Rear End Auto Accident

[ans0032]

I was recently involved in an auto accident (Marietta, GA) where the vehicle in front of me came to a sudden/quick stop as the light turned yellow and I ended up hitting it (rear ending). The police issued me a citation for "following too close." I do not believe that I was totally at fault for this accident, neither of us was at a safe stopping distance from the light (for safety reasons, he should have gone through, rather than stopping). At the time, there were no injuries and damage appeared minimal. My question is about how to handle the citation? Should I go to court and fight it (knowing that I will lose and be charged additional fees)? If I pay the fine, would I be (more) open to a civil lawsuit (if the other driver decided to go that route)?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Go back and reread the driver's manual you were tested on when you got your driver's license. There is a reason you were quizzed on stopping distances. It's because they are the law.

You are completely at fault since you failed to provide a safe distance between you and the driver in front.

Paying the fine has nothing to do with a civil suit. That will be up to your insurance company unless you're a complete idiot and carry only the minimum.

 

[jpritchett81]

Sorry but that's why it is VERY important that you keep at least a car-length's distance from the car in front of you