The car fell over? Why would you have to go to court for this?

The pole fell over after my car hit it. My citation was far not controlling the speed of the car to prevent the crash.

Oh the pole fell over. What kind of pole was it?

I wouldn’t worry too much. I can’t see a reason they’d suspend your license

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What on the pole? A sign?

It was more of a street light.

Ah. Don’t worry about it. These crappy things happen.

They’ll probably make you take a defensive driving class which you’ll need anyways because your insurance will likely go up. But I wouldn’t worry about court. Just dress correctly and apologize sincerely. It’ll be ok.

My brother hit a light pole and tried to make him pay for it.

tifu by crashing my car into a poo

at least it wasn't a person?

Sure, but it was still incredibly stupid. And now I have to go in front of a judge and tell them that I crashed because of a McDonalds bag.

I experienced hearing about a similar thing the other day. Was that you?

First, don't panic. Assuming you're in the USA, you won't lose your license. Causing damage will cost you a bit. Work with your insurance, and ask them about legal representation.

This happened today.

Oooph anxiety and cops is no fun. Last time I got pulled over cop walks out full tactical everything and starts grilling me, I know I pulled out in front of a guy way to close but cop starts asking if I consent to a vehicle search which I’m like nah. Internally I’m freaking out this whole time (also my fast food is getting worse with each second) anxiety levels at a point I’m visibly shaking, cop is like “WHY ARE YOU SHAKING? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IN YOUR VEHICLE?”

I crashed my car on a gate a couple of months ago. I also just got my drivers license. I scratched and sinked like half the side of the car. But guess what? Im fine, I learned from that experience and decided to not stop driving. Accidents happen, the important thing is that your fine and life continues. In a few months it will just be a story you tell

Yeah because of a McDonalds bag, so nothing to really worry about. I mean, you werent drunk or anything

They’re not going to take your license. Accidents are scary and shake people up (especially when you’re a new driver) but you’re fine and it was just a pole. Take it as a lesson learned.

I’m going to tell a very pathetic story about myself, in hopes that it will make you feel a little better. I drive a big truck but I’ve driven it for years and I’ve had my license for years too. One day, while waiting for my friend in a Ross parking lot, for some reason that to this day, don’t understand, I decided to pull up next to one of the only cars in the whole parking lot to wait. There were tons of empty spaces I could’ve pulled into and I wouldn’t have been near any other cars at all. But that would make too much sense. I noticed my friend pulling into the lot on the opposite side from where I was so I get excited and throw my truck in drive, thinking I would drive up to where he was. For some completely idiotic reason, I take the SHARPEST left turn when I began pulling out of the parking spot and literally take the entire back end off of a relatively new Nissan Altima. I didn’t even make it 3 feet from my parking spot without completely demolishing this girls car. Luckily I had full coverage insurance and I left the girl a note on a paper plate. I was surprised to receive a call a few hours later from a young girl who didn’t seem furious at all, like I had been anticipating. Instead, she was confused and told me she hadn’t had her license very long and had no clue how anything works as far as insurance, etc when a car accident happens. I walked her through it and my insurance paid for 100% of the repairs (plus I had a $0 deductible which was awesome) so in the end, it just turned out to be a really embarrassing story that I look back at and laugh. My friend thinks I’m an idiot but he laughs about it too. Sometimes these things happen.. they may not be quite as drastic as my situation, but nevertheless, don’t be too hard on yourself! Shit happens. Most of the time it’ll turn into a funny story later in life

Try to eat your mcds and chill. As long as your car isn't wrecked you'll be fine. Tell the court what happened snd apologize. They will reduce your ticket.

Oh. Ok then.

I've been through that feeling after two accidents and two write offs within a year of each other. But eventually I was able to drive again. Just give yourself some time, that's what I did.

Your license isn't getting suspended, calm down, this is going to cost you money.

You might pay a fine. You or your insurance is definitely paying for that pole, and if you do make a claim with your insurance, your premiums are likely going up.

In the future, if you're in the parking lot, apply the brakes before adjusting anything too much. If you're on a road, pull over. This is not the end of the world, OP. As others have said, you'll likely keep your license, and you're unscathed, so relax. Eat your McDonald's. I mean for God's sake you crashed into a pole to get it home, may as well eat it! (Tried to be humorous with the last line, not sure if it worked)

Well, lesson learned. Never, ever, take your eyes off the road to do something like you did.

A friend did a similar thing in her new car, just after getting her license - went right through an iron fence.

Anyway -lesson learned, right?

Hugs to you!

Accidents do happen, and I am so glad no one was hurt. What ever happens with your license, it happens.

So you've learned, and can really internalize it, that if things spill and you want to set them right, pull over as soon as you safely can.

Well thats probably cheaper, but you do get to explain your story in court, if you wish. But no matter what the citation is, you did cause it. Also court will probably bill you for the damage to the pole, if its damaged. In our country this can be signed by a judge but without a visit to the court.

Well, you should lose your driver’s license, both for goin after a McDonald’s bag while driving and for taking the car for a 5 min drive. But you probably won’t.

>TL;DR: Crashed my car into a pole all because of a fucking McDonalds bag. Cops showed up, and now I have to go to court.

It wasn't the fault of the McDonald's bag, it was because you let yourself become distracted. If you don't acknowledge the real problem, you may make the same mistake again.

I'm not OP but tifu too and came here in hopes that reading about people's stories would help me feel a bit less alone and dramatic about mine. Your story helped, so thank you a lot

You don’t have to “go to court”. Just go to the address on the ticket and pay the fine.

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