When it is clear cut which driver caused a Buffalo car accident, the police will usually issue a ticket to the driver who was at fault. Traffic tickets are not, however, issued for all accidents. Whether evidence related to the traffic ticket is admissible as evidence depends on how the charge was resolved.
If a driver pleads guilty to a traffic infraction related to a motor vehicle accident, that plea is admissible against that defendant in a later civil action as an admission of carelessness. If the driver does not plead guilty but instead is convicted of the charge after trial, however, then the conviction is not considered an admission or proof of carelessness. As a result, a conviction for a traffic infraction is not admissible either as evidence or to impeach a witness’ credibility. The rationale for not admitting a conviction after trial as evidence in a civil case is that because the outcome of the traffic ticket is a relatively minor matter, the defendant may not have contested it as thoroughly as he or she might have if more were at stake.
An acquittal for a traffic infraction after trial also is not admissible in a civil case. Thus, the defendant cannot introduce it as proof that he or she did not drive in the manner set forth on the traffic ticket.
These rules apply only to traffic infractions related to car accident injury lawsuits. Misdemeanor or felony charges, such as DWI, may be treated differently.
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