Rear-End Car Accidents in Ohio: Who’s at Fault?
Posted in: Car Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
Once you are in a crash, you probably ask yourself “will I get a traffic ticket?” Police do not issue tickets simply because a crash occurred. Sometimes collisions happen by accident and no one broke a law – or at least there is no immediate evidence of a violation. However, many accidents happen because you or another driver violated a traffic law. If officers have sound evidence that you broke a law, whether or not it contributed to the accident, they will write you a ticket for the violation.
You may worry that a ticket means you were at fault and stops you from recovering compensation after an accident. This is not true. A ticket does not prohibit you from seeking compensation from insurance or through a lawsuit if the other driver is mostly responsible for the accident and your injuries.
If you were hurt in an accident and received a ticket, contact the Ohio car accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick at 1-800-HURT-NOW.
There are common traffic violations that lead to accidents and these usually result in traffic tickets. For instance, you may get a ticket if:
Generally, it is safe to speak with the police following a collision. If you were in a minor accident and you are confident the other driver is at fault, it can benefit you to explain your side of the situation. However, there are circumstances in which you should limit your conversation or answers with the police. If you think there is a chance that you caused the accident, you may not want to provide a full statement to the police. Under the law, all you have to give the police is your name, driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. You have the right to tell the police you do not want to answer other questions or provide a statement at that time. If you do choose to answer other questions, never admit fault. Limiting your conversation can help you avoid a ticket, however, if the evidence is against you, an officer does not need your statement to ticket you.
You always have the right to fight a ticket. Whether or not you should argue against the ticket in court depends on the situation, your likelihood of winning, and the punishments for the ticket. If the ticket is for a violation that was not a major contributor to the crash, then it may be relatively safe to plead guilty and pay it. However, if pleading guilty to the ticket would make you look predominantly at fault for the accident, then it may be crucial for you to fight it in court. You should speak with an experienced car accident attorney soon after your accident to determine your best course of action.
You may be worried that if you plead or are found guilty of a traffic violation related to your accident that you will not be able to seek a settlement for your car accident. This is not entirely true. Whether or not you can recover compensation for your property damage and personal injuries depends on who is responsible for the car accident, a determination made by the insurer or court.
If you were ticketed following a car accident, call the experienced Ohio car accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick immediately. A ticket has the potential to affect your personal injury claim after a crash, yet it is not an automatic bar to recovering compensation.
To learn more, call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW or contact us online.