Cited for Method of Turning

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

Here is the story: I was driving in front of another vehicle adjacent to double yellow lines. My front left tire probably crossed the double yellow. Either way, my car was angled in a position that it looked like I was either making a U turn, or turning into a street perpendicular to the double yellows (which is legally unaccessible because there are no breaks in the lines). The front right of the car behind me made impact with the back left of my vehicle. After impact, I continued on the opposite road (I made an illegal U-turn) to get out of harms way and enter into a gas station. He followed.

From interrogation, The officer understood that I was turning into the street perpendicular to the double yellows.

The officer did not issue a citation or ticket upon investigation. He didn't put fault on either driver.

A few weeks after the accident, I received a citation saying this: "Required position and method of turning. Defendant turned left from right lane causing T/C."

The extrapolation that I turned left from the right lane could not have been taken from either driver's statement. However, the officer did not say anything about me crossing the double yellows on the citation. Is this mercy from the officer? Do I fight this?

The other guy filed a claim. My insurance company called, but his hasn't (it's been about a month).

P.S. Two passengers who were with me left right after the accident occurred. This was not mentioned to the officer, but I did tell my insurance company (was that stupid?).

This is accident number one for me.

I have a lot of questions, so I'll take this step by step. Appreciate the help.

the last I knew a double yellow means no passing. It does not prevent you from turning.

Quote:

---

The front right of the car behind me made impact with the back left of my vehicle.

---

Quote:

---

The extrapolation that I turned left from the right lane could not have been taken from either driver's statement.

---

I would take it that he figured that is the only way you could be hit on the rear left of your car with the front right of a vehicle that was behind you, especially since you say your left front wheel had probably crossed the centerline.

So even though both me and the other driver stated that I was driving in front of him prior to impact, the officer is allowed to make that assumption? And regardless of that, do I pay and sleep or do I fight this citation? I hate the fact that I am away at school when this citation was sent to my home without my knowledge of it coming in the first place.

I have pleaded not guilty to the citation. On one paper it said that I improperly made a right turn. On the other, it said that I improperly made a left turn. Do I need to mention anything about the double yellow lines? And do you have any advice on what I should be aware of when I appear in this court?

I am planning to represent myself. Is that ok in a case like this?