Leased car hit while parked

[Kaya]

State - CA. Hello, my brand new car (Mercedes.B E350 2006 less then 2 weeks old) was hit while parallel parked on the street. It was hit by driving school car while a student driver was operating a vehicle. A note was left for me with the insurance information etc. My questions are - 1. what should I do? I already filed a claim with my insurance and with insurance of a party that hit me, however since the car is a leased car I believe I might be hold responsible for damage done to a car at the end of a lease (it was hit very badly) 2. Is there any way to get out of that lease now? I am paying for a new car and it is damaged now. I will not be able to drive it for at least 3 weeks - but I still have to pay for it out of my pocket - (should not the other insurance be liable for it? ). What should I do? Should I get a lawyer to represent me? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Kaya

p.s. the car was parked at a designated location and the accident was not my fault.

 

[seniorjudge]

State - CA. Hello, my brand new car (Mercedes.B E350 2006 less then 2 weeks old) was hit while parallel parked on the street. It was hit by driving school car while a student driver was operating a vehicle. A note was left for me with the insurance information etc. My questions are - 1. what should I do? I already filed a claim with my insurance and with insurance of a party that hit me, however since the car is a leased car I believe I might be hold responsible for damage done to a car at the end of a lease (it was hit very badly) 2. Is there any way to get out of that lease now? I am paying for a new car and it is damaged now. I will not be able to drive it for at least 3 weeks - but I still have to pay for it out of my pocket - (should not the other insurance be liable for it? ). What should I do? Should I get a lawyer to represent me? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Kaya

p.s. the car was parked at a designated location and the accident was not my fault.

File a police report also.

What does your insurance company tell you to do?

 

[teflon_jones]

1. what should I do? I already filed a claim with my insurance and with insurance of a party that hit me, however since the car is a leased car I believe I might be hold responsible for damage done to a car at the end of a lease (it was hit very badly)

You've already done what you should do with the exception of filling out the accident report.

2. Is there any way to get out of that lease now? I am paying for a new car and it is damaged now. I will not be able to drive it for at least 3 weeks - but I still have to pay for it out of my pocket -

No, you can't get out of your lease. You should be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses by the other party.

(should not the other insurance be liable for it? ).

They are. See above.

Should I get a lawyer to represent me?

Why?

 

[Kaya]

File a police report also.

I contacted the police immediately and was told that since the other party left their contact and insurance information I do not need to file a police report.

What does your insurance company tell you to do?

nothing, just sit and wait, they will take care of everything.

 

[Kaya]

You've already done what you should do with the exception of filling out the accident report.

I was told by the police that I do not need to do it, since the other party left a note with the contact information...

No, you can't get out of your lease. You should be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses by the other party.

should I notify the dealer about an accident?

 

[teflon_jones]

I was told by the police that I do not need to do it, since the other party left a note with the contact information...

The police aren't always correct. File an accident report.

should I notify the dealer about an accident?

Why? They have nothing to do with your car once you bought it and drive it off the lot.

 

[Kaya]

The police aren't always correct. File an accident report..

can I download this form on line?

Why? They have nothing to do with your car once you bought it and drive it off the lot.

the car is leased not bought...I thought that made a difference.. forgive me if I'm wrong .. I just don't want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in bills.

 

[teflon_jones]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/sr/sr1.pdf

As long as the repairs to the vehicle are done well, you have nothing to worry about with respect to your lease.

 

[Kaya]

Thank you very much for your help.