If you were injured in an automobile accident involving an unlicensed driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand how difficult it can be to navigate the legal system after an accident with an unlicensed driver. Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue a legal claim for compensation and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in automobile accident cases involving unlicensed drivers. We will work hard to build a strong case on your behalf and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation allowed under the law.
In this Article
Who Can Be Held Accountable in Car Accidents with Unlicensed Drivers?
If you’re seriously injured in a car crash and the other driver doesn’t have a valid driver’s license, you may be able to hold the driver and any other responsible parties liable for your injuries. These could include:
The Driver
If a driver doesn’t have a valid license, they can still be held liable in an accident. For example, if a negligent driver is driving with a suspended license, they can be held liable for any damages or injuries that result from their negligence.
The Vehicle Owner
If the driver was operating a vehicle without a valid license, the owner of the vehicle and their insurance coverage may also be held liable.
Your Own Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
If the driver doesn’t have a car insurance policy, or their insurance coverage is inadequate to cover your damages, you may be able to file a claim with your own uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage from your own insurance company. This is how you may still be able to recover money when hit by an unlicensed driver if the other insurance companies involved deny insurance coverage.
Find Out If You Have a Case
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our team of Chicago car accident lawyers can help you determine who is liable for your injuries in a car accident involving an unlicensed driver. We will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve and help hold all responsible parties accountable. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Does Car Insurance Follow the Car or the Driver in Illinois?
In Illinois, car insurance generally follows the car. This means that the owner of the car is responsible for carrying auto insurance to protect against any potential claims arising from an accident.
So, if an unlicensed driver is driving a car and the unlicensed driver causes an accident, the insurance of the car owner might cover the loss. But this depends on the circumstances and the insurance company’s policies. Insurance companies are more likely to say an unlicensed driver is not covered and deny coverage.
Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers for Help
If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident with an unlicensed driver, don’t hesitate to contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers for help. Getting compensation after getting hit by an unlicensed driver can be tricky and our experienced attorneys can help you build a strong case for compensation and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
How You Can Pursue Compensation for Your Injuries After Your Car Accident
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping injured accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Even if the other driver doesn’t have a valid driver’s license, we can help you with every step of your case: from filing an insurance claim for damages with the responsible parties to negotiating a settlement on your behalf.
To make a strong case on your behalf, we will need to show:
The other party owed you a duty of care to keep you safe.
The other party failed to meet this duty because of their negligence.
This negligence caused your accident.
Your accident caused losses for which you can be compensated.
Duty of Care and Breach of Duty
In Illinois, all drivers owe other motorists a duty of care on the road. This means that driving safely and following the rules of the road is not only expected but legally required. Therefore, if an unlicensed driver caused your accident because they did not follow this duty of care, you may be able to hold them liable for any resulting damages or injuries.
Negligence
In order to pursue compensation for your losses, you will need to demonstrate that the other party was negligent. This means that you must prove that their actions were careless and/or reckless and directly caused your accident. Examples of negligence in a car accident involving an unlicensed driver could include:
Speeding
Distracted driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Failing to obey traffic signals, signs, and laws
Causation
It is possible that many factors contributed to your accident. You may have even been partially to blame for what happened. However, under Illinois law you could still seek damages as long as we can prove the other party was more negligent than you were, per 735 ILCS 5/2-1116.
Losses and Types of Compensation
Finally, we will need to prove that your accident caused you losses for which you can seek compensation. These damages may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
Get Help Today
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced car accident lawyers are here to help you make a strong case for compensation after your injury in an accident with an unlicensed driver. We will work hard to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
What Happens if You Drive without a License and Get into an Accident?
If you get into a car accident with no license, you can expect a few things to happen. You may face criminal charges in addition to the economic, physical, and mental hardships that come with being in a serious accident.
If you were injured in a car accident while driving without a license, that does not mean that you give up your rights. You still may be able to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering as long as you did not primarily cause the collision. As noted, unlicensed drivers are not necessarily automatically at fault for an accident, but they may still face serious consequences.
Legal Consequences
In Illinois, it is against the law to operate a vehicle without a license, permit, or restricted permit, per 625 ILCS 5/6-101. The degree of the misdemeanor will depend on the specifics of your case. For example, you may be charged with a lesser offense if you never got a license versus you had a license, but you are driving despite having your driving privileges revoked with a license suspension due to drunk driving.
Financial Consequences
In addition to the legal repercussions, you may also face financial consequences after your accident. Serious car accidents can leave you injured for weeks, months, or even permanently. You may require expensive medical treatments or even ongoing care, and your condition may prevent you from working.
When facing these financial consequences, you may feel overwhelmed. We can help you pursue compensation for your injuries caused by the negligence of the at fault driver through a claim or a personal injury lawsuit, even if you were driving without a license.
Find Out What Your Case Is Worth
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced lawyers can review the details of your accident and explain what legal recourse you may have. We understand the unique circumstances of unlicensed driver cases and will fight for your rights. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Our team is dedicated to helping injured victims in motor vehicle accidents get the maximum compensation they deserve. We will investigate your case and build a strong claim on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation. Talk with our experienced attorneys to learn more about how we can help you recover financial damages for your injuries.
If you were injured in an automobile accident involving an unlicensed driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
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