Straight in Right Turn Only Lane

[mattperson]

My question involves a traffic accident in the State of: Colorado

Thanks in advance for the help, this has been eating away at me.

Here's the situation:

I pulled up to a stop sign in a left turn lane, the road I was on dead ends into another road, checked to my right and traffic was clear. When I looked left, I saw a vehicle in the right turn only lane slowing to about 5 mph and appeared to be starting the turn. As soon as I started my left turn this person, a very elderly woman, decided not to turn and ran into the side of my car. At this point I was only a couple feet into the intersection.

In the end we were BOTH TICKETED! I got one for not yielding after a stop!

My questions are:

1. I want to fight the ticket, the cop said he had to give me a ticket because I was the only one with a stop sign. Do I have any room?

2. I want money from her insurance company to fix my Jeep, but figure I don't have a leg to stand on since we were both ticketed. Any Ideas?

I do have good pictures of the accident that clearly show her in the right turn only lane.

Again, thanks. This is killing me.

[Mr. Knowitall]

1. If you can afford the time, and don't mind risking incurring some court costs on top of the ticket, there's no harm in trying. I would personally try to get the ticket reduced, deferred (if possible in your state) or dismissed.

2. Insurance companies make their own, independent assessment of liability. Make a claim and see what happens.