Contesting Traffic Ticket-Driving in Carpool lane with one person

[llane]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I was driving on the freeway and a car almost side swipes me while trying to get into my lane. So I step on brakes and was force to swerve into the other lane which would be the carpool lane. After that I tried to get back into the other lane, but there is a long line of cars that wouldn't let me. I see an opening which I take and the cops sees me and pulls me over for riding in the carpool lane. Do I have a case?

Additional information
Also what if I said something in the moment? I told the officer that I was almost in an accident, however I just blurted out "isn't it the time?" , because carpool lane is from 7-10 am. But the actual time was 9 not 10. Would this make my case bad?

Please and thank you for the help!

 

[ecmst12]

I know I don't buy it.

 

[anearthw]

It seems more likely that with others driving like jerks and no space to move back to regular lanes, that one might take the carpool lane to avoid the traffic.

Your case is already bad and you are grasping at straws.

 

[HighwayMan]

Sigh... this belongs in the traffic law area...