Car accidents happen in an instant, but sometimes their consequences are long-lasting, affecting physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Depending on the cause of the accident, legal consequences and traffic citations may also impact a car accident victim, including their ability to recover the full value of their economic damages through a car accident claim.
It’s important to understand the timeline of a car accident investigation and claim, including when and how a traffic ticket affects your case. Speak with an experienced Marysville car accident lawyer for legal guidance after an accident.
Understanding Washington’s Pure Comparison Negligence Car Accident System
In Washington, it matters who is responsible for a car accident. Unlike the small handful of no-fault car accident states, Washington has a pure comparative negligence system. Under this system, the insurance companies of the drivers thoroughly investigate the accident, relying partly on the police report, but also on eyewitness testimony, traffic camera videos, testimony from accident reconstruction experts, and driver and vehicle records.
Under this system, drivers can still recover a portion of their total damages even if they contributed to the cause of the accident, but the insurance company deducts the driver’s percentage of fault from the payout on their claim. In many cases, traffic tickets and citations for violations issued to one or both drivers significantly impact the claim.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Traffic Ticket After an Accident?
Fault may seem clear in some accidents, but in others it is more complex. Even in cases in which one driver is clearly responsible for the crash, the other driver’s actions could worsen the impact of the accident or the severity of the injuries. One way that insurance investigators and car accident attorneys determine each driver’s percentage of fault is to read the police report and consider traffic tickets issued after a crash.
The police arrive at the scene of any accident involving injuries, fatalities, and/or significant property damage. At the scene, they draft the initial police report, including any observations made. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, they may issue a ticket to a driver at the scene; however, it may take days or even weeks of investigation to determine all the circumstances leading to the accident. At any point during the investigation, the police could issue a traffic violation ticket.
Common Causes of Traffic Citations In Accident Investigations
Drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road. This duty includes the responsibility to follow traffic laws and avoid dangerous distractions. When a driver violates this duty of care and the violation causes an accident, they may receive a traffic ticket days or weeks after the accident when the investigation is complete. If the breach of duty directly caused injury, the at-fault driver is liable for the injury victim’s damages. The most common traffic violations to result in accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Weaving (unsafe lane changes)
- Tailgating (Following too closely)
Impaired driving, reckless driving, and driving without a license not only result in traffic citations and liability but also may result in criminal charges. Contact us today.