Author: John Mattiacci | Owner Mattiacci Law
Published July 14, 2025
Getting into a parking lot accident can feel like a weird combination of annoying and confusing. It’s not as dramatic as a highway crash, but it still messes up your day, and your car.
What throws people off even more is when there’s no police report. Maybe no one showed up. Maybe someone said you didn’t need one. So what now?
Don’t worry, you’re not stuck. You’ve got options, even without a police report in hand.
In this post, we’ll show you what to do after a parking lot accident with no police report.
Are Police Reports Required In Parking Lot Accidents?
Not always. In fact, in many cases, police won’t even come out for minor parking lot accidents, especially if no one’s hurt and both vehicles can still be driven.
Most of the time, they’ll tell you to just exchange information and go your separate ways.
This is super common throughout the US.
Parking lots are private property, so unless there’s an injury, a hit-and-run, or some kind of major dispute, local law enforcement might sit it out.
That doesn’t mean the accident didn’t happen or that it’s not important – it just means it’s on YOU to document things.
Also Read: How Do I Obtain a Police Report from an Accident?
What To Do If There’s No Police Report
No report? No problem. You can still gather plenty of evidence and file a claim. You need to act quickly and make sure your insurance (or a lawyer) has what they need:
#1 Exchange Info
Right after the accident, your first move should be to exchange information with the other driver.
This should include:
- Full name and contact details
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- The make, model, and color of their car
This is super important. Don’t skip it, even if the damage seems small or the other person says they’d “rather not get insurance involved.” Get their info anyway.
It could save you a ton of stress later.
#2 Take Photos
Pull out your phone and start snapping pictures right away.
Capture any damage to your car and theirs from different angles. Take close-up shots of dents, scratches, or broken parts, then step back for wide shots that show the position of both cars.
Also grab a few photos of the entire parking lot – especially curbs, traffic signs, and anything else that helps explain the layout.
These pictures can really help tell the full story later, especially if things get disputed.
Also Read: How Do I Fix a Police Report if it is Wrong?
#3 Look For Cameras
Security footage can be super helpful.
A lot of parking lots, especially those near businesses, shopping centers, or apartment complexes, have surveillance cameras.
Look around for any obvious ones mounted on poles or buildings. If you’re near a store, go inside and ask if they have cameras pointed at the lot.
Let them know the time and general area of the accident. They may be able to pull the footage, but act fast as some systems delete recordings after just a few days.
#4 Talk To Witnesses
If anyone nearby saw what happened, don’t be shy about asking them to share what they saw.
It could be a bystander, someone sitting in a car, or even an employee on break. Just politely ask for their name, phone number, and a quick rundown of what they witnessed.
Even a brief statement like, “I saw that car back into you,” can make a big difference if the other driver tries to change their story later on.
#5 Write Everything Down
As soon as things calm down, take a few minutes to jot everything down while it’s still fresh in your mind.
Start with the basics like date, time, location, and weather. Then go into what exactly happened.
- Which direction were you coming from?
- Where was the other car?
- What did the other driver say?
Even the smallest details can be helpful. It might seem like overkill at the moment, but you’ll be glad you did it if your memory starts to fade or if questions come up later.
Also Read: How Long After Discovery Is Settlement?
#6 Talk To A Car Accident Lawyer
If things start getting complicated, like the other driver denies it was their fault, your insurance is stalling, or you’ve got injuries, it’s smart to talk to a car accident lawyer.
They know how to handle messy situations and can deal with the back-and-forth between insurance companies.
Even if you’re not planning to file a lawsuit, getting a quick consultation can help you understand your options and avoid getting lowballed on your claim.
Can You Still File An Insurance Claim?
Yes, you can. A police report helps like we said, but it’s not required. Most insurance companies are used to handling minor accidents in parking lots without one.
They’ll want the basics:
- Your account of what happened
- Photos of the damage
- The other driver’s info
- Any witness statements
- Estimates or receipts for repairs
As long as you’ve got solid documentation, you should be good to go.
Just be clear, honest, and consistent when telling your side.
What If The Other Driver Left (Hit-And-Run)?
Now that’s a bit more complicated, but still doable.
If someone hit your parked car and took off (or you were in the car and they sped away) you’re likely dealing with a hit-and-run.
Report it to the police right away, even if it’s after the fact. You can usually file something online or by phone. Also, look around for cameras or witnesses who may have caught the plate or car description, and take photos of the damage and surroundings.
After that, let your insurance company know ASAP.
If you’ve got uninsured motorist coverage, it might kick in here.
That part of your policy is designed for exactly this kind of situation. If not, talk to a lawyer about other options. You may still have a claim depending on your coverage or location
Should You File A Report Yourself?
Yes, and in some places, you might have to.
A lot of states require drivers to file a crash report if property damage is above a certain amount – sometimes as low as $500 or $1,000.
Even if there’s no injury, you could be on the hook for not reporting it.
You can usually do this online through your state’s DMV or highway safety office. It’s just a quick form so it’s not hard. And it creates an official paper trail, which can be helpful down the line.
Bottom Line
You don’t need a police report to handle a parking lot accident.
The most important thing is acting fast and collecting as much information as you can like photos, driver info, witness names, and notes. That gives your insurance company (and possibly a lawyer) what they need to protect you and get your claim moving.
And if the other driver bailed or things start getting messy, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
A hit-and-run or denied claim doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Just take it one step at a time, and make sure your side of the story is documented from the start.