Photo by PoPville flickr user [F]oxymoron
“Dear PoP,
The short version of the question – Does anyone have experience fighting a drivers’ license suspension based on a cycling accident?
The longer version – A few months ago, I was cycling in DC and was struck by a car. Damage to myself, my bike, and the involved vehicle were fairly minimal (thankfully), and the driver admitted fault to both me and the MPD officer that arrived at the scene. In spite of the admission of fault by the driver, the officer wrote me a citation “because you don’t have an insurance company to fight.” I was flabbergasted, to say the least, and decided to contest the ticket via a letter by mail. I screwed up in that I misread the ticket and thought the letter needed to be postmarked within 60 days when in fact it needed to be received within 60 days. I have now received notice that my drivers license has been suspended and not only do I have to pay the ticket, I also have to pay twice that amount to have my license reinstated. The notice has no mention of any form of recourse, just payment methods.
My questions are: How can DC suspend my license to drive when I was cycling? Those without drivers’ licenses (minors and others) can cycle on DC streets and get into accidents, so how does it make sense that some folks can face stiffer penalties than others? Does anyone have helpful insight into how to fight the suspension and not pay to have it reinstated? At this point, I’m willing to pay the ticket just for it to go away (should have done that in the first place), but I am worried that sometime in the future, if I’m in a cycling accident again, the “admission of guilt” could come back to haunt me if i have to go to court over damages/injury.”
Wow. I fear it may be too late to remedy but is there any chance you got the driver’s contact info? If not I think you may be out of luck. What do you guys think about this specific situation?
To the larger question – Anyone know why you can get your driver’s license suspended for biking citations?
Recent Stories
“Dear PoPville, I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday when I went to the post office at Kansas and Chillum. While at the counter things took a sudden…
Thanks to Patrick for sending our friend from the National Gallery of Art. Friends of the White Whale Society is brought to you by the team behind Hawks*** around Town….
303 7th Street, SE Ed. Note: Almost exactly 8 years ago, then First Lady Michelle Obama visited Radici. Thanks to all who passed on the super sad news from Radici:…
“Alfie & Wesley – Mount Vernon Triangle. They are both very polite and enjoy belly rubs as well as fish.” If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share…
For many remote workers, a messy home is distracting.
You’re getting pulled into meetings, and your unread emails keep ticking up. But you can’t focus because pet hair tumbleweeds keep floating across the floor, your desk has a fine layer of dust and you keep your video off in meetings so no one sees the chaos behind you.
It’s no secret a dirty home is distracting and even adds stress to your life. And who has the energy to clean after work? That’s why it’s smart to enlist the help of professionals, like Well-Paid Maids.
Unlock Peace of Mind for Your Family! Join our FREE Estate Planning Webinar for Parents.
🗓️ Date: April 25, 2024
🕗 Time: 8:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Beer Trail Passport
The Metropolitan Beer Trail free passport links 11 of Washington, DC’s most popular local craft breweries and bars. Starting on April 27 – December 31, 2024, Metropolitan Beer Trail passport holders will earn 100 points when checking in at the
DC Day of Archaeology Festival
The annual DC Day of Archaeology Festival gathers archaeologists from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia together to talk about our local history and heritage. Talk to archaeologists in person and learn more about archaeological science and the past of our
