Got Into a Car Accident Without Your Driver’s License? It’s Not As Bad As You Think

So you drove a car without your driver’s license. Maybe your driver’s license expired, or you never got one. Maybe you don’t have the money to renew it, or you don’t have the time to go down to the DMV to get a new one. Anyway, you took a risk and ended up getting into an accident without having a license. You’ve got a pit in your stomach.

Driving without a license and then getting into an accident? That’s got to be bad.

Actually, it’s not as bad as you think. When you get into an accident without having your driver’s license, there are a few things to think about and consider.

1. Driving without a license is not the same as driving with a suspended or revoked license. When you drive without a license, you’re breaking the law—but it’s similar to how speeding is breaking the law. You’ll receive a citation and probably have to pay a fine. Driving with a suspended or revoked license means the law took your license away to prevent you from driving. If you drive after your license is taken away, that’s a more serious offense. That’s when you may go to jail or pay a larger fine.

2. Your situation of not having a driver’s license is completely separate from your car accident situation. That means if you’re in a car accident in which the other person is at fault, they are still at fault even if you don’t have your driver’s license. The fact of having or not having a license does not affect your car accident case. You can proceed as you would normally proceed in dealing with a car accident, including collecting money to help pay for your injuries, vehicle damage, and other property damage.

3. Get your driver’s license as soon as possible—especially after an accident. First, it’s a good idea to get your driver’s license so that you are obeying the law any time you drive a vehicle. And after an accident, getting your driver’s license as soon as possible will help your case with insurance companies and courts in case they do decide to use your lack of a license against you.

4. Sort out details related to your lack of having a driver’s license. Those details are important and may include:

   • The person’s car you were driving. Unlicensed drivers often drive other people’s cars.

   • The person’s insurance that covers the car you were driving.

   • The person or people you live with. Unlicensed drivers often live with other people, and insurance companies will need a physical address where you live.

After a car accident, you need to get clear on these details to make sure you work with the right insurance companies and protect yourself as much as possible under the law. Other people’s insurance will likely be used to help pay any damages if you were not driving your own car or not living on your own.

So, while it’s always a good idea to get a driver’s license, the punishment of driving without a license or with an expired license is much less than driving with a suspended or revoked license. However, it’s always good to work with a personal injury attorney to make sure you’re doing the right things after such a situation.

If you live in Macon, GA or surrounding areas and have been in a similar situation or have more questions about this, call us today for a free consultation.