Got cited after a crash I don't think was my fault — can I fight the ticket without going to trial?
I'm still kind of in shock about all of this so bear with me.
A few weeks ago I was making a left turn at an intersection. I checked both ways, it was clear, and I started my turn. I was nearly through it when a car came barreling over a hill and slammed into the rear driver's side of my car. My car got pushed into a parked vehicle on the side of the road. Three cars involved total because of this one guy.
The responding officer cited ME for an improper turn. Meanwhile the other driver — who I later found out has a history of moving violations — was apparently on his phone and clearly going way over the speed limit. There were skid marks stretching back a ridiculous distance before he even reached me. If he'd been going the posted speed, he either would've stopped in time or I'd have been long clear of the intersection.
My actual injuries are pretty minor, honestly. Some soreness, a bruised shoulder, nothing that needed more than a couple urgent care visits. What I'm losing sleep over is:
1. The citation itself — I've never had so much as a parking ticket in my life. My record is spotless. 2. My insurance rates — I genuinely cannot absorb a big premium hike right now. 3. Points on my license — I drive for work occasionally and my employer checks records.
I've talked to a couple of attorneys and they all seem laser-focused on my injury claim, which I get — but that's not really my priority here. I want to know if there's any realistic way to contest or reduce this citation without it turning into a full-blown trial. Like is there a middle ground? A diversion program? Can I just talk to the prosecutor?
Has anyone dealt with something like this? I feel like I'm being punished for someone else's recklessness.