sudigadu777
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Tennessee
I have rear-ended a car recently at around night 10 PM in Chattanooga, TN. The accident happened while merging onto a state highway and there were no injuries to any one but the cars had minor damage. It was an unfamiliar route for me and I was not expecting a Stop sign while merging on to a high way. I was maintaining enough distance (Three second gap) and was monitoring on going traffic as I was merging on to a highway. I suddenly saw a STOP sign board and saw that the car before me came to a stop. I applied brakes but the car skid/slided and I hit the car. It was very dark and was freezing outside, so I was not sure if the car skid because of the black ice formation. My car is an old car (2003 Model) and it did not have advanced safety features like the newer cars have.
We called 911 and the police officer gave me a citation "Following too closely" and "Failure to take proper care". He asked me to appear before court.
Fortunately, I got to know that the other driver is a friend of my friend. I called the insurance and his damages are taken care. The other driver is not going to appear before court.
In this case, what would be my best plea option? Would there be a chance of considering the bad weather conditions and other factors to drop the charges against me? Freezing conditions are not so common in Chattanooga. As the other driver is a friend of my friend, I do not want to contest against him.
Please help. Thanks in Advance.
Tennessee
I have rear-ended a car recently at around night 10 PM in Chattanooga, TN. The accident happened while merging onto a state highway and there were no injuries to any one but the cars had minor damage. It was an unfamiliar route for me and I was not expecting a Stop sign while merging on to a high way. I was maintaining enough distance (Three second gap) and was monitoring on going traffic as I was merging on to a highway. I suddenly saw a STOP sign board and saw that the car before me came to a stop. I applied brakes but the car skid/slided and I hit the car. It was very dark and was freezing outside, so I was not sure if the car skid because of the black ice formation. My car is an old car (2003 Model) and it did not have advanced safety features like the newer cars have.
We called 911 and the police officer gave me a citation "Following too closely" and "Failure to take proper care". He asked me to appear before court.
Fortunately, I got to know that the other driver is a friend of my friend. I called the insurance and his damages are taken care. The other driver is not going to appear before court.
In this case, what would be my best plea option? Would there be a chance of considering the bad weather conditions and other factors to drop the charges against me? Freezing conditions are not so common in Chattanooga. As the other driver is a friend of my friend, I do not want to contest against him.
Please help. Thanks in Advance.