failure to stop at a stop sign. advice for court!

What is the name of your state? Washington
Several months ago I was involved in an accident. About a month later I received a ticket in the mail for failure to stop at a stop sign. I am going to court to fight this ticket. It is a high traffic area and during rush hour, it is nearly impossible not to stop at this sign. I actually was at the stop sign for several minutes since the traffic on the cross street does not stop. There are no witnesses that will state that I did not stop. The citing officer's statement just says that it was determined that I was at fault for the accident because I did not remain stopped, not that I did not stop. I have accident data and highway improvment projects data scheduled due to all the accidents at that intersection to bring with me as well. Do I have a chance to beat this? Any suggestions on what I should or should not say in court? I will not have an attorney present. Thanks for any advice or input!

[stephenk]

you have the stop sign and cross traffic does not have a stop sign, right? You entered the intersection and either hit a car or a car hit you, right?

You will lose because you failed to remained stopped at the intersection until it was safe to enter.

Thank you for your reply.
Yes, that is correct. They did not have a stop sign and a vechicle hit me. I read the state code and the only specific verbage it states was "a person stopping at such a sign shall proceed through that portion of the highway in a carefull manner and at a reasonable speed not to exceed, 20 miles an hour" Which is what I did. There are 2 lanes of the cross traffic. The right lane was stopped/ backed up. A driver flagged for me to go ahead and enter the roadway. No one was in the left lane when I first proceeded to pull out. The driver that hit me, came from the stopped lane (right lane) into the left lane as I was completing pulling out into traffic. I just though there may be hope! Maybe I should just pay the ticket! Unless there are any other ideas ? Thanks!

[HomeGuru]

The fact that you got into an accident is evidence that you did not proceed after the stop into the intersection with reasonable care.

Thank you ! I guess I will see if I can get the fee reduced at least!