ticket two weeks after accident

What is the name of your state? WA

I received a ticket two weeks after the accident, does it make any difference?
It is a four lane street, and traffic was bad and slow. I waited at a parking lot's exit to make a left turn. a bus stopped and the driver waved me out. So I came out. The bumper of my car merely reached the inner lane and that was when I hit the other car. No injury. The officer didn't ticket me at that time. I receive the ticket which was issued two weeks after for "fail to yield emerging flow/private drive".
This is my first ticket. Should I just pay the fine? What else can I do?

Well, you were wrong, so you should pay.

This reminds me of my favorite public service announcement. NEVER WAVE PEOPLE ON if you are on a two lane street! It causes more accidents then anyone realizes. The guy in the right lane waves them on, so they assume the left lane is clear also, but they can't SEE because the guy in the right lane is blocking their view, so they just go and act surprised when the guy in the left lane hits them.

The officer had one year to issue a citation, 2 weeks is nothing. If you have a clean driving record you can challenge the ticket and ask for a deferral. If granted, which they are in most cases, all you have to do is not get a ticket for one year, pay the fine and court costs and the ticket will go away. Get another ticket during that year and both tickets hit your driving record (and insurance) at the same time.

Thanks a lot!
I will request a deferral. And remember next time do not believe the wave on right lane.

ecmst12 said:

Well, you were wrong, so you should pay.

This reminds me of my favorite public service announcement. NEVER WAVE PEOPLE ON if you are on a two lane street! It causes more accidents then anyone realizes. The guy in the right lane waves them on, so they assume the left lane is clear also, but they can't SEE because the guy in the right lane is blocking their view, so they just go and act surprised when the guy in the left lane hits them.

Click to expand...

I know! and in some states, the waiver can be held at fault for the accident. So never waive anyone on, never take the right of way from a waiver assuming the other lane is also clear!