Andy, I'm so sorry to hear about your horrible experience!
This is just one of many reasons to have good car insurance here. We use
Sanborn' s, but thankfully have never needed it. They actually provide you with legal aid and will post bond if you are taken into custody. You just call a toll free number when you've had your accident (real or purported), and they assign a local attorney to your case.
By the way, when you rent a car here, you are required to get the liability insurance. I'm not sure if they will provide legal aid though. Something to ask the car rental companies about.