Anonymous,  you do not need wasta at the police station, (Ya, it helps) but in my case, the guy that hit my car insisted that it was his fault but the cop was insistant on putting the blame on me. 

The captian at the police station and the local (that hit me) were good guys and got me my right.  Even after getting the police letter to repair my car at the locals insurance expense, the police guy wanted to change it.