If you receive a traffic ticket after a motor vehicle accident, you might wonder how it affects your injury claim. A ticket doesn’t automatically harm your case, but it can influence the outcome in several ways. Understanding how a ticket impacts your claim can help you prepare for any potential challenges.
How traffic tickets impact fault
Determining fault plays a key role in personal injury cases. If the other driver receives a ticket for something like speeding or running a red light, it may strengthen your claim that they were negligent. However, if you receive a ticket, it might suggest you were partly at fault for the accident. A ticket alone doesn’t prove fault, but it can influence how insurance companies or courts evaluate your case.
The impact of a ticket on your compensation
A traffic ticket doesn’t directly lower your compensation, but it can affect how the system calculates your damages. Florida follows comparative negligence, meaning if you share some fault in the accident, your compensation might reduce accordingly. For example, if the ticket indicates you were speeding, the court may lower your settlement based on your level of responsibility in the crash.
What to do if you get a ticket after an accident
Receiving a ticket doesn’t end your case. Gather evidence to show you weren’t entirely at fault for the accident. Statements from witnesses, dashcam footage, and police reports can help prove that the ticketed violation wasn’t the main cause of the crash.
With the right evidence, you can still build a strong case. Even if the ticket suggests partial fault, strong evidence can still work in your favor, allowing you to pursue fair compensation under Florida’s comparative negligence laws.