If you have been involved in a car accident and did not have insurance, then there might be some surprises in store for you. Keep reading to find out what your legal rights are and what you should expect. Remember that you can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you require a free legal consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
You Could Be Sued Personally if You Were at Fault
If you were at fault for the accident and did not have insurance, any injured parties could potentially sue you directly. If they win their case, they could put a lien on any property you own, including your home – even if you own the home in common with someone else. Filing for bankruptcy is not likely to remove these liens.
You Might Not Be Eligible for Full Damages if You Were Not at Fault
If you were not at fault for the accident, then you might assume it does not matter that you were not carrying insurance. This is false. First, you can be issued a citation by the police for not holding insurance, and this can come with a hefty fine.
Second, if you do not have liability insurance, then you cannot sue for pain and suffering damages from the other party. This is true no matter how significant your pain and suffering were. Yes, you can likely sue for economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, but that is where your options end.
It is Worth Getting the Minimum Insurance
We know that money is tight right now. We know that it might not seem that getting liability insurance on your car or motorcycle is essential, but it is. Even the minimum insurance can help protect you and assure that you get fair damages if you are injured. This can affect not just you but your immediate family members too.
Contact an Attorney if You Are Injured in an Accident That Was Not Your Fault
If you suffered a serious injury in an accident in which you were not at fault, and you did not have insurance at the time, this does not mean that you should simply accept whatever offer the insurance company makes. They might claim that because you are not eligible for pain and suffering, that your payment is limited to your medical bills and your lost wages.
This is not necessarily true. For example, if your injury will require future medical care or surgeries, then your settlement should include those future costs too. The best way to find out what to do with any offer you are given is to talk to a personal injury attorney by calling The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
