What Happens If I Get Into A Car Accident And Don’t Have Insurance?

If you get into a car accident in Florida and don’t have insurance, your driver’s license, registration, tags, and license plate can be suspended by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The exception is that if no injuries resulted from the accident, you might be able to keep your driver’s license and registration – but only after you provide proof of valid insurance to the DHSMV.

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that both parties look to their own insurance coverage to pay for repairs and medical costs after a car accident, no matter who was at fault. If you caused the accident and did not have insurance, you would be financially liable for the other parties’ damages.

CAN I GET COMPENSATION AFTER AN ACCIDENT IF I HAVE NO INSURANCE?

Getting any compensation in Florida after an accident when you do not have insurance depends on who was at fault. If you suffer injuries but did not cause the accident, you may pursue compensation from the at-fault party – even if you did not have insurance at the time of the wreck.

What if There Were Injuries?

If there were injuries and you were liable for causing the accident, you would have to pay for the other drivers’ property damage and medical costs. After you’ve paid them for these damages, you’ll receive a signed form that releases you from additional responsibility. If you are unable to pay for damages, you can ask about a payment plan. While this is not guaranteed, some parties are more flexible than others.

What if There Were No Injuries?

If there were no injuries with either party after the car accident, then Florida’s no-fault laws come into play. The other driver will receive coverage for their vehicle’s damage through their own insurance company, and you will be responsible for your own car’s damages. But because you do not have insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket for your vehicle’s repairs.

CAN I PURCHASE INSURANCE COVERAGE AFTER MY CAR ACCIDENT?

You should purchase coverage as soon as possible if you have been in a car accident and did not have insurance. After buying a new policy, you’ll have to inform the insurance company that you were recently in an uninsured collision. They will then issue you an SR-22 or FR-44. This form is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) that serves two purposes.

This form proves:

• To the DHSMV that you have the minimum liability auto coverage, and

• That you are a high-risk driver.

For the next three years, you’ll be required to turn this form into the DHSMV and have a higher car insurance rate.

HOW IS MY DRIVER’S LICENSE AFFECTED AFTER BEING IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITHOUT INSURANCE?

If you do not get insurance coverage and meet the DHSMV’s requirements by the deadline they specify, they will suspend your:

• Driver’s license,

• Vehicle registration,

• Plate and tags.

Florida’s DHSMV enforces these laws through its Bureau of Motorist Compliance (BMC). This agency handles uninsured drivers who have been in car accidents. If the other driver filed a lawsuit against you to pursue compensation for property damage and injuries, the BMC could suspend your license for up to 20 years, or until you pay the amount ordered in the judgment.

To avoid having the BMC suspend your license, be sure to obtain the SR-22 or FR-44 form and forward it to them or the DHSMV office as soon as possible. You will also want to include the liability release that you obtained after paying damages to the other drivers involved in your car accident.

CALL FORT LAUDERDALE’S SEASONED CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS AFTER YOUR CAR ACCIDENT

If you were injured in an accident without insurance, the personal injury attorneys at McCullough & Leboff, P.A. are here to help. Whether you have insurance or not, a car accident is an unsettling experience for anyone to go through. If you were injured in the collision, the car accident lawyers at McCullough & Leboff, P.A. can help you pursue a claim against the responsible driver’s insurance company to pay for your damages so you can focus on recovering.

McCullough & Leboff, P.A. provide individualized attention to each client’s injury claim to secure a maximum settlement agreement. To speak with one of our attorneys today for your free case review, contact us online or call our office.