If you or a loved one was involved in a car crash, one of the most important things you should do, in addition to seeking medical treatment, is obtaining a copy of the police/accident report. This report will most likely include any traffic tickets that were issued, which could play a critical role in the outcome of your car accident claim, because it may point to who is at fault for your injuries and damages.
If you need legal assistance, contact a Savannah car accident attorney at Roden Law for a complimentary consultation. Our attorneys have been protecting the rights of accident victims throughout the state of Georgia. We have in-depth knowledge of traffic laws and how they may apply to your situation.
Can a Traffic Citation Determine Fault in a Car Accident?
While a traffic ticket is not the only piece of evidence that can affect the outcome of a car accident claim, it could hold significant weight in some instances. For example, if a driver was cited for running a red light which then caused the accident, the citation would provide significant proof that the driver’s negligence was the reason for the crash.
Once you can prove the other driver was negligent and your accident would not have occurred if the other driver had not been negligent, he or she will most likely be held at-fault for the collision.
However, if you were cited for a traffic violation that did not cause the accident, you may not be at-fault. For example, if you were cited for driving over the speed limit by 10 miles per hour and the other driver performed an illegal lane change and side-swiped your vehicle, the other driver would likely be held liable for causing the accident.
Under Georgia’s comparative negligence law, drivers who share fault in an accident could still be eligible for compensation as long as they are not 50 percent or more to blame. Compensation would be reduced, depending on your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 30 percent at-fault for the accident and your compensation award was $10,000, your recovery would be $7,000.
Watch What You Say About the Accident
Sometimes you may be asked to testify in a hearing if the other party is choosing to dispute a traffic citation that was related to your accident. It is important not to apologize in this situation, even if you believe you are not at-fault for causing the accident because it could be used as an admission of fault.
You must be extremely careful with your wording during a traffic citation hearing because anything you say could be held against you, should you decide to file a lawsuit in the future. Having an attorney handle communication on your behalf or advise you on the precise wording you should use in this situation, could be valuable to the outcome of your claim.
Contact a Licensed Attorney Today
If you or someone you love was involved in a car crash that involved traffic violations, you may want to consult with a licensed attorney before proceeding with your claim.
The legal team at Roden Law are ready to listen to the details of your claim in a free consultation. You are not obligated to hire our firm to represent you, so there are no risks involved. Should you decide to move forward, we charge zero upfront fees. We only bill you if we help you recover funds for your claim.