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What Can I Do if I Was in a Car Accident without Insurance?

On Behalf of | Mar 1, 2019 | Car Accidents

Within a few seconds, your relaxing drive can turn into a dangerous and life-altering experience. That’s why 49 states currently require drivers to hold some level of auto insurance.

And yet according to a 2011 report, nearly 1 in 8 drivers regularly operate a motor vehicle without insurance.

If you’re part of that 13% who don’t currently have auto insurance, this article could potentially save you thousands of dollars and even a suspended license.

Here’s what you’ll need to do if you get in a car accident without car insurance.

Determine Fault

While it’s important that you determine who was at fault for the accident, don’t jump to a conclusion.

If you do something small, such as apologizing, you’re technically admitting you were in the wrong. It can get tricky, to say the least.

The best course of action is to immediately call the police and have them sort out the details. It’s important to note that, even if you weren’t at fault, you’ll still have to deal with some hefty consequences for driving uninsured.

Know Your Rights

Accidents without insurance can and often result in some major consequences. Knowing your rights can prevent a bad situation from getting worse.

If you’re uncomfortable with the situation, inform the officer at the scene of the accident you’d like to invoke your right to remain silent until you can discuss the incident with your legal representative.

Furthermore, you’ll want to take photos of the scene and get contact and insurance information from the other driver(s) involved.

Understanding Penalties for Getting in a Car Accident without Insurance

Now let’s take a moment to examine the specific consequences for accidents without insurance and how they relate to Texas state law.

If this is your first offense, expect to pay a minimum of $175 or a maximum of $350. You can also expect some fees added to your license renewal.

Subsequent offenses can cost you between $350 and $1,000 for each offense, as well as the aforementioned license renewal fees. Additionally, there’s a potential for the suspension of your license and the temporary loss of your vehicle.

In extreme or repeated cases, accidents with no insurance may also result in jail time for the uninsured driver.

Of course, we’ve yet to address the biggest consequence: paying for any vehicular damage and medical costs. Without insurance, you’re responsible for covering everything out of pocket.

Given that most accidents can cause thousands of dollars, that’s quite the penalty unto itself.

Driving Uninsured? Get Legal Help Today

Driving uninsured is never a good idea. As you can see, getting into a car accident without insurance is a bad situation, both personally and financially.

However, having proper legal representation can minimize the damage quite a bit.

Don’t face the legal system alone. Get in touch today and schedule your free consultation to see how Kastl Law can help you.