Fender Bender

[JamesD8]

Florida

My 18 year old pulled into a parking spot at a local office complex, whereby she scratched the parked vehicle in the adjacent spot as she pulled in. The car was empty and so she left her name and number and asked the owner to give her a call. Shortly after she received a text from the owner who told my daughter she illegally left the scene and can be charged with hit and run. My daughter, of course, called dear old dad, sobbing. The owner of the car also said her entire car needs to be painted as a result to this one scratch. Sigh. . .
I called her cell phone but no one answered. I'll try again. But in the meantime, what are we looking at here?
Thank you.

 

[Zigner]

Florida

My 18 year old pulled into a parking spot at a local office complex, whereby she scratched the parked vehicle in the adjacent spot as she pulled in. The car was empty and so she left her name and number and asked the owner to give her a call. Shortly after she received a text from the owner who told my daughter she illegally left the scene and can be charged with hit and run. My daughter, of course, called dear old dad, sobbing. The owner of the car also said her entire car needs to be painted as a result to this one scratch. Sigh. . .
I called her cell phone but no one answered. I'll try again. But in the meantime, what are we looking at here?
Thank you.

Tell her to report the incident to her insurance company. That's what she pays them for.

 

[JamesD8]

She seems to want to go directly through my insurance company and has asked for that info. I'm assuming I must provide it. Do I need her insurance info and should I contact my company, as well? I wish I could post a photo here. No dent, just a small scratch that could easily be compounded out.

 

[Zigner]

She seems to want to go directly through my insurance company and has asked for that info. I'm assuming I must provide it. Do I need her insurance info and should I contact my company, as well? I wish I could post a photo here. No dent, just a small scratch that could easily be compounded out.

The insurance company will handle it, but yes, it needs to be reported to them.

 

[justalayman]

316.063 Duty upon damaging unattended vehicle or other property.—
(1) The driver of any vehicle which collides with, or is involved in a crash with, any vehicle or other property which is unattended, resulting in any damage to such other vehicle or property, shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of the vehicle or other property of the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, or shall attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle or other property a written notice giving the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, and shall without unnecessary delay notify the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority. Any person who fails to comply with this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.


As you can read your son was required to contact the police in addition to leaving his name. While it is only speculation on my part, I doubt the crime of leaving the scene would be prosecuted as he did provide his contact info.