I didn't get good enough answers last time so here I go again:
Today, I was hit by a car while riding my bike. The driver was not drunk. The guy's car was not damaged, my bike was damaged alot, and I was injured. I wrote and signed a voluntary statement. The first officer to come said that, because I was in the wrong lane, his sergeant may issue a citation. The cop said I may have to go to court, and that if I do, they will notify me in the mail? How long will this take? And could I be charged with something?
2007-01-10 14:15:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The investigating officer should be the one issuing the citation. With misdemeanor offenses (which most traffic offenses are) the law allows some time for a charge to be applied. Here in Wyoming it is a year and a day. May be different where you're at.
As to which offense you could be charge with, that depends on just what you did. By "bike" I am assuming a motorcycle, not a bicycle. By "wrong lane" do you mean you were going against traffic? Were you turning from the wrong lane of traffic? Driving in the wrong lane of traffic is one charge; the other is a right of way violation.
The notification by mail may only be for a court date. You are normally required to sign a citation when it is issued.
If it's been a couple weeks since the accident and no citation has been issued you are probably home free. Not every accident requires a citation to be issued.
Hmmm, I just read your earlier question about this. You were on a bicycle. Some juristictions view bicycles as pedestrians rather than motor vehicles. You were at fault but the only one who suffered injury or damage. I doubt you will be issued a citation.
2007-01-10 14:40:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People do not realize that when you are on a bike, and riding on the street, you are part of traffic. You are to follow all the traffic laws as if you were driving in a car. This includes riding in a lane, stopping at stop signs, signaling a turn, etc. Generally, you are to ride you bike on the right side of the road. Exception are if you need to make a left turn. Then, you signal, move into the left lane or turn lane, and make the turn. If there is a bike lane, you are to ride in that lane except for in instance like the turn I talk of earlier.
So, if you were not where you were supposed to be, you could be at fault. Now, while your insurance won't care about any citation, you can be given a moving violation on bicycle.
I have seen people get DUI's on bicycles.
2007-01-10 15:37:11 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Citations are sent via the mail on a regular basis, mainly giving the officer time to research the incident and make a qualified decision on whether to issue a ticket or not. There are rules for riding a bike on city streets or highways, just as there are rules for automobiles. If you violated those rules, you could be sited, but it would only be an infraction which is not a serious offense. The time limit depends on the officer involved, but I wouldnt worry too much
2007-01-10 14:25:47 · answer #3 · answered by lightning14 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could be cited but it isn't likely since you weren't at the scene. It depends on what state you're in. Laws vary greatly from state to state. While riding a bike on a public street you are bound by the same laws as the driver of a car. I would assume that if you are to go to court you will know beforehand. Good luck
2007-01-10 14:27:34 · answer #4 · answered by Laurie H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How long it will take really depends on where you live. I know where I live, there are rules for bike riders as well. If you were going to get a citation, you probably would have gotten it already. I think everything will be fine.
2007-01-10 14:20:55 · answer #5 · answered by JACQUELINE T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are cited, they will send you a notice to appear in the mail.
If you are cited then you may be the person considered "in the wrong" in the traffic accident, and may be liable for the accident.
You won't be charged with a crime, you will be cited for a traffic violation which is a infraction.
2007-01-10 14:27:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of getting a citation in the mail other than a parking ticket.
2007-01-10 14:19:41 · answer #7 · answered by Morgan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, if you were riding your bike ilegaly you can be given a ticket for it,
A couple of weeks most likely if they do, Most likely they won't
2007-01-10 15:13:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Now if you were both in the wrong then there is no case,
or two cases depending what country you are in, find a
good solicitor......................................................................
2007-01-11 01:11:07 · answer #9 · answered by gorglin 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