Who's at fault insurance-wise if I hit a car that was parked in a tow away zone?

Yesterday as I was backing out a driveway at the school I work at, I accidentally backed into a car that as parked waiting to pick up a student. At first I felt like an idiot and felt that it was my fault (although I didn't admit fault), and the woman was really nice about it and we exchanged contact information (but not insurance info) and said we could work something out. Her big Suburban just had a few scratches but my car has a dent in the rear bumper and one of my tail lights is smashed. I realized this morning when I got to work, that she had been parked next to a red curb and literally under a sign that said tow away zone. So now I'm thinking that maybe it's technically her fault? Anybody know whether I should report it to insurance or try to take care of it under the table? If I report it to insurance is it going to end up getting pinned on me, or will she have to pay to fix my car?

toby h

The fact that the other driver was parked in a tow-away zone has absolutely no affect on liability in this accident. You struck a parked car. Unfortunately, you are at-fault for this accident.

â™¥ Uwish â™¥

Her big Suburban just had a few scratches but my car has a dent in the rear bumper and one of my tail lights is smashed.

That right there says your car is smaller than her "Big Suburban"

You hit the PARKED- BIG SUBURBAN. It doesn't matter if they were in a tow away zone. You are still at fault here for not paying attention.

Sandy S

The only thing is she can get a ticket or citation for parking there.... but yea it is your fault especially if it is a non moving car... don't call insurance... it'll only raise your insurance bill

â™¥ Embracing Optical Freedom â™¥

You are at fault, you hit her. It doesn't matter if she she was parked in grass, pavement, gravel, or even on the sidewalk, you hit her.

The Weasel

key words, "i hit a car" sorry but you're at fault. Although, she can get cited for parking in a tow a-way zone.

racerwesu

You hit a parked car, your fault

supastremph

You're at fault. Regardless, at this point, since no account was taken at the time of the accident by a third party (e.g. police) it would be your word against hers . . . that you even hit her car in the first place. You already chose to handle it outside the courts, at least now your insurance won't go up. Believe me, reporting this incident would cause you to pay the price of repairs over ten-fold in your newly increased insurance rates. Like the other guy said, let it go.

friedach

you hit a stationary vehicle==your fault

contributary negligence by other driver=let the judge decide or negotiate.

c.arsenault

You are at fault for hitting the other car, however the insurance companies may make a big deal out if it. I say just move on and don't pursue it.

Luna & Lawnboy

It doesn't matter if she was under the influence, without a license and parked in a handicapped spot. You hit a stationary object, a very large vehicle. Sorry, you were negligent and your insurance company will pay for her property damage if you report it to them. Technically, you are supposed to report all claims to them, but others seem to feel differently.

Tyler B

look up the rules in your city about parking in tow away zones and im sure there will be some info of insurance policies in there somewhere. she shouldnt have been parked there and she made you unable to back out properly. although, she was parked and you backed into her, so its a tricky situation,

Charles T

I have always understood that if you hit a car that is doing something illegal, then it is NOT your fault. For some examples: if a car is parked in a No Parking zone of any kind, or stalled and left in the traffic lane, or double parked on a busy street. This is also true if the other car is moving and doing anything illegal. Just because your car was involved, does not automatically make it your fault. Yes - you are supposed to always be in control of your own vehicle - but that does not make it OK for the other guy to be out of control with his.

Nate W

Hmm, this is an interesting question although probably not for the reasons you may think.

When an accident occurs in a parking lot on private property the insurance companies for the two parties will agree on terms for payment. Sometimes one party is decidedly at fault so their insurance will pay for both repairs. Other times they will split the claim so one party pays 70% and the other 30%, or some other percentage. Laws vary on this from state to state so I really can't tell you for sure how they will handle your specific claim.

The key word for you in all of this is PRIVATE parking lot. This occured at a (public?) school so I'm really not sure how this particular claim will be handled but I imagine it will be simaliar.
Unfortunatly, the fact she was illegally parked probably won't impact the claim.

Good question, star for you!

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