Hello! Just an hour ago, my bf was parking and he put the car in neutral or drive by accident and we ended up hitting the parked car in front of us on the street.
The owner of the car's friend saw us hit the car and came and took photos.
We took photos as well and we exchanged phone numbers once the owner came and gave them a pic of my bf's drivers license and insurance. This is my bf's first accident so we weren't too sure what to do. We should've taken a photo of the owners drivers license and papers too but we forgot and went home.
Once we got home we texted the owner and there's a language barrier so it's a bit difficult but we asked multiple times for his drivers licence and papers but he continues to say "don't worry" or "it's ok" and "if I look something I will call police" not sure what that means. We are wanting to just claim this to icbc but the owner is making it very difficult. If we claim it to ICBC and by chance they don't have insurance, obviously there will be consequences so I'm worried that they will try to come to where we live or something because they know our address. But also if we don't claim it, we're also worried that they might report it as a hit and run later on. Any advice? I know this is very random but didn't know where to ask..
Main Legal Issues:
Liability for hitting a parked car
Communication issues with the owner of the parked car
Potential consequences of not properly handling the situation
Questions Answered:
It seems like the owner of the parked car may not have insurance or is hesitant to provide their information. In this case, if you proceed to claim the incident with ICBC and the owner does not have insurance, you may be held liable for the damages to their vehicle. It's crucial to ensure that the owner provides their insurance information to avoid any potential legal repercussions.
Potential Strategies:
Contact ICBC: Reach out to ICBC to inform them of the situation and seek guidance on how to proceed. They can provide advice on handling the communication with the owner of the parked car and the necessary steps to take.
Consult a Lawyer: Consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in motor vehicle accidents to understand your legal rights and obligations in this situation. They can provide legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all communication with the owner of the parked car, including text messages and phone calls. This documentation can be crucial in case of any legal disputes.
Things to Discuss with a Lawyer:
Liability Concerns: Discuss the potential liability you may face if the owner of the parked car does not have insurance and how to protect yourself legally.
Communication Strategies: Seek advice on how to effectively communicate with the owner of the parked car, especially considering the language barrier.
Legal Obligations: Understand your legal obligations in this situation and how to ensure compliance with the law to avoid any legal consequences.
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