Hit Parked Car Got Unsafe Movement Violation- Help!

[ncdriver]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? NC
I backed into a parked car in a parking lot at night. The dark colored car was in the shadows and I didn't see it. The person who owned the car agreed that we could settle outside of insurance. I received a safe movement violation for not seeing the car. The lanes are narrow and two cars had me sandwiched so that I had to back straight out and then turn. I didn't know the other car was there. There was no one in the car, no one injured. Cracked my bumper, cracked theirs. How do I go about getting this taken care of? Do I need a lawyer to handle it for me or do I just talk to the DA on my court date? I need some advice. Have no one to talk to. It's one point on my insurance if I plead guilty. Can't afford a 25% increase in insurance premiums. I don't think the ticket was necessary. The officer had an attitude problem about the whole thing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Happy Trails]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? NC
I backed into a parked car in a parking lot at night. The dark colored car was in the shadows and I didn't see it. The person who owned the car agreed that we could settle outside of insurance. I received a safe movement violation for not seeing the car. The lanes are narrow and two cars had me sandwiched so that I had to back straight out and then turn. I didn't know the other car was there. There was no one in the car, no one injured. Cracked my bumper, cracked theirs. How do I go about getting this taken care of? Do I need a lawyer to handle it for me or do I just talk to the DA on my court date? I need some advice. Have no one to talk to. It's one point on my insurance if I plead guilty. Can't afford a 25% increase in insurance premiums. I don't think the ticket was necessary. The officer had an attitude problem about the whole thing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

**So you want to plead not guilty. What is your defense (the dark colored car in the shadows was out to get you.)?

 

[dequeendistress]

The officer gave you a ticket on a private parking area?; who called the police or did the officer witness the incident?

 

[You Are Guilty]

The officer gave you a ticket on a private parking area?; who called the police or did he witness the incident?

Could've been a public lot. The one by me is (conveniently) directly across the street from the police precinct. Oh, the stories those guys could tell you...

 

[dequeendistress]

Yeah, stories like did you see the couple on their lunch break, AGAIN!

 

[tammy8]

Usually in NC if you are involved in an accident you report it to your insurance company. If the property damage was paid out by your company, then the claims dept will usually issue a letter of liablity and you take it to court and most DAs drop the ticket. Call your local court house and ask or ask your insurance company.

Also if the damages are below $1800, and this is your only incident, it is a freeby unless you get something else within the next 3 yrs.

 

[ncdriver]

Thank you for the advice!

Your information has been very helpful. I found a friend who works in a law firm and got some extra advice too. Answers to all your questions. It was a privately owned medical facility with their own security. A "helpful" onlooker called them. Hmmmmmm. The damage to the persons car is only $350. She agreed to settle outside of insurance. Would have cost me alot more than that going through my insurance company. I am going to see the D.A. and have been advised that the ticket will most likely be dismissed, the owner of the car just has to sign a letter stating that the damages are being settled. Thanks for all your help. By the way, Happy Trails, thanks for the humor. I needed it. But yes, now I believe all dark cars in the shadows are out to get me! LOL!