A car accident is bad, but the problem can be even worse when you are hit by a car while parked. When you are hit by a car while parked, your body is relaxed at the moment of impact; you may not have your seat belt on. It can be a complete shock to your system. How can you move on after being hit by a car while parked? What should you do? Here are some suggestions about how to navigate life after being hit by a car while parked.
Get Seen by a Doctor
When you are hit by a car while parked, your body instantly goes into shock because the action is so unexpected. This state of shock can easily mask physical injuries at first. Many people that have been in a car accident report that initially they felt fine immediately following the accident but one or two days later, the pain set in.
When you’re in an accident of any type, your adrenaline kicks in as a response to the situation, which can deaden the pain. It is important that you get immediate medical care following an accident, especially when you are hit by a car while parked. You may have injuries that you are not aware of that can escalate without the proper care.
It is always best to err on the side of caution, get in the ambulance, go to the hospital, and get checked out. You don’t want to risk the possibility of a serious injury going undiagnosed. It’s better to be safe than sorry down the road.
Get the Accident Documented
One of the most important things you need to do after being hit by a car while parked is to notify the authorities of an accident. Documenting the accident with the authorities is a very important step. If you ask auto accident attorneys for their advice, they will tell you to document every step in the process.
Documenting the accident will help protect your rights and ensure that when you file the accident claim with the insurance company, you have the documents you need to support your claim. The insurance company will most likely want a copy of the police report.
The police report will contain information about your vehicle, and the driver that hit you while you were parked, and contain witness statements. It is important that you wait for the authorities to report the accident. Even if your vehicle can be moved, you shouldn’t move your vehicle. Wait for the authorities to arrive before you move or leave the scene.
Reach Out to an Accident Injury Attorney
Don’t make the mistake of thinking just because you were hit by a car while parked that, your insurance claim will move smoothly. Insurance companies can be a bit tricky to navigate. You need the protection that an accident injury lawyer can provide.
Insurance companies have entire teams of lawyers on their side to help them deny your part of your claim. You need to even the playing field and have a lawyer on your side looking out for your best interest.
Additionally, a lawyer can help to take some of the stress out of the situation. They will manage all of the claim filing, supply evidence, and protect your rights. Once you hire a lawyer, you won’t have to navigate the process alone. It can be very challenging to deal with insurance adjusters after an accident, especially when there is personal injury involved. Get a lawyer to manage the process for you and protect your rights to compensation, medical coverage, and more.
Assess The Damage to Your Vehicle
If you were hit by a car while parked, you likely have some auto damage. One of the most common forms of damage to a vehicle is broken auto glass. Auto glass repairs can fix the problem. Other damage you may sustain includes body damage, door damage, fender damage, and, unfortunately, potential damage to the frame of your car.
An insurance adjuster will estimate the cost of repairs, and if they find that there is damage to the frame, they will “total” the car. When an insurance adjuster finds that the cost of repairs outweighs the value of the car, they will consider the vehicle a total loss and pay you what the vehicle is worth. This is why it is important to have a lawyer on your side. The lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Don’t make any repairs to the vehicle until the insurance adjuster has seen the vehicle. If you make repairs, you may lose money.
Reach Out to Your Auto Insurance Agent
The best way to navigate brakes car repair after being hit by a car while parked is to go through your own insurance company. Reach out to your agent to report the accident. It is the quickest way to ensure that the claim is opened and starts moving along.
Your insurance company will deal with the insurance company of the driver that hit you. You don’t have to deal with the other driver’s insurance company. You pay to protect your vehicle. Connect with your insurance agent to report the accident.
Choose an Auto Repair Garage
A little-known fact about your insurance coverage that most people are unaware of is that you don’t have to use the collision repair services that your insurance company recommends. You can choose the shop where your car will be repaired. Getting hit by a car while parked and finding yourself in need of auto repairs doesn’t mean that the insurance company gets to dictate where those repairs will be made.
However, there are some benefits to using the auto repair shop that your insurance company recommends. You may be able to save on out-of-pocket costs by using the collision shop that your insurance company recommends.
