You may receive a ticket following a car accident, but this will not always occur. However, many collisions lead to at least one driver receiving a citation for violating a traffic law. This is because most crashes occur as a result of a motorist’s carelessness or recklessness.
In some cases, you may receive a ticket even if you were not the driver who caused the crash. In others, the at-fault driver may not receive a citation. While less common, it is possible for neither or both drivers to receive a citation. This is generally up to the responding officer and the evidence they have to support the violation.
How Common Are Citations on the Scene of a Traffic Collision?
Police officers who respond to traffic accidents commonly issue tickets at the scene or in the hours and days following a crash. As they determine what happened and who caused the accident, this usually involves identifying a violation of traffic laws.
While the officers have some discretion about whether to issue a ticket, drivers have a responsibility to follow all rules of the road. When they fail to do so – even unintentionally – they can expect to receive a citation. Most tickets require paying a fine, going to traffic school, or other similar penalties.
Common Reasons for Traffic Tickets After Car Accidents
Some common reasons why a law enforcement officer may issue a traffic ticket following an accident include:
- Speeding
- Failure to use turn indicators
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to maintain their lane
- Passing at the wrong time or place
- Distracted driving or texting while driving
- Following too closely
In some cases, citations may be more serious. They could include drinking and driving, driving under the influence of drugs, reckless driving, or aggressive driving. Any of these could lead to a collision, as well.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
Will a Traffic Ticket Help Me Prove Fault and Liability?
In some cases, it may be easier to prove your case for compensation if the other driver received a citation for their actions. This is especially true when the accident report documents their violations of traffic laws and points to this as the cause of the crash.
Still, the accident report and related documents filed by law enforcement are only one part of the evidence needed to support your claim and secure a financial recovery. You will also need to provide witness accounts, physical evidence, expert testimony, accident reconstruction, and other proof to show:
- The other driver acted negligently.
- They are legally responsible for your injuries.
- You suffered physical, emotional, and financial harm because of their actions.
Working with our car accident law firm may make this process easier for you.
What If I Received a Ticket But did Not Cause the Crash?
In some cases, more than one party in an accident receives a citation. This could mean:
- One driver violated a traffic law that did not affect the accident or their injuries.
- One driver contributed to the accident, but the other is still primarily liable.
- The drivers share the liability equally.
If you received a traffic ticket in your accident but believe the other driver caused the crash, you will want to enlist the help of a collision attorney to ensure your rights remain protected. We may be able to mitigate any accusations that you caused or contributed to the crash and provide strong evidence the other driver is liable.
Other Reasons You Could Be Cited in an Accident
You might receive a ticket despite the other driver being at fault if any of the following apply:
- Seat belt violations
- Speeding
- Not having a current car registration or tags
- Not having the required proof of insurance
Some of these violations could hurt your case, but they should not make it impossible for you to recover compensation in most states.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Our Attorney May Be Able to Protect Your Rights and Seek Compensation for You
If you received a traffic ticket in your car accident, a personal injury attorney from our firm may still be able to recover compensation for you. We may be able to gather evidence and develop a case against the driver who caused your accident. To learn more about your legal options or how a ticket might impact your case, call the Morris Bart law firm for a free legal consultation with an attorney.
Most car accident insurance claims settle without going to trial. However, there are deadlines for when you have to begin a lawsuit. In the Gulf South, these timelines tend to range from one to three years, depending on the state.
Shorter timelines are possible in some cases, such as when the liable party is a municipality or government agency.
Morris Bart, LLC, Will Review Your Case Today for Free
You can talk to us in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, or Mississippi today during a free consultation. The Morris Bart law firm has 15 offices in these four states and provides free consultations with our lawyers.
Call (800) 537-8185 now to discuss your legal options and how a car accident attorney with the Morris Bart law firm can support you.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
