Can I be charged with a hit and run even if I never left the scene of the accident?
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Can I be charged with a hit and run even if I never left the scene of the accident?
I backed into someone’s vehicle and we agreed to handle the situation without our insurance companies getting involved. The owner of the other vehicle later filed a police report because I still hadn’t fixed their car 3 months later. I was contacted by the police department and told if I don’t get in contact with them it will be filed as a hit and run.
Asked on April 12, 2012 under Accident Law, Tennessee
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is entirely possible for you to be charged with a hit and run with respect to the incident that you are writing about even though you did not leave the scene of the accident without exchanging information with the person of the other vehicle. What you have is a situation where the other person is improperly trying to strong arm you in fixing the damaged vehicle by using the threat of a criminal action to get what he or she wants.
I suggest that you place your insurance carrier that you have for your car (assuming you have one) on notice about the accident. Likewise, you should consult with a criminal defense attorney as to the best way to handle contacting the police department. I suggest that you have an attorney make all contact with law enforcement about the situation you are writing about.
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