Traffic violations and automobile accidents are not usually criminal offenses. But being involved in enough of them, or in one that is serious in nature, may mean harsh penalties. This fact is why some would argue that no matter the issue, it is best to hire legal counsel.

A good auto accident attorney can help protect a driver from accumulating the dreaded "points" on a license. For those motorists still with doubts, here are some of the reasons why hiring an auto accident lawyer is a wise move.

• They File Court Documents

All legal documents need filling in a timely fashion and the courts set the time frame. It is easy for people to miss a deadline. They have to go to work each day, take the kids to school and pay the bills. They may not be able to fit the traffic court into their busy routines. Hiring a professional lawyer will help with this problem. Good lawyers stay on top of deadlines. It is part of their responsibilities to maintain a database of client proceedings to meet the required filing periods.

• They Tell the Client's Story

Lawyers appear before the courts to advocate for their clients. They present the client in the best light possible to ensure that the judge or jury will give them the benefit of the doubt.

Can a driver appear in court alone? Well, some do just that. They may even present complex theories to prove their innocence. One college professor used Physics to demonstrate the unfairness of a traffic ticket issued for failing to stop. Nevertheless, not everyone possesses this ability to articulate their cases, so it is wise for these people to seek professional legal help.

• They Handle Evidence Discovery

Central to any successful court case is finding out the other side's plans, if possible. Attorneys handle this task during the pre-trial discovery phase by sending out interrogatories. These lists of 30, or so, questions elicit what the opponent plans to say in court.

In auto accident lawsuits, early interrogatories can discern whether the other party suffered injuries. Establishing the presence, or not, of accident injuries is important because it prevents someone from making unexpected damage claims later.  

Get an Auto Accident Lawyer

For the above reasons, and more, it is a smart move to seek legal help whenever involved in an incident on the roads.

Even small traffic citations can become a problem over time. Insurance companies keep track of these violations when deciding rates, for example. A lawyer might mean the difference between a higher or lower premium. For those involved in actual accidents with other motorists, a lawyer can make the legal process much easier to navigate.