GET A FREE CONSULTATION (702) 680-1111
Trial Attorney at Gina Corena & Associates
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Driving without a license carries with it significant consequences, especially if you chose to drive on a suspended or revoked license. Simply driving before you have a license can bring with it fines and fees, while driving with a suspended or revoked license could lead to larger fines or even jail time.
But what happens if you suffer injuries in a car accident while driving without a license? Can you still file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your injuries?
If you suffer serious injuries in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. Your right to a personal injury claim does not depend on whether you had a license or not at the time of the accident. Instead, several factors will contribute to your right to compensation.
When another party causes an auto accident, regardless of whether you have a driver’s license, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. This includes a distracted driver, one driving under the influence, or a driver breaking the rules of the road, including speeding, ignoring red lights, or driving straight through stop signs.
It’s worth noting that accidents involving unlicensed drivers can present unique challenges. For instance, determining who is at fault when an unlicensed driver is involved can be a complex process. Moreover, understanding the intricacies of car accidents in general can be overwhelming for many. This is why it’s often recommended to involve an attorney after a car crash. They can help navigate the nuances of Nevada’s at-fault insurance policies and guide you on how to proceed if you had an expired license during the accident.
On the other hand, if you contributed to the accident, including failure to follow the rules of the road or driving unsafely, you may not have grounds for a personal injury claim. You cannot ignore the rules of the road while driving, even if you do not have a license or do not understand the rules of the road. You may share fault if you chose to speed, drive distracted, driving under the influence, or pull over in front of another driver. In some cases, you may also bear partial liability for an accident, which can reduce the compensation you can receive.
In order to determine the compensation you deserve for injuries suffered in an accident, an attorney will start by evaluating the extent of your injuries and how they contribute to your expenses and losses related to the accident. When you file a personal injury claim, you have the right to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages due to your accident and injuries, and pain and suffering. Most often, your medical expenses will form the basis of your personal injury claim. In addition to considering the extent of your injuries and the cost of your medical bills, an attorney will work with you to assess how much work you had to miss as a result of your injuries and how pain and suffering from the accident can impact the amount you ultimately receive for a personal injury claim.
If you get caught driving without a license, you may face consequences, usually in the form of a fine. Most of the time, you need not worry about extreme consequences related to driving without a license. The police officer who responds to the scene of the accident may decide whether to issue a fine for an accident. You will not face a reduction in the funds you can receive as a result of a personal injury claim, but you may face penalties for driving without a license.
If you received serious injuries in an accident, regardless of whether you drove with or without a license, you should take the same important steps to protect yourself and your finances following the accident. You should:
1. Report the accident. You may be tempted to quickly leave the scene of the accident without reporting it after you have an accident while driving without a license. Leaving the scene of the accident, however, can impose additional penalties, even if you did not cause the accident. Instead, stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive.
2. Accurately report the events that led to the accident, but do not make statements that accept fault if you can avoid it. In your panic over driving without a license, you may errantly accept fault for the accident. “It’s all my fault! I should never have gotten behind the wheel without a license!” Instead, accurately, and as calmly as possible, report the events that led to the accident. Do not volunteer information about your lack of a license, but do not lie about it if asked.
3. Seek medical attention. Make medical care your first priority after any type of accident, even if you believe you did not suffer serious injuries. The adrenaline from the accident can camouflage serious injuries, leaving you unaware of how badly you got hurt in the accident. Not only that, a trip to the hospital or urgent care centre can help establish exactly when your injuries took place, which can prove vital if you later need to file a personal injury claim.
4. Consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Any time you suffer serious injuries in an auto accident, regardless of whether or not you had a license at the time of the accident, a personal injury attorney can provide vital advice and assistance that can help you navigate your claim and improve your odds of receiving the compensation you deserve. An attorney can also help you better understand the potential consequences of driving without your license.
5. Get your driver’s license as soon as possible. If you did not have your license at all at the time of the accident, rather than driving on a revoked or suspended license, get your driver’s license as soon as possible. Do not drive again until you have a valid license, even if you feel that you urgently need to get somewhere.
Did you suffer serious injuries in an auto accident in Nevada while driving without a license? Do you need help understanding your legal rights and how to file a personal injury claim? Contact Gina Corena & Associates today at 702-680-1111 to schedule a consultation.
Did you suffer serious injuries in an auto accident in Nevada while driving without a license? Do you need help understanding your legal rights and how to file a personal injury claim? Contact Gina Corena & Associates today at 702-680-1111 to schedule a consultation.
At Gina Corena & Associates, we value your needs and what best serves your interests. Our results and our service to our clients speak about the trust and value we provide to them at this difficult stage. Backed with years of experience and trust, we know the necessities for your case. If you have any query or cannot find what you are looking for, visit our website, and check out other information related to car accidents and our services. We can help – Contact us today!
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
