Driving without insurance is illegal, regardless of state; you could face fines, lose your driver’s license, or even spend time behind bars. The penalties for driving your car without insurance differ depending on the state, including fines, jail time, car license and registration loss.
Suppose you go further to cause a car accident without insurance. It is a whole different ball game altogether. You can just read on to find out the nitty-gritty involved.
At Fault Accident Without Insurance
If you cause an accident without insurance, you will have to pay for all the damage to your vehicle out of your insurance.
In severe cases, you could be sued for damages and injuries by the third party involved in the accident you caused.
If you were involved in an accident where someone else hit you, the driver is typically responsible for the damages caused.
However, the level of damages to be paid for, whether you are an at-fault driver or were hit during an accident. Solely depends on the state laws of the state the drivers reside in.
Uninsured drivers have it more complicated and will face several penalties ranging from minor to severe depending on the state.
Car Accident Without Insurance at No-Fault States
In normal instances, when there is an accident, the insurance company pays for all damages and injury costs of the accident victims.
There are some states known as no-fault states; in these states, drivers make claims to their own insurance companies for minor injuries regardless of who caused the accident.
No-fault states ensure other persons are not able to sue you for medical costs and damages that stem from an accident you caused, except they happen to be severe injuries.
Car Accident Caused by Drivers at No-Pay, no Play States
Drivers without insurance find it hard to sue others when they have been faulted, irrespective of the damage done to them.
This comes into play more in states with “no pay, no play states where uninsured drivers are prevented from suing for damages regardless of the physical pain, mental suffering, or emotional distress.
Drivers without insurance in this kind of state also have to pay massive amounts of deductibles directed towards repairs before they can be able to sue for property damage costs.
States with no pay and no play laws include Alaska, California, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, New Jersey, and Oregon.
States Where Car Insurance is Required
Car insurance is required in all states in the United States as there is a minimum requirement needed from drivers.
Car insurance is needed as it is proof of financial responsibility in case of road accidents, regardless of who is at fault.
Some states allow you to have certain types of coverage if you cannot afford the minimum requirements, while some states make it necessary with a penalty attached to it.
FAQs
What Happens to me When I get into a car accident Without Insurance?
Getting into a car accident without insurance means you broke the law and will have to face the law. Some of the legal penalties include the following:
- Huge fines
- License suspension
- Having your vehicle impounded
- Jail time
- Being required to file an SR-22 form to drive in the future legally
- You could be sued and asked for compensation
What should I do when I have no proof of insurance?
If you are caught driving without proof of insurance, even though you have insurance, you might get into big trouble.
However, when the case gets to court, and you can show your proof of insurance to the court, you can get a dismissal.
Being caught without your proof of insurance is less severe than being caught uninsured, but to be on the safer side. Ensure you keep all evidence of insurance in your vehicle and sometimes on your smartphone.
What Should I do if i get involved an accident I didn’t cause and the driver has no insurance?
If you happen to be in an accident where the at-fault driver has no insurance. You may be able to recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance.
Getting any compensation from the driver’s insurance company depends on the state’s law. Some states, like the no pay, and no-play states, will not allow you to sue.
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