Just when you think your day can’t get any worse, you see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror. You glance down at your speedometer and groan — you’ve just been caught speeding!
This unfortunate scenario happens more than you think. Experts estimate that officers write 112,000 speeding tickets every day, which totals 41 million tickets a year.
As the recipient of a traffic ticket, you have two options: Pay it, or hire a speeding ticket lawyer. If you’re leaning towards the second option, here are five tips to help you find the best traffic ticket attorney in your locale.
1. Ask for Recommendations
Before you enter the digital realm, start by asking for personal recommendations from friends or colleagues. (Provided, of course, that you don’t mind disclosing that you got a speeding ticket!)
Does anyone have experience with a speeding ticket attorney in your area? If so, were they satisfied with the result of their case? Did the attorney charge a reasonable fee?
2. Take Your Search Online
Whether you get a direct recommendation or you’re starting a fresh search, it’s time to go online. You could Google terms such as:
- “speeding ticket lawyer”
- “speeding ticket attorney”
- “traffic ticket attorney”
To quickly narrow the list, you could also include the name of your city and state so you get only local results. Keep in mind that the first 5-8 results are paid ads, which may (or may not) represent the best lawyers in your area.
3. Read Client Reviews
To find the best speeding ticket lawyer, you need to know what kind of reputation they have. Start by reading testimonials on the lawyer’s website. Then cross-reference those comments by reading reviews on third-party sites like Google or Yelp.
Do clients have mostly positive things to say about working with the attorney, or do you see some potential red flags? Steer clear of any law office if clients complain about hidden fees or poor communication.
4. Schedule a Consultation
When you think you’ve found a good prospect, set up a consultation to discuss your case. You should receive clear, timely, and professional communication from the law office.
Ask the lawyer questions and listen carefully to the response. Do they speak in complicated legal jargon, or can they explain things so you can understand them easily? Do you get the impression that the lawyer actually cares about you and your case?
5. Consider the Legal Fees
Finally, you’ll need to consider your budget. Each lawyer has a different way of structuring their legal fees, so make sure you understand exactly what you’ll be expected to pay (and when).
You don’t want to pay an exorbitant amount of money, but beware of any lawyers who advertise rates that seem “too good to be true.” 99% of the time, they are.
Find the Best Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Just because you received a speeding ticket doesn’t mean you have to pay for it!
Get the law on your side and hire a speeding ticket lawyer to help you plead your case. Then, the next time you hit the road, keep a closer eye on that speedometer.
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