Accused of hit and run ... Please help!

[capacit0r]

What is the name of your state? TN

I recieved a letter from local law enforcement that my license plate was recorded leaving the scene of an accident (damage between $50-$200). I contacted the officer via phone to state that I would like to answer his questions, but that I was concerned about possibly criminal liability, so we did not discuss the details of the accident. He requested that I come in to give a statement, to which I agreed on a time for next week.

Some details about the accident: I have no damage on my car. Hit and run is a class C misdemeanor in TN. I have not admitted guit to the other person's car insurance (I said I do not recall the details of the accident), and have requested that I settle the other person's incurred costs without involving my insurance company (i am fully covered). I let the officer know that I talked to on the phone that I was in the process of making things right with the other driver.


QUESTION: >>
When I go in for a statement should I (1) say I do not recall the details of the accident or (2) say that there was an ambulance going down the street (this is true) and that my attention was diverted, so I did not notice our two cars nudging, if there was a nudge.

Thank-you very much for your advice and your time.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Settling with the victim has nothing to do with the criminal charges. And if I had been your attorney I'd have beat the living crap out of you for attempting to do so.

Don't have an attorney? Then I suggest you get one before speaking with the police again.

 

[capacit0r]

I was under the assumption that settling is not an admission of guilt. How would settling with the victim affect a criminal judgement, if as you say, the two are separate? Also, I should specify that I have not talked to the victim yet, nor have I offered to settle -- only inquired about the damages with the other person's insurance company and suggested that we not get my insurance company involved.

Do I really need an attorney? Wouldn't the victim (being the only witness) have to go to court to testify against me? Couldn't I talk with the victim and persuade them to call the police and ask for the charges to be dropped if I take care of their damages?

 

[stealth2]

Get a lawyer. Like yesterday.

 

[capacit0r]

OK. I'll look into getting a lawyer. Would they charge a flat fee in my situation? Could someone give me a rough estimate of the amount of money I can expect to spend on one (I understand this is difficult to estimate, but just a ballpark figure will do). Thanks in advance for your responses.