Automobile accident not reported

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shinbeats

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In 2007, I was on my way back home and it was a rainy day. The vehicle in front of me slammed on it's brakes and when I did the car skid and rear ended it. Luckily no one was seriously injured and insurance information was traded. However, The police officer came and wrote me a ticket saying that it was my fault since I rear ended the car and according to him my tires were bald and it was my responsibility to check my tires every time I drive. Now the thing is that a couple days ago I realized that reckless driving due to a car accident is a 1st class misdemeanor in Virginia and supposedly is listed on your criminal record/ reported to NCIC (WTF seriously!?) I did not report this on my primary application (submitted in June) because I had absolutely no idea that traffic violations/accidents would make me a criminal. Now I have an interview and the schools I have interviews to did not ask me about misdemeanors on my secondary (submitted August) therefore I had no way to disclose this to them. What should I do now? 😕
1) Will this car accident and/or not reporting this incident on my primary application hinder my acceptance to medical school?
2) Should I mention this to the person interviewing me or should I email the school admissions letting them know about this?
 
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I doubt it. AdComs are not robots, they will look at the details of the misdemeanor (once you disclose it of course) and see that it was simply a moving violation. That certainly pales in comparison to petty larsony, assault, or other common misdemeanors and IMO is not a significant reflection of one's character.
 
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I doubt it. AdComs are not robots, they will look at the details of the misdemeanor (once you disclose it of course) and see that it was simply a moving violation. That certainly pails in comparison to petty larsony, assault, or other common misdemeanors and IMO is not a significant reflection of one's character.

So I should mention this car accident to the person that interviews me? or should I send an email out to the admissions? what exactly should I do?
 
You should disclose this to the schools before they see your background check (which will happen in January at the earliest). I'd imagine it won't be a huge deal, but I would call or write each school (see what they prefer for official updates) and just let them know. Being proactive always helps.
 
I would double check with the court office on the classification for your offense.

If it is a misdemeanor on your record, I would tell the schools through a letter that you can drop off when you visit for your interview. Just explain that you were misinformed on the classification of your offense, and explain the incident. Accidents happen, they should understand.
 
I would say contact them in writing, explaining the situation the same way you just did, how you didn't realize, blah blah. I think they'll be very forgiving.
 
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY


Op, I don't think med schools will care too much about this. Good luck
 
Who said you had a misdemeanor? Being at fault for an accident is not the same thing as driving recklessly. I doubt you were charged or convicted with a misdemeanor without you noticing.
 
i also don't think it's a big deal. if they bring it up, answer truthfully. if they don't, then it's whatever since it's not like you were tailgating the guy.
 
First off you need to get a copy of your driver's record and a criminal background check on yourself to see if it is on there.

I know VA laws are extremely strict with regards to driving offenses but they cannot convict you of a criminal misdemeanor without a trial, so it's not like you only just found out. You must have known about this back in 2007 when it happened. I just got a reckless driving ticket for going 59 in a 35. However, I didn't leave it, I got myself a lawyer and I am pretty confident I can get it reduced to a regular speeding ticket.

With that said, I have to echo previous comments, if it was a traffic violation then you should have no issues if you explain it. Accidents happen; it isn't a good summary of who you are as a person.
 
Who said you had a misdemeanor? Being at fault for an accident is not the same thing as driving recklessly. I doubt you were charged or convicted with a misdemeanor without you noticing.

Yeah I think you need to get a little more aware with VA laws. I am from VA and 99 % of the time if you rear end someone the cops will give you reckless driving. In VA driving 20 mph over the speed limit, rear ending someone, driving in circles in the parking lot, chirping tires from a launch, driving with something intruding your side or rear vision (for example luggage), driving with faulty tires and brakes will definitely get you reckless driving. The OP is correct any form of reckless driving even chirping tires from a launch are a first degree misdemeanor in Virginia and will be on your criminal record for 11 years. Virginia is a commonwealth and has the most ridiculous civil and traffic laws. Don't believe us check this out these are ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSE MISDEMEANORS:- And yes fornication, cursing and not locking your pool doors are all criminal misdemeanors in Virginia. I don't blame the OP at all for his concern.

18.2-344. Fornication.
Any person, not being married, who voluntarily shall have
sexual intercourse with any other person, shall be guilty
of fornication, punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.