You can choose the collision shop that fixes your vehicle. Check with your local shop to see if they will work with your insurance company on pricing. Choose a shop that has a reputation for customer satisfaction and that can do the repairs that you need.
Get Necessary Auto Body Repairs
Most auto damage from an auto accident while you are parked will be auto body damage repair that requires attention from an auto body collision repair specialist. An auto body collision specialist has the skills and the tools to restore your vehicle.
When you’re hit by a car while parked, your vehicle takes the full brunt of the other vehicle. The body damage can be tremendous depending on how fast the other vehicle is going when you are hit. Of course, even in slow-speed type accidents, the damage can be large.
You may look at your vehicle and think it will never be the same after an accident. However, the right auto body repair specialist can work some magic and restore your vehicle. Choose an auto body technician that is well-known for restoration after an accident.
Get Your Vehicle Checked Over for Safety
Aesthetics is not the only worry after being hit by a car while parked. You will need to have your vehicle’s safety checked as well. A quick once-over won’t do. You want to check your brakes, lights, and other safety features before you start using your vehicle again.
Once your auto body is repaired, your car should look as good as new, but that doesn’t mean all your safety features are fully functional. A body shop can fix the appearance of your car and ensure that your bodywork is done with safety in mind, but they don’t typically check the mechanics of your car for safety.
Take your car to your mechanic and check all the safety features to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive. It is a simple step in the process that will reduce the risk of another accident while you are driving.
Make Sure Your Car Is Road-Ready
Once you have your body work done and have your vehicle checked for safety, it is a good time to do a little maintenance on your vehicle to get it road ready. Professional auto services are highly recommended for oil changes, tune-ups, new tires, brake repairs, and more to ensure that your vehicle looks new and drives like new.
Being hit by a car while parked can come with a few silver linings. For example, any auto repair work that you have been putting off can be done now while your vehicle is having accident repairs. When you get your vehicle back, it will be like having a brand-new vehicle.
A fresh oil change, having your transmission tuned up, and other maintenance that you have been putting off, can ensure your vehicle is road ready. Connect with a trusted auto service shop to get your vehicle up to speed.
Replaced Damaged Aftermarket Accessories
One of the final things to consider after being hit by a car while parked is replacing auto accessories that were damaged in the accident. Replacing aftermarket gear after an accident can be a little tricky. Unless you have documented the upgrades with your auto insurance company, they may not cover the cost of repairs.
For example, if you added a trunk fin but did not send new pictures to the auto insurance company after the installation, it may be difficult to get them to cover the cost of replacement. However, your lawyer may be able to step in and help. If you have receipts for the aftermarket accessories you may be able to fight back and get the cost coverage.
Overall you will have to decide how important those accessories are to you and how much you are willing to fight to cover the replacement cost. Of course, you can always pay out of pocket for new aftermarket accessories. It doesn’t sound fair that the insurance company would not pay for accessories, but unfortunately, it often takes a fight to get them to pay.
Many motorists make the mistake of thinking that if they are hit by a car while parked, that the insurance company is responsible for paying to restore their vehicle to pre-accident condition. However, it can be difficult to get them to pay up unless you have proof of purchase, pictures of the aftermarket accessories, and a good lawyer.
Keep This In Mind
Getting hit by a car while parked can be devastating. There may be a lot of immediate negative fallout, like losing your vehicle for a little while and/or a personal injury. However, keep in mind that this is a temporary situation that will pan out in the long run. You will get through this.
Having the right support can make a difference. Relying on your lawyer to manage your claim is one example of the type of support that will make this process less stressful. Knowing what to do after the accident can also help to reduce the stress associated with the situation. Getting the medical care that you need to start on the path to healing is also essential.
Don’t let this moment define you. You will get past this. Lean on friends and family for emotional support as you navigate the aftermath of being hit by a car while parked. It is an upsetting time for sure, but you can get through it.
All you need is the right support and a plan. Start by contacting a lawyer that specializes in car accidents.
