Your driving record is one of the biggest factors insurance companies take into consideration when determining how much you should pay for coverage. Those with a history of traffic violations are perceived as a higher risk to insure, increasing their premium with every ticket. From serious offenses like reckless driving and DUIs to seat belt infractions and failing to yield, each infringement has the potential to significantly impact the rates. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to avoid such costly repercussions.

Here are a few strategies to keep your premiums down after an offense:

• Enroll in a Traffic Safety Course: North Carolina is one of many states that allows its drivers to enroll in a traffic safety course to deduct points or dismiss a ticket from their record. There are classroom and online sessions available, and attending either one helps to keep insurance costs from spiking
• Hire an Attorney to Fight the Offense in Court: Many people don’t realize they have the right to contest a traffic violation in court. Though it’s not required, your best chance at achieving a favorable outcome if you decide to fight your offense is to hire an attorney. They can often find errors in the citation or provide a convincing argument to reduce or dismiss the charges.
• Steer Clear of More Violations: The best step you can take to prevent insurance increases is to steer clear of further offenses. After a certain period, providers usually won’t rate you on any previous infractions. However, the more you rack up in a short time span, the greater your expense.    

It’s important to know pleading guilty isn’t your only option after receiving a traffic violation. The legal team at Fulcher Law Firm has helped residents in Albemarle, NC, maintain clean driving records and minimize the penalties incurred from such offenses. They possess the knowledge and experience necessary to represent everything from a DUI to a speeding ticket. Contact them at (704) 984-6060 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online for more information about their practice areas.