What happens after you get into a car accident with an unlicensed driver
Posted May 11th, 2015 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Auto Accidents.
Recent data has indicated that an unlicensed driver was involved in 1 out of every 10 fatal car accidents in New Jersey that happened between 2010 and 2013. We all are fully aware that driving without a license is a crime and we expect that everyone on the road is following this law. But there’s always a few people who believe they can get away with it. But let’s say you get into a car accident with an unlicensed driver. Obviously, since they have no license, they have no insurance as well. So who will pay your medical bills?
There are many reasons why some drivers ignore getting a license. Many of these type of drivers are from foreign countries and just didn’t go through the process of getting a license in the United States. If a person is caught driving without a license, they can expect to face fines of up to $500 and cannot obtain a driver’s license for at least six months. If an unlicensed driver is involved in a car accident and the fault was his/hers, then the driver can face prison time for 60 days.
So let’s say the car accident you were in with the unlicensed driver is his fault and not yours and you were injured. Who pays? Like any other accident, the person at fault will be responsible for paying the damages. In a case like this, whoever owns the car the unlicensed driver was using at the time will be the one paying your bills. But realize that you can also have a claim of negligence entrustment against the car’s owner. This means the owner of the car is additionally responsible for your injuries since he/she lent property to a third party (an unlicensed driver) who endangered someone else’s well being.
Sounds complicated? It can be. That’s why it’s best to get an experienced personal injury lawyer if you get into a car accident with an unlicensed driver. For more than 26 years, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone has been helping car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
