okay so i got in an accident today in my friends new sentra s-er spec v, and im all right and everything and so is my friend who was in the passenger seat....but i jsut want to know how bad it can get for me being only 18....i was ctied for speeding in a residential area, i had a skid mark of like 130 or so feet they said, and they claimed that i was driving on the wrong side of the road....which i believe i wasnt and if i did it was cuz i was out of control trying to slow down....

can i try to get an appeal for drivers training instead of going to court....or am i sol?

im not counting insurance on any of this because i can only imagine the hell it will bring onto me already

 

No offense, but were you actually speeding in the neiborghood and lost control of the car? That is quite irresponsible. If this is so, I do not think there is much you can do but to face trial and face punishment.

Live and learn... but remember to first act in a way you can actually live.

C.

 

You have a citation. Check your local DMV web site for maximum points and fine.

Insurance? Someone is going to pay to get the car fixed. Generally insurance covers the car. Most likely your buddy's insurance company will foot the bill.

 

What exactly were you doing? Should I be more scared that you drove home in your Z? Alright enough lecturing.. just learn from your mistakes.

Get a traffic attorney. Luckily it was only "speeding" and unless you have an awful record you'll get by with just paying the fine, no points,etc.

Consider yourself somewhat lucky- sounds like it could have been wreckless driving. That can get you arrested here and your car inpounded.

Also, how's your friend handling it? I'd be pissed.

 

Don't know about Cali, but here the driver's insurance foots the bill. Prepare to get cancelled, or at best some jacked up rates as if they could be much worse for an 18 y/o.

 

I believe every state's insurance regulations are different...Start with davidv's advice--begin research of CA's laws. Here in Mass, the driver is responsible for providing insurance--not the car owner. So, you speed, you crash, you pay. And in MA, if they find out that you were willfully speeding (reckless), the insurance company will not pay a dime.

All in all, if you do have to go to Court, do whatever you can to have a lawyer help you. Don't try to tell your "version" of the story. Remember, there is a police report laminated in gold that the Court will read. A lawyer has the ability to "haggle" (lessen your punishment, for example) if you are guilty. That's something that you should not try to do on your own.

And BTW, you can count yourself lucky for two reasons: one that you didn't kill both your passenger and yourself, and two, lucky because your friend didn't kill you after you just demolished his brand new ride.

Good luck, slow down.

 

[quote=TheCajunStyle] And in MA, if they find out that you were willfully speeding (reckless), the insurance company will not pay a dime.
quote]

He brings up a good point.. your insurance company can (and likely will) do it's own investigation. Whether or not they can choose to pay or not will depend on your scenario and local laws. Either way figure out your story and stick to it.

 

just quit driving. no, not really.sounds like one heck of a joy ride. but seriously, just about everyone in here has done something stupid behind the wheel of a car before. but hopefully you take something away from this and become a more responsible driver. i'm not too smart on insurance stuff though. but usually california allows 1st time speeders take a class and not report to insurance. but you're only allowed one class per every 12 or 18 mos. i can't be certain.