What should you do if you have an accident in a car park?

What should you do at the time of the accident?

If someone has hit your parked car, check to see if they have left a note. By law, they should leave their contact information, including their name, address, licence plate and an explanation of what happened.

Take pictures of the damage to your car and the location, and try to include a time and date stamp. If there is no note, look for witnesses or CCTV: you might be able to find out what happened or get a licence plate.

If they have left a note, contact the person who caused the accident (third party) and your insurance company. You can then decide if you want to go through the insurance company or pay for repairs yourself.

If you hit a parked car, stay there and wait for the owner to come back, even if the damage is minor. Speaking to the owner gives you chance to discuss what action to take. If no one arrives, leave a note with your name, address, contact number and an explanation. Do not leave the scene of the accident without leaving your information, as you could receive a motoring conviction.

Who is at fault in the event of an accident in a car park?

If a car was stationary in a car park accident, it is usually the other car that is at fault. In UK law, the driver of the moving vehicle, who hits the parked car, is responsible for the accident. If your car is parked legally in a space in a car park and another driver hits your car, then they will be held liable for damages. But circumstances do matter, so collect as much evidence as possible.

If the car park is poorly lit and this led to your accident, then the car park could be liable for the accident as the owner has a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. Other conditions, such as potholes, uneven surfaces and blind spots, can lead to accidents.

Legally, car park operators are only liable for damage or loss when it is caused by the negligence of the company or its staff. The owner of the damaged car would need to prove this.

What rules apply in a private car park?

Owners of private car parks where the public pay to park their vehicles should have their own insurance, so they are protected against claims.

The car park might be liable if someone is injured or if their property is stolen or damaged. Car park owners should be covered by public liability insurance to protect them against public claims. If they employ staff, then they should also have employers’ liability insurance.

What compensation are you entitled to under your policy?

Compensation in the event of an accident in a car park depends on the type of policy you have.

If you have third-party insurance and you are at fault, or if the perpetrator of the accident is not identified, you will not be compensated. On the other hand, if the perpetrator is identified and you are not at fault, your repair costs will be covered by the other driver’s insurance.

If you have comprehensive insurance, you will always be compensated, whether you are at fault or not. In fact, even if the driver responsible is not identified, the damage is covered by your insurance. However, if you are at fault for the accident, you may be subject to an excess charge before being reimbursed for the vehicle repairs.

Your compensation, therefore, depends on your insurance and the type of accident you were involved in. You should also bear in mind that not declaring an accident is illegal. You are taking a big risk if you don’t leave your details.