I have an Ohio license and the accident occurred in Ohio.
About the Accident:
I was on my way to work in the morning after it snowed the night before. Roads weren't so bad but they were wet and not snowy. I was driving behind another vehicle in a 45 MPH speed zone. To my knowledge I was probably driving at 25 MPH. The driver in front of me abruptly stopped his vehicle (an SUV) and I had no option to hit my brakes (I do not have ABS) and my car skidded and swerved off the road and hit a fire hydrant. Fortunately I and my wife did not sustain any injuries. I reported the accident and the cop gave me a "Failure to Control" citation with 2 points and a $110 fine.
By the way - the reason the guy in front stopped abruptly because of an emergency vehicle heading in our direction, about 200-300 yards away. I did not have a line of vision to see it when he stopped but after my car swerved off the road, I understood the reason the other guy stopped. Unfortunately nobody stopped so I don't have any witness (other than my wife).
I told him my part of the story but in his report he did not mention why I had to hit the brakes and why I swerved off the road. He just mentioned I lost control.
I have a 5 year violation free driving history and this is my first ticket. I am not sure if I should contest the ticket. I greatly appreciate any advice. What are the chances of getting my ticket waived if I contest it?
I was told that if I contest and the judge finds me guilty, I will have to pay court administrative charges in addition to the fine the judge decides.
Since this was a single vehicle accident, the insurance company recorded this as an "at fault" accident. If I contest it and the ticket is waived, is there any chance the insurance company will change it to "not at fault" accident?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
About the Accident:
I was on my way to work in the morning after it snowed the night before. Roads weren't so bad but they were wet and not snowy. I was driving behind another vehicle in a 45 MPH speed zone. To my knowledge I was probably driving at 25 MPH. The driver in front of me abruptly stopped his vehicle (an SUV) and I had no option to hit my brakes (I do not have ABS) and my car skidded and swerved off the road and hit a fire hydrant. Fortunately I and my wife did not sustain any injuries. I reported the accident and the cop gave me a "Failure to Control" citation with 2 points and a $110 fine.
By the way - the reason the guy in front stopped abruptly because of an emergency vehicle heading in our direction, about 200-300 yards away. I did not have a line of vision to see it when he stopped but after my car swerved off the road, I understood the reason the other guy stopped. Unfortunately nobody stopped so I don't have any witness (other than my wife).
I told him my part of the story but in his report he did not mention why I had to hit the brakes and why I swerved off the road. He just mentioned I lost control.
I have a 5 year violation free driving history and this is my first ticket. I am not sure if I should contest the ticket. I greatly appreciate any advice. What are the chances of getting my ticket waived if I contest it?
I was told that if I contest and the judge finds me guilty, I will have to pay court administrative charges in addition to the fine the judge decides.
Since this was a single vehicle accident, the insurance company recorded this as an "at fault" accident. If I contest it and the ticket is waived, is there any chance the insurance company will change it to "not at fault" accident?
Thanks in advance for your advice.