When you leave your car in a parking lot you expect to find it in the same condition when you come back. That it won’t be probably doesn’t even occur to you.

If it isn’t bad enough to come back to a damaged vehicle, imagine if the culprit didn't have the decency to leave a note fessing up and sharing their insurance information.

Luckily, one driver had the resources, time, and motivation to figure out who hit his car and (politely) confront them. Here’s what happened when he did.

Tesla Scuffed in Parking Lot

In a video with more than 1 million views, content creator Jeff Forman (@jeff.for) explained that he was about to get into his Tesla after finishing up his Whole Foods run when a man approached and asked him to roll down his window.

“We actually just did some color correction, and we have your exact paint color to fix the damage in the back of your car,” the man told him.

There was just one problem. Forman wasn’t aware of any damage. Someone had hit his car a few months ago, but that had already gotten fixed.

He got out and looked. Sure enough, the back of the car was scraped. You could see white marls on the black car. At first Forman thought it was a grift and that the man had caused the damage just to sell him the repair.

“I'm like, oh hell no,” Forman says.

But when he checked his Tesla’s video footage, he saw a Toyota Prius scrape his car as they attempted to park beside him. Then the Prius then backed out and drove away.

Forman says he’s dealt with this before. Last time he was able to just send the footage to his insurance company, which identified the other driver's insurance through the license plate and pursued the claim.

That’s what he planned to do at first. Then he reconsidered. He figured the Prius driver might have simply parked somewhere else in the same lot, so he went looking.

Lo and behold, it was still there. 

So he waited. 

“I will wait for her all day if I have to,” Forman wrote in the caption. He ended up waiting hours for her to return.

The story subjects did not respond to inquiries sent via direct message and email.

Gallery: Tesla Model Y Performance 2025

2

Source: Tesla

The Moment Of Truth

In a follow up video, Forman said his car was his at 2:51 p.m. and the Prius driver didn’t return til 5:30 p.m.

In the second clip, Forman is seen approaching the driver's window and explaining the situation to the alleged driver.

“I have a video of you hitting my car,” Forman tells her.

The woman seems to try and evade responsibility. She repeatedly raises and lowers her window. She also tells Forman that she doesn't speak English well.

“I don't understand,” she says.

Forman accuses her of pretending not to understand him and says that she can either provide her insurance information or expect the police and insurance companies to contact her. She continues saying she does not understand.

Forman ultimately leaves without getting her insurance information.

What to Do If Someone Hits Your Car and Leaves

Progressive and State Farm recommend treating damage to a parked car like any other accident. The immediate to-do list includes:

• Make sure everyone is safe. If the vehicle is parked somewhere safe, avoid moving it before documenting the scene. If it creates a traffic hazard, move to a safer location if possible.

• Photograph the damage and surrounding area. Record the location, date, time, and anything that may show how the collision happened.

• Collect all details. A license plate is especially useful, but the other vehicle's make, model, color, damage, direction of travel, and a description of the driver can also help.

• Look for witnesses and cameras. Nearby shoppers, businesses, municipal cameras, and dashcams may have captured information that helps police identify the other driver or strengthen an insurance claim.

• Contact police and request a report. Some types of uninsured motorist coverage may carry prompt reporting requirements, depending on the state and policy.

• Notify the insurance company. Provide the photos, video, witness information, police report, and any identifying details collected at the scene.

If the responsible driver is identified and fault can be established, that driver's insurance may cover the damage. If the driver cannot be found or does not have insurance, collision or uninsured motorist property damage coverage may apply, but that depends on the policy and state. Progressive notes that uninsured motorist property damage cannot be used for hit-and-runs in some states.

Police Get Involved

In a third update, Forman shares that he went to a police station the following day and filed a report. He showed officers the Tesla footage and gave them the Prius's license plate.

They told him she could get two citations, one for hit and run and another for the collision.

Altogether, Forman says his Tesla has been hit three times within a year. While he isn't thrilled about repeatedly dealing with repairs and insurance claims, he’s glad for the cameras on the Tesla and says it’s part of the reason he’ll stay loyal to the brand.

“These cameras are so good,” Forman says.

People in the comment section were fascinated by the drama of it all.

“File a police report too. The police will contact her and if she doesn’t provide insurance info then it’ll be a hit and run,” one wrote.

“Those Whole Foods parking spots are SO TIGHT still not okay though…” another said.

A third speculated, “She’s watching you and waiting for you to leave!”

 

 

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