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How do I fight a careless driving ticket?
I was recently pulled over and issued a careless driving ticket. The police officer was very combative and accusatory and wouldn’t hear my side of the story. I was polite and took the ticket in stride, but I don’t want to pay for a ticket or have it on my record when I believe I’m innocent. What can I do to fight a careless driving charge?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Sorry to hear about the incident and the rude police officer! The good news is that you can contest the charges in court. However, fighting a careless driving ticket isn’t always easy. Unlike other violations, careless driving is entirely at the discretion of the police officer.
First off, you should familiarize yourself with the definition of careless driving in your state.
- If you find that you may have broken the law, paying the ticket and accepting your punishment might be the better option. The infraction will fall off your license in three years and you’ll learn a valuable lesson in the process.
- If you still believe you’re innocent, look at your ticket for the court date. It should be listed on the ticket; if it isn’t, call the police station or traffic court to sort it out.
Once you have your court date, you may want to consult an attorney who has experience in such cases. The attorney can help you build a defense by gathering evidence and subpoenaing witnesses and/or help you plead down to a lesser charge.
Note that you don’t have to hire a lawyer to fight a careless driving ticket. But if the officer who issued the citation shows up in court and you do not have a lawyer, it will be your word against theirs and you are unlikely to get a favorable verdict.
As a result of the charges, your
car insurance
rates will likely increase. But don’t overpay if you don’t have to. Instead, take a second to comparison shop on the Jerry
app.Jerry can collect quotes from over 50 top providers in minutes. When you find a better rate, Jerry will help you buy your new coverage and cancel your old policy. The average users saves $887 a year on car insurance.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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