"Legal" help

[cjonesfan921]

Alright so I got a court date for Friday for a tailgating ticket. I was involved in a 3 car accident and 2 of us got a tailgating ticket, cop wasn't even there in time of the accident but I have learned that yes they can still issue that ticket.

Anyway, I know for a fact I wasn't tailgating, I was more not paying enough attention because I was trying to switch lanes. What happened was a minivan hit an X5, and I hit the minivan about 2 seconds later.

Obviously, me and the minivan were the ones that got tailgating. I had just switched into the lane and was trying to switch to the next lane, to get off on the exit. What are my options here?

[aholbert32]

Re: "Legal" help

Alright so I got a court date for Friday for a tailgating ticket. I was involved in a 3 car accident and 2 of us got a tailgating ticket, cop wasn't even there in time of the accident but I have learned that yes they can still issue that ticket.

Anyway, I know for a fact I wasn't tailgating, I was more not paying enough attention because I was trying to switch lanes. What happened was a minivan hit an X5, and I hit the minivan about 2 seconds later.

Obviously, me and the minivan were the ones that got tailgating. I had just switched into the lane and was trying to switch to the next lane, to get off on the exit. What are my options here?

Depends if you live in a no fault state. In MD, if you hit the back of a car, you are automatically at fault no matter what the reason is.

[mgoblue]

Re: "Legal" help

Depends if you live in a no fault state. In MD, if you hit the back of a car, you are automatically at fault no matter what the reason is.

Yeah, it's your responsibility to be able to stop your car in a safe manner without hitting someone...I would really recommend not using the "I wasn't paying attention" excuse though, that could get you boned even worse.

Don't think there's any way at the ticket cause you were at fault...you rear ended someone, if you were in control of your vehicle you wouldn't have done that.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: "Legal" help

This isn't about who is at fault though. I had to pay for the minivans rear damage, and the minivan paid for the exchange with the BMW. Yes, here in NJ if you rear end someone, it's automatically your fault.

[Money99]

Re: "Legal" help

Alright so I got a court date for Friday for a tailgating ticket. I was involved in a 3 car accident and 2 of us got a tailgating ticket, cop wasn't even there in time of the accident but I have learned that yes they can still issue that ticket.

Anyway, I know for a fact I wasn't tailgating, I was more not paying enough attention because I was trying to switch lanes. What happened was a minivan hit an X5, and I hit the minivan about 2 seconds later.

Obviously, me and the minivan were the ones that got tailgating. I had just switched into the lane and was trying to switch to the next lane, to get off on the exit. What are my options here?

Had the same thing happen to me when I was 16. Anytime you rear-end someone, it's your fault. Plain and simple. That's how the cops can issue a ticket.
I almost got one last fall when I was rear-ended and slid into the car in front of me.
But because there was no damage the cop didn't issue any tickets to anyone involved.

Call the prosecutors office and work out a plea bargain. They'll basically give you anything you ask to avoid argueing the case in court.