No one wakes up and expects to be involved in a car accident that day. Our Phoenix personal injury law firms recognizes that unexpected collisions are a fact of life.  After making mistakes, we should take responsibility for our actions. One such event is mistakenly colliding with an unattended vehicle. Should this be the fate of your day, you should know your legal obligation in accordance with A.R.S. 28-664 Duty on striking unattended vehicle:

A. The driver of a vehicle that collides with a vehicle that is unattended shall immediately:

1. Stop.

2. Either:

(a) Locate and notify the operator or owner of the vehicle of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle.

(b) In a conspicuous place in the vehicle struck, leave a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle doing the striking.

B. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.

For your own protection it is advisable that you take further steps to document the collision for your own personal claim or the possible claim of the other vehicle operator.

Remember to take plenty of photographs of the accident scene, damage to both vehicles, and any visible injuries. Attempt to obtain contact information from witnesses at the scene. Avoid a recorded interview with the other driver's insurance company, the third party insurance. Do not discuss liability for the incident or be lured into speaking about liability.

Should you locate the operator or owner of the struck vehicle, exchange:

• Names, addresses, telephone numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Vehicle registration numbers
• Vehicles' year, make, model, and color
• Automobile insurance information (name, address, phone number, and policy number)

Unexpected events happen every day. It is best to be prepared and know what steps to take when they do occur. Jay Ciulla is a Phoenix personal injury and wrongful death lawyer.