So yesterday afternoon a Maryland State Trooper shows up to my house and asks for me. I came to the door and the trooper informs me that I have to sign a ticket for my accident 3 weeks ago. I asked what he was charging me with. I got Neglegent Driving, minimum $275 fine and 3 points :shock: . Here I am unable to stand for more than an hour at a time, in a back brace, with my jaw wired shut and this guy wants to give me the biggest ticket possible. There was no property damage and no other vehicles involved besides my own. Anybody had experience with something like this? What do you guys suggest?
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Yes this was the time I fell asleep at the wheel. The police came to the scene, and I was walking around like I was fine(deffinately in shock). I passed out in the car on the way to the hospital (in my shock I signed a refuse treatment form when the ambulance came). They discovered a cracked t12 vertabrete and 2 fractures to my jaw. Police just now came by. I realize I fucked up, it's just I think this is a little stiff for someone who had to spend 6 days in the hospital (6g's in bills) and is going to have back problems for the rest of their life.
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definately take it to court. To prove neglegent driving they need to prove you had intent, if you just fell asleep there was no intent or consious effort by you to drive negligently.
"Modern cars may be able to outgun it, but few can match its character, its motorsport spirit, and the way it plasters a huge grin on your face at any speed." - Patrick George
1988 M3 - Track Rat
1989 325iC M50 Vert
1989 325i Coupe
1991 318is
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Originally posted by kencopperwheatHow can you act like you don't deserve the ticket? You fell asleep at the wheel. You're lucky you went off the road and didn't hit anything. You could've killed someone. I'd be happy just paying the ticket.
I agree. Granted, it sucks that you have a fractured T12, among 6K in medical bills, but it is all a result of something you did. It's not like the sandman was sitting next to you and decided to make you fall asleep at the last minute.
I think any judge you encounter will have the same reaction: You were not in fit shape to be driving in the first place, thus neglecting your responsibility as a safe driver. I'd be glad they don't take away your license.
Definitely a shitty situation any way you look at it.
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BTW, my dad fractured his T12 in a skiing accident last year, and is almost at 100% recovery. There is hope! :)My mountains are better than yours.
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That's too harsh. Just go to court and negotiate. I got a ticket once like that, I mean they showed up at my door a week later, and I didn't even cause an accident. Must have cut off a plain clothes or off duty cop. I also fought a ticket when I plowed into the back of a Subaru with my 4x4 becuase the conditions were so bad the Sub couldn't go up a little hill, I cas coming down a big one and couldn't stop. I went to court both those times and ended up with no points and small tickets or court costs.
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Here's a trick that my buddy uses successfully
If you decide to pay the ticket, send them a cheque for slightly more than the actual amount(so 280 in your case). They'll send you a $5 cheque back (don't cash it). In their computer it'll say that you've paid, but it'll still say transaction not completed, becuase you haven't cashed their cheque. Becuase of this the points will never be taken off your license, so long as you never cash that cheque.
In the end you'll end up paying $280 for a $275 ticket, but you won't get any points on your license, which will likely save you tons in the long run
If you're gonna be paying anyways, it's definitely worth a shot
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Originally posted by DrakeHere's a trick that my buddy uses successfully
If you decide to pay the ticket, send them a cheque for slightly more than the actual amount(so 280 in your case). They'll send you a $5 cheque back (don't cash it). In their computer it'll say that you've paid, but it'll still say transaction not completed, becuase you haven't cashed their cheque. Becuase of this the points will never be taken off your license, so long as you never cash that cheque.
In the end you'll end up paying $280 for a $275 ticket, but you won't get any points on your license, which will likely save you tons in the long run
If you're gonna be paying anyways, it's definitely worth a shot
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Originally posted by brodeedefinately take it to court. To prove neglegent driving they need to prove you had intent, if you just fell asleep there was no intent or consious effort by you to drive negligently.
Like I said I know I fucked up, but I know plenty of people who have been in accidents that were actually the result of them doing something wrong(i.e. driving aggressively, speeding, not payin enough attention) and they end up getting off because the road had a few pebbles on the road or it had been raining slightly. I mean it's not like I dragged myself out of bed after being out drinking all night and tryed to drive 15 minutes to work. I had gotten to bed around midnight the night before and hadn't been drinking (blood work done in the emergency room confirms this), I had gotten up, grabbed some breakfast and a cup of coffee and headed to work. I don't know why I fell asleep, maybe because i've been traveling the same boring 2 lane country road to work for the last 4 years.
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Sorry to steal this thread, but last week, i got an 83 in a 55. If anyone who lives in NY has ever dealt with this, can i get some suggestions. supposedly i might get 6 points on my liscense for it being that high. Will i be able to represent myself in court to try and plea bargain it for a lower number. Or do i have to get a lawyer (even more $). either way, im screwed financially, insurance, paying the ticket, and possible laywer. tia -dan
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