Illinois Drivers Get Some of the Most Expensive Tickets in the Country

 Posted on April 11, 2016 in Traffic Offenses

When Illinoisans receive a ticket for a traffic violation, they often considerit as an inconvenience. It means a ticket that they might have to dispute, and a fine. However,few people who get a ticket really understand the long-term impact that a ticket can have on their wallet.

There are hidden costs associated with getting a ticket in Illinois that cannot be overlooked and need to be considered when deciding whether to just pay the fine or to fight theticket.

Illinois Tickets Are Some of the Most Costly in the Country

KMOV.com recently reported on a national study whichrevealed that traffic tickets have one of the biggest impacts on Illinoisdrivers, due to the long-term costs associated with getting a speeding ticket. While the initial cost of the traffic ticket might not be too high, after several years of auto insurance hikes, a ticket can be quite costly. There are a handful of Illinois communities—a majority of which are located in Cook County, including Harvey, Cicero and Park Ridge—where getting a ticket can cost individuals $1,000 more over a five-year period than a ticket would cost other Americans.

The study found that the average speeding ticket in Illinois runs about $120. However, a speeding ticket in Illinois often translates to an average increase in auto insurance rates of $124 per year. Increases in insurance rates due to speeding tickets last for five years. That results in a cost over five years that is approximately six times the initial ticket amount.

The point of the increased insurance rates after a driver receives a ticket is to discourage the driver from engaging in such behavior while behind the wheel in the future. The hike in rates is a deterrent. Extra insurance costs are not something that many drivers think about when they get a speeding ticket, but it is the reality of the situation. Therefore,it is important to fight your traffic ticket. An experienced traffic offense lawyer can help you fight for your rights.

Options After a Speeding Ticket

When a driver receivesa ticket for a traffic offense, he or shehas several options on how to proceed. The driver can decide upon the following:

• Pay the ticket, which is the same as pleading guilty to the charge. The driver will pay the fine and receive a conviction for the offense that was committed by the driver;
• In some cases, a driver can pay the ticket, receive the conviction, and attend traffic safety educational classes; or
• Dispute the ticket and fight the charges that are pending against the driver, often with the help of a criminal defense lawyer who has experience handling traffic ticket cases.

Let Us Assist You Today

Speeding tickets happen, and when one happens to you, you need to fight the ticket since onecan cost you a lot more than just the fine associated with your ticket. Your insurance rate is likely to go up if you do not try to beat your ticket. Please do not hesitate to contact a skilled Rolling Meadows traffic offenses lawyer immediately. Our attorneys are availableto help you today.

Sources:

http://www.kmov.com/story/31381692/illinois-drivers-may-be-paying-more-for-tickets

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/true-cost-speeding-ticket-illinois-il-insurance/