Cop said city has different fault rules than the state?? That doesn't sound right

Not legal advice, but just so you have some framework: municipalities generally cannot override state traffic law — they can sometimes add ordinances for things the state doesn't cover, but they can't contradict state statutes. The no-fault system is a state insurance law, and a city citation is a separate animal — it's about a traffic code violation, not about who your insurance pays. They're two different legal tracks. That said, a citation can be used as evidence of fault in a civil claim, so it's worth looking into contesting it. Seriously, talk to someone who knows your state's specific laws.

I went through something really similar — officer showed up late, only heard the other person's version, and I ended up with a citation I didn't deserve. I contested it in traffic court and it got dismissed because there was zero evidence beyond the other driver's word. If you have any dashcam footage, photos, or even a witness, hold onto everything. Don't just pay the ticket and move on — that can feel like an admission.

Even in a no-fault state, the at-fault determination still matters for property damage and for whether you can step outside the no-fault system to sue (if your injuries hit a certain threshold). Insurers will absolutely use that citation against you to minimize or deny your claim. Don't assume the no-fault label means the citation is harmless — it's not.

The cop is likely conflating two totally separate things. State no-fault law governs how insurance handles medical claims. A local traffic ordinance citation is about a traffic violation. They operate in different lanes, so to speak. That said, the citation creates a paper trail that can influence fault analysis. You can typically contest a citation before the court date — sometimes it gets reduced or dropped, especially if the officer's account is based on secondhand info.

I'm not saying the officer is right, but I'm curious — what exactly does the citation say? 'Improper stop' is vague. Some jurisdictions do have local ordinances about things like stopping too close to an intersection or on certain road types. That might be what he's referencing rather than claiming he knows who caused the crash. Either way, worth looking up the specific code number on the ticket.

Please don't get so caught up in the legal stuff that you forget to get checked out medically. Rear-end impacts can cause soft tissue injuries that don't show symptoms for days. If you haven't seen a doctor yet, go — even just urgent care. You want everything documented close to the date of the accident, both for your health and for any claim.

Ugh this sounds so stressful, I'm sorry. You're sitting there shaken up after someone hits YOU and you walk away with a ticket? That's infuriating. Please don't just let this go — at minimum fight the citation, and make sure you're okay physically too.