I hit a parked car - couldn't find the owner?

Question

I feel just awful. I bumped into a truck that was parked in back of me in the parking lot of my apartment complex this morning. I waited around for awhile hopeing someone would come out but no one did. It was pouring rain and I couldn't leave a note. I live in a big complex and have no idea whose car it was. I know that I shouldn't have left, but I had no way of contacting this person. I'm going back this afternoon to try and figure out who it was - the damage wasn't real bad, so I'm hopeing i can work something out with them. I'm just so worried that I'm going to get into some serious trouble over a little dent. Has anyone been in a similair situation? Is it still a hit and run if you attempt to find them after the fact?

Please don't tell me what i did was wrong - i know that. I am just really panicky right now - need some advice.

UPDATE: I went back over lunch and the truck was gone. I left a note on the door of the complex that said "to the person who owns the blue pickup" and explained what had happened and to call me. I also went to the managment office to report it to them. They said they could not give me his info, but would help me find him if I don't hear from him. Am I okay?? Is there anything else I need to do? I'm still scared he's going to go to the cops for hit and run.

Answer 1

What I would do is call your local police department just to get a record of it. If you call the police and tell them that you did what you did, and couldn't find the owner, you'll be fine



*edit*
You are fine if you reported it to complex managment. He can call the cops to report a hit and run, but you're in the clear as you've also reported it. You did the right thing.

Answer 2

Your obvious feelings of guilt isn't going to warrant a your a bad person remark :) Instead as with everything else in life its a best effort scenario. If the person lives in the complex it is a common practice especially at a rental property to get the License plate numbers and desc. of vehicles on record. You may be able to call the Landlord or Rental Office and ask. If that doesn't turn out then ask your adjacent neighbors, if they parked that close to where you park than they reside nearby. Someone is likely to have an idea who it is. Last option is to contact the police with a license plate number, explain your story and efforts to find the person and file a report. Since the accident occurred on private property the police cannot do anything more than a report, and may offer to identify the owner for you. First though get a disposable camera and take some pictures so that the owner cannot exaggerate the damage if they turn out to be mean people.

Hope it helps, Shane

Answer 3

A friend of mine recently let his friend borrow his car to run to the corner store. Turns out that the friend didn't realize that he'd backed into a motorcycle. Witnesses saw it happen and reported the license plate to the cops. Long story short, my friend got it all worked out with the motorcycle owner. So I'm glad you want to do the right thing.

About a year and a half ago, a neighbor of mine in our small apartment complex came home drunk one night and backed into the spot next to mine. His white truck scraped all along the side of my red car. He didn't have the decency to leave a note so I went and looked at every white vehicle in our parking lot until I found the damaged one. He was cool about it and paid the damages since he had no other choice!

Answer 4

An accident on private property like a parking lot won't involve the police unless the property damage is over something like 2500.00...best thing to do in a situation like this is write down the license plate number or VIN number of the other vehicle and contact your insurance co to find out the owner or try the DMV for records. Otherwise, the building supervisor may have an idea of who lives there with that vehicle unless it's a visitor.

Answer 5

It should not be a big deal, unless the truck owner is a whine baby. You could have called the Police at that time and had a report made. This just optional. Most States have a damage limit as to reporting the accident. As you said, just keep an eye out for the owner and you be able to talk with them and work it out. I had a lady back into the Tail-Gate of my Truck and dent it real good. When she told me I went and looked. I like to joke so, I was going OMG!!!! This is terrible! Then I told her not worry about it as I was going to buy a different one made for towing 5th wheel trailers. Heck, she offered to pay for the new Tail-Gate, but, I thought; "Why"? I was going to buy one anyway.

Answer 6

You obviously have a conscience and you're looking to fix this, so I don't think leaving the scene is wrong. You could be waiting around all day, for all you know. But you said it's raining outside... maybe you can write a note, but wrap it up in layers so it won't get damaged. Put it in an envelope, then wrap it in a couple of plastic bags, and tie it loosely to the side mirror, or place it under the windshield wiper blades. Maybe tape something on there saying "read, this is important." If he throws it away after the fact, that is his problem.

Answer 7

Keep trying to get in contact with this person and let them know you did it. You really couldn't have left a note that would be un-readable by the time they got it. There really wasn't much you could do under the circumstances, so don't beat yourself up too badly about it. "Technically", I guess it is a hit and run. But it will probably cease to be that once you find the owner. Keep a sharp eye out for that vehicle, and leave him a note as soon as you find it again.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, it happens to a lot of us. Just don't panic, contact the police asap, they can help. and let them know your situation. they can punch in the license plate number into their computers and find the person for you. don't worry. you ll be fine!

You could have just forgotten about it and go on with your life, but your a caring person. The world needs more people like you in the world. I think the owner of the truck will be very understanding. You are doing the right thing!!

Answer 9

You could have taken the licence plate number and talked to police. You can still get advice from the police.You live nearby so you could place an explanatory note with your name and a phone number inside a plastic bag and stick it under the windshield wiper blade. It's great that you are honest, but don't panic. You can also look for the vehicle again. Good luck

Answer 10

You should have left a note! But now you need to contact the owner, Try posting a sign in that parking lot, The owner will want to know who dented his truck and will be contacting the police and his insurance company and it is a crime!