damage to your vehicle.
How Do Parked Car Accidents Happen in Jacksonville?
Unfortunately, parked car accidents are common. Causes of parked car accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving.
- A driver backs into your car when pulling out of a parking space.
- The driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- A driver falls asleep and runs into your car on the street or in a parking lot.
- The driver misjudges the room when passing your vehicle and sideswipes your car.
- A driver has a medical emergency that renders them incapable of controlling their vehicle, such as a seizure, stroke, or diabetic low.
- The driver took evasive action to avoid hitting a pedestrian, bicyclist, animal, or another vehicle.
- Drivers fail to check their blind spots when turning or backing up.
Parked car accidents can occur on the side of the street or in your driveway. They are common in parking lots and parking garages in Jacksonville.
Can I Recover Compensation for Other Damages After a Parked Car Accident?
If you were in the vehicle when someone hit your parked car, you could be entitled to additional damages for injuries. A Jacksonville car accident lawyer can review your case during a free consultation to determine if you are entitled to additional economic or non-economic damages because a driver hit your car while it was parked.
Contact the Jacksonville Car Accident Law Firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra car accident law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W. Forsyth St. #170,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167