Carpool Lane Ticket while avoiding an accident?

If anyone can provide me with some some good advice how I fight this ticket? I got a carpool lane ticket while trying to avoid an accident. I was on the fast lane of the 605 southbound freeway and the 60 freeway. A vehicle, on the lane next to me, on my right side, merge over to my lane without looking. In order to avoid this accident I merged on the carpool lane and exited the carpool lane at the next available carpool exit and entry section. I explained this to the officer and she still cited me for being on the carpool lane with only one occupant. I did not exit earlier because I did not feel safe and did not want to possibly cause an accident by crossing the yellow lines. Any advice is much appreciated.