Columbus Wrong Way Violation Lawyers

An important part of driving safely is knowing how to drive under special circumstances such as on one-way roads. Breaking the rules on a one-way road is a common Ohio traffic violation that could result in an accident that leads to serious injuries.

A violation for unlawfully navigating a one-way road could have serious consequences on your life and driving record. If you are facing a wrong-way violation, you should contact an experienced Columbus traffic defense attorney at (614) 500-3836 as soon as possible. Our attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates have years of experience handling wrong-way violation cases and will fight for your rights.

Contact us right away for a free consultation.

Penalties for Wrong-Way Drivers

Wrong-way drivers may face serious consequences. The majority of tickets for failing to obey the rules of a one-way road are minor misdemeanors that are punishable up to $150 in fines. However, if you plead or are found guilty of a wrong-way violation and have previously been convicted of another traffic offense within the last year, you may be found guilty of a fourth-degree misdemeanor which is punishable by up to $250 in fines and 30 days in jail. In the event you have two or more previous traffic violations in the last year, you may be found guilty of a third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to $500 in fines and 60 days in jail.

Other Potential Consequences of a Wrong Way Violation

A wrong-way violation can have many other potential consequences, especially if you already have other violations on your driving record.

Possible consequences include:

• Driver’s License Points – In Ohio, violations on a one-way road adds two points to your license. If you accumulate over 12 points on your license, the BMV will automatically suspend your driving privileges for six months. Depending on your driving record, those two points could drive you into an automatic suspension.
• Background Checks – Today, many institutions and organizations such as employers, colleges, universities, and licensing organizations run background checks on applicants. Having a wrong-way violation on your record, especially if it’s in conjunction with several other violations, could make it harder for you to secure employment or get into a college or university. If driving is part of your current job, your employer may run periodic background checks. Any violations on your record could lead to probation or even termination from employment.
• Higher Insurance – Insurance providers use traffic violations and drivers license points to calculate what kind of risk you may pose and what rate you qualify for. More violations on your record means higher risk for insurance companies and higher insurance premiums for you. Insurance rates can rise with as little as one violation on your record.
• Civil Liability – Depending on the circumstances leading to your ticket, you could be exposed to civil liability. If you were in an accident or injured another driver or pedestrian, or caused damage to someone’s property, you may be sued. A failure to control violation may be offered as evidence of proof of your guilt and increase the chances of a judgment against you.

How a Columbus Traffic Defense Lawyer can Help

A Columbus traffic defense lawyer will help you fight your wrong-way violation by exploring a number of possible defenses on your behalf.

Possible defenses include:

• Poor Visibility – If a sign denoting a one-way road was not visible at the time of your alleged offense due to no fault of your own, this may be a defense against a wrong-way violation. Your lawyer will help collect evidence of the visibility at the scene and testimony of any witnesses to help build this defense.
• Another Driver was at Fault – If another driver was driving recklessly and caused a collision on a one-way road, this could be a defense against a violation. Your lawyer will interview any possible witnesses to find out what they saw or heard and craft a strong defense on your behalf.
• You Actually Weren’t Breaking a Law – Police officers are capable of making mistakes, and it’s possible that you actually weren’t breaking any traffic violations while traveling on a one-way road. Your lawyer will interview any witnesses and your ticketing officer about what they heard and saw along with how and why they concluded your conduct was unlawful.
• Good Driving Record – If you have relatively few, or no, other offenses on your driving record, your lawyer may be able to convince a prosecutor or judge to reduce your charges. This could mean adding no points to your license, smaller fines, or attending a driver’s training course rather than a harsh conviction.

Contact Our Columbus Traffic Defense Attorneys Today

Call Luftman, Heck & Associates today for a free consultation with one of our Columbus traffic attorneys. We can help you avoid the long-term consequences of having a wrong-way violation on your driving record. Our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys can help you build a defense against your traffic violation.

Contact us today at (614) 500-3836 to schedule your free case evaluation with a Columbus traffic defense attorney.