Did you know that about seven million people across the United States drive with suspended licenses? Therefore, getting into a car accident with a suspended license in Salem is more common than you may imagine.
There are many reasons why a driver’s license may be suspended. They include failure to pay court fines, failure to go to court and respond to traffic tickets, and failure to pay for traffic tickets. The primary role of license suspensions is to keep unsafe drivers away from public roads.
If You Were Hit By a Driver With a Suspended License
If you got into an accident with another driver whose license is suspended, you might find that they have no car insurance either. In fact, one of the main reasons why drivers may lack car insurance is that they have suspended licenses. In such instances, the driver may also be careless or aggressive.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in eight American drivers have no car insurance. Therefore, you are likely to not only be dealing with the issue of a suspended license but lack of car insurance as well. Some drivers may be significantly underinsured. They may be unable to pay for your damages.
If you have uninsured/underinsured motor vehicle insurance, it will help cover the cost of damages from that accident. However, you may also seek recovery from the personal assets of the at-fault driver. Here are a few other ways to obtain damages from the other driver:
- Lien
These are claims that may be placed on homes and other forms of real estate. When the property is sold, the lien is paid from its proceeds.
- Levy
Law enforcement officers may seize some of the at-fault driver’s property. They can then sell it at an auction and give you the proceeds as compensation.
- Garnishment
If the at-fault driver has a source of income, another way to recover your damages is by garnishing their wages. In such cases, the court will award you a certain percentage at the end of every month.
If Your License Was Suspended When You Had An Accident
If you got into an accident that wasn’t your fault, but your license was suspended, the process of seeking compensation is the same.
Although you will receive a ticket, you are still entitled to compensation from the other driver. With the help of your lawyer, you can go on to file a personal injury claim. They will help you pursue compensation for your property damage and injuries.
However, it may be difficult to get compensation if the court finds that you were negligent. Insurance providers may look closely at the reason for your license suspension and find a reason to claim that the accident may have been at least partially your fault.
Contact an Experienced AttorneyIf you have been involved in a car accident — especially when a suspended license is involved — contact your Salem personal injury lawyer. They will guide you on the most appropriate steps to take regardless of whether you were at fault or not. The right lawyer makes it easy to face the fallout from your accident.
