Someone Hit My Parked Car in Arizona — What Do I Do?

You walk out to your car and your heart drops — someone smashed into it and drove away. No note, no driver, no witnesses. Unfortunately, this happens thousands of times every year in Phoenix. Here’s exactly what to do.

Step 1: Document Everything

Before you move anything, take photos from every angle. Capture your vehicle’s damage, the parking spot, any debris or paint transfer left by the other vehicle, and the surrounding area. Look for security cameras on nearby buildings, parking garages, or traffic poles.

Step 2: Call the Police

File a police report even if the other driver is long gone. You’ll need the report number for your insurance claim. The police may also canvas the area for camera footage that could identify the driver.

Step 3: Check for Witnesses

Ask nearby businesses if they have surveillance footage. Check with anyone who may have been in the area. Even partial information — a vehicle color, make, or partial license plate — can help.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

This is where it gets important. You have two paths depending on whether the other driver is found:

If the driver is identified: You file a claim against their liability insurance. They pay for your repairs, your rental car, and your vehicle’s diminished value.

If the driver is never found (hit-and-run): You file a claim under your own collision coverage. You’ll pay your deductible, but the damage gets repaired. If you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, that may apply too.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Parked Car Hit?

For a simple parking lot ding with no injuries, you probably don’t need an attorney. Your collision coverage handles it.

But call a lawyer if: you or a passenger were inside the car when it was hit and suffered injuries, the damage is extensive and the insurance company is lowballing the repair or total loss value, there’s a diminished value claim worth pursuing, or the at-fault driver was found and has minimal insurance.

Phoenix’s Hit-and-Run Problem

This isn’t rare. Phoenix has approximately 20,000 hit-and-run incidents per year — about 1 in 5 reported traffic accidents. Carry collision coverage and UIM coverage. It’s your safety net.

Call (833) DTF-IGHT if your parked car hit-and-run involved injuries or significant damage.