Don't pay. Go to court. First timers get a break. Either your ticket will be dismissed by requiring you to take a driver's safety course or you will have to pay less.
If you pay without going to court, you lose the chance to tell your side of the story to the judge who will be kind enough for first time voilaters if they accept their guilt, and most importantly it will show on your drivers record that you had an accident and your insurance will go up. You must must go to court for long term good.