Unsecured Load...Accident?

I have a question for the experienced drivers on this forum... I have (or had) +5 points on my driving record. I drive roll off trucks. I was pulling a dumpster onto my truck in a tight area with trees hanging low overhead. Part of the dumpster nicked a thick branch on the tree and knocked it over. Long story short the tree was city property they chopped it up within an hour and hauled it away.The damage was a foot high piece of what I can only describe as a little piece of metal fence you stick in the ground that goes around gardens(estimated @ $50), the tree, a lifted piece of sidewalk that just needs to be put back in place and no parking sign that was attached to the tree root (estimated $2000 for the tree service ect). The officer remarked that the tree was freshly planted and hardly had any roots. The officer who responded gave me an accident report even though the truck wasn't moving at the time and there was no damage to the truck. She seemed lost and had to call a "traffic cop" to get advice. She said she had to give me something because it was city property so instead of reckless driving she gave me a ticket for unsecured load that I could either prepay or go to court for.

My question is does this actually count as an accident as far as job applications, insurance ect go?

Whats the difference between DOT reportable and non reportable accidents as far as job apps, insurance go?

Does this sound like an unsecured load?

Should I go to court and explain what happened or just pay the ticket and keep it moving?

 

Do I need a lawyer?

 

btw will it count as an accident since she gave me an accident report?

 

Yea the cop didn't know she didn't seem very knowledgable I just figured if its an accident report it would be auomatically counted an accident. How do trucking companies check for accidents so I can check my own records?

 

They said thats what we have insurance for and to shake it off it's a small family owned company