New CA Bill Proposes Traffic Fines Based on Income
Traffic fines exist to encourage drivers to operate their vehicles safely to prevent collisions and possible injuries. While it’s vital for California law enforcement officers to uphold the traffic laws, traffic fines can be significant expenses for individuals with lower incomes. For example, the minimum fine for a red-light violation is $490. While some people may only see this as an inconvenience, this amount could be a significant financial blow to lower-income families.
The SB-185(b) bill, sponsored by State Senator Robert Hertzberg, aims to adjust traffic fines based on the individual’s ability to pay. If the new bill passes, the court would look at various factors to determine an appropriate amount for traffic fines. Depending on financial circumstances, the traffic fine may be reduced or recipients may receive court-appointed payment plans to manage the fines more easily.
Financial Strains After Accidents
Part of the logic behind this bill is that traffic fines often compound the financial impact of causing an accident. A driver who violates the traffic laws and causes a collision will not only have to pay a substantial amount in fines, they may also be subject to a personal injury lawsuit, compounding their financial woes. This new bill may afford such drivers some measure of relief from traffic fines, but it does not let them off the hook for negligent or careless driving. The new bill also states that any driver who fails to meet the court’s payment terms for fines loses his or her license. Additionally, ticket prices will not increase for people with a higher income.
Traffic Violations Cause Lawsuits
Some of the most common causes of personal injury lawsuits in the San Diego area and across California are traffic violations, such as running stop signs and red lights, illegal turns, and speeding. It’s important to have a deterrent to discourage drivers from performing such actions, thus the need for traffic laws and fines. This new bill aims to strike a balance between preventing traffic violations and offering a bit of leniency toward lower-income individuals who may have trouble paying traffic fines.
Most personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents involve various types of damages. Drivers who are at fault for accidents are liable for all kinds of damage, including victims’ medical expenses, hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages due to injury, and long-term treatment costs. Detractors of this new bill may claim that it lessens the motivation for California drivers to follow the traffic laws because they know fines won’t be as high. However, lawsuits filed against negligent drivers will hold them liable for the damages they caused.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If another driver crashed into you or otherwise caused injuries and damages, it’s vital that you connect with a reliable attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for legal recourse. This new bill does not change the traffic laws, it simply affords people with lower incomes a bit of breathing room should they incur traffic fines. If another driver injured you, it’s important that you hold them accountable with a personal injury lawsuit.
A personal injury lawsuit can help injured plaintiffs recover their expenses resulting from an accident and help them manage the costs of getting their lives back to normal. If you or a loved one wind up in such a situation, finding the right attorney to handle your case is imperative. Depending on the specifics of your case, you could potentially receive compensation for your damages. If you were involved in a car accident in California, speak with an attorney about your options as soon as possible.