What happens if you have a car accident without insurance in Indiana? You can face legal penalties in this situation. Additionally, you may have to cover the losses of the other driver out-of-pocket.
Even if another driver causes your collision, they may not have to cover your losses due to Indiana’s “No Pay, No Play” legislation. You can learn more about this situation with an Indiana car accident lawyer from Vaughan & Vaughan.
Discuss your situation by calling or filling out our online contact form.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Indiana?
Indiana requires all drivers to carry auto insurance before operating a vehicle. Failure to follow this regulation can have legal penalties, including:
The Suspension of Your Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration
Indiana can suspend your license for at least 90 days for a first-time violation of car insurance regulations. If you have a record of driving without insurance, the state may suspend your license for up to a year.
You will need to pay a reinstatement fee to get your license and registration back after the suspension period.
Fines
You can expect to pay fines if you drive without insurance in Indiana, regardless of whether or not you get in an accident. These fines may become very expensive.
Requirements to Acquire SR-22 Insurance
If you drive without insurance, Indiana may require you to acquire SR-22 insurance, a form of high-risk insurance coverage. You’ll have to present an SR-22 form before the state reinstates your driving privileges.
So, in summary, driving without insurance in Indiana can lead to severe penalties like fines, suspension of driving privileges, and fees to reinstate your license and registration. These penalties can apply regardless of whether an accident occurred.
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What Happens If You Wreck Without Insurance in Indiana?
If you end up in a car accident without insurance in Indiana, you may face serious financial strain if you cause the collision. You may end up responsible for covering all of the losses associated with the accident, including the other driver’s:
- Healthcare expenses
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Depending on the outcome of your claim, the court could garnish your wages to cover damages and legal fees. If a driver attempts to blame you for an accident they caused, make sure you reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Indiana for assistance.
What Happens If You Have a No-Fault Accident Without Insurance?
Sometimes accidents occur without fault from either party. For example, poor weather could result in a single-vehicle collision that damages your car. In this situation, you will not have insurance coverage to cover the costs of repairs.
What Happens If Someone Else Causes an Accident and You Have No Insurance?
Indiana has two statutes that codify the state’s “No Pay, No Play” laws. These regulations prevent uninsured drivers from collecting full compensation even if someone else causes an accident. In some cases, the rules may stop you from securing funds for your:
- Physical impairment or loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
The other driver may still have to cover your medical expenses and the costs to repair your vehicle. Not that these regulations may not apply if the other driver intentionally caused the accident you experienced.
You can learn more about these regulations with an Indiana car accident insurance claim lawyer.
Can You Hire a Lawyer If You Have a Car Accident Without Insurance?
You can still hire a lawyer, even if you do not have insurance at the time of your collision in Indiana. Your attorney can focus on showing that someone else caused your wreck, which may help you avoid paying out compensation for the other driver.
Showing that someone else caused the wreck can also help you secure funds to cover some of your losses. Your lawyer can investigate what happened by:
- Interviewing witnesses to your car wreck
- Looking for surveillance footage or photos from the accident scene
- Reviewing the accident report
- Working with car accident experts
Lawyers put your needs first and consider all avenues to resolve your claim, which may involve negotiations with insurance agents or even filing a car accident lawsuit.
What Kind of Insurance do You Need in Indiana?
Note that Indiana requires you to carry certain minimum amounts of insurance when you operate a vehicle. Therefore, you could face legal consequences if you carry insurance below the legal minimum.
The state requires you to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance. You must maintain a minimum of $25,000 for an accident for property damage liability.
The state recommends that drivers carry uninsured/underinsured driver insurance, but you can waive these policies in writing with your insurance company. You may have to try multiple insurance agencies before finding one that will offer you a policy.
How Long do You Have to Handle a Car Wreck Without Insurance?
If you sustain injuries in a car wreck caused by someone else, you have a limited amount of time to seek compensation, regardless of the status of your insurance. Generally, Indiana gives you a few years to proceed with a claim before removing the option.
Contact Us If You Have a Car Accident Without Insurance
Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can step in to help after a collision. We can explain what happens if you have a car accident without insurance and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
Learn more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
