After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...
The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...
These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...
I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...
The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.
Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.
I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher
They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.
When drivers in Reno ask, “Is a citation a ticket?” They often face a traffic stop and are unclear about the consequences. At Kidwell & Gallagher | Personal Injury Lawyer Reno, we’ve helped clients who didn’t realize that a citation could still affect accident claims, insurance rates, or their driving record.
In most cases, the two terms refer to the same traffic violation notice issued by law enforcement. However, how it’s categorized and what it means for your driving record or insurance can vary, so it’s essential to understand the distinction.
Many drivers ask, “Is a citation a ticket?” The answer is yes in most Nevada traffic stops, but there’s a subtle difference worth noting.
A citation is the official written notice issued by a police officer when you’re accused of violating a traffic law. It lists the alleged offense, court instructions, and your legal obligations. A ticket is a general term people use to describe that notice.
In practice, a citation is the legal document that initiates your obligation to respond by paying a fine, contesting the charge, or appearing in court. A ticket is often what drivers call that document, whether for speeding, failure to yield, or texting while driving. So while both terms usually refer to the same piece of paper, “citation” is used in legal and DMV records.
This distinction matters in car accident cases. A citation for a moving violation can influence how insurers assign fault, even if it doesn’t decide liability.
Before deciding how to respond, it’s important to understand how your citation is categorized, because that classification can affect your legal options and case outcome.
In Reno, traffic violations are categorized as either misdemeanor offenses or civil infractions. This classification, as determined by the City of Reno Municipal Court, dictates your responsibilities.
While civil infractions often permit online resolution, a response is required within 90 days. Failure to appear leads to a default judgment, automatic guilt, fines, and loss of your right to contest the violation.
Misdemeanor citations are more serious and often require a court appearance. Ignoring these can result in arrest warrants or license suspension. Whether the citation is tied to a car accident or a routine stop, it’s smart to get legal guidance early.
We review citations for accuracy and help clients decide whether to challenge them or negotiate a resolution.
Getting a ticket can lead to points on your license and higher insurance premiums, especially if it is related to a car accident.
Nevada uses a demerit point system, managed by the Nevada DMV. When a court notifies the DMV of your conviction or infraction, points are added to your driving record. These points serve as warning signs to insurance providers. Here’s how it works:
Why does this matter in car accident cases? Because insurers look at your driving record when calculating premiums or deciding fault. A recent ticket, especially one involving a moving violation like speeding, can raise rates significantly.
In accident-related cases, multiple tickets can shift how claims are handled, or even reduce what a crash victim might recover.
Ticket forgiveness is a program or policy that allows certain drivers to avoid insurance rate hikes for their first minor violation.
Some insurance companies offer ticket forgiveness, meaning they’ll waive the premium increase after your first eligible ticket. This isn’t a state program; it’s something provided through your insurer, often as part of an upgraded policy package. In other words, not everyone qualifies automatically. These programs typically exclude:
Read your policy details or speak to your insurer. Even if your ticket is forgiven for insurance rate purposes, it may still affect a personal injury claim. In some cases, we’ve seen citations used as evidence to challenge a claim’s validity or reduce compensation.
Many drivers ask us, “Is a citation a ticket?” After a crash, that answer can impact your insurance, record, and case. At Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers, we help Reno drivers make sense of their citations and fight for the best outcome. Call us at (775) 323-2667 to get trusted legal guidance today.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.