Did you know that households in Massachusetts have some of the lowest car ownership rates per household in the nation? That’s pretty surprising considering a whopping 91% of American households have access to at least one car, but it also becomes easier to understand when you consider the current economic times we’re in.
More Americans are struggling to make ends meet, so they’re starting to fall behind on certain obligations – like their vehicle registration fees. Have you recently discovered that you’ve been driving around Massachusetts with expired tags? Did you get into an accident with expired registration papers?
It makes sense to wonder how to proceed after you get into an accident without valid vehicle registration papers, so we’re here to help guide you through the process. Learn more about how to handle an accident with expired registration and how our law firm can help you navigate the whole ordeal below.
What Happens if You Get in an Accident Without Registration Papers?
If you get into an accident and you don’t have your registration papers, then it makes sense to feel anxious. Despite that, you’ll still want to treat the accident just like you would any other type of traffic accident. If anyone is hurt or if anyone’s vehicle is significantly damaged, then it makes sense to involve the authorities.
Once authorities arrive, they’ll initiate an investigation into the accident.
The question of your registration will come up sooner rather than later. We’ll go into more detail on that below. Regardless, authorities will collect your information and the information of the other driver. They’ll produce an official accident report. If you aren’t seriously injured, then it’s a good idea to take photographs of the scene, the damage to your car, and any other important details. You can also ask any witnesses to give statements to the police. Once the initial reporting is taken care of, you’ll be free to be on your way. It’s best to consider getting medical treatment soon after the accident to check for any injuries.
What Happens if Your Tags are Expired? Will You Get Arrested?
So, what happens if your tags are expired and the cops learn about it during the accident investigation process? If your registration is expired, then you need to understand that you’ve committed a crime. Driving with an expired registration is a moving violation that’s defined as a misdemeanor offense.
If officers discover that your tags are expired, then they’ll likely give you a criminal citation. The good news is that you likely will not get arrested unless you’ve committed other types of offenses. The bad news is that the offense is still considered a crime if you get convicted. The penalties could include jail time of up to 10 days and fines of up to $1,000.
If you’ve received a criminal citation over expired tags, then it’s in your best interests to rectify the issue as soon as possible. If you can, then do so before your court date. If you do get your vehicle registration back in order, then it’s possible that the court will dismiss your charges. It’s also a good idea to consider hiring a lawyer before your court date. Some solid legal advice could be the difference between a conviction and a clean record.
Does Expired Registration Void Insurance Policies?
There is something else you might need to consider, too. If you get into an accident and you plan on using your insurance coverage, you might wonder if letting your tags expire caused your policy to lapse. The good news is that usually, your vehicle’s insurance coverage won’t end if your registration expires. It’s always best to check in with your insurance policy to verify your coverage, though.
What Happens if You Get in an Accident With Expired Tags?
If you’ve recently let your vehicle registration lag and you’ve gotten into an accident with expired tags, while not ideal, it’s not the worst offense. Despite your situation, you should still treat your car accident like you would any other crash. Once the police come out, they may give you a ticket for having expired tags, but it’s very unlikely that you’ll get arrested unless you have committed other offenses.
What’s more, your traffic ticket will be a completely separate issue from the accident itself.
Are you currently considering seeking out compensation after your accident? You can still seek out financial damages even if you were driving with expired tags. Your moving violation has no bearing on fault when it comes to your crash. Contact the Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan now to discuss your accident in more detail with one of our best Massachusetts car accident attorneys.