Posted 20 January Hi all, I am not sure this is the right topic if it is not please correct me I came to Germany about four months ago and I am working as an IT consultant here. I was trying to park my car in front of my apartment. When I was trying to park my car backwards, my car grazed another car. At this point I opened my car door and I looked at the damage of the other car. Then I parked my car exactly across from the car which I hit. The distance was about 3 meters between the cars. I noted the plate number to my phone but I didn't call the police immediately becuse I didn't know this step. So I went to my apartment to ask my neighbours whose car it was and also I was looking on the web 'what to do in this situation'. The distance between the accident area and my apartment is about ten meters. Right after fifteen minutes from the time of the accident, my next door neighbour came to my apartment and she said that 'One of the neighbours called me and he said that 'Someone hit your car and ran away.' So then I called the police immediately. But when I came to the street, I talked with the neighbour who called me and I recognized your car and saw that you didn't run. I wouldn't call the police if I knew it was you because you also parked right across from my car. I will call the police again. There is a misunderstanding and the case is not Hit and Run'. Meanwhile I also showed her I already noted the plate number and I was checking on the internet for what to do next because I didn't know the processes after an accident with a parking car. I already registered at a driving school at the moment and I am using my Turkish driver licence until I get my German driver licence. Also I called my insurance and informed them too at this time. In general we already had an agreement with the neighbour but when she called the police again to say 'It was a misunderstanding...', the police said you must come to the police station anyway. We went to the police station together and we explained the situation exactly like this. The police officer said to me that 'I understand you. You didn't know the rule and I think you won't receive a penalty or something like that but I have to report this because it's actually a crime in Germany. I will explain everything in my report as you told me.' So then she checked the damages, there were little scratches in both cars. The police officer also mentioned that 'these damages are tiny'. After 4-6 weeks I will take a letter for this case. I don't know who will send it. Before that I'd like to ask you what are the possible consequences because it makes me very uncomfortable. I have also an appointment for Blue Card process on 8th of February. Will it affect that? Thanks in advance! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 20 January I doubt the police will charge you with anything. You didn't flee the scene, you were looking for the owner, your car was parked at the scene the whole time and you have witnesses to support that. If the police proceed you will need a lawyer anyway but personally I doubt anything will come of this. I cannot see how a prosecution could be successful as you were actively trying to find the injured party and you can prove it. The police would look rather foolish in court given the circumstances. I am not a lawyer and this is nit legal advice but I wouldn't worry too much. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 20 January 7 minutes ago, murphaph said: I doubt the police will charge you with anything. You didn't flee the scene, you were looking for the owner, your car was parked at the scene the whole time and you have witnesses to support that. If the police proceed you will need a lawyer anyway but personally I doubt anything will come of this. I cannot see how a prosecution could be successful as you were actively trying to find the injured party and you can prove it. The police would look rather foolish in court given the circumstances. I am not a lawyer and this is nit legal advice but I wouldn't worry too much. Hey, Thanks for the reply. I know but first time I faced a problem like this my whole life (actually first time I went to a police station ) and your answer made me feel much better. Thanks a lot again 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 20 January You're welcome. If you don't have legal insurance with traffic law covered you should probably get it. It likely won't cover retrospective stuff but for the future it's always good to have. Sit back and relax. If you are prosecuted (which I would find odd) then you have no choice but to seek out a lawyer really and they will guide you from there, but I don't believe it will come to that. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 20 January 2 minutes ago, murphaph said: You're welcome. If you don't have legal insurance with traffic law covered you should probably get it. It likely won't cover retrospective stuff but for the future it's always good to have. Sit back and relax. If you are prosecuted (which I would find odd) then you have no choice but to seek out a lawyer really and they will guide you from there, but I don't believe it will come to that. Yep, I got a very big lesson in a hard way I did a couple of insurances more. Already I had some insurances for liability and my car but I added two more for contents and legal. I've got one-time free consult for existing case. I asked to lawyer too. When I got answer from them, also I will update this topic. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
