What to Do If You’re Ticketed After an Accident

Whether motorcycles are your preferred mode of transportation or your favorite pastime, certain precautions should be taken while riding. Nonetheless, even the most experienced riders may end up in an unfortunate accident. A traffic citation after the motorcycle crash can complicate the situation and add to your stress.

After a serious motorcycle accident, you may be facing a difficult recovery, emotional trauma, and financial insecurities. Your right to compensation for what occurred may be impacted if you were ticketed after the incident. In such cases, a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer can advocate on your behalf.

The personal injury lawyers at Johnson Attorneys Group are adept at handling all manner of motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits, including those involving a traffic citation for the rider. Our legal team is well-versed in California motorcycle and traffic laws and can ensure these are not abused or misapplied in your accident case.

Don’t let a traffic ticket derail your entire claim. Get the legal advice you need today by calling us or filling out our online contact form for a free consultation. Let us help you preserve your legal rights.

Common Traffic Citations for Motorcycle Riders

Serious traffic violations can lead to significant fines and other penalties. In some cases, the negligent or reckless actions of a rider are the direct cause of a crash. At other times, a number of contributing factors result in an accident, and the rider is not solely responsible, if at all.

Common tickets for motorcycle riders include such things as:

Speeding
Reckless or aggressive driving
Failure to wear a helmet
Running red lights
Riding on sidewalks
Riding on the shoulder
Lane splitting violations
Stunt riding
Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Riding without a license or missing endorsements

If you have received a ticket while riding a motorcycle, a knowledgeable attorney can investigate the circumstances that led up to the citation and advise you on how to contest the notice of violation or mitigate the consequences.

How a Ticket May Impact Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

After an accident, traffic violations contribute to establishing negligence and determining fault for the crash. If you received a traffic citation in connection with the motorcycle accident, it could complicate your personal injury claim and make it more difficult to pursue rightful compensation.

If you were issued a ticket, the insurance company may use it to argue that you bear some responsibility for the accident. The severity and nature of the traffic violations will likely influence settlement negotiations.

That said, California follows a pure comparative negligence system in personal injury cases. This means, even if you are found partially at fault for a motorcycle accident, you can still pursue compensation from the other party, but your damages will be reduced by your degree of fault for what occurred.

When attempting to resolve a motorcycle accident claim in your favor, it is advisable to have a motorcycle accident lawyer on your side. This is especially true in claims involving traffic citations. A lawyer can work to reduce fines, overturn tickets, and maximize your compensation amount.

Legal Strategies for Fighting Traffic Citations After an Accident

If you feel you have received an unwarranted traffic ticket after a motorcycle accident, you can dispute the claims against you. Further, your motorcycle accident lawyer can request that the charges be dismissed. He or she will need to put forward compelling evidence to the court to do so.

Some common defenses used to dispute motorcycle accident traffic citations include:

No posted speed limit
Missing, unclear, or malfunctioning traffic lights or signs
Poor roadway conditions
Poorly maintained street or parking lot
Improperly collected or mishandled evidence
Unsubstantial or false field sobriety test
Inaccurate blood test or breathalyzer results
Challenging the police officer’s personal opinion or judgment
Challenging the police officer’s presentation of the evidence
Arguing that specific circumstances justified your violation
Arguing that your traffic offense was necessary to prevent harm
Arguing alternative explanations for impairment
Violation of civil rights

To build a solid defence for your traffic violation, you will need to gather documentation and present specific evidence to support your case.

Potential evidence may include such things as:

Traffic camera or security camera footage
Dashcam footage
Eyewitness testimony
Passenger testimony
Diagrams from the scene of the accident
Mechanic’s report for your motorcycle
Photos and videos from the accident scene
Laboratory results or blood test results
Medical records

Disputing or overturning a serious traffic violation after an accident can be a difficult process. A well-practiced motorcycle accident attorney can use his or her knowledge and resources to establish the facts of your case and build a tough defence for your ticket.

Steps to Take When Ticketed After an Accident

If you receive a citation after a motorcycle accident, it is important to remember that a ticket does not automatically mean you are at fault. Neither does it automatically prevent you from seeking compensation or defending your case.

It is advantageous to take the following steps after being cited in a motorcycle accident:

Prioritize safety and seek immediate medical attention
Remain calm and don’t admit fault
Cooperate with the police, be factual while not making statements that could be used against you
Gather evidence, including medical records and police reports
Consult a motorcycle accident attorney to protect your rights
Make sure to file any legal claim within the allowed timeframe

By following these steps and seeking professional legal guidance, you can successfully navigate the aftermath of a motorcycle accident with a traffic citation and work towards a just outcome.

Get Help From Johnson Attorneys Group After a Motorcycle Accident Citation

In the fallout of a severe motorcycle accident, you may feel like the rug has been pulled from beneath your feet. If you are facing a serious traffic ticket on top of your physical injuries and financial losses, you absolutely need experienced legal help to resolve the situation.

The dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers at Johnson Attorneys Group will tenaciously work to overturn your traffic violation or mitigate the charges against you, depending on your personal situation. What’s more, we will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can put this accident behind you once and for all.

Our legal team has a 98.7 percent success rate defending accident victims across California. Don’t wait, call Johnson Attorneys Group or fill out our online contact form for a free, no-obligation case review. If we don’t win, your case is free.