What Happens When You Have a Car Accident, but You Don’t Have Insurance?
Posted on April 10, 2017 Written By: iadminlaw
Nobody ever wants to find themselves in a car accident, but many drivers can at least take comfort in knowing that, if worst comes to worst, they have insurance to help defray the costs of any medical expenses or vehicle repair needs. What about those motorists who don’t have insurance, though? What are they to do when they are involved in an accident and don’t have anyone to get their back?
What Happens if I Crash with No Insurance?
It’s something we hear frequently here at I Accident Lawyer: I was in an accident without insurance. What now? Well, we’re here to tell you that just because you don’t have insurance doesn’t mean you don’t have options. First, though, let’s take a look at some of the possible outcomes.
In No-Fault States
What happens to no-insurance drivers depends on the state, first of all. Right now, there are a dozen states that have a no-fault system. What this means is that drivers involved in accidents must seek compensation from their own insurance companies; it is only in the rarest of circumstances that a driver in a no-fault state can file a lawsuit against someone else.
Now, if a lawsuit is filed against you, you’ll have to pay damages out of your own pocket—which makes it essential to seek legal representation. Again, though, this is fairly unusual in no-fault states.
In Tort States
Most states are not no-fault, though; instead, they are what’s known as tort states, which means that if you hit another driver, he or she can and very likely will file a lawsuit against you. Again, if you don’t have insurance, you’re on your own to cover any damages—making legal representation a must.
What if the Accident Isn’t Your Fault?
Generally, if the accident is deemed to be the fault of the other motorist, that means it’s you who can claim damages from them—unless you are without insurance. Many states impose No Pay, No Play rules, which significantly limits the kinds of compensation you can claim when you don’t have an insurance policy of your own in place. California is one of these states.
Criminal Charges and Fines
Also note that many states will actually impose penalties, fines, or even criminal charges against you if you are involved in an accident but do not have an insurance policy in place. This is another instance where having a car accident lawyer to fight for your rights is absolutely crucial.
Accident Lawyers Near Me
The good news in all of this is that, even if you don’t have insurance, you can receive legal representation. If you’re in a car accident without insurance, the I Accident Lawyer team would like to hear your case. We represent only those who are involved in accidents—never the insurance companies themselves—and we fight passionately for our clients’ rights. Contact I Accident Lawyer today to learn more about our practice areas.
