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Your vehicle has damaged someone else’s parked vehicle. Despite waiting a reasonable period of time, the owner of the damaged car fails to appear. What is the right course of action now?
- leave my name and address at the scene of the accident
- report the accident to the police
- give my name and address to a witness not involved in the accident
Here is Our AI Assistant's Explanation
The actions you identified as correct are important steps to take after damaging another vehicle. Under German traffic regulations, if you damage someone else's parked vehicle and the owner is not present, you must:
1. Leave your name and address at the scene. This is crucial as it informs the vehicle owner who is responsible for the damage, fulfilling legal obligations under the German Civil Code (BGB), especially § 836, which mandates that the responsible party must provide their details.
2. Report the accident to the police. This action helps create an official record of the incident, which can be significant for insurance purposes and for ensuring that you are adhering to legal requirements. Failing to report can lead to penalties.
Notably, just sharing your information with a witness is not sufficient or legally recognized as an appropriate response in this situation. The correct combination ensures that both parties have the necessary information and that there is an official account of the incident, protecting your rights and responsibilities.