There is no doubt that a speeding ticket is often among the most expensive citations a motorist can receive other than ones for impaired driving or for causing a serious or fatal accident. The fines associated with speeding often depend on the degree to which a motorist exceeded the posted speed limit. In Massachusetts, you can expect your insurance to increase by an average of 31% for a speeding ticket. For example, if you were paying $1,223 per year in premiums each year, a speeding ticket could increase that to $1,602.00.
You can also expect your premiums to remain at a higher rate from anywhere from 1 to 3-years after the violation appears on your record. However, different insurers impose different time periods.
Speeding Tickets and Car Accidents
Speeding is obviously risky behavior. The faster your vehicle is going, the less time you have to react to a hazard or to slow down and the more likely you are to be involved in severe accidents. Speed is a major factor in auto-related fatalities accounting for around 26% of fatalities. Nearly 9,500 people are killed in auto accidents across the nation each year where speeding was a factor.
Accordingly, insurance companies will raise their premiums, and the RMV will assess points on your driving record. If you accumulate too many points within a certain time, you will have your license suspended.
Massachusetts Car Accidents
Massachusetts uses a system called the Safe Driver Insurance Program (SDIP) that allows insurance companies to issue charges or surcharges on insurance rates that are based on your driving record. A speeding ticket is a “surchargeable” offense so that your insurer can add on to your insurance bill. So, the more such offenses you accumulate, the larger your bill until your license gets suspended for too many points.
Even though a simple speeding ticket will only result in 2 points on your records, more points are possible if your speed was well above the limit or if you were also involved in an accident where claims were between $500 and $2000. In such cases, the RMV will impose 3 points. If the claim exceeds $2,000, you can receive 4 points on your record.
Massachusetts will impose a fine of $50 plus an additional $10 for each mile you exceed the limit. Unless you can show that a speed gun or device used by law enforcement was faulty, you will have to pay the fine, even if you are eligible to attend or participate online in a traffic school program that will result in eliminating the citation from your record and no points being on your record. Since attendance or participation in a traffic school course can lower your insurance premiums and save you hundreds of dollars per year, it is always a good idea to participate if eligible.
The law office of Burns and Jain represents victims of speeding accidents. Our car accident attorneys can help demonstrate liability in contested cases with insurance companies, and also demonstrate to them how your injuries have adversely impacted your life. Even if you feel your claim is clear and obvious, retaining the right attorney will increase your chances of receiving the most compensation for your claim.
Other Ways to Reduce Your Insurance
If you did receive a speeding ticket, there are some ways to avoid an increase in your insurance premiums.
- Take the case to court—depending on the jurisdiction or area, many officers fail to show up on the day of traffic court leading to a dismissal of your case. Or the prosecutor may allow you to plead to a lesser traffic violation, where you may not receive any points on your ticket and result in no increase or a lower one in your rates.
- Take a defensive driving course—a judge or prosecutor may credit you for taking the course and reduce your charge. Also, many insurers will offer you a discount for taking the course even if you have no violations on your record
- Inquire of other insurers who may offer you lower rates than your current insurer despite a speeding ticket on your record
- If you are considering another vehicle, ask your insurer which vehicles cost less to insure
Damages in Car Accident Injury Claims
Risky behavior often results in accidents. If you were injured in a car accident, retain an experienced car accident attorney who can handle your claim from the outset and ensure you receive the benefits to which you are entitled as well as satisfactory compensation.
Damages vary in every accident but may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent injury and disfigurement
- Spousal claim for loss of consortium
Retain a Car Accident Attorney from Burns and Jain
When you retain a car accident attorney from Burns and Jain, you can be assured that your injury accident claim will be given the attention and dedication it deserves. Call us at (617) 227-7423 for a free and comprehensive evaluation of your injury claim.