3 Common Traffic Violations That Can Affect Your Insurance in Franklin County, NC
Getting pulled over with blue lights in the middle of the night somewhere on a country road in Franklin County, North Carolina can be a pretty stressful experience. Not only because it’s dark outside, but because even a minor speeding violation can affect your insurance rates, or it can even get your license suspended.
Dealing with issues like this, especially if this is your first ticket and you don’t know what to do, can lead you to making irrational decisions, or you might also think that just paying it off is the best way to go about it. You might hear people telling you about getting a lawyer to help you but just thinking about paying a lawyer and also paying the ticket seems too expensive. The truth is, though, even if your lawyer can’t help you, you should always try to find ways to fight your speeding ticket because if it affects your insurance, you will end up paying a lot more than you would pay a lawyer to help you out. Some traffic ticket lawyers in Franklin County, NC, like Scheuring Law, PLLC, offer free consultations so you get a chance to speak to a lawyer to at least give you some insights on whether this is a serious matter or not.
Below are the top 3 most common traffic violations in NC that could affect your insurance, and you should take extremely seriously:
1. Speeding
There is rampant speeding in every county of North Carolina, including Franklin. Excessive speeding, in this case driving 10–15 miles over the limit, often results in points on one’s driving record. Insurance companies classify those who speed as higher risk drivers and therefore can demand an increased premium. Repeated offenses often carry harsher penalties, and as a result, can become extremely expensive.
How to Fight It:
- In some circumstances, your layers can obtain an agreement to dismiss your ticket if you attend a driving school.
- If dismissing the ticket is not an option, they can still get the ticket modified to a non-moving violation in the state of North Carolina which does not carry any points on your license or insurance. Driving school may be a requirement depending on how aggressive the ticket is.
- Even if your lawyers have to plead to a moving violation, like standard 9 over reductions (speeding 79 in a 70), there is a possibility you will qualify for what is called an insurance waiver because of the North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan (NCSDIP). It is important to work with a qualified attorney to assess your driving record to determine if you qualify to have points associated with an offense removed from your insurance.
- If you are facing serious charges for speeding over 100 miles per hour, your lawyers will be able to negotiate a plea to a traffic infraction to avoid a criminal record as well as a suspension of your North Carolina driver’s license. This usually requires attending an appropriate defensive driving school and completing a minimum number of hours of community service.
- Exceeding the speed limit within the confines of a construction zone or a school zone attracts demerit points, automatic fines as prescribed by law (of $250), and a ramping up of your insurance costs for several years. In some instances, the lawyers are able to negotiate the removal of these tickets given the school zone or construction zone, thereby avoiding some of these outcomes.
2. Failure to Yield
A driver not yielding the right of way is yet another infraction which a driver may receive and have it put on record. At an intersection, a crosswalk, and even on the highway, a driver is instructed to yield, and this violation shows to the insurance companies that the driver is not too fond of the traffic regulations. In addition to the possibility of accidents and injury, a yielding infraction on its own brings an insurance hike that can remain for multiple years.
3. Driving Without Insurance
In North Carolina, operating a motor vehicle without insurance can have dire consequences. In Franklin County, a driver without insurance can incur penalties, have their license revoked, and have difficulty regaining insurance coverage. Such violations will also lead to the insurance company labelling the driver a high risk and consequently paying exorbitant premiums and/or reduced insurance coverage options.
How You Can Protect Your Insurance Rates
In your case, the most effective approach is to hire an attorney who you believe will most advocate for you if you have to go to court.
Here’s how your lawyers will help you:
- There is no need to go to court, they represent you in the hearings.
- In relation to your case, they advocate for the optimum outcome which could range from a dismissal, non-moving violation, or, if the circumstances allow, an insurance waiver.
- They give you direct access to your attorney.
Final Thoughts
While traffic tickets may appear to be minor hindrances, their ramifications usually persist well beyond the payment of the fine. In Franklin County, offenses such as speeding, not yielding, and operating a vehicle without coverage can indicate risk to insurance providers and may result in increased premiums for several years. The silver lining, however, is that this outcome is within the control of the driver. Compliance with speed limits, orderly traffic movement, and the possession of a valid insurance policy can all increase the driving profile. This, in return, makes insurance more affordable. Sane driving not only saves money but also adds to the common well-being of the community.