Can I get fined for hitting someone else's car but no damage?

Question

I was parking my car today in a tight park and I accidently tapped the front bumper of the car behind me. After I was finished parking, I got out and checked the other car for damage, but there was no damage at all because it was just a minor tap. Could I have gotten fined if the driver of that car was there and witnessed me bumping into his front bumper and called the cops but there was no damage, not even a single scratch?

Answer 1

Fined? by who? If there was a witness, and you did not leave your info - and that witness left your info, then you could be cited for a hit and run in a police report - but usually that does not come with a fine. (regardless of if there was damage or not).

Answer 2

It all depends on the situation. Did the driver of the other vehicle see that there was no damage? Was the other driver even around? Did you leave a note on his car saying you hit it?
Here's the thing...an accident is just that...but some people will try to be pricks and sue for anything. I've been bumped several times with no damage to my vehicle or the other driver's, so we made our own decisions to not call the police. Generally, if there is no injury or no serious damage done, the police will just tell you to take each other's information and deal with it yourselves.
Of course, if the other driver saw you hit his vehicle and watch you drive off, then that's a hit and run, which you can get fined or even serve jail time for. That's a no-no.
I wouldn't worry about it too much though. Seriously, most cops (I know, my husband and I know people in all of the police departments in our area) won't even waste their time issueing a ticket if there's no visible sign of damage.

Answer 3

No worries when you're parking, as long as you're sure there's no damage.

Hey, parallel parking in San Francisco, you bump other cars constantly when you're parking, especially if it's on a hill in a parked up neighborhood where the spot may only 2 feet longer than your car.

Out on the road is a different deal. Pretty much anything you do on the road to hit another car is technically a moving violation, and you're likely to get a ticket if a cop sees you. "There was no damage" isn't a defense.

Answer 4

If you just hit the car with no damage a police with common sense would not fine you. But if you were driving under the influence of alcohol or an ilegal drug you could be fined for those violations not by hitting the car. Better get aquainted with driver regulations and traffic law in your country or state.

Answer 5

Technically yes but probably no. The cop would just roll his eyes and tell the complainer to get lost. I suppose if the "citizen" threw a hissy fit, yeah, he could hassle you but it is so pointless....of course, you don't KNOW that you haven't damaged his transmission, etc., so the victim may have a case against you.

Kinda doubt it but if his car won't go out of park or something, well, then....you're "it"....

Don't sweat it but next time leave a note. "Do unto others...."

Answer 6

No, that's what bumpers are for, the police are not going to fine you for tapping a bumper.

Answer 7

Yes hun. If that person wanted to be a jerk which most people are for some reason they could of called the cops and you could of gotten a ticket.

Answer 8

if there was evident proof that you hit his car, then yes. whether it was a video tape or the tiniest smudge of paint. if he hadn't called the cops, you would be fine. If they did and the cop got enough proof, you could have gotten fined. I would say $100 max.

Answer 9

Yup. Assured clear distance or some such. Varies by state, but still yes, a fine.

Answer 10

depends on the person but no i doubt they would fine sum 1 for a bump