Hit and run in Washington???

So I live in WA

and I was driving from the store to home at like 8pm and it was really dark but I did have my glasses on



and I was turning left and there was 2 left turn lanes and I was in the far left lane and when i started turning there was no one behind me or in the lane next to me and I turned left to the far left lane and I had to hurry and get over one lane to the right to make it to the gas station so I looked in the rear view mirror and started going and then all of a sudden there was a car black car there and I tapped it. I dont understand where it came from! I looked back and it was clear and when I first started the turn there was no one next to me

He had to have been speeding to make the light because when i 'hit' him he was further ahead of me



So anyways after it happened I didnt know what to do and I like casually drove off and he followed me like forever and I was too scared to pull over. He was following me and then he started to slow down so then I hurried and made it home without him seeing where I lived (we were right around the corner to my house)

and I parked in not my right parking spot

so like a hour later I went outside to move it and all of sudden the police were there and they were starting to tow my car so my mom went out there and was like my daughter was driving this car....



and they gave me ticket for $124 for ';unsafe lane change, not changing lane with 100 yards clear in front and back'';

and then another ticket thing for hit and run that doesnt have a cost

and I have to go to traffic court next month



Im almost 17 and have never had any traffic or law violations before

also my car doesnt even have a scratch just a small little dent and his car was a big like black SUV or something and im pretty sure it has like no damage and it was just a little tap



so whats going to happen at traffic court??

and how much will the hit and run violation be?

and what else will happen?Hit and run in Washington???
Go to court. Carefully and respectfully articulate to the judge your fear of pulling over in what you ';perceived'; to be an unsafe area. Explain that you could not locate a populated enough area to calm your fears and it was your intent to call the police to explain what had happened once you were safe at home and you had explained it to your parents. Explain you know what you did was wrong and due to inexperience as a young driver. Don't defend your driving. Take the ticket for the unsafe lane change but argue the hit and run / leaving the scene of an accident based on intent. If you stick to this argument only, the judge may dismiss the hit and run and stick you with just the lane change.



Good luck, and next time, keep your cell phone close. Call police as soon as there is contact. If you don't feel it's safe to pull over where you are, put on your flashers and procede to the safest, populated, well lit area while telling the police what you're doing. Hind site is 20-20 they say. Maybe the judge will understand.