Q. I was backing out of a parking space when another car sped through the lot and hit me. The officer gave me a ticket for improper backing, but the other driver was too fast. How do I fight it?
A: Car accidents are stressful enough, and getting a ticket on top of it can feel like the final nail in the coffin. But here’s something most people don’t realize: just because you got a ticket doesn’t necessarily mean you’re legally at fault for the accident.
Missouri follows a comparative fault system, which means blame can be split between multiple drivers. Maybe you rolled a stop sign, but the other driver was speeding. Maybe you were cited for “following too closely,” but the car ahead slammed on their brakes without warning. In these cases, fault isn’t always black and white—and neither is how it affects insurance claims or potential lawsuits.
A Ticket After an Accident is Serious, but It’s Not an Automatic Guilty Verdict.
So, what’s the takeaway? A ticket after an accident is serious, but it’s not an automatic guilty verdict. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s worth looking at all your options before just paying the fine and moving on.
Ever been in this spot before? Let’s talk about it.
