It can happen to anyone: You're driving down the road, and all of the sudden you see the flashing blue and red lights behind your car. Getting a speeding ticket can have a serious financial impact, not only from potential fines, but from the potential rise in your monthly car insurance rates. Knowing what to do after a speeding ticket can help you potentially reduce the fine or even have the speeding ticket waived.

Here are a few steps to take after you are issued a speeding ticket.

After the Ticket Is Issued

Once the police officer pulls away, quickly jot down the specifics of the incident, including anything that could have caused you to get a speeding ticket. For example, is there a speed limit sign that is damaged or missing? Were their road conditions that caused you to speed, such as ice on the roads?

Go back to the scene of the ticket the next day, if you were ticketed at night. Take pictures to support your assertion that the speeding ticket was given in error.

Consider Mitigation or Court

A traffic lawyer can help determine if you have a case to fight the speeding ticket. Typically, there are two options available to you if you decide the speeding ticket was given to you in error: mitigation or court. Mitigation allows you to give your side of the story but does mean that you will admit the speeding ticket was your fault. If this is your first offense or you haven't had a traffic ticket in several years, mitigation might be a good choice.

There are several possible outcomes to mitigation, including extended time to pay the fine, a lesser fine, a dismissal or your fine, or the opportunity to attend traffic school in place of paying your fine.

However, if mitigation isn't an option and you believe you have sufficient grounds to fight the ticket, talk to your attorney about going to court. Your court date will appear on the traffic ticket. Your attorney can contact the court to delay your court date. This gives your attorney and you more time to prepare your defense.

There are several possible defenses your attorney can use to fight your ticket in court. For instance, your attorney can argue the instrument used by the officer to record your speed, such as a radar gun, was not reliable.

If you are ever pulled over and issued a speeding ticket, there are options available to help reduce the fines or even have your case dismissed.