- September 27, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Car Accident Lawsuits
Getting into a car accident is always a stressful experience because it can result in significant injuries, along with other losses. If you’re in a collision with a driver who doesn’t have a valid license, however, the complications can exponentially increase. In those instances, it’s essential that you know the immediate steps to take after a car accident with an unlicensed driver. Hiring personal injury lawyers as soon as possible can help you get compensation for what you’ve lost.
The team of New York car accident attorneys at Tucker Lawyers provides aggressive representation if you’ve suffered because of another person’s negligent or wrongful conduct. We can guide you through the entire claims process to make certain you can get the assistance you deserve. Learn more about the legal implications of driving without a license in New York and how to get compensation after an accident.
Call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 to speak with an experienced attorney about your claim.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident With an Unlicensed Driver
How to Help Yourself Recover Losses
The moment you’re in a car accident with an unlicensed driver, you need to focus on a few crucial steps. These steps can make it easier for you to file a claim and recover damages.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and any other vehicle occupants for injuries. If you’re in pain or bleeding, contact emergency services at once so you can receive the attention you need. If the other party calls an ambulance, it’s always a good idea to get examined, even if you don’t think you’re injured. You may not be able to tell if you have a concussion or internal bleeding without medical assistance.
Call the Police
In New York, you are required by law to contact the police and report the accident if it resulted in injuries. When the police arrive at the scene, give them a detailed account of what happened. If the accident caused $1,000 or more in property damage, you must file a report within ten days.
Gather Evidence
You need to get as much evidence from the scene as you can. That means taking pictures of the vehicles as well as any skid marks or other road conditions that show what happened in the accident. If there are witnesses, you also want to get their contact information so you can depend on their testimony when you file a claim.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers
It’s important that you contact our team of lawyers as soon as you can after the accident. In these types of claims, you will need representation to be able to get compensation and cover your losses.
Legal Implications of Driving Without a License
Driving without a license in New York is a serious misdemeanor that carries a penalty of a fine ranging from $75 to $300, a jail sentence of 15 days, or both. If the driver is operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, the fees are much higher, and the driver could face imprisonment, probation, and having their car impounded.
Insurance Considerations
New York is a no-fault state, so in the majority of instances, you’ll file a claim with your insurance company. People who don’t have licenses can’t get insurance, so if you’re hit by one you’ll have to depend on your uninsured motorist coverage. The problem is that your insurance may not cover all of your losses if you suffer a serious accident. You won’t be able to claim non-economic damages like pain and suffering, for instance, or get compensation for loss of earning potential.
If that’s the case, you may file a lawsuit against the other motorist, even if they don’t have a license or insurance. This can help you recover losses.
At Tucker Lawyers, we’ve helped recover millions of dollars for our clients in insurance settlements and jury awards.
Recovering Damages
Claiming Economic and Non-Economic Losses
To be able to receive compensation, you need to prove that the other party holds the majority of the fault for the accident. In most cases, this means proving negligence. To do so, you must demonstrate that the other party owed you a duty of care that they breached and that their conduct led you to suffer injuries for which you can be compensated. If you can meet all of these requirements, you’ll be able to claim economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses, including medical expenses like hospital bills and ongoing therapy sessions. If you need to make adjustments to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability that the accident caused, economic damages can cover this. After an accident in which you suffer injuries, you will likely miss work as you recover. That means you won’t get the income you would have received if the accident hadn’t happened. You can claim these losses, too. If you can’t return to work at all, it’s possible to claim loss of earning potential.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for losses that aren’t financial. Pain and suffering belongs in this category, as does loss of enjoyment of life. In instances when a loved one dies in the collision, you can also claim loss of consortium. Loss of consortium compensates you for the loss of companionship and support.
The amount of compensation you receive for non-economic losses will depend on the severity of the injuries as well as how they impact your life. We can help you understand what you can expect when you come to a free consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our New York Lawyers
After being in a car accident with an unlicensed driver and suffering losses, you can file a lawsuit against that driver to recover damages. At Tucker Lawyers, our team of personal injury attorneys can help you present the claim and negotiate for fair compensation.
Get help with your claim today. Contact Tucker Lawyers by calling our team at (516) 399-2364.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]