Insurance companies generally have their own criteria for determining fault in an accident, which may differ from legal standards in a traffic court. Even if a citation for an unsafe lane change is dismissed or defeated in court, an insurance company can still use the circumstances of the citation as part of their decision-making process regarding fault.
Insurance adjusters review a multitude of evidence, including police reports, statements from those involved, and any other relevant materials they collect. If the police report or other documented evidence suggests a possibility of unsafe driving behavior, the company may decide that the driver should be considered at fault, regardless of the citation’s dismissal.
However, the outcome in court could be used as a persuasive argument to dispute the insurance company’s assessment. The driver whose citation was dismissed might present the court’s decision and provide additional evidence or statements to contest the insurance company’s decision about fault. It’s also advisable for the driver to communicate with their insurance provider to understand the basis for the determination and explore whether an appeal or additional review is possible under the circumstances.
