Yes, you can get a ticket after an accident. However, this citation does not mean that you are necessarily at fault for the accident. You still have rights, and you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses.
A lawyer from our firm can help you pursue damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering after you are hurt in a car accident, even if you have been issued a ticket.
What To Do if You Receive a Ticket After an Accident?
If you got a ticket after a car accident, make sure you follow through with these suggestions to help you keep good legal standing:
Make Sure That a Police Report Has Been Filed
When the police officer gets to the accident scene, it is their duty to create a report and note all relevant information, like who was involved, their contact information, and what happened. You might be unsure if the police submitted the report, so it might be in your best interest to file one yourself.
You should always report your car accident to the police, even if you worry that you may have violated a traffic law. According to OCGA §40-6-273, you have to report a car accident if it results in death, injury, or property damage of more than $500.
Accept the Ticket, But Do Not Admit Fault
If you are issued a ticket, accept it without admitting fault. Do not make statements to the officer, to a witness, or to the other driver that may be interpreted as conceding that you were to blame for the accident.
When an officer issues a ticket, it is because they have made an opinion-based judgment about what happened in the accident. That does not mean that you have been proven guilty, and you are not required to admit fault.
Either Pay the Ticket or Fight It in Court
You must then either pay the ticket or fight the accusation in court. Paying the ticket might give the other party’s insurance company a reason to believe that you admitted fault.
Hold off on paying the ticket until you speak to one of our car accident lawyers.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
How a Ticket Can Impact Your Civil Lawsuit?
If you are seeking compensation for your injuries after an accident, the fact that you were issued a ticket may be relevant; in some circumstances, it is admissible as evidence in your civil lawsuit.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue compensation.
Comparative Negligence
Your personal injury lawyer can present evidence that proves that the other party was more at fault than you were for the accident. As long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, the other party may be held liable for your injuries and losses.
This system is referred to as contributory negligence, and it can not only impact your ability to pursue compensation but also how much you can recover through a settlement or verdict, as OCGA §51-12-33 explains.
After reviewing your case, your Kaine Law personal injury lawyer can give you a better idea of how this statute may affect you.
How Kaine Law Will Fight for You After Your Accident
With decades of experience fighting for people like you, our personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients in Atlanta, Conyers, Lawrenceville, and Stockbridge.
On a no-win, no-fee arrangement, you can count on us to provide the following services for you:
We Will Investigate Your Accident and Build Your Case
We will investigate your case to uncover evidence to prove you deserve compensation for your injuries. Forms of evidence might include:
- Surveillance footage
- Medical records
- Photographs of the scene of the accident, as well as your injuries
- Witness statements
We Will Help You Recover Damages
When you file a claim or lawsuit, you can typically sue for two different forms of damages: economic, which are tangible, monetary losses, and non-economic damages, which are intangible and unique to your case.
Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Medical bills
- Past and future lost income
- Property loss
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages
If you decide that filing a lawsuit is the most suitable legal route for you, make sure you comply with OCGA §9-3-33. This statute sets the time limit at two years after the accident to bring civil action. Failure to follow this deadline could result in the court barring you from recovering any compensation.
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Your First Consultation with Kaine Law Is Free, So Call Now
Call Kaine Law today for your free case evaluation and to learn more about what to do if you get a ticket after an accident. We are ready to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
