So you got a speeding ticket. It happens to the best of us. The worst part is that now you have to pay for it in some way—either with cash or points on your license (if you live in a state that uses point systems). But there’s another option—you can contest your traffic ticket and try to get out of paying it. This might seem appealing because, after all, why would anyone want to pay for something they don’t believe they did? However, if you decide not to contest your speeding ticket by requesting a court date and choose to pay it off without negotiation, here are some reasons why doing so could be worse.
Your Insurance Rates Can Go Up
You could pay higher insurance rates if you have a traffic citation on your driving record.
When this happens, it’s usually for two reasons:
- They think you’re a bad driver.
- They believe the amount of money they’ll pay out in claims if they keep insuring you is too high.
The second one isn’t quite as simple as it sounds—and it’s why so many people don’t understand how this works or even realize that their premiums could be affected by something as minor as a speeding ticket. Not all speeding tickets are created equal. According to Louisiana traffic laws, some speeding violations carry higher risk factors than others (for example, dozing off behind the wheel). Your insurance company will look at the particular traffic offense when determining whether or not your rates should increase after getting a speeding ticket. If there seems to be an impact from receiving such an infraction on your license, prepare for sticker shock when renewing car insurance coverage.
You May Have Issues Getting a Job
If you are hoping to get a job that involves driving or working with others who drive, paying off your speeding ticket could be an issue. Many companies these days will check someone’s driving record before hiring them to ensure that the person is qualified for their position and won’t risk other workers or customers. Suppose you have multiple traffic violations on your record. In that case, it can make it difficult to secure employment with certain companies—especially if the company requires the driver of their motor vehicles to be insured through their company-affiliated insurance agent.
You Could End Up Paying More in the Long Run
When traffic offenses add up, there may be additional penalties. You may find yourself paying more in the long run in surcharge fees or by having your license revoked. Louisiana doesn’t have a points system like other states. However, each moving violation can escalate your penalties, potentially causing you to lose your license.
If I Don’t Pay My Traffic Tickets, What Should I Do Instead?
Paying off a speeding ticket violation without contesting it is almost always a mistake. Instead, take advantage of your options to reduce the impact on your life. Here are three.
Dispute Your Tickets in Traffic Court
By making a court appearance:
- You might get the ticket dismissed
- You might have your fine reduced
- You won’t have driver’s license points added to your license
- You won’t have a traffic violation on your record
You can dispute traffic tickets in court or hire a lawyer to do it for you.
But whatever method you choose, by not contesting the ticket, you can be sure it’ll be added to your driving record and may result in higher insurance premiums or other consequences.
Connect With a New Orleans Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Most people assume that if you get a traffic ticket, you should pay it immediately. That couldn’t be more wrong. Any payments you make towards traffic violations are automatically considered a guilty plea. And removing them will take the expertise of a New Orleans traffic ticket lawyer. Our attorneys at the Law Office of Heather C. Ford provide legal services to help you rid yourself of traffic fines, mitigating the consequences so you can return to business as usual. Contact our office today.
