edamameblue
New Member
Last sunny Friday afternoon, I got into my very first accident that rear-ended a CRV in front of me. We were nearing a traffic light on a busy intersection. I saw that the CRV in front had its brake lights on, at the same time, my foot was actually on my brake but it was too late. My car didn't stop in time and hit the CRV in front, well my car hit the CRV's spare tire cover at the back. The CRV then hit the car in front. It was a 3-car collision.
Looking at the damages, my car's front hood is badly dented (due to hitting the CRV's spare tire cover), grills broken and radiator dented. My car's front didn't look too good. The CRV didn't have much damage, just a dented front number plate and the back bumper slightly scratched. The very first car didn't have much damage either, the paint got scraped off the back bumper. But most of all, I am very glad that no one got hurt ... just my car
I called 911 and the driver in the CRV was very nice and she understands that I didn't mean the accident to happen. She told me that both of them (the car in front of her) were already stopped and she saw me slowing down but my car just didn't stop in time. She got my insurance information and my home address. The young driver of the first car wasn't nice and shouted something expletive I didn't mind her. We all waited for the cops to arrive. We didn't move where we were; thought the cops would take photos first before letting us move to the shoulder.
When the cops arrived, we were all asked to move to the shoulder. They didn't take photos of the accident. The officer asked me and the 2 drivers what happened (we were in our respective car during the questioning). He then let us all complete 2 copies of the accident exchange information form. And then he said to me that he had to give me a ticket since it is a reported accident. I told the officer that it is my very first ticket and accident in 6 years (ever since I got to learn how to drive here); he agreed as he saw it in the system. He then asked me to sign the summons and by signing it's not an admission of guilt. And that was it.
I didn't mean the accident to happen. I miscalculated the distance and unfortunately, my car didn't stop in time. Getting that very first ticket made me feel that I'm an aggressive drive, which I am not. I have been driving with a clean record for 6 years and it is really disheartening to get a ticket ... but there's always the first time. I do wonder if the woman in the CRV (second car) also got a ticket for bumping into the first car; it just goes to show that she too was following closely.
I checked in the online system to see if my name is there and couldn't find it under the correct county (Loudoun). It has been 3 days since the accident; looks like ticket hasn't been filed yet. I can call them tomorrow and see if they can manually find it. I have an idea how much it may cost, roughly $90.
But if I do go to court, is pleading 'no contest' an option? I know in Virginia, pleading no contest is the same as pleading guilty.
I can take the driving class if it's an option to erase the ticket off my record. And if the judge is nice (hopefully) and does give me that option of the driving class and the dirty record gets erased, do I let the insurance know? Or it doesn't matter to the insurance?
It does look like I can go to a safety class prior to my court date to at least "impress" the judge.
TIPS FOR YOUR COURT APPEARANCE IF YOU CHOSE TO REPRESENT YOURSELF:
Obtain a certified copy of your DMV driving record (or your state's driving record if your are not a Virginia license holder). Have it with you to show the Judge on your hearing date. If you have a good point rating, your sentence will likely be dramatically reduced from the maximums possible for your charge. In Virginia, the maximum point balance one may accumulate on the driving record is +5.
A +5 rating correlates with an excellent driving record in the eyes of most Judges and such point rating may be used to leverage a minimal fine or suspension period. However, even a person with +5 on their record should proceed with caution for DWI, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving.
Additionally, most attorneys recommend their clients attend a safe driving class prior to their court date. Such safe driving classes, if taken without a Court order, add +5 points to one's Virginia DMV record (VA license holders only). There are certain circumstances when one would not want to attend a safe driving program prior to the Court date. One such case would be if the Court normally allows safe driving class in lieu of a more serious sentence.
Judges in Fairfax and Arlington currently do not impose or consider safe driving class as a sentencing option. However, some Judges in Loudoun county do offer such option to persons with clean driving records for the previous three years. However, this option is usually available only to persons speeding less than 85 mph.
Please advise.
Thank you.
Looking at the damages, my car's front hood is badly dented (due to hitting the CRV's spare tire cover), grills broken and radiator dented. My car's front didn't look too good. The CRV didn't have much damage, just a dented front number plate and the back bumper slightly scratched. The very first car didn't have much damage either, the paint got scraped off the back bumper. But most of all, I am very glad that no one got hurt ... just my car
I called 911 and the driver in the CRV was very nice and she understands that I didn't mean the accident to happen. She told me that both of them (the car in front of her) were already stopped and she saw me slowing down but my car just didn't stop in time. She got my insurance information and my home address. The young driver of the first car wasn't nice and shouted something expletive
I didn't mind her. We all waited for the cops to arrive. We didn't move where we were; thought the cops would take photos first before letting us move to the shoulder.When the cops arrived, we were all asked to move to the shoulder. They didn't take photos of the accident. The officer asked me and the 2 drivers what happened (we were in our respective car during the questioning). He then let us all complete 2 copies of the accident exchange information form. And then he said to me that he had to give me a ticket since it is a reported accident. I told the officer that it is my very first ticket and accident in 6 years (ever since I got to learn how to drive here); he agreed as he saw it in the system. He then asked me to sign the summons and by signing it's not an admission of guilt. And that was it.
I didn't mean the accident to happen. I miscalculated the distance and unfortunately, my car didn't stop in time. Getting that very first ticket made me feel that I'm an aggressive drive, which I am not. I have been driving with a clean record for 6 years and it is really disheartening to get a ticket ... but there's always the first time. I do wonder if the woman in the CRV (second car) also got a ticket for bumping into the first car; it just goes to show that she too was following closely.
I checked in the online system to see if my name is there and couldn't find it under the correct county (Loudoun). It has been 3 days since the accident; looks like ticket hasn't been filed yet. I can call them tomorrow and see if they can manually find it. I have an idea how much it may cost, roughly $90.
But if I do go to court, is pleading 'no contest' an option? I know in Virginia, pleading no contest is the same as pleading guilty.
I can take the driving class if it's an option to erase the ticket off my record. And if the judge is nice (hopefully) and does give me that option of the driving class and the dirty record gets erased, do I let the insurance know? Or it doesn't matter to the insurance?
It does look like I can go to a safety class prior to my court date to at least "impress" the judge.
TIPS FOR YOUR COURT APPEARANCE IF YOU CHOSE TO REPRESENT YOURSELF:
Obtain a certified copy of your DMV driving record (or your state's driving record if your are not a Virginia license holder). Have it with you to show the Judge on your hearing date. If you have a good point rating, your sentence will likely be dramatically reduced from the maximums possible for your charge. In Virginia, the maximum point balance one may accumulate on the driving record is +5.
A +5 rating correlates with an excellent driving record in the eyes of most Judges and such point rating may be used to leverage a minimal fine or suspension period. However, even a person with +5 on their record should proceed with caution for DWI, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving.
Additionally, most attorneys recommend their clients attend a safe driving class prior to their court date. Such safe driving classes, if taken without a Court order, add +5 points to one's Virginia DMV record (VA license holders only). There are certain circumstances when one would not want to attend a safe driving program prior to the Court date. One such case would be if the Court normally allows safe driving class in lieu of a more serious sentence.
Judges in Fairfax and Arlington currently do not impose or consider safe driving class as a sentencing option. However, some Judges in Loudoun county do offer such option to persons with clean driving records for the previous three years. However, this option is usually available only to persons speeding less than 85 mph.
Please advise.
Thank you.
