Legal Question in Personal Injury in Pennsylvania

My question involves a traffic accident in the State of: Pennsylvania

Here is the story: I was driving in front of another vehicle adjacent to double yellow lines. My front left tire probably crossed the double yellow. Either way, my car was angled in a position that it looked like I was either making a U turn, or turning into a street perpendicular to the double yellows (which is legally unaccessible because there are no breaks in the lines). The front right of the car behind me made impact with the back left of my vehicle. After impact, I continued on the opposite road (I made an illegal U-turn) to get out of harms way and enter into a gas station. He followed.

From interrogation, The officer understood that I was turning into the street perpendicular to the double yellows.

The officer did not issue a citation or ticket upon investigation. He didn't put fault on either driver.

A few weeks after the accident, I received a paper attached to the citation saying this: "Required position and method of turning. Defendant turned LEFT from right lane causing T/C." In addition to this, an attached citation stated that I made an improper RIGHT turn.

I said I was not guilty. (I would really like advice on how I should handle this)

The extrapolation that I turned left from the right lane could not have been taken from either driver's statement. However, the officer did not say anything about me crossing the double yellows on the citation. Is this mercy from the officer? Do I fight this?

P.S. Two passengers who were with me left right after the accident occurred. This was not mentioned to the officer, but I did tell my insurance company (was that stupid?). Should I have them as witnesses at the citation hearing?

This is accident number one for me.

I have a lot of questions, so I'll take this step by step. Appreciate the help.

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Asked on 8/23/10, 2:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Senker Senker Law Office

My initial thought is that if you want to fight it, do it w/o an atty. You can always appeal the decision and then pay an atty. Feel free to call to discuss.

Richard Senker 610 279-1600

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Answered on 8/28/10, 5:23 pm


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