Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
Uninsured, got rear-ended while stopped at red light
While I was stopped at a red light, I was hit from behind. I am uninsured but the driver who hit me was insured. He admitted fault. Sheriff wrote me a ticket for driving w/o insurance. Will I be liable for anything whatsoever?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Uninsured, got rear-ended while stopped at red light
Besides the ticket, the DMV may suspend your drivers license for a year. It could cost about $250.00 for a restricted license and then another small fee with proof of ins. to get your license back. As for your accident, you can collect property damage, medical bills and wage loss from the other driver's ins. co.
Re: Uninsured, got rear-ended while stopped at red light
Being uninsured does not make you legally responsible for harm someone else caused. If you wouldn't have been liable with insurance, you won't be liable without it.
Being uninsured will prevent you from recovering damages for any pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident. It also means that if you are sued you will have to pay for your own lawyer, instead of relying on one provided by the insurance company. And then there is the matter of the ticket, which will cost you your drivers license for a year.
Re: Uninsured, got rear-ended while stopped at red light
You get to pay a fine and are required to obtain insurance. It has no effect on your recovery claim for the collision.