Will a Traffic Ticket From Unsafe Driving Ruin Your Claim? Car Accident Lawyer Queens Explains

Will a Traffic Ticket From Unsafe Driving Ruin Your Claim? Car Accident Lawyer Queens Explains

Sometimes, it only takes one small decision for a car accident to change everything. Many drivers are surprised to learn that these everyday actions can affect both fault and compensation after a crash. A car accident lawyer Queens can explain what unsafe driving really means under New York law and how to protect your rights if a traffic ticket becomes part of your claim.

Key Takeaways

• A traffic ticket for unsafe driving does not automatically end your car accident claim, but it plays a role in how fault and compensation are reviewed by insurance companies.
• Getting legal guidance early makes sure the situation is looked at as a whole, rather than being judged on one moment or a single mistake.
  

What Counts as Unsafe Driving in New York State?

You can’t define unsafe driving as a single term legally. But as the term itself implies, any behavior behind the wheel that puts you or others at risk is unsafe driving. And that covers a broad range of activities, from everyday distractions to seriously dangerous conduct.

If you’re a driver in Queens, ask yourself:

• Are you not paying full attention to the road, even for a few seconds?
• Do you make sudden lane changes or turns that force others to brake suddenly?
• Do you follow too closely in stop-and-go traffic?
• Do you rush through yellow lights instead of slowing down?
• Do you assume another driver or pedestrian will stop or yield, rather than waiting?
• Do you get impatient in congestion and try to squeeze through tight spaces?
• Do you drive while mentally distracted thinking about work, calls, or errands instead of traffic?

From a Queens car accident attorney’s experience, these behaviors show up a lot in police reports after crashes. Although they may not feel dangerous at the spur of the moment, even the smallest lapses can lead to serious accidents and questions about fault.

Legal Penalties for Distracted Driving and Reckless Driving in Queens

Everyday habits can quickly cross the line into distracted or reckless driving, especially on the busy streets of Queens. If a car crash happens due to your attention shifting away from the road for any number of actions, such as using a phone, eating, or adjusting in-car controls, you can be held liable, particularly if the victim needs medical attention that cannot be covered by no-fault insurance.

Reckless driving is more serious under New York law. If you drove with a willful disregard for safety by engaging in excessive speeding, aggressive lane changes, or ignoring traffic signals, the legal consequences include:

• Traffic citations and fines: Using a handheld phone or portable electronic device while driving can result in fines ranging from $50 to $200 for a first offense, increasing to $250 for a second offense and up to $450 for subsequent offenses within 18 months, plus surcharges.
• Points added to your driver’s license: A distracted driving conviction results in 5 DMV points on your record, which can contribute to a future suspension if enough points accumulate.
• Stronger challenges to your insurance claim: Points from distracted or unsafe driving make it easier for insurers to argue you were at fault, potentially decreasing compensation unless a skilled car accident lawyer in Queens fights back.
• Shared or increased fault: If reckless behavior such as excessive speeding or ignoring signals contributed to a crash, your share of fault can rise, reducing recoverable compensation.
• Criminal charges: Reckless driving under New York Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1212 is a misdemeanor. Conviction can mean up to 30 days in jail for a first offense, fines up to about $300 (higher for repeat offenses), and 5 points on your license.

Because each accident is different, outcomes depend heavily on the details. An experienced car accident lawyer can review what happened and explain how fault will be assessed.

While legal guidance matters after a crash, driving attentively and patiently remains the best way to avoid these situations altogether.

How Unsafe Driving Ultimately Affects Your Car Accident Claim in Queens

So, will your traffic ticket from unsafe driving ruin your claim? No—not automatically. In New York, fault and compensation are based on the full picture. Therefore, your insurance agent has to assess the case, looking at all factors, including police reports, road conditions, and whether more than one party contributed to the crash. Although unsafe driving can reduce compensation, it does not erase your right to pursue a claim.

However, context becomes critical since a car accident caused by unsafe driving is a result of distraction, impatience, or misjudgment and can be interpreted in many ways. An experienced car accident attorney in Queens can help explain what the ticket actually means and challenge unfair assumptions to make sure your side of the story is fully considered.

Don’t let one mistake define what happens next. The attorneys at Alex Yadgarov & Associates have been helping clients across Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Rosedale navigate car accident claims since 2009. If you have questions about your situation, call 866-995-9035 or email info@yadgarovlaw.com to schedule a free consultation with a trusted car accident lawyer.