Urgent help needed for English driver

[Clio.T]

What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state? California

My English boyfriend was involved in an accident last week in Yosemite that was entirely his fault. After pulling out of a turnout on the left of an empty road he momentarily forgot himself and stayed on the left of the road, resulting in a collision with another oncoming vehicle. Both parties were discharged from hospital that same day with bruising and whiplash, and both cars have been written off. He has been charged with 2 citations: 1. 'Failure to comply with a direction of traffic control device' and 2. 'Unsafe operation'.
His court hearing is on Tuesday Oct 7th. Does he need an attorney or is there a fixed fine for this? Would an attorney be able to negotiate a lesser fine? Is his fine likely to be $200 or $2000 per citation? Might he even be banned from driving in the state of California?
Our travel insurance and car insurance people have been extremely unhelpful and we are completely lost - we just want to know how bad it is likely to be.
Many thanks whoever can help us.

 

[JETX]

"Does he need an attorney or is there a fixed fine for this?"
*** There is a fixed fine. Call the court and ask them the amount.

"Would an attorney be able to negotiate a lesser fine?"
*** Some attorneys can work a plea in some cases, resulting in reduced fines or dismissal. In this case, I doubt a dismissal would be possible.

"Is his fine likely to be $200 or $2000 per citation?"
*** Contact the court.

"Might he even be banned from driving in the state of California?"
*** Probably not.

"Our travel insurance and car insurance people have been extremely unhelpful and we are completely lost - we just want to know how bad it is likely to be."
*** Again, call the court.

"Many thanks whoever can help us."
*** You're welcome. But you have an even larger potential problem. Your boyfriend could be subject to a civil lawsuit if he is uninsured, or if the total damages exceed his coverage limits.