It’s been a morning. You’re running late, juggling a coffee in one hand and steering with the other when you pull into a parking lot. Just as you try to swing into a spot, the coffee spills, distracting you at the worst possible second. A thud sends your pulse racing as you look up and see your car’s bumper wedged against an unattended vehicle. What now?

First, breathe. You’re not the first person to ding a car or nudge a highway fixture like a sign or parking meter. But what you do next can mean the difference between staying on the right side of the law—or landing yourself in legal trouble with the police. And there’s more to it than just leaving a note.

Here are five ways you can still get in trouble for a hit-and-run, even if you leave a note:

1. Fail to move to a safe spot. Staying in the middle of traffic makes things worse. Moving your car out of the way is legally required in most states.
2. Leave without attempting to find the owner. Make a reasonable effort. Check nearby businesses or ask around.
3. Leave a note that’s easy to miss. If it’s tucked under a windshield wiper on a rainy day or stuck where it could blow away, you’ll be in hot water.
4. Fail to include legible information. Your name, contact info, insurance, and vehicle registration should all go on the note—and it must be readable.
5. Don’t document your attempt. If your note disappears and you didn’t take a picture, it’s your word against theirs—and you could lose.

Attorney Chris Rike explains: “You need to stop and make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. If you can’t, leave a conspicuous note on the car with your contact information.” This also applies to hitting highway fixtures like poles or parking meters. “You’ve got to provide your driver’s license and registration info,” Rike adds. If you don’t? You could face misdemeanor charges, even if you meant no harm.

This isn’t the time to cut corners. It doesn’t matter if you’re late or distracted. A sloppy note that gets lost or destroyed won’t save you from a hit-and-run charge. And yes, the note has to be more than a gesture. It’s only proof you did the right thing if the other person can actually contact you.

Take a few seconds to ensure it’s secure and weather-proof. A stiff business card sealed in a ziplock bag under the windshield wiper works well. Snap a picture of the note and the damage to cover your bases.

Accidents happen. Whether you hit another car, a parking meter, or a signpost, what you do next matters. Taking the time to leave a clear, secure note—and documenting your effort—could save you from a legal headache later. When in doubt, stay on the scene and follow the law. Doing the right thing is always better than dealing with the fallout of a hit-and-run.

You can hear Rike’s advice for yourself in the video embedded below: