Should I plead not guilty in car accident? ?

Question

I was involved in a car accident yesterday in which I hit another car. It was at a three way intersection in front of my street. i arrived at the intersection, signaled to make a left turn, stopped at the sign for a good two seconds, saw the other driver hadn't even approached his stop sign and then turned left. Next thing I know the other car was right in front of me and I hit its front end. What looks even worse is that I only have my learner's permit, but my mom was in the passenger seat. There weren't any witnesses and they took measurements and put me at fault and gave me a ticket. He said I should have gave him the right of way. But when i made my left turn, he didn't even approach the stop sign yet. And this intersection is right in front of my street, and frequently drive it with no problem. The other car was from a different state. When I tried explaining to the officer my story and how I had the right of way, he said "You only have your learner's permit and you're gonna try and argue with a licensed police officer?" I don't know what to do. I want to plead not guilty but I don't know what my chances in court are and I don't want a record right before applying to college. I honestly believe the other driver thought I was going to go straight because in order to turn left on the intersection, you have to go up a little after stopping at the stop sign and then turn left. I'm also sure he didnt come to a complete stop, if he even stopped at all, if he thought i was gonna go straight, he would have known i was going to turn if he came to a complete stop.

Answer 1

Why are you even going to court? You usually don't go to court over an accident. Let the insurance companies handle it.

You were in the wrong, no matter what way you look at it. You aren't supposed to go, until the other car is stopped, and with good reason, as you learned.

Answer 2

If the guy hadn't approached the other stop sign and somehow you hit him, it's clear to me that he didn't stop at all.  It doesn't matter if you were going straight or turning left; the requirements for stopping at a stop sign are identical for all states.

Yes, plead not guilty.  Bring your mom to court, since she is a witness as well.  Depending on where you live, if the other driver and the police officer don't show up for the hearing, the judge may lend more credibility to you.  If you plead guilty, you'll get a ticket and a fine, and it could hinder your ability to get your actual license.  But if you plead not guilty, at least you have a chance of coming away with nothing at all.