What happens if you hit someone and they don’t have insurance in California? You may still end up paying the other driver for their losses in this situation. However, California has specific rules in place that limit the other driver’s compensation in this case.
Find out more about California’s “No Pay, No Play” rule. You can also review the type of compensation associated with car accident cases in this article and get information about how to show that you did not cause an accident in California.
California’s “No Pay, No Play” Regulations
The state of California legally requires all drivers to carry insurance. Failure to carry car insurance may result in criminal charges within the state. Drivers who don’t have car insurance also face the “No Pay, No Play” rule.
The “No Pay, No Play” rule reduces the amount of compensation individuals may get after a car accident. Drivers without car insurance may not seek non-economic damages after a collision. This reduces the amount of compensation you may have to provide to a driver.
Learn More About Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are losses that don’t have a set financial cost. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental anguish
Non-economic damages in California often make up a large percentage of a car accident settlement. In many cases, drivers receive more compensation for non-economic damages than economic damages. Drivers without insurance do not receive any non-economic damages.
Compensation Owed to a Driver Without Insurance
California’s “No Pay, No Play” rule does not prevent drivers from seeking compensation after an accident. Non-insured individuals may still seek economic damages following a collision. Economic damages cover things such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages at work
- Vehicle repair costs
You may still be liable to pay a driver for these losses if you hit them. Drivers must generally file a claim against your insurance company to seek compensation. An insurance agent may handle the claim on your behalf.
In some cases, a driver may also file a lawsuit against you in court. You may wish to contact a law firm if you are accused of causing an accident in California. This is especially true if you were charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Contact a DUI lawyer by calling us today at (310) 896-2724.
Your Options if an Uninsured Driver Hit You
Sometimes, uninsured drivers in California cause accidents. In this situation, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your losses. However, you cannot file a claim with the driver’s insurance if they are uninsured. How do you get compensation in this situation?
You may get compensation if you have uninsured/underinsured driver coverage. Many insurance policies offer this form of coverage. However, it is not always offered automatically. You may have to purchase uninsured/underinsured driver’s insurance on your own.
A lawyer could also help you seek compensation directly from the uninsured driver. However, many drivers are uninsured because they do not have the funds to pay for insurance. In this situation, they may not be able to cover your losses.
Speak with a lawyer about the best way to handle an accident involving an uninsured driver.
Uninsured Driving Is Against the Law in California
As we mentioned, drivers are not legally allowed to drive without insurance in California. Drivers who operate a motor vehicle without insurance may face charges. California uses Vehicle Code (VC) 16029 to prosecute drivers without insurance.
VC 16029 is considered an infraction. This means that a violation generally only leads to fines. Drivers may face a few hundreds of dollars in fines if they are accused of driving without insurance. Note that driving without insurance does not make a driver responsible for an accident.
However, the driver without insurance could cause a collision. A lawyer may investigate the facts of your accident to determine liability. Note that more than one driver could be at fault for an accident in California. You may receive some compensation if you are only partially at-fault for a collision. Get help in this situation from a law firm.
Get Information About Hitting Someone without Insurance
So, what happens if you hit an uninsured driver in California? You may need to pay their economic damages. However, you don’t have to cover their non-economic losses. Find out more about how to handle an accident with an uninsured driver by calling (310) 896-2724. You can also complete our online contact form or contact drunk driving accident attorney.
Get information about your situation right now with a free consultation. We’re ready to help you with your legal needs.
