I rear-ended someone who was not wearing a seatbelt, they wereseriously injured. What will happen once I go to court? The person wasalso making a turn, but I cannot recall if he used his turning signal,is there any way to fight the system on this?\nThis happened to my friend and I need to get help to know what is going to happen when she goes to court. the man she hit had no turning signal and no seatbelt on, is she still 100% at fault for the accident? Please help, I don't want her to go to jail because of this.
120709
You should talk to a lawyer. I would think part of his injuries are his fault if he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, unless seatbelt usage is not an option in your state.
40919
First, this is being reported as an accident.\nSecond, if the other person does not press charges, then there is nothing that anyone can do.
361306
report him???  i see it all the time.  i've seen cops put their lights on and go through a red light then turn it off after they go through...i have seen them speed and go under the speed limit.  this can cause accidents too.  \n\nyou may want to write in the complaint without your return address and make sure to put down the cars #, exact location, crime, etc.
271652
The only folks that can prosecute criminals are your local law enforcement agency and the district attorney.\n\nIf you'd like to see them potentially prosecuted, you'll need to file a police report with the local law enforcement agency (local to where the crime happened).  It is up to the district attorney to determine whether the person involved will be prosecuted (based on the amount and quality of the evidence, details of the incident, etc.)\n\nThe longer you wait, the less credibility you typically have (especially since there are no independant witnesses).  If you want to file a police report, do it as soon as possible after the incident.  You may be asked to explain any delay in reporting the crime.  \n\nIn the future, the best thing to do for similar situations  is to get to somewhere safe as quickly as possible and call 9-1-1 to report the crime to the police.  If this person was, in fact, drunk, the police are going to want to start looking for them immediately and get them off the road before they actually hurt someone.\n\n---===---\n\nIn response to your edit... why are you letting your boyfriend tell you what to do?  If you want to report it to the police, then report it - you're as much a victim as he is.\n\nObviously, the fact that you are posting this question on Yahoo Answers tells me that you eventually found somewhere safe.  As soon as you get somewhere safe, you call the police.  Somewhere safe can be your home, a place with lots of people, a police station, a fire station, etc.  \n\nIf you report this to the police, something "may" or "may not" happen.  If you don't report it to the police, I guarantee that nothing will happen.  You need to decide for yourself what you want to do.
627189
You are on the hook because it was your car. Now you are in legal trouble for leaving the scene of an accident and your boyfriend is hanging you out to dry.  I would turn him in if he doesn't do it himself.  I would also call my insurance company and at least let them know what is going on.
341662
Plead innocent. \n\nYou never plead guilty to anything. Otherwise, you have absolutely no defense. \n\nIt sounds like you were already in the intersection when you stopped, and attempted to continue crossing to clear the intersection, and the traffic stopped again, preventing you from moving. \n\nThe judge may find in your favor. By pleading guilty, you have no chance. By pleading innocent, you at least have a chance.  He may be in a good mood. But you never, never plead guilty. At least you will be trying, and maybe you will come out on top. Judge may even dismiss it due to extenuating traffic conditions.  \n\nYou will not know unless you try. The worse that can happen is you end up having to pay the fine, which you would have had to pay anyway by pleading guilty. Never heard of asking for a reduced fine, unless you have an attorney advising it. \n\nGood luck, (your virtual attorney),\n\nDarryl S.
399574
First off, you want to call the court clerk at the last viable moment to ask for a postponement.  This will make the officer who pulled you over have to change his schedule in order to make it to the next hearing.  When you go to that one, dress nicely and be courteous, especially to the clerks.  When you check in ask to speak to the prosecutor and ask if the officer has checked in.  The reason why you want to do this is if the officer is not present, they will have to dismiss the charges because it is your word against thiers....and if they aren't there....then they can not support their words.\n\nYour defense can be that you were not shown the radar gun, you were not supplied with proof that the radar gun was calibrated....etc.\n\nBut, you may be able to avoid all that "lying" and talk to the prosecutor.  In most cases, they are only concerned with getting the fine, but you have to be concerned abou the fine and the points which will cost you more in the end due to insurance premiums.  Inform them that you are pleading not guilty and request that the charges be dropped or moved to a non moving violation.  They do this everyday...so they won't be surprised and will handle vitrually the whole conversation.\n\nIn the end, you can't go to jail for driving a car unless it's stolen or your hit someone with it....so relax.  If you were going to jail they would have handcuffed you there and not ordered you to appear in court.
36500
He shouldn't need to have a ticket cited. If the report says that the other guy was the primary cause of the accident, that's all you should need. Just go to the police department and ask for a copy of the report.
210140
Hmm, good question.  Local newspaper will have it though...in a day or two.  You can try and check out the local police station website, don't know if maybe they list stuff like that.  I don't think there's too many ways to find out, people in accident probably don't want everyone gossiping about them.
590333
Sorry, but I do not think you have a case, but check with an attorney.  Police still have to practice traffic safety laws.
489424
If this was not his first offense, I would assume he has a probation/parole officer.  If so, have him contact his PO and turn himself in.  If it was a first time offense, call the DA and have him 'turn himself in'--he will probably be arrested on the warrant, but could be out on bail in a few hours.  Taking the first step by voluntarily surrendering will be much better for him in the eyes of a judge than being stopped for a minor traffic violation and arrested on the warrant because he got 'caught'.  Added plus is that if he is guilty--turning himself in may influence the judge's decision at sentencing.
392473
Intresting question. As I was reading I thought that I would just hit the gas but then you brought up the point of sueing and tickets. I don't know I guess knowing that I might get out... well maybe I would just reverse.
35750
why would you need to feel any responsibility for an accident that happened to you. it was an accident and you fell down, hurt yourself, and others saw and reacted. Don't feel bad or worried about some kind of backlash is coming down on you. I think you will get a lot of positive support from everyone including the people who fainted and cried.
341814
Our 10yr old son & i were in an accident nearly a year ago. We were at a dead stop & rear-ended by someone doing 55mph. Our son ended up with a concussion & a cardiac contusion. I have 3 ruptured discs in my neck (C4-C7) The driver of the car that hit us was not injured.
289100
In most states the statute of limitations is 3 years. If she was marked at fault and she is sueing you, then she has a fool for a lawyer.  Turn the papers over to the insurance company you had at the time of the accident. You are nothing more than a witness in the insurance company's case.  they will call you if they need you.\n\nEven if she does win, you don't pay the insurance company does.
432689
I wouldn't worry too much about it, maybe request to have a copy of what her injuries were and maybe consult some professionals about the likely hood those injuries occured as a result of your crash.  Shes probably trying to milk you for money now and the injury is probably superficial or non existant.  Check for a statute of limitations , or lawyer up.
408261
If the injured party has legal representation, be sure that the solicitor will pursue a claim against everyone involved.  \nIf your friend runs into the rear of another vehicle, your friend is liable (the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor applies).  Trying to get off the hook in a case like that is extremely difficult.  The only defense would be to show that the collision was unavoidable.  Nothing in your description indicates that to be the case.\nExample of a defensible case:  the other vehicle cuts in front of you and slams on his brakes, for no apparent reason.  There are two police officers, in different locations, who were witnesses.\nAs for injuries it does not take much to get a whiplash type injury.  Five to ten mph will do it.  If you are suspicious of the injury, have a private investigator put the plaintiff under surveillance.