I was involved in an accident, and I had no insurance. Although I had proof, the policy was lapsed. I went to court today and the court date got reset to two months from now. What are the possible endings for a situation like this... when a lapsed insurance card is used as proof of insurance in an accident that I was at fault.
2007-12-17 07:26:22 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
get ready to be sued
2007-12-17 07:31:07 · answer #1 · answered by larry s 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am assuming your are stating that your insurance was canceled due to lack of payment, correct? Either way you did not have coverage on the date of the accident, which you were at fault. The first thing depending on the jurisdiction you live in, if you are a first time offender, you will assess a heavy fine, approximately $1,000.00. Your license might be revoked, as well. The penalties will be more severe if this is a second or third offense. Lastly, if the other driver involved in the accident sustained injuries resulting in exhaustion of his or her uninsured policy, he or she has the right to sue you for your assets or just enter a judgment against you. It is very imperative that you always have insurance, not only to obey the laws, but to protect your assets.
2007-12-17 15:37:31 · answer #2 · answered by Crystal C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What sort of court case?
Are you being sued by the person you hit, or charged by the State with driving without insurance?
If the first, the status of your insurance is legally totally irrelevant. You get sued, you lose, you pay the guy. Since your insurance wasn't valid, they won't pay for you.
If it's a charge of driving without insurance then the worst case scenario is the maximum penalty for driving without insurance plus, possibly, additonal charges for lying to the cop by representing your insurance as valid when it wasn't.
Best case scenario is that the judge believes you when you say that you didn't know it had lapsed, and show him proof that you 'immediately' went and renewed it, and all he fines you is a 'fix-it' fee ($10 where I am)
Richard
2007-12-17 15:36:45 · answer #3 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll get whatever the state penalty is for lapsed insurance; probably a suspension, a fine, costs, and accident costs.
2007-12-17 15:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by wizjp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tis as though you didn't have insurance at all.
After a court date is not the time to start researching the legalities of your case. Take advantage of the reprieve and hire a lawyer well in advance to explain the situation to you unless you are willing to accept all of the weight of law without even knowing in advance what that will be. Which would just be dumb.
2007-12-17 15:31:57 · answer #5 · answered by Barry C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You will be held responsible, as you should be.
2007-12-17 15:37:33 · answer #6 · answered by Wounded Duck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're screwed!
2007-12-17 15:34:13 · answer #7 · answered by Emanon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