Many people never even really consider fighting a traffic ticket. Even if they insist the citing officer misunderstood the situation, they may pay the ticket because they think doing so is the only real option available.
The fine assessed for a single Virginia traffic ticket might be relatively low. However, the fine that someone pays is only the tip of the financial iceberg. There are a host of other financial consequences possible when someone pleads guilty to a serious traffic violation. Those consequences might make fighting the citation a more reasonable decision.
What are some of the main ways that paying a traffic ticket could affect someone’s financial situation?
By increasing insurance rates
Insurance providers look at a driver’s history when issuing a new policy or renewing an existing one. Any recent traffic tickets can significantly increase the cost of my ability insurance coverage. Drivers who carry full coverage in Virginia face a premium increase of about 20% on average, which adds up to hundreds of extra dollars each year. People with multiple tickets on their record might face an even bigger increase in their costs. In some cases, they may have to look for a new policy because they now represent more risk than their insurance company accepts.
By endangering a driver’s license
If someone has multiple serious traffic violations on their record in a short amount of time, they may face license suspension. It can be incredibly expensive to use alternative transportation for the duration of a suspension. Additionally, there can be expenses related to reinstating the license that can add up to hundreds of dollars depending on the situation. Even a first ticket warrants fighting the citation when a driver believes they didn’t break the law because of the risk to their license.
By causing career challenges
Some people realize immediately that a ticket could endanger their career. Anyone who needs to maintain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can become ineligible after significant moving violations. Others who might drive occasionally for work may find that their employers are unwilling to accept the increase in business insurance costs related to their citation. If a driver’s license suspension occurs due to repeat violations, the driver without a license could be at risk of losing their job because they cannot perform crucial job functions.
People who understand the hazards of simply paying a traffic ticket may understand why it makes financial sense to fight a citation. Working with a lawyer can help someone successfully defend against a ticket that might otherwise result in financial consequences well beyond an initial fine assessed.