The police often issue traffic tickets to people that cause a motor vehicle accident. Under Maryland law, a moving violation contributing to an accident is always at least three points. If you pay the citation, the points will likely lead to an increased insurance premium and could lead to a suspension of your license if it caused you to get to eight points.

You should always request a trial and fight a moving violation if the ticket was the result of an accident. These traffic citations are usually defensible even if the accident was your fault.

In almost all accidents, the police officer did not witness the collision. This means that for you to be convicted, a witness to the accident (other than you) must appear. In most cases, no witnesses appear and the result is an acquittal. You do not have to testify in the case and can remain silent under the fifth amendment.

In fact, in single car accidents, there were no witnesses in the first place. It is virtually impossible for the police officer to get a conviction in single car crashes unless there is video.

Usually, the police officer will simply tell the judge he or she did not witness the accident and the result will be a "not guilty" if no witnesses appear. Note that you should never request a waiver hearing since this admits guilt and excuses all witnesses (even the police officer) from appearing.

Therefore, if you receive a citation from an accident, go to court and fight it. There is a good chance you will be acquitted.