I was in a car accident on 3/20/09 that was my fault. I NEED ADVICE! PLEASE!?
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I was in a car accident on 3/20/09 that was my fault. I NEED ADVICE! PLEASE!?
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Last Friday 3/20/09 (New Jersey) I was driving to go see an apartment. I was following my mom because I wasn't quite sure what street the apartment was on. We were at a stop sign and it was clear for my mom so she turned off. I get to the stop sign and I signaled to make a left hand turn. On my left side it was clear and on my right hand sign there was two cars coming. So, I waited for the two cars to past and I went to go turn but, I didn't look to my left again and as i was turning I hit a car. I ended up hitting the backseat passenger door. So it was most definitely my fault. I'm 19 yrs old and I drive a white 1997 Chevrolet Blazer and the lady I hit was driving a Black Saturn Vue. The worst part of all was the lady I hit is 7 months pregnant. So, the police and my mom came. I was balling out crying, my hands were shaking, and I couldn't breathe. And they asked what happened and so on and so forth. I didn't do any of the stuff that you are supposed to do when there has been an accident because this was my first car accident I didn't know. After the police took all the information they came back to me and gave me a ticket for Careless Driving and I am required to appear in court. After that an ambulance came to get the lady I hit. She said that she was okay but it was protocol that she goes to the hospital because she is 7 months pregnant. I'm not sure if the lady and her baby are okay. I hope they are. The next day we called our insurance company and reported the accident to them. Later on a friend of mine suggested that when I go to court to see the prosecuter first to see if I can get a different ticket because careless driving is a 2 point ticket and my insurance will go up. So he said to try and get a 0 point ticket so my car insurance won't go up. Is that true? And then he looked at my ticket and when he saw that it said Court appearance Required he told me that I should get a public defender because something worse can happen in court. What is the deal with that? I'm so confused. Do I really need a lawyer/public defender? Please some one give me some advice and tell me what to do. Can someone please tell me what is going to happen? HELP ME!
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Janet T
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Take your friends advise and go see a public defender. You might be able to get the charge reduced. |
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Dan B
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You don't really need a public defender. They are for more serious offenses, plus you have to prove you can't afford a lawyer. If you can, the cost of the lawyer will be far more than your fine and insurance rate increase. You are not being charged with a felony or even a misdemeanor. You are charged with a civil traffic offense. You will get a civil fine and the two points against your driver's license; no jail time, no criminal record. It's not the end of the world. Two points on your license is nothing unless you start accumulating additional points on future accidents. THEN you have a problem.
Your insurance will probably cover the other driver's medical issues unless something seriously happened that you weren't aware of. A 7-month gestational baby can survive outside the womb if the mother and child are otherwise healthy. If something serious happened, you would have been notified by now. |
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Peeej
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Hi, I would not call what you did careless driving at all (well not in the UK anyway) carless driving is when you are speeding etc... What happened to you was just an accident, as long as you were not under the influence (alcohol, drugs etc) you should just get a fine I guess. Your Insurance would go up now regardless because you have had to make a claim on your policy.
Honestly, the only thing the other party could do (and I am guessing is what they won;t to do) is try and sew you for damages etc... you have to remember generally these days as bad as it is, if anyone has a chance of squeezing some money out of someone else, they will give it a damn good go.
If you are thinking you could go to jail or something, stop thinking that because that will not happen.
I would seek some legal advice from someone who does not charge (loads of places - look online) and explain it to them and see what they think about it.
Remember you are only young, and this lady may be looking to take advatnage of that - expecially when she has a baby on the way! - she would probably love some extra cash! |
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David W
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If you've reported the accident to your insurance company, you've done all you need to do for now. When they call, give your version of what happened and let them handle it; that's a big part of what you pay them for. If you get sued, inform your insurer immediately and do what they tell you to do; part of your coverage is defense costs if it comes to that.
If the company suspects any fraud or suspicious bills or expenses, it will investigate and fight them; insurers are very good at finding and fighting this sort of thing.
Be sure to have your agent/company verify your auto insurance to the DMV to prevent a possible license suspension. The court appearance is just for the ticket, not a lawsuit. Your insurance will surely go up, but by how much depends on the company. |
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