My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington
A couple of months ago in July, I was driving tired and as I came off the freeway I dozed off momentarily and rear-ended the car in front of me. The driver of the other car was hurt and had to be taken to the hospital.
Fast forward to today, I get a letter saying my driving privileges will be suspended if I don't handle a citation. I dig up some of the papers from the accident, realize one of them is a citation for Negligent Driving in the 2nd degree. Reason I hadn't known is cause nobody told me and most of the words (like instructions about what to do with the citation and such) were so faded the main things I could make out made me think it was an exchange of information sheet or something. Not a good excuse, I know, but in my distracted, emotional state that's how I overlooked it.
Given the circumstances, I don't disagree with the citation (in a lot of ways I probably got off easy and this could've been worse). But I'd just like to ask some questions and understand my situation/options.
- My license is a California driver's license (I was in Washington for an internship and I'm back home now). The letter only mentions any Washington licenses I have will be suspended. Can/Will Washington's Department of Licensing suspend my California license? Or does this just mean I can't legally drive in Washington?
- The base fine for this offense is $250. Reading some of the older threads, apparently the state tacks on a whole bunch of stuff, making it $550 on the citation. I'm looking at 46.63.110, trying to figure out where this $300 is coming from to no avail. Can someone clarify/is this worth figuring out?
- It's obviously past the 15 days now and I'm a thousand miles away. Is there any chance/option of negotiating the fine/making an appeal at this point like over the phone or by mail? Or do I just have to pay the $550 (plus late fee)? And if Washington can't suspend my license, what would be the consequences if I don't end up paying?
Thanks, any help would be appreciated.

