What Happens If No Ticket Is Issued In A Car Accident?
If you have been in a car accident where no ticket was issued to you or the other driver, you might wonder, “Does it mean that no one is at fault for the crash?” and “Can I still recover damages if no ticket is issued in my car crash?”
Our skilled personal injury attorneys at Pita Weber Del Prado are prepared to answer these and many other questions to help you understand how you can pursue compensation after a car accident in which neither party got a ticket.
Why You Need a Ticket in a Car Accident Claim
The importance of traffic tickets in car accidents cannot be overstated. Tickets can help determine fault because they serve as proof that one of the drivers was negligent due to their failure to follow traffic laws.
Many tickets are issued for:
- Speeding
- Failure to maintain a safe distance (in rear-end accidents)
- Failure to obey traffic control signal
- Careless driving
In many car accidents, police officers issue traffic tickets to one or multiple drivers at the scene of the crash.
Note: Even if a traffic ticket was issued to either driver, the insurance company would still conduct its independent investigation to establish liability.
But what does it mean if neither party received a ticket after a car accident?
Why Traffic Tickets Are Not Always Issued After a Car Accidents
There are two main reasons tickets are not issued immediately after a car accident:
- No party involved in the accident violated traffic laws; or
- The responding officer did not witness any violation, or the violation was not immediately apparent without conducting a thorough investigation.
However, just because you or the other driver did not receive a ticket following the crash does not necessarily mean that you cannot seek compensation.
Does It Mean That No One is at Fault if No Ticket is Issued?
If no traffic ticket is issued to either party, it does not necessarily mean that no one is at fault for the crash. In most cases, it means that it was not immediately apparent whose fault caused or contributed to the collision.
In most car accidents, fault depends on who failed to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner and whose negligence caused the collision, rather than who violated traffic laws.
The fact that neither driver got a ticket does not mean that no one can be held responsible for causing the crash. You can still obtain compensation for your damages and losses.
If you are worried that you will not be able to recover damages because no ticket was issued, do not hesitate to contact a skilled attorney to help you prove that the other party was negligent.
Note: Because Florida is a no-fault insurance state, you can seek compensation for your injuries and damages regardless of fault.
What Happens if No One Received a Traffic Ticket After a Car Accident?
The traffic ticket is not enough to prove that a driver is at fault for the accident, though it can be compelling evidence to determine liability.
If no ticket was issued and fault is not obvious after the crash, it is advisable to contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney to:
- help you investigate your case;
- gather evidence to determine liability; and
- obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Contact Pita Weber Del Prado to discuss your particular situation with our Miami car accident attorneys. Call 305-670-2889 to receive a free case evaluation.
