Single Car Accident After an Improper Lane Change
Hello,
This occurred in the state of Virginia.
We are currently in the midst of an incoming hurricane, and experiencing an influx of rain. I was driving to work when I had a single vehicle accident (there was no other party involved). I have never had a vehicle accident before, so I was in shock during all questioning. All I remember is beginning to spin and some jerking. I was able to ascertain that it was the result of hitting a large patch of water, which was told to me by someone who stopped after witnessing the accident. This person promptly left after verifying I was uninjured, leaving no contact information.
I then proceeded to call the emergency services, notifying them of the accident. When the cop got there, he wrote me a citation for "Improper Lane Change." He stated that he provided that violation in lieu of a reckless driving ticket.
I do not understand how he can write me a ticket for something nobody witnessed.
He did question me; though I only remember one question. He asked me if I knew which lane I was in when I began to spin. My reply was that I was "unsure," as I was still trying to process everything.
Any advice on my predicament would be greatly appreciated.
Edit:
Sorry for my lack of detail. I realized I forgot to state that this occurred on an interstate highway, which had a speed limit of 55mph. I hit the median, apparently with the back of my car, after spinning.
Re: Single Car Accident: Improper Lane Change
He was being nice. He issued the ticket based on your assertion of how you failed to control your vehicle and the obvious proof you failed to control your vehicle. Take the "gimmee" and read up on bad weather driving (water, snow. ice). Make sure you have adequate tread and the proper size tires on your vehicle.
Re: Single Car Accident: Improper Lane Change
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
I was able to ascertain that it was the result of hitting a large patch of water, which was told to me by someone who stopped after witnessing the accident.
More commonly known as "hydroplaning".
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
When the cop got there, he wrote me a citation for "Improper Lane Change." He stated that he provided that violation in lieu of a reckless driving ticket.
He had quite a few choices, actually... He could have cited you for unsafe speed, careless driving... I don't know if he could justify reckless driving... As for the illegal lane change, I guess it is conceivable that if you hit the patch of water, your vehicle hydroplaned, and skidded across lanes uncontrollably, that would constitute and unsafe lane change AND a lane change without a signal. Both of which would would justify a citation.
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
I do not understand how he can write me a ticket for something nobody witnessed.
He based it on your statements! Remember... All the questions he asked... And all the answers you gave? Your description of the events, even here would suggest a number of different violations as I described above.
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
Hello,
This occurred in the state of Virginia.
We are currently in the midst of an incoming hurricane, and experiencing an influx of rain. I was driving to work when I had a single vehicle accident (there was no other party involved). I have never had a vehicle accident before, so I was in shock during all questioning. All I remember is beginning to spin and some jerking. I was able to ascertain that it was the result of hitting a large patch of water, which was told to me by someone who stopped after witnessing the accident. This person promptly left after verifying I was uninjured, leaving no contact information.
I then proceeded to call the emergency services, notifying them of the accident. When the cop got there, he wrote me a citation for "Improper Lane Change." He stated that he provided that violation in lieu of a reckless driving ticket.
I do not understand how he can write me a ticket for something nobody witnessed.
He did question me; though I only remember one question. He asked me if I knew which lane I was in when I began to spin. My reply was that I was "unsure," as I was still trying to process everything.
Any advice on my predicament would be greatly appreciated.
Edit:
Sorry for my lack of detail. I realized I forgot to state that this occurred on an interstate highway, which had a speed limit of 55mph. I hit the median, apparently with the back of my car, after spinning.
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
He did question me; though I only remember one question. He asked me if I knew which lane I was in when I began to spin. My reply was that I was "unsure," as I was still trying to process everything.
At the top of your post, you complained of "all the questioning"... Is it possible that he asked you more that the one question about which lane you were in? Is it possible that you volunteered a bunch of information without him asking?
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
Any advice on my predicament would be greatly appreciated.
You were cited as a result of spinning out, it is highly likely that in your conversation with the officer, that you made statements that made him conclude that you jumped lanes, with that, he was satisfied that you deserved a citation for an illegal lane change. As I described above, and even if you had kept silent the entire time, the fact that your vehicle skidded and ended up hitting the median, is a clear indication that you were travelling at an unsafe speed.
Quote:
Quoting
cs_student
Sorry for my lack of detail. I realized I forgot to state that this occurred on an interstate highway, which had a speed limit of 55mph. I hit the median, apparently with the back of my car, after spinning.
And based on your description of an incoming hurricane, and an influx of rain, driving at 55mph would not be the safe or prudent thing to do during severe weather conditions. So it would have been possible for the officer to cite you for speeding as well... Easily! You only ended up with one...
Better yet, you aren't injured or hurt and it was a solo accident rather than one which involved another party! Be thankful!
You maybe able to negotiate a plea bargain the the prosecutor but that its not going to end up with a dismissal. At times, it is possible to plead guilty to a lesser charge, or a lesser charge while paying a higher fine, but that is ultimately up to the prosecuting attorney!