152-3. Gates.
Any person who owns a pool risks a $2500 fine for not closing the gate to the pool when they get done swimming in it. Punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor

Sec. 16-10. Abusive Language.

If any person shall, in the presence or hearing of another, curse or abuse such other person, or use any violent abusive language to such person concerning himself or any of his relations, or otherwise use such language, under circumstances reasonably calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
 
Yeah I think you need to get a little more aware with VA laws. I am from VA and 99 % of the time if you rear end someone the cops will give you reckless driving. In VA driving 20 mph over the speed limit, rear ending someone, driving in circles in the parking lot, chirping tires from a launch, driving with something intruding your side or rear vision (for example luggage), driving with faulty tires and brakes will definitely get you reckless driving. The OP is correct any form of reckless driving even chirping tires from a launch are a first degree misdemeanor in Virginia and will be on your criminal record for 11 years. Virginia is a commonwealth and has the most ridiculous civil and traffic laws. Don't believe us check this out these are ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSE MISDEMEANORS:- And yes fornication, cursing and not locking your pool doors are all criminal misdemeanors in Virginia. I don't blame the OP at all for his concern.

18.2-344. Fornication.
Any person, not being married, who voluntarily shall have
sexual intercourse with any other person, shall be guilty
of fornication, punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.

152-3. Gates.
Any person who owns a pool risks a $2500 fine for not closing the gate to the pool when they get done swimming in it. Punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor

Sec. 16-10. Abusive Language.

If any person shall, in the presence or hearing of another, curse or abuse such other person, or use any violent abusive language to such person concerning himself or any of his relations, or otherwise use such language, under circumstances reasonably calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

I agree, VA driving laws are RIDICULOUS!! You only need to start typing reckless driving in google and 'reckless driving virginia' will show up.

But like I said on my post, the OP must have known about a court date back when it happened and DID have an opportunity to fight the charge, but I guess they didn't and now it is stuck on their record and there isn't much they can do about it. I don't think it will be a big deal once it is explained. On the other hand, maybe they should have taken it more seriously when it happened :/
 
I agree, VA driving laws are RIDICULOUS!! You only need to start typing reckless driving in google and 'reckless driving virginia' will show up.

But like I said on my post, the OP must have known about a court date back when it happened and DID have an opportunity to fight the charge, but I guess they didn't and now it is stuck on their record and there isn't much they can do about it. I don't think it will be a big deal once it is explained. On the other hand, maybe they should have taken it more seriously when it happened :/

I have a reckless driving conviction in Virginia too for going 20 mph over the speed limit. I had an attorney whom I paid 1000 $ I explained to the judge that I was taking my father to the ER and even provided documentation from the hospital. Well guess what? the judge did not care. Matter of fact the officer refused to agree to the charge being dropped or reduced and I was pronounced guilty. Getting a lawyer or "taking it more seriously" will NOT get your reckless driving charges dropped or reduced. If you drove 20 mph over the speed limit or got into a car accident then YOU DID IT and after that It all depends on how the officer and the prosecutor feel about the case not on your mood or your defense attorney. I hate to sound so crude but I've been there in court numerous times fighting for tickets and trust me here in Fairfax they don't care about what you have to say.
 
I agree, VA driving laws are RIDICULOUS!! You only need to start typing reckless driving in google and 'reckless driving virginia' will show up.

But like I said on my post, the OP must have known about a court date back when it happened and DID have an opportunity to fight the charge, but I guess they didn't and now it is stuck on their record and there isn't much they can do about it. I don't think it will be a big deal once it is explained. On the other hand, maybe they should have taken it more seriously when it happened :/

The judge told me that I was responsible for the tires on my car. He pretty much said the same thing that the police officer stated and found me guilty of reckless driving. I did not have money to get an attorney and to be honest it really was my fault. I rear ended the car, of course I was guilty what exactly was I supposed to say, "Hold up your honor I'm serious right now and I have an attorney so I don't think I'm guilty of this accident". I did not think much about it since it was just an automobile accident and I usually take responsibility for my actions. All I wanted to know was if this would show up on my record as a traffic infraction (which it really was) or a criminal offense (which it probably will show up as) and how I should go about it.
 
