Call or Text for a Free Consultation 678-753-6431Atlanta Car Accident Citation Lawyer
According to the 2021 Urban Mobility Report, research study performed by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the metro Atlanta area is the 9th most heavily congested traffic area in the country. The average commuter spent an additional 37 hours in traffic around the metro Atlanta area due to congestion. And with all that additional time spent in traffic along with the heavily congested roads creates a greater risk for car accidents and in turn being cited for causing a car accident.
Citations for car accidents come in many different varieties and for many different reasons but common citations in Georgia are following too closely, failure to maintain lane, failure to yield while turning left, failure to obey traffic control device, and improper lane change. It is not often that a police officer witnesses a car accident as it occurs. They are usually called to the scene and issue citations after speaking with all involved parties and any witnesses. Because officers do not usually witness these events as they happen unlike other traffic citations like speeding or a stop sign violation, proving your guilt for violation of the traffic citation is more difficult than other situations. It requires the testimony of other parties including the other driver, passengers, and any other potential witnesses to the accident.
Because of this there are many opportunities to resolve your case without a three or more point moving violation going on your record.
What are Your Responsibilities after a Car Accident?
If you are involved in a car accident in metro Atlanta or throughout the State of Georgia, the first thing you need to do is make sure everyone involved in the accident is okay. If everyone is not okay, you need to call 911 and report an accident with injuries.
The next thing you need to do is try to get your car out of the lanes of traffic if possible. It is not always possible to move your car due to injuries or damage, but if you can drive your car to the shoulder, or another area without traffic, and it will not increased the risk of the safety of yourself or others, that is the next step after an accident.
You then need to exchange personal and insurance information with the other party. Whether the police are called or not, you have a responsibility to provide your name, address, vehicle registration information, and your drivers license to the driver or anyone else involved in the accident.
If another party is injured you have a duty to render reasonable assistance to the other party while waiting for medical personnel. You cannot leave the scene of the accident before doing these things, or you can be charged with Hit and Run. You do not have a duty to make any statements regarding how the accident occurred to the other driver or anyone else at the scene of the accident.
Once the police arrive you have a right to remain silent if you so choose. If you do choose to speak, tell the officer how the events occurred to the best of your recollection. You do not have to say “it was my fault” or “I’m sorry.” These statements will most likely lead the officer to give you a citation. Let them make up their mind as to how the incident occurred. If you are not certain what happened, let the officer know that as well.
After the incident, you may have a duty to report the accident to your insurance company, whether you were at fault or not. Every insurance contract is different. It is important to know your duties and responsibilities after an accident.
What to Do If You Get Cited
Note the specific violations for which you are charged
Get any witnesses to the accident to write down their recollection as to how the accident occurred
Report the accident to your insurance company (if necessary)
Most car accidents are truly accidents. If you receive a citation after a car accident, do not panic. Most municipal court prosecutors know that these are accidents. Their biggest concerns are generally that everyone is safe, cars have been repaired, and everyone is made as close to whole as possible after the accident. Because of this, there are often advantages to having an Atlanta car accident citation lawyer speak to the prosecutor on your behalf. Often, charges can be reduced, points can be avoided, and fines can be minimized.
Most moving violations that result in a car accident are “must appear” offenses at municipal, county, and state courts. Must appear means you cannot pay the citation in advance and resolve your case. And any time you must appear in court I recommend that you have at least a consultation with an experienced Georgia traffic citation attorney in order to discuss all your options. You always have a right to a jury trial, but there may be other low risk outcomes that are to your advantage that you are not yet aware.
If you would like to discuss your car accident or would like a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta car accident citation attorney, please call my office any time at 678-753-6431.