Proving Fault: Car Accidents and Citations
When a responding officer arrives at the scene of a crash, he or she may issue traffic tickets to anyone who violated the law. The citation issued could be related to the cause of the collision, and may be considered during insurance and/or litigation matters as evidence. The Oklahoma City, OK auto accident attorneys of Tawwater Law Firm can note traffic citations while building your case, and will use all evidence available to hold negligent parties accountable.
We’d like to take a moment to consider how traffic citations may play a role in lawsuits over serious car accidents and auto collisions. We are here to provide expert counsel to you and your loved ones in your time of legal need.
Possible Traffic Tickets That May Be Issued
Common traffic tickets issued after a motor vehicle collision include:
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Texting while driving
- Making an illegal turn
- Failure to yield
- Tailgating
Information in the Police Report
Any citations issued will be recorded in the police report for the crash. This is a record for law enforcement noting the nature of the crash and what transpired. Some other information that will be included in a police report include the date and time of the crash, the location of the accident, the makes and models of vehicles involved, information on injuries, contact info for drivers and witnesses, and any road or weather conditions that may have contributed to the collision.
The police report will also include the officer’s opinion of what happened. This is a subjective account of what occurred, different from the objective information in the rest of the police report.
Does a Traffic Citation Prove Fault?
Not necessarily, but it can be helpful.
If a traffic ticket is issued for drunk driving, that could demonstrate that a motorist was reckless and endangered others because they were intoxicated behind the wheel. The same is true for citations issues for running a red light or making an illegal turn. Actions such as these can be vital for proving fault, especially if such actions directly contributed to a collision occurring.
Other Factors and Evidence to Consider
Even if a traffic citation is issued, the nature of the crash could add complications when attempting to prove fault. If there were many vehicles in a collision, it will be necessary to determine who was at fault and if there are multiple parties who are at fault. Issues with vehicle defects and maintenance, weather conditions, and road conditions may add further complications to establishing who was really at fault in a crash.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Given all of these factors that may go into your collision case, it’s important to work with a skilled attorney who knows what to look for with regard to evidence. An auto accident lawyer can go over traffic citations, information in the police report, and other evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. You attorney can also help offer insight on taking a settlement or going to trial.
Contact Our Team of Car Accident Attorneys
For more information about your legal rights and options following a motor vehicle crash, be sure to contact our team of injury accident lawyers. The team at Tawwater Law Firm is here to help. You can reach our attorneys by phone at (405) 673-8021.