What Happens if You Get into a Car Accident Without Insurance?

If you get into a car accident without insurance, you may get a ticket because Georgia requires all motorists to have insurance before operating a vehicle. You may still qualify for compensation if someone else caused your crash.  

Exactly what happens if you get into a car accident without insurance will depend on several factors, including who was at fault and the severity of the accident. 

If you’ve been in an accident and have questions about your legal options, contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer today for answers and guidance.

What If Another Driver Causes Your Car Accident?

You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance for damages after a crash, even if you do not have insurance. However, there may be a limit on how much you can recover since you don’t have insurance.

If the other driver caused your accident, you would not hold legal liability for the costs.

Regardless, you will still face penalties in your state for driving without insurance. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have car insurance, you should contact an Atlanta uninsured motorist accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation for your damages.

Your lawyer can provide more information about what happens when you get into a car accident with no insurance. 

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Atlanta?

In most states, you can get in trouble simply for driving without auto insurance coverage—even if you don’t have an accident. You must carry the minimum coverage requirements for your state.

In Georgia, the minimum limits for auto insurance are bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per occurrence and property damage liability of $25,000 per occurrence. You must check your state’s insurance laws, as they vary widely across the country.

If the police catch you driving without insurance, you can face:

• Fines
• Jail time
• A suspended or revoked license

The penalties for driving without auto insurance vary by state and increase with each offense. Keep in mind that these penalties apply even without a car accident. The consequences may worsen if you get into a car accident.

What if You Live in a State That Does Not Require Car Insurance?

Even if you live in a state where car insurance is optional, you are still responsible for any injuries or damage you caused. The other driver can also still sue you for damages. If the accident is severe enough, you may be required to report it to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which means you could face penalties like fines or a suspended license.

What Should You Do if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

If the other driver does not have auto insurance, it’s considered an uninsured motorist accident.

If you live in a fault state and get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you might worry there’s no hope of recovering money for your damages. However, you still have options.

Steps to Take After an Accident

After a car accident with an uninsured driver, you should:

• Call the police to report the accident
• Ask the other driver for their name, license number (if they have a license), and contact information.
• Take pictures of their license plate and vehicle. Also, note their physical appearance.
• Talk to witnesses, ask what they saw, and get their contact information.
• Call a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

It’s best to document the situation as much as you can. The driver may not want to report the accident because they know they will be penalized. However, you should still contact the police. If you do not report the accident, there is little proof you can use to seek damages from the driver. Protect your rights first, and call an experienced attorney.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Each state has different laws about uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. In Atlanta, it is optional but highly recommended. Most drivers have it, even if they don’t know they do. This coverage can compensate you after an accident with an uninsured driver.

Contact your insurance carrier if you aren’t sure what coverage you hold. Hopefully, your UM/UIM insurance covers most of your damages. If it doesn’t, you can sue the other driver. A car accident lawyer can help you decide on the best course of action.

Do You Need an Attorney to Help You?

An attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove the other party was uninsured at the time of your accident. A lawyer can also protect your rights if the other driver blames you for the accident.

While you can go it alone, the professionals strongly recommend that you hire an attorney to help you. Your lawyer can start by explaining what happens if you get in a car accident without insurance and support you throughout each step of your claim.

How Much Does an Attorney Cost?

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys work on contingency. Therefore, you don’t owe a nickel until you win your case. At that point, car accident attorneys will collect a fee from your overall settlement, but until then, you can absolutely enjoy representation for free.

What if You’re at Fault for Causing a Car Accident Without Insurance?

Besides the penalties for driving without insurance, if you are at fault for a car crash that causes injuries, you may also have to pay for the costs faced by the other driver. You may have to pay if you live in a state like Georgia, where the at-fault party is liable for the damages. The other driver also has the option to sue you for the damages.

Many uninsured drivers do not have the money to pay for the costs of a car accident. If you can’t pay the injured driver for their damages, you may be required to pay them through other methods, like garnished wages.

If you live in a no-fault state, the injured driver would get compensation from their insurance company—even if you were at fault. You would only owe them money if their insurance did not cover the full extent of the damages. Work with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation and protect yourself against additional charges.

Contact Us for Help After a Car Accident Without Insurance

What happens if you get in a car crash without insurance? The outcome of this kind of accident will depend on who caused the collision. You may get compensation for all of your medical expenses, lost pay, costs to repair vehicle damage, and other losses if a lawyer can show that someone else caused your crash.

At John Foy & Associates, we can help if you sustained injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. We understand how complex a car accident without insurance can be, and we’ve been helping injured drivers recover the money they deserve for more than 20 years.

We’re here to help with your personal injury claim or a lawsuit against the liable party. Call or complete our online contact form to learn more.