Q: I was in a no contact accident. I was merging from the left lane, signal on, checked all of my mirrors. I was able
To get into the other lane but a few seconds late I hear tires screen and see a motocycle sideway on the road with no driver on it. I pull of the road and call 911 but see some cops who can help and follow them back to the scene to give a statement . I eventually found out that the driver that fell and a witness are saying that her swerved because I merged. The first officer I spoke to said because of the skid marks on the road it appears that the motorcyclist was probably speeding and did a panic break using the rear break. He also think my merging caused him to do that. However a second officer gave me a citation for unsafetly merging. I have to appear in court. Is there a way to fight this considering I have no damage, turned on my signal, and waited to see that the road was clear before merging. Also does it help that one officer thinks that the motorcyclist was speeding. I don’t know if he got a ticket and don’t have a police report yet.
A:
A Missouri attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for a week and time is of the essence in your matter. By this point, it's possible the police report might have materialized. You could consult with a local attorney to go over the facts of the accident, possibly with the benefit of the police report, if it has become available by now. Although you maintain there was no damage to your vehicle, that, in and of itself as a general matter in vehicle and traffic law, is not conclusive proof of bearing no liability in an accident. It isn't possible to predict an outcome here; this appears to be a complex case and may be something on which a court would render its finding of fact and decision. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
Jason Allen agrees with this answer
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