Following Too Closely Ticket (Atlanta, Marietta: insurance, lawyers, legal)

[Liruge]

Hello. I just recently received a ticket for following too closely and my court date is due in about a week and a half. There was a motor vehicle accident and the fine comes out to be $318 I believe. This is incredibly steep for me given my current situation, and I was wondering if there was anyone who has been in a similar situation. Insurance paid for everything amongst both parties.

I've searched the forums and found some things that were pretty closely related but was never really able to find a definite answer or someone would post a question in the thread, but that would go unanswered.

I know this isn't the right place to ask for legal advice, but I'm not quite sure what to do. I don't think pleading "Not guilty" is an option as there was a police report and an accident. That brings it down to straight up guilty and paying the fine (might as well pay it now to avoid going to the court) or pleading nolo. Either that or going to the court and hoping the other party doesn't show up.

If I was to go to court and say plead nolo or pray that the other party didn't show up, what would the results be? Would it get completely dropped or perhaps the fine would be less or I just wasting my time with trying to get this lowered and going to court. Would it also help if I took a driver's safety course or anything like that? This has been my first accident in years.

Thank you very much.

[mandmrossi]

Originally Posted by Liruge

Hello. I just recently received a ticket for following too closely and my court date is due in about a week and a half. There was a motor vehicle accident and the fine comes out to be $318 I believe. This is incredibly steep for me given my current situation, and I was wondering if there was anyone who has been in a similar situation. Insurance paid for everything amongst both parties.

I've searched the forums and found some things that were pretty closely related but was never really able to find a definite answer or someone would post a question in the thread, but that would go unanswered.

I know this isn't the right place to ask for legal advice, but I'm not quite sure what to do. I don't think pleading "Not guilty" is an option as there was a police report and an accident. That brings it down to straight up guilty and paying the fine (might as well pay it now to avoid going to the court) or pleading nolo. Either that or going to the court and hoping the other party doesn't show up.

If I was to go to court and say plead nolo or pray that the other party didn't show up, what would the results be? Would it get completely dropped or perhaps the fine would be less or I just wasting my time with trying to get this lowered and going to court. Would it also help if I took a driver's safety course or anything like that? This has been my first accident in years.

Thank you very much.

I do not have much legal advice, however, not sure you can do very much. I have been also hit by someone in the rear following very close and they were given a citation etc and they had no luck either.

Not knowing your case at all, and not directed to you at all... I do think a lot of drivers follow very close and typically the speed limits off highways are high (45-55MPH) creating high risk in general. Not to add people trying to make left turns cross traffic with 45-55 MPH coming in the other direction. Hard enough to determine speed when a car is coming at you directly. We have had 2 deaths in 2 months here in Marietta on Dallas Hwy with folks trying to make lefts cross traffic.

Hope all does work out well for you.

[cityrover]

Many municipalities in GA have "court days", usually a tuesday, so the cops are paid to be in court. And if not, dont be surprised if they reschedule you to the next court day so they can make it.

Incident involved, it is always a given they will cite you for that if you rear ended somebody.

[Liruge]

The court date is scheduled for a tuesday. I guess there's no real way to soften it. I knew I was going to get cited, just I was curious to see if anything could be done about it. Oh well. Thanks thus far!

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Liruge

I know this isn't the right place to ask for legal advice

It's not - sorry.

There's dozens of pages in the Atlanta (and metro) yellow pages filled with lawyers that specialize in traffic/ticket issues. You need to consult with someone professionally for legal inquiries.