Hit and run - advice please!

[Anonymous]

We received a shock today in form of a letter from D.C. police advising our car had been involved in a hit and run 2.5 weeks ago. The letter advised us to call a particular detective.

It turns out our newly qualified 17yo clipped a pedestrian with his right mirror in a parking lot he as he went around another car that had stopped while people talked. He is adamant he did not hit her with the body of the car.

He says he stopped and wound down the right window to apologise and asked if she was hurt. She understandably was very angry and yelled at him. He thought she was not hurt (but guess he wouldn’t know for sure) and turned away from him (but he’s not entirely sure). I suspect he panicked given there were cars backed up behind him wanting to leave. He did not find somewhere to stop and return to check on her and give his details.

Yes, he’s an idiot and we are disappointed. We have removed all driving privileges and his punishment from us is to be determined.

My question is do we need to get a lawyer involved? What should we expect?

[Anonymous]

Call the detective, don't admit guilt, and see what they say. If they are charging him, yes you need an attorney.

[Anonymous]

What's his excuse for not telling you?

[Anonymous]

Talk to lawyer BEFORE speaking to detective! Important!

[Anonymous]

Lawyer now.

[Anonymous]

Lawyer. 100% lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Reason number 3826193 why teenagers shouldn’t drive.

[Anonymous]

OP here. How do I find a lawyer who can handle this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reason number 3826193 why teenagers shouldn’t drive.

Many adults would have behaved exactly the same way.

[Anonymous]

I would speak to the detective. This wouldn’t even be a hit and run in the jurisdiction where I work. He stopped and asked if she was ok. There were no injuries, he left. She can’t even prove he touched her. Unless she was in a crosswalk he’s likely not at fault anyway.
So I wouldn’t spend money on a lawyer. Call the detective back and relay his version of events and go from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would speak to the detective. This wouldn’t even be a hit and run in the jurisdiction where I work. He stopped and asked if she was ok. There were no injuries, he left. She can’t even prove he touched her. Unless she was in a crosswalk he’s likely not at fault anyway.
So I wouldn’t spend money on a lawyer. Call the detective back and relay his version of events and go from there.

You work for a police force?

[Anonymous]

Don’t speak to the detective! You need to find an attorney. They will tell you if/when to talk to the police.

Dealing with the legal side has nothing to do with your kid. If my kid did this they wouldn’t drive any car of mine again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would speak to the detective. This wouldn’t even be a hit and run in the jurisdiction where I work. He stopped and asked if she was ok. There were no injuries, he left. She can’t even prove he touched her. Unless she was in a crosswalk he’s likely not at fault anyway.
So I wouldn’t spend money on a lawyer. Call the detective back and relay his version of events and go from there.

Do not do this. You have no idea what the consequences are if the video evidence shows that this was false.

[Anonymous]

OP in Maryland Bruckheim & Patel handles motor vehicle cases. I recommend Michael Bruckheim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP in Maryland Bruckheim & Patel handles motor vehicle cases. I recommend Michael Bruckheim.

Presumably I would call their D.C. office if the offence was in D.C.?