The penalty for driving without insurance in California can range from a monetary fine to years of license suspension. If you’re facing penalties for driving without insurance, you’ll want to consult with an experienced DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA.
An attorney can review the details of your case, build a strong defense strategy on your behalf, and work hard to protect you from the consequences you’re facing. With a skilled attorney by your side, you’ll have an excellent chance at avoiding the penalties associated with driving without insurance.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in California
Familiarizing yourself with the penalties for driving without insurance in California can help you understand your case and the importance of hiring a lawyer to protect your best interests. Depending on the severity of your offense and past offenses, you could face any of the following consequences:
- Fines up to $200 for first-time offenders
- Fine up to $500 for a second offense
- Penalty assessment fees, which triple the fine amount
- Vehicle being impounded
- Your driver’s license being suspended for 1 year after a collision
- Your driver’s license being suspended for 4 years after causing multiple collisions
As you can see, you can face harsh consequences for not having auto insurance when you are pulled over by a police officer. The best way to avoid these penalties is to make sure your car is insured when you purchase it. That said, if you were pulled over and didn’t have insurance, a lawyer can help you get your charges dropped or reduced.
What Are California’s Insurance Coverage Laws?
To avoid penalties for driving without proper insurance In California, it can help to learn about the state’s insurance coverage laws. The legally required amount of coverage can be broken down into the three following categories:
- $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $5,000 of property damage liability coverage
These types of coverage can help you cover medical expenses and vehicle repair costs in the event of a serious accident. Additionally, it can provide coverage for others who may have been harmed or sustained property damage due to the incident.
It is important to know that having auto insurance but not having the sufficient legal amount is still considered illegal. You can face the same penalties as those who have no auto insurance at all. Similarly, having auto insurance but not having any physical proof of it is also illegal.
In this situation, the police officer will not know for certain if you are driving an insured vehicle, so they have to treat it as if you are not insured. You can face the same penalties as those who have no auto insurance at all. To avoid this scenario, find out if your auto insurance provider offers digital cards that are viewable on a phone.
Can You Still Get Insured After a Lapse in Coverage?
If your coverage has lapsed, you shouldn’t have to risk penalties for driving without insurance in California. That’s because there is still an opportunity to obtain coverage if you have allowed your auto insurance to lapse. However, not all car insurance companies will offer coverage because you will be considered a higher-risk driver due to a lapse.
That said, there are insurance providers that specialize in higher-risk drivers who may not have the best driving track record. We encourage you to explore your options to determine which company is the best choice for you and your family.
Purchasing Insurance While Facing Penalties Can Help Your Case
Getting auto insurance after being cited for having a lapse in coverage can also help your criminal defense case. This is because your criminal defense attorney can request that prosecutors either drop the charges or lower the penalties if you plan on getting insured immediately.
This shows the prosecutors and judge that you have taken the citation seriously. Cooperating with the law is always beneficial to your defense case.
How to Appeal a Penalty for Driving Without Proof of Insurance in California
Having no auto insurance coverage before getting pulled over by the police means that you will more than likely lose an appeal for your fines. It’s a different story if you were insured but didn’t have proof of insurance in your vehicle at the time of the traffic stop.
If you’ve suffered penalties for driving without physical proof of insurance in California, you can appeal the fine in court by providing sufficient evidence that you were indeed insured the day you were pulled over. That said, you may still need to pay a $20 administrative fee even if the judge clears you of wrongdoing.
This process may be a bit more complicated if you were involved in a traffic accident without proof of insurance. Fortunately, a criminal defense lawyer can help you appeal the fines and minimize the other penalties.
How “No Pay, No Play” Works
Driving without insurance in California doesn’t just lead to penalties; it can also bar you from suing the at-fault driver for personal injury and pain and suffering after an accident. This is because California is a “no pay, no play” state. You cannot seek financial compensation for non-economic damages if you do not pay money towards mandated auto insurance.
Not only can you not file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver while driving uninsured, but the other parties involved can sue you. This is especially true if you hit someone without insurance. This makes it all the more apparent why you should hire a criminal defense attorney following a serious accident where you were driving uninsured.
How an Attorney Can Help You Avoid Penalties
An experienced lawyer can take a number of actions to help you avoid penalties associated with driving without insurance in California. Here’s what an attorney can do to protect you from fines, license suspension, and other unwanted consequences:
- Investigate the traffic stop and analyze the evidence
- Use evidence to build a strong defense case for you
- Negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges reduced
- Represent you during legal proceedings
- Present compelling legal arguments and evidence to get your charges dropped
- Answer any questions you have about your case
- Advise you on the penalties you’re facing for driving without insurance in California
These are only a few of the actions your attorney can take to protect you from damaging consequences. To learn more about the legal services a lawyer can offer, reach out to an attorney today and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Learn More About California’s Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
Now that you know more about the penalties for driving without insurance in California, it’s time to get started on your case. Contact Los Angeles DUI Lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and get the guidance you need to fight your charges.
Our firm is dedicated to providing the information and resources that drivers like yourself need to avoid serious fines, license suspensions, and other penalties. You can count on us to give you the support you need to move past this difficult legal obstacle in your life.
