I was in an auto accident without insurance. What am I facing?

Question

I was in a car accident yesterday. I live in California. I had no insurance at the time, although I was unaware that my girlfriend had not sent in my quarterly paryment and was actually driving without insurance for almost 3 months.

The day after the accident I went in to the Highway Patrol's office and spoke to the officer who took the report and informed him I discovered I had no insurance. He didnt seem all that concerned and thanked me for going in.

As for the accidnet itself, I belief I will be found at fault as I did not brake in time and rear end a small car who in turn hit the car infront of her. I was traveling at about 30 mph when I started to brake and I heard the firefighter at the seen tell the chp he thought it was 25-30 mph.

If anyone could tell me what I am facing legally and finacially. I read online I will automatically have a one year driver's license suspension. Is this accurate and is this all? WIll I ge a ticked or fine? I would also like for someone to rule out jail time. The driver immediately infront of me had good damage to the back of her car and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Her daughter called me the day after the accident and told me she was at her house but wanted her car fixed soon because she wanted to return home in another state. I suggested she call her own insurance and let them know I was inot insured.

THe other driver in front and her passenger were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries and their car had minor damage when I looked at it at the time of the accident. I have not heard from them.

Financially can anyone tell me what I am facing? I understand I will be responsible, but I also understand that the other parties' insurances will have to cover their own drivers. If so will I simply be responsible for their deductable. I am more concerned with the legal aspects than the financial. I am an single father of three and need to be there for my kids.

Thank you to whoever can help!

Answer 1

A lot of money and you will lose you license. It is always best not to trust others to do things for you.

Answer 2

if your are at fault and you have to pay the money to there care fixed but there is alot into that I advice i would contact a lawer ASP so you wont get sewed if you hit me i would be calling my lawer on you and sew you for you house and all your money because you lawer could help you with the lost of the court cost and fines and tickets because if you did hit me and i have a class A cdl and hazmats double and tripal in dorsements and tanker and motorcycle boy o boy i would be going to jail for at least 5 years if i did not have any insurance on my car and i hit some one in the fedral pen I WOULD CALL A LAWER

Answer 3

its gonna be alot of money and prolly a  license supsended for awhile. not to mention next time you get insurance it will be alot more money.

Answer 4

Everyone elses insurance will pay there bills and fix there cars and then the insurance company's have the right to sue you for ALL damages. They will be taking your pay check for a long time. Plus a fine and suspension and higher rates for you ....ujn

Answer 5

It’s very simple.........

1. Loss of license.

2. Heavy fine.

3. You will be sued.

4. Garnishment of your wages.

5. A lien placed on your personal property.

Answer 6

Fines and a possible license suspension depending on the judge. The 1st ticket you'll get is failure to maintain distance between 2 vehicles. For being honest about your insurance, I hope the judge will be nice about it and reduce your "no insurance" fine.

I am sorry to hear about your accident and wish you the best of luck

Answer 7

"I understand I will be responsible, but I also understand that the other parties' insurances will have to cover their own drivers. If so will I simply be responsible for their deductable."

I'd be far more concerned about the financial implications this all has.

Your partly right, the insurance companies will pay out to the victims but the insurance company's will then sue you to pay for their losses. The other insurance company's may then provide the victims with lawyers to recoup their own personal losses eg; their deductable, personal injury and even emotional distress !

Answer 8

It Sounds like you are really screwed up by this problem. Hope you could get good luck here.http://car-insurance.easyideas4u.info/ca...

Answer 9

Your troubles may be just starting.  In most states, if not all of them, not carrying auto insurance with at least liability insurance is an offense.  Some states like Nebraska can even take your driver's license from you on the spot and impound your vehicle.  Expect some legal ramifications.  Saying that your girlfriend forgot to send the payment in won't fly with most.  Ultimately, you are responsible for maintaining you vehicle's insurance.

You say that injuries were experienced.  This may be even a bigger problem.  Some lawyers just love cases involving injuries caused by an auto accident.  Even if you had insurance in force at the time of the accident, they may seek civil action against you and try to find out just how deep your pockets are.

The long term problems might be there for you also.  You will probably have any tickets issued show up on your driving record which means that you might find it hard to get a job that requires you to drive.  It may even become a credit issue, showing up on your credit report, if there was a civil suit and you were found liable.

I don't think that you will face any jail time.

One comment that you made bothers me. I wouldn''t make it again if the subject comes up.  Most responsible drivers don't like to here "Oh, well, the  other guy's insurance will cover it."  That is one reason auto insurance rates are so high in most states.  The insurance companies have to make up the cost of covering for the uninsured motorist.

One of the best things you could do now is look into free legal aid offered by most large communities.

One other suggestion:  Do not take this lightly.  Including the financial aspect which is what you probably should be more concerned with.  Avoiding talking to people involved and to the authorities might make it  look like you care.  You are making a good effort now to be straight forward.  Keep it up.

Hang in there.  This may be a rough time for your and your kids.  But things that would hurt us can also make us stronger.

God bless.