Hit and Run with Parked Car | Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers

Becoming the victim of a Massachusetts hit-and-run parked car accident is a daunting experience that you may not know how to handle correctly. Overlooking the damages of your vehicle, and calculating the expenses that no one can be held accountable for sounds stressful, to say the least.

However, well-informed, rational, and timely decisions after a hit-and-run accident will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation. We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide that will help you make the most of your parked car incident in Massachusetts. An expert hit and run lawyer can become the most reliable ally you can count on.

What Is a Parked Car Hit-and-Run Accident?

Leaving your parked car in a parking lot or any other dedicated space makes you feel safe about the property. However, Massachusetts hit-and-run parked car accidents occur now and then, and you must be aware of what they are in case the inevitable happens to you.

The simplest definition of a hit-and-run incident is when the driver leaves the scene of an accident after hitting another possibly unoccupied, parked car. Instead of choosing to immediately stop and exchange information like contact details and insurance data, such drivers refuse to take reasonable effort and legal responsibility for their inattention or recklessness that results in other people’s losses.

Massachusetts Hit-and-Run Laws

Understanding Massachusetts law specifics that apply to parked car accidents is one of the primary steps to maximize a car accident settlement for sustained damages. However, the legal intricacies of such cases may be challenging to untangle without a car accident lawyer involved.

Legal Obligations

The state of Massachusetts makes it mandatory for a driver to stop immediately after they’ve accidentally hit a parked car. The at-fault driver should inspect the damage inflicted, exchange information, including but not limited to their contact details and insurance policy number, and report the incident before leaving the scene.

In case the hit-and-run driver fails to take these actions, they may face severe penalties afterward.

Consequences of Fleeing the Scene

Hit-and-run drivers may face various penalties depending on the severity of the accident. These punishments are tailored to match the seriousness of the incident, with the primary aim of discouraging drivers from fleeing the scene.

There are three primary penalty types that drivers can encounter after a hit-and-run incident in Massachusetts:

Fines: Based on the type and scale of the property damage, the at-fault party will be assigned a financial penalty.
Jail time: If the incident leads to serious injuries, the driver may face jail time.
License suspension: The guilty driver’s license may be suspended because of the accident, forbidding them to drive a vehicle legally for a set period.

Massachusetts Hit-and-Run Penalties

Even if the driver is partially at fault or not guilty of the parked car incident, fleeing the scene may turn into a criminal case. There are a few different types of penalties approved by the state law:

Property damage: After damaging another vehicle, the person responsible faces an up to $200 fine or two years of prison, topped with a 6-month license suspension.
Personal injuries: A hit-and-run accident resulting in personal injury of varying scale, except death, is charged with an up to $1000 fine, potential two-year imprisonment, and license suspension for a year or more.
Wrongful death: A driver who committed an accident resulting in severe personal injury or fatality will face up to a $5000 fine, 2.5 years in jail, or 10 years in state prison. Their license will be suspended for at least three years.

What to Do After a Massachusetts Hit-and-Run Parked Car Accident?

Finding your parked car damaged is nothing but a stressful experience, especially if there is no at-fault party in sight. However, it is best to pull yourself together and act quickly to protect your rights and receive fair compensation for your losses.

There are a few simple but effective steps you should consider, and we’ll delve into them below. Before we proceed, it is imperative to remember that following the hit-and-run driver isn’t on the list!

File an Official Report

Once you discover your parked car damaged, you should call the police and report the accident. The faster and more systematic you are, the higher the chances of finding the at-fault driver are. It is critical to provide the responding police officer with all the details of the incident, including but not limited to the time, location, damage proof, and other potential evidence. Don’t forget to obtain a police report. It will support your insurance claim in the future.

Gather Available Evidence

Massachusetts hit-and-run parked car insurance claims rely heavily on the validity of presented proof. It is best to gather evidence while the scene is still fresh.

Take immediate photos of the inflicted damage, the accident scene, and the surrounding area.
Check the surveillance cameras, if any, to see if either the vehicle registration number, the car model, or any other significant details have been recorded.
Talk to the eyewitnesses. Make sure to record their version of events and ask if they’ve happened to memorize the license plate or any other information. Ask them for their phone numbers or other contact details in case the insurance company inquires about them.

Contact the Insurance Company

Another vital step to take after a Massachusetts hit-and-run parked car incident is to notify your insurance company. According to state laws, uninsured motorist coverage is a mandatory part of your own insurance policy. Every insurance agent is bound to offer you this option. This type of insurance coverage expands up to $ 80,000 per accident.

Usually, the insurance provider is reluctant to satisfy the uninsured motorist property damage insurance claim or minimize your hit-and-run charges. So, it is within your best interests to hire a professional lawyer to assist you.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

Hit-and-runs are rarely the simplest of accidents. Professional legal assistance may result in a successful case for a variety of reasons. Firstly, a trained field expert knows all the nuances of the local law system. They are well aware of potential hidden details to keep an eye on, not to mention their unparalleled negotiation skills when it comes to settling a rightful compensation with an insurance company.

Sometimes, there are other liable parties in hit-and-run cases, and a seasoned attorney will be able to point them out, let alone maximize your insurance claim.

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Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.

Insurance Implications in Massachusetts Hit-and-Run Incidents

Although the state laws are pretty strict and straightforward, there’s room for implications in the legal system. Massachusetts is one of the so-called ‘no-fault’ states, and there are several specific regulations that you must understand before filing an insurance claim. While a trained legal assistant will help you dive deeper into the specifics of these rules, we’ll try to point you in the right direction so that you know where you stand.

No-Fault Insurance System in Massachusetts

A no-fault insurance system implies that no matter who’s responsible for the incident, you should negotiate with your insurance provider to cover the sustained damages. However, there’s always a limit that the insurance agent will offer, meaning that if your losses exceed it, you may have to pay from your pocket.

If there are any bodily injuries you’ve suffered as a result of the hit-and-run accident, Personal Injury Protection—which is a part of the no-fault system—will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.

How to Prevent Parked Car Hit-and-Run Accidents?

While the local law system may imply all the regulations possible to minimize the unpleasant consequences of hit-and-run instances, there are a few things the citizens can do to protect their parked cars.

Choose well-lit parking spots

Minimize the chances of being accidentally hit by other motor vehicles by parking somewhere you are easy to spot and avoid.
Use dash cams

Relying on surveillance cameras is an option, but a private dash cam will provide a timely sequence of events necessary for a swift and successful investigation.
Don’t argue over the spot

In some cases, the mundane fighting over a parking spot can trigger a reckless driver to intentionally damage your parked car as part of a parking-spot revenge.
Avoid isolated areas

Parking in front of a safe location, a potentially busy place, ensures that there are more street cams in the area, not to mention the number of potential witnesses who’ll agree to assist should the inevitable happen.

Conclusion

A Massachusetts hit-and-run parked car incident may leave you feeling stressed and uncertain about what to do next, let alone injured. However, you are never alone with Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers in the proximity. Our legal team is ready to offer a helping hand, no matter the complexity and scale of the incident.

All it takes is to call us for a free case review, and we’ll give you an honest estimation of where you are standing with your hit-and-run case. Don’t waste your time navigating the nets of complex insurance policies—contact us today!