I have a reckless driving conviction in Virginia too for going 20 mph over the speed limit. I had an attorney whom I paid 1000 $ I explained to the judge that I was taking my father to the ER and even provided documentation from the hospital. Well guess what? the judge did not care. Matter of fact the officer refused to agree to the charge being dropped or reduced and I was pronounced guilty. Getting a lawyer or "taking it more seriously" will NOT get your reckless driving charges dropped or reduced. If you drove 20 mph over the speed limit or got into a car accident then YOU DID IT and after that It all depends on how the officer and the prosecutor feel about the case not on your mood or your defense attorney. I hate to sound so crude but I've been there in court numerous times fighting for tickets and trust me here in Fairfax they don't care about what you have to say.

You had the note from the hospital and they STILL didn't reduce it?!?! DANG!!! That is harsh. You should have appealed it again.
 
The judge told me that I was responsible for the tires on my car. He pretty much said the same thing that the police officer stated and found me guilty of reckless driving. I did not have money to get an attorney and to be honest it really was my fault. I rear ended the car, of course I was guilty what exactly was I supposed to say, "Hold up your honor I'm serious right now and I have an attorney so I don't think I'm guilty of this accident". I did not think much about it since it was just an automobile accident and I usually take responsibility for my actions. All I wanted to know was if this would show up on my record as a traffic infraction (which it really was) or a criminal offense (which it probably will show up as) and how I should go about it.

If it is on your record then it is on your record. My best advice would be to make sure and order a copy from the DMV. I would also recommend one of these:


www.drivinguniversity.com
www.trafficschool.com
www.idrivesafely.com
www.virginia-driverimprovement.com
www.virginiaonlinedriverimprovement.com


They are online defensive driving classes that will help you regain your 5 good driver points. It will help show that you are a responsible driver. In all honesty, that could have happened to anyone!

You can also read this post 13 on here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=416076

All is not lost! 🙂
 
You had the note from the hospital and they STILL didn't reduce it?!?! DANG!!! That is harsh. You should have appealed it again.

Yup I was 18 at the time, honestly all the judge looks at is your age and previous record. If you're < 25 years old and had a ticket or two before yeaaah say bye bye to your license lol
 
If it is on your record then it is on your record. My best advice would be to make sure and order a copy from the DMV.

Definitely do this, and if you're really concerned, you can do a background check on yourself.

VA does have ridiculous driving standards, and very strict state police. A family member recently got reckless for going exactly 20 mph over the speed-limit while trying to pass a truck spraying gravel (cracking the windshield) and just barely got it reduced to speeding, 19.5 mph over.

When driving through VA, drive slow. 🙁
 
Yeah I think you need to get a little more aware with VA laws. I am from VA and 99 % of the time if you rear end someone the cops will give you reckless driving. In VA driving 20 mph over the speed limit, rear ending someone, driving in circles in the parking lot, chirping tires from a launch, driving with something intruding your side or rear vision (for example luggage), driving with faulty tires and brakes will definitely get you reckless driving. The OP is correct any form of reckless driving even chirping tires from a launch are a first degree misdemeanor in Virginia and will be on your criminal record for 11 years. Virginia is a commonwealth and has the most ridiculous civil and traffic laws. Don't believe us check this out these are ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSE MISDEMEANORS:- And yes fornication, cursing and not locking your pool doors are all criminal misdemeanors in Virginia. I don't blame the OP at all for his concern.

Driving in circles in the parking lot??

..what if you can't find a parking spot? :meanie:
 
SDNers are by far the most paranoid group of people I've ever encountered. LOL Amazing!
 
Honestly you guys have made me scared to even think of driving in VA now 😱
 
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Yeah I think you need to get a little more aware with VA laws.
I think not.

Don't believe us check this out these are ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSE MISDEMEANORS:- And yes fornication, cursing and not locking your pool doors are all criminal misdemeanors in Virginia. I don't blame the OP at all for his concern.
You're proving my point. The cops don't charge everyone with crimes after swearing and having pre-marital sex, and I know they don't charge everyone with misdemeanors after all fender-benders. My brother happened to have committed reckless driving in Virginia, and he went to court and did jail time for a misdemeanor. If you got handed a ticket on the side of the road and never went to court, I'm pretty sure you didn't get a criminal misdemeanor.
 
I have a reckless driving conviction in Virginia too for going 20 mph over the speed limit. I had an attorney whom I paid 1000 $ I explained to the judge ....

The judge told me that I was responsible for the tires on my car. He pretty much said the same thing that the police officer stated and found me guilty of reckless driving.
The OP contains a distinct lack of reference to a judge.
 
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