The Police Contacted Me About a Hit and Run. What Do I Do?
This question has no correct answer. We will be able to advise you on how to proceed depending on the circumstances of your case. In general, though, turning yourself in to the police station (no matter how terrible you feel) without knowing all of the circumstances of the accident is never a good idea. This includes determining whether the opposite party, a witness, or the police have identified you or your vehicle.
When you leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information or contacting an attorney, don’t call the cops. Typically, once we have informed the police, the police will not come to your house or place of business.
If the police contact you, we recommend that you do not give a statement without first seeking legal advice and learning the facts of the matter as well as any evidence the police may have. Early cooperation often saves our clients’ lives and prevents them from being jailed. We can assist you by negotiating with the authorities to prevent this from happening and save you from an unpleasant situation.
We can assist you if your car has been confiscated by the police and is being held as evidence in a hit-and-run accident. Having an expert hit and run defense attorney on your side will always speed up the release of your vehicle. You should be aware that your vehicle will not be released until you have produced a statement of facts, proof of identification, and evidence of insurance. (Even if you don’t have a legal driver’s license or insurance, we can assist you.) We work with our clients to deliver written statements to the police so that they are not interrogated by the officer and may say something that exacerbates their position. We can often keep our clients from having to go to the police station at all.
Without knowing more about the facts of the case, such as “has anyone identified you or your vehicle,” honesty may or may not be the best option. Keep in mind that any comments you make to the police can be used against you. Know your alternatives and have a strategy to put yourself in the best light before providing a statement to the police.
Making false statements to the police or your insurance provider (such my car was stolen when it wasn’t) can only make your issue worse. If you’ve already done so, we can assist you in correcting your errors so that you don’t get into any further difficulty.
First and foremost, you should always be polite to police officers, regardless of whether or not you choose to answer inquiries about the accident. Being nasty or unpleasant will not improve your situation. If you don’t want to speak, simply tell the officer that you don’t want to answer any questions until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
If you approach cops soon after a hit-and-run and cooperate, you may be able to considerably assist officers in writing a good report as well as obtaining a favorable statement from the other party. As a result, prosecutors may be able to dismiss charges. It can help you in arguments and talks with prosecutors if you are proactive and make amends immediately soon. However, you must be cautious about what statements you make and what actions you take, as anything you do or say could be used against you if charges are filed.
Before taking any steps to turn yourself in, you should seek and retain the services of an experienced and qualified Hit and Run lawyer. You may get arrested in some instances, and you’ll want to be sure you have the right defenses and arguments on hand. Turning yourself in is a step toward collaboration, and if done correctly, it can help you avoid prosecution.
If you receive a letter from the police asking you to contact them or a notice from the court that a case has been filed against you, you should consult an attorney right away. We can still try to have all charges dismissed through a civil agreement with the permission of the other party and the Judge if you have a court case. All charges and penalties will be dismissed as a result of this.
