Have you never gotten around to getting your driver’s license? The truth is about one in ten adults are currently unlicensed, so you’re not alone. One reason why many adults fail to get a license is that they don’t think they need one.
What happens if you get in an accident without a license, though? Not only will you deal with the immediate consequences of a car accident, but you’ll also end up dealing with criminal penalties, too. The good news is that you can overcome your situation once you get informed on what to do. Learn everything you need to know about what to do if you get in a car accident without a license and how our firm can help you below.
What Happens if You Crash Without a License?
If you get into an accident and you don’t have a license, then you’re in a pretty complicated situation. You can’t leave the scene of the accident or you could face serious criminal charges, but if you stay at the scene, then you’ll get charged with driving without a license. So, what should you do?
First, remain calm. Stay at the scene of the crash, and make sure that no one involved is injured. From there, you or the other party needs to reach out to the police. The police will arrive at the scene, document the accident with an official report, and care for anyone that’s injured. As you’d expect, the situation about your license will come up. Be honest with the police. The most likely outcome is that you’ll receive a ticket. Accept the ticket and continue to deal with the aftermath of the accident. If you’re injured, then it’s highly advised that you seek out medical care as soon as you can.
Dealing With the Aftermath of Your Accident
After your crash, there’s a good chance you suffered losses. Whether your property is damaged or you had to pay out of pocket for medical bills related to your accident injuries, all those financial losses can stack up fast. You might be able to seek out compensation from either a no-fault insurance policy or by seeking out a personal injury lawsuit.
You might wonder if an unlicensed driver in an accident is at fault. The truth is that whether you have a license or not is a non-factor when it comes to fault in your crash.
If the unlicensed driver in an accident is not at fault, then they can still seek out compensation from the other driver just as they could if they’d had their license at the time of the accident.
Facing Your Criminal Charges
Driving without a license is a crime. The good news is that it’s a very minor crime, and the penalties associated with it are minor in Massachusetts. If you’re ticketed for driving without a license, then you’ll get charged with a misdemeanor. Police can arrest you and take you to jail over this offense, but it’s also up to their discretion as to whether to give you a summons to appear in court instead. In most cases, you’ll simply pay a $100 fine to deal with the charges. If it’s possible, then do what you can to get your valid driver’s license before your court date. Doing so will show to the court that you’re willing to oblige by the rules moving forward.
What Happens if You Get in a Car Accident With Only a Permit?
Per Massachusetts law, permit holders must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is over the age of 21. This license holder must also be in the front seat. If you get into a car accident with a permit and a licensed driver is in the car, then the situation will get treated like any other accident. The licensed driver’s insurance would come into play.
What Happens if You Get in an Accident Without a License?
So, what happens if you crash without a license? First, the authorities will come out to the scene and request your credentials. Once they realize you don’t have any, you’ll surely receive a ticket. The good news is that the main focus will be on the accident itself. You’ll likely deal with the criminal aspects of driving without a license later.
Regardless of if you’re at-fault for the crash or not, you’ll want to look at your no-fault insurance policy in Massachusetts for compensation first. If your losses exceed your policy’s ability to pay, then you should consider seeking out a lawsuit.
Whether you need counsel for your criminal charges or you’re looking to seek out a personal injury claim, our team of lawyers can help. Contact us today to discuss your accident in more detail with one of our attorneys.