I had a backing accident today in Miami, on private property. I was backing and caught the bumper of a mini-van with the lugs on my steer tire. The rear bumper cover was torn off and there was a small scrape in the rear quarter panel on the van. There were no witnesses and when I notified them of what happened they called the police to get a report. The officer never got my report of what happened and wrote me a citation for careless driving. Do I have any hope here? Who can I contact to fight this ticket for me?

Lawyer,good one.In every state it's different.
In New York such ticket would cost $250-500 to fight with attorney,good chances to dismiss.In New Jersey it might cost more but You dont need a lawyer in a court(unless the charge is against company but not You),You represent Yourself and take guilty plea(lesser charge,around $400),no points.All money goes to state.Court is from 5 pm till 6 pm,saw about 25 drivers(mostly truckers)took plea guilty option(for driving on a lower level of George Washigton Bridge-confusing signs seems to be made on purpose),$10000 goes to state!
Do You get points for Your ticket in Florida?It might affect Your insurance (car) as well.Sometimes better to pay the ticket(if it doesnt affect Your job) than fight it.In your case it could be a police accident report(which I think is worse).
Tell us about Your options???

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Get a lawyer and negotiate or fight it, its still a moving violation and a bad one, a parking lot accident shouldn't rate a ticket, but you left before the officer got there. You will be considered at fault, but I don't think anyone wants a careless driving conviction. It will be called a preventable accident, but, with no ticket, it won't be on your MVR. Every knowledgeable person about trucking that I know would advise fighting it.

A careless is a bigger fine, and they want the money. They don't care that many companies won't hire you for several years. I drove with an older guy doing local work, and his advice was to fight every ticket. His advice was right on as my wife can attest.

The legal plans will cover this, but it's more costly if you join after the accident. Don't plead guilty to this and get a continuance if you have to. Once the charge has been decided against you by a judge, it will go on your MVR.

AJ

This is why before I set foot in a truck I plan on getting a prepaid legal plan for commercail truck drivers. They cost about 32.95 a month but it is just for issue like this. Get a lawyer and fight it then get a plan afterward for future problems. Search google for prepaid legal.

Good Luck,

Marty

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mArTmAn
Greenville, MS USA

I am licensed in Tx, no points.


I didn't leave the scene until the next morning. I was there when the cop showed up and she never asked me anything except to see my license and registration. Being that I was the only witness you would think she would have asked about what occurred. She just got my license and sat in her car making out the report and citation. I contacted one law firm but have yet to get a call back. The fine is $133.50.

You can get good prepaid legal for less than half that. $13.50

Jim Klepper

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Do they have a website, brick?

Non monthly fee

http://www.interstatetrucker.com/



$13.50 a month

https://www.driverslegalplan.com/ind...iversLegalPlan

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Based on what you said, you hit a parked vehicle. The owner needed a police report for insurance purposes. Whats the problem? You were clearly at fault. Whats your gripe? Not trying to be a hard---, but you should've been more careful. When in doubt, stop,get out and look. Basic trucking 101.

Yes I am at fault. No, I am not griping. I am simply asking for assistance on decent help for the citation. I do not believe that I should have received the citation for a backing accident on private property. I wasn't in doubt, I hate to admit I hit the van with my left steer lugs. I was looking at my right mirror and didn't realize how close I was to the van. I screwed up, for the first time and it was hopefully the last time. I feel so stupid for what happened.