Car Accident - Traffic Tickets?

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DEDICATED TO FIGHTING TRAFFIC TICKETS

 Accident - Traffic Ticket

If you have been charged by the police, then you should contact us today for a
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What you should know.

When the police investigate an accident, the investigator will determine who is responsible for the accident based on the evidence and information that they gather at the scene of the accident or at the collision reporting centre.

This includes their examination of the physical evidence at the scene, such as the resting position of the vehicle(s), debris field, weather conditions, traffic volume and functionality and visibility of any and all traffic control devices (such as stop signs, traffic lights, etc.) and interviewing the parties involved in the accident and any independent witnesses.

Drivers often find themselves being questioned by a Police Officer, and they are asked for an explanation of what happened. Often a driver, who has been involved in an accident, is mentally distracted and it is unlikely that their explanation will be full, complete or even accurate.

You must keep in mind, that whatever you say will be a major factor in the officer′s decision as to who is responsible and whether or not an offence has been committed.

What you should do after a car accident.

  • Stop your vehicle immediately.

  • Check to see if anyone is injured. If there are injuries, don’t move the victim(s). Call 911 and follow all directions and wait for help to arrive.

  • If it is safe to do so, get out of your vehicle. If you have access to a digital camera or a cell phone, you should take pictures and/or a video of the scene and damages. Record as much information as possible and ascertain the contact information of any and all witnesses.

  • If safe to do so, move your car off the road and onto the shoulder. If the car cannot be moved, turn on your hazard lights, or set up traffic cones, flares or flags if available.

Remember, call police if;

  • There are injuries.  Do not move the victim(s). Wait for help to arrive.

  • The total damage to all vehicles involved appears to be more than $2,000.00.

  • You suspect any drivers involved may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Or Within 24 hours;

Call a collision reporting centre (instead of police), if:

  • There are no injuries and the total damage to all vehicles appears to be less than $2,000.00.

  • You will be asked to complete a police report, and damage to your vehicle will be photographed. You will need to provide this documentation to your insurance company.

Finally, call your insurance company.

The most common tickets that are issued as a result of a car accident are;

Offence

Demerit Points

CVOR Points

Careless Driving

6

5

Careless Driving Causing Death or Bodily Harm

6

5

Follow Too Closely

4

5

Fail to Remain

7

5

Fail to Give Required Information

7

3

Fail to Yield to Pedestrian

4

5

Fail to Yield to Traffic

3

5

Fail to Yield to Traffic on Through Highway

3

5

Start from Stopped Position Not in Safety

2

5

Change Lane Not in Safety

2

5

Fail to Yield from Driveway

3

5

Disobey Stop Sign

3

3

Left Turn Fail to Afford Reasonable Opportunity to Avoid a Collision

3

5

Improper Left Turn

2

5

Turn Not in Safety

2

5

Amber Light Fail to Stop

3

5

Red Light Fail to Stop

3

5

Pass Roadway Not Clear Approaching Traffic

3

5

Pass Roadway Not Clear Overtaking Traffic

3

5

Pass on Right Not in Safety

3

5

Unsafe Move Lane or Shoulder

3

5

Fail to Report Accident

3

3

 

If you are issued a ticket as a result of the accident, then there are 3 options available to you.

  • Pay the fine.  The conviction will be on your record for a period of 3 years.

  • Guilty with an explanation.  Attend the court office located on the back of the ticket and plead guilty to the charge as is and make submissions so as to have the fine lowered or granted more time to pay the fine.  With this option, they will not reduce the demerit points nor the nature of the offence nor dismiss the ticket.

  • Request a court date.  This is the only option that allows you the opportunity to challenge the evidence of the officer so as to have the charge and/or demerit points dismissed or reduced.

You have 15 days from the offence date to make a decision.  Weigh the pros and cons of every option available to.  Calculate the cost of fighting your ticket and weigh it against your increasing insurance premium.