What will happen to me?
Ok so I am very scared, I just learned driving and I only have a permit, but I went driving alone and I had a accident, they say it’s failure to yield but I went on a green arrow.
26-30, F
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
toddr13 · 46-50, M
Driving without a license is not a simple traffic ticket, and your cousin is correct in that you can go to jail. It's a misdemeanor in the United States, but the likelihood of jail time is very remote, though you cannot just pay a ticket. You will have to appear in court. Jail time exists as more of a possibility for those driving on suspended or revoked licenses, but not having a license is a serious issue.
Who owns the car? Were you covered under the insurance policy, as in named on a policy of a car in the household where you live? Some insurers will cover the unrated driver who is unlicensed because they were factored when the rates were calculated, but they will also most likely cancel the policy on the insured, so they may have higher rates with another company. A car has to have minimum insurance to be on the road, or pay a fee to uninsured motorist coverage in some states when the car is registered, and insurance usually follows the car, but an unlicensed driver complicates matters.
The larger issue is the financial responsibility and exposure to pay for the damaged vehicles in full. Hopefully, there's no medical claim involved, as that can make things even more tricky.
As to your future license, that's up to the judge as to whether or not there will be a limitation on your eligibility for getting a full license. I know that my friend's father used to make any teen who appeared before him wait until they were eighteen to get a license if they were caught driving without one, which could be a few years if they were fourteen or fifteen. With an adult, because there was an accident, there can be a suspension on the eligibility to become licensed.
You may need to speak with an experienced traffic attorney, depending upon the charges filed and potential damages. Since you're over 18, you can be sued by the owners of the cars, the one you were driving and the one hit, for deductibles and damages if not covered.
Who owns the car? Were you covered under the insurance policy, as in named on a policy of a car in the household where you live? Some insurers will cover the unrated driver who is unlicensed because they were factored when the rates were calculated, but they will also most likely cancel the policy on the insured, so they may have higher rates with another company. A car has to have minimum insurance to be on the road, or pay a fee to uninsured motorist coverage in some states when the car is registered, and insurance usually follows the car, but an unlicensed driver complicates matters.
The larger issue is the financial responsibility and exposure to pay for the damaged vehicles in full. Hopefully, there's no medical claim involved, as that can make things even more tricky.
As to your future license, that's up to the judge as to whether or not there will be a limitation on your eligibility for getting a full license. I know that my friend's father used to make any teen who appeared before him wait until they were eighteen to get a license if they were caught driving without one, which could be a few years if they were fourteen or fifteen. With an adult, because there was an accident, there can be a suspension on the eligibility to become licensed.
You may need to speak with an experienced traffic attorney, depending upon the charges filed and potential damages. Since you're over 18, you can be sued by the owners of the cars, the one you were driving and the one hit, for deductibles and damages if not covered.