The state of California legally requires all drivers to possess valid car insurance before they operate a motor vehicle. You may wonder what happens if you are in a car accident but don’t have car insurance in Los Angeles. Can you still get compensation in this situation?
Review the legal repercussions for getting in a car accident without insurance with the Simmrin Law Group. Consider your options to get compensation with our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles. Call us at (310) 896-2723 to get personalized answers to your legal questions.
Legal Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in California
You should be aware that driving without insurance is considered a criminal act in California. You can face fines if you are caught driving without insurance, which can make it even more difficult to pay for vehicle repair costs and your medical expenses. You could be forced to pay:
- Around $450 for a first offense
- Up to $2500 for a subsequent offense
Additionally, a law enforcement officer may impound your vehicle for driving without insurance. If you cause an accident while operating your vehicle without insurance, your driver’s license could be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You can get help standing up to accusations that you drove without a license by reaching out to a traffic violations lawyer in Los Angeles.
Compensation if Someone Else Caused an Accident and You Don’t Have Insurance
Many drivers assume that they will get compensation for their losses if someone else caused an accident. This may still be true if you do not have car insurance in California. However, the state of California will restrict how much compensation you can receive in this situation.
Drivers who operate a vehicle without insurance are subject to California’s “No Pay, No Play” rule. This means that you cannot get compensation for any non-economic losses if you do not have insurance. The other driver does not have to cover your:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
However, the driver may still have to compensate you for your medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. A car accident lawyer can work to establish that another driver was at fault for your accident now. Just call the Simmrin Law Group at (310) 896-2723.
Compensation if You Caused an Accident and You Don’t Have Insurance
If you were partially responsible for an accident in California, you may be required to compensate the other driver for their losses. This can be incredibly difficult if you don’t have insurance, as the costs will be out-of-pocket for you.
Note that California is a comparative negligence state. This means that multiple people can be responsible for a car accident. Your level of fault in the collision will be reported as a percentage. The Simmrin Law Group can work to show that you were not at fault for the collision. We can:
- Dig into the facts surrounding your accident
- Speak with anyone who saw the collision
- Go over police reports tied to the wreck
We can work to help you if you are blamed for a car accident in Los Angeles. Allow us to explore your legal options if you have no insurance and were involved in a motor vehicle collision.
Third-Party Responsibility for a Car Accident in California
Sometimes, car accidents are the responsibility of a third-party. For example, you could be in a collision if your vehicle was manufactured with a defect. In this situation, the company that improperly constructed your vehicle could be responsible for your injuries as well as the injuries of other drivers.
The team at the Simmrin Law Group can investigate your accident to see if it was caused by a faulty part. In this situation, you may be able to get compensation for your losses. Note that, even if you get compensation for your medical bills and vehicle repairs, you can still face legal penalties for driving without insurance in Los Angeles.
Call a Lawyer if You Were in a Car Accident and You Don’t Have Insurance in California
You may be able to get compensation if you were in a car accident but don’t have car insurance in Los Angeles, CA. However, the compensation you receive can be limited by the court. You can also face legal repercussions for driving without insurance. Get legal help in this situation from the Simmrin Law Group by calling (310) 896-2723 or completing our online contact form.
You can reach our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles now to get a FREE initial case evaluation.