If you damage someone’s car while it is parked, there are a number of steps you should take to avoid serious legal trouble.
Accidents happen all the time out on the road. However, there are also times when they can happen when you are doing something as minor as backing out of a parking space. If you damage someone’s car while it is parked, you are required to make them aware of the damage and to provide your information. Otherwise, it is considered a hit-and-run in Missouri. But what if you are in a hurry and the vehicle owner isn’t around?
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
1. Tell the Vehicle’s Owner
It might seem tempting to drive away thinking it was just a minor scratch that they would likely never notice, and that might be the case. But if the owner does notice and files a report, then you can be arrested for a hit-and-run and face the potential of getting into legal trouble. If you do something to someone else’s car – even if it was an accident – you should leave your information. There are situations where you may think that no one is around, so what is the harm of just driving away? But remember in this age of technology, many parking lots are full of cameras. Aside from the fact that you may be caught, informing the other driver is the right thing to do.
The first thing you should do if you hit someone’s car by accident is to check the area and see if you can find the vehicle’s owner. If you are in a store, then walk inside and make them aware of the incident so that it is on record that you did try to notify the car’s owner. Even if you are in a hurry, taking 10 minutes just to try to find the driver can ensure that it appears you attempted.
2. Leave a Note If You Can’t Find the Owner
If you can’t find the owner or driver of the vehicle, then you should let them know what happened in writing. Make sure to leave a note both with the store owner and on the car windshield with your name, address, contact number, and explanation of the accident. To cover yourself more, it might be a good idea to call the police and to have an officer file a report to prove that you tried to make contact. If for some reason the note you leave becomes detached or the driver doesn’t see it, you will need to have proof that you did at least attempt to reach the vehicle owner in order to avoid being charged with a hit-and-run.
3. Take Pictures
Even if you were the one responsible for hitting the other car, it is a good idea to have evidence of the actual damage that was done.
4. Speak With Your Insurance Company
When you hit someone else’s car and they aren’t around, it can be alluring to consider the prospects of just driving off. But that would be a poor decision that can come with far greater consequences than just making the situation right by being honest. If you can’t find the owner make sure to let the authorities know or leave a message. You will also want to alert your insurance company. To avoid the fallout from accidentally hitting someone’s car, take the small steps to ensure that you do the right thing.
If You Were the Victim of a Parking Lot Accident
If someone hit your car when you weren’t around, it is a good idea to speak with a car accident attorney to ensure that your right to compensation is protected. This becomes all the more important if someone hit your car and left the scene without informing you and leaving their information. An experienced attorney can help you collect the evidence needed to recover the financial compensation you are legally entitled to.
Why Choose Us over TV Lawyers?
Direct Attorney Access (24/7)
Maximum Compensation Focus
Trial-Ready Cases
Team-Based Handling
Volume-Driven Timelines
Less Trial Preparation Emphasis
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
