Getting into a car accident can be incredibly stressful, even more so if the other driver involved in the incident is unlicensed. Understanding what steps to take helps you prepare for such circumstances while ensuring your rights are protected.
Washington D.C. is a No-Fault Jurisdiction
First, it’s essential to understand that Washington D.C. is a ‘no-fault‘ jurisdiction when it comes to car accidents. This means after most traffic collisions in D.C., injured drivers will turn to their personal injury protection (PIP) policy first, making recovery of damages independent from who caused the crash.
How To Obtain Compensation From An Unlicensed Driver
However, under particular conditions, it’s possible to side-step this no-fault rule and try to obtain compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company – for example, if your medical costs exceed certain thresholds due to severity or if you meet specific injury criteria.
What this means is that if the other driver is unlicensed and you think they may be at fault for the accident, it may not make much of a difference for you and your claim. In this case, you will file a claim with your own insurance company just as you would if the other party had a license.
If the injuries you experienced are severe or you incur significant damages to your vehicle or other property, you may be able to file a claim with the driver’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit against them if they are also uninsured.
The fact that they don’t have a driver’s license won’t automatically make them liable for the accident; negligence still has to be established.
Contact Law Enforcement as Soon as Possible If You’re in an Accident With an Unlicensed Driver
In an accident involving an unlicensed driver, reaching out to law enforcement promptly becomes a significant first step. An accurate and detailed police report is crucial for establishing the incident and preserving your rights. The unlicensed driver may be scared to have police show up at the scene, but you need them to come out and file a report.
This official document provides valuable information about the accident that can be valuable when seeking compensation.
What Happens If You Allowed an Unlicensed Driver to Use Your Car
In some instances, if an unlicensed driver causes an accident in a car that doesn’t belong to them, liability may extend to the owner of that vehicle. This often depends on whether it can be established that the owner knowingly allowed this individual to operate their vehicle without a valid license.
Allowing an unlicensed person to use your car may constitute negligence. This could make you liable for damages resulting from accidents caused by the unauthorized driver if the other party experiences severe injuries or damages.
Contact a Washington D.C. Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Whether you had an accident with an unlicensed driver or an unlicensed driver crashed your car, you need a lawyer as soon as possible to help you with your claim as this is a difficult scenario to be in.
A Washington D.C. car accident attorney will help you address your situation, guide you through insurance claims, and provide you with general advice throughout the process.
This ensures that you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve been injured, and helps protect you from liability if you allowed someone unlicensed to use your car. If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation.