While an insurance company can report information about an accident or ticket to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)—which could lead to a license suspension—the insurance company cannot suspend your driver’s license. That decision-making power belongs to a government licensing agency or a court that has the authority to suspend a driver’s license.
Still, it’s important to take license suspension seriously. When a driver with a suspended license causes a collision, they can face both criminal and civil penalties. If you were injured in such a car accident and believe the insurance company is acting unfairly or denying a valid claim, consulting a Fort Lauderdale insurance bad faith lawyer may help you protect your rights and pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Understanding License Suspension
Having your driver’s license suspended means that it is illegal for you to operate a vehicle for a nominated time. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), driving privileges can be withdrawn for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Driving without insurance
- Accruing too many traffic violations
- Making a fraudulent driver’s license application
- Using your license for an illegal purpose
A suspended license is usually temporary and will end after legal fees have been settled or when the suspension period has ended. Motorists do have options to appeal the suspension, apply for a hardship license, or attempt to have it reinstated early under certain circumstances. Many more drivers, however, choose to disregard the law and continue to drive regardless of the safety of other people on the road.
Unlicensed Drivers Are an Increasing Problem in Florida
Thousands of unlicensed motorists are driving illegally every day in Florida without regard for your safety.
In many cases where unlicensed drivers cause an accident, they are also likely to have no auto insurance either. Unless the victims have uninsured driver coverage in their insurance policy, which is not mandatory in Florida, they may be left with severe injuries and be forced to pay for any medical expenses out of their own pockets.
You Can Get Protection Against Unlicensed Drivers
Being hit by another motorist can be a traumatic event, so imagine discovering the at-fault party is unlicensed and uninsured as well. You have the option to turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) policy to recover some of your medical costs and lost wages. However, bear in mind that these policies have limits depending on the plan.
If your damages exceed the amount covered by your insurance policy, you may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused the accident.
Damages You Could Recover in a Car Accident Claim or Lawsuit
You could be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Ongoing rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Psychological trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Seeking help from a car accident personal injury lawyer can be an invaluable first step if you are involved in a collision caused by an unlicensed motorist and have sustained serious injuries.
Our Car Accident Attorneys Handle Cases Against Unlicensed Drivers
If an unlicensed driver caused your injuries, you don’t have to seek compensation alone. Our firm represents car accident victims in Florida, guiding them through the state’s claims process. Below are just a few of the services we offer our clients.
Gathering Evidence of the Other Driver’s Negligence
While driving without a valid license is not enough to prove negligence, the other driver’s actions behind the wheel may be. Our accident attorneys will use the accident report, video footage, eyewitness testimony, and other evidence to prove their liability for your collision. We’ll need to establish that:
- The driver owed you a duty to follow the road rules;
- They failed to drive safely, violating this duty;
- Their actions caused the accident; and
- You experienced injuries and damages in the incident.
Estimating Case Value
Your potential settlement or court award will depend on the specific damages you suffered and their value. Some damages have an apparent value, like medical bills; others require us to assign a value to them, like pain and suffering. Our lawyers take this process seriously, as leaving out certain damages or calculating the wrong value can leave you with out-of-pocket costs.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Insurers may not always look out for your best interests, but our team will. You can let us handle all communications with the insurance representatives. We’ll:
- Submit your demand letter and supporting evidence
- Answer any questions the representative has for you
- Analyze and advise you on any settlement offers you receive
- Negotiate with counteroffers
If you decide to accept an offer, we’ll help you through the process. Otherwise, we can take the case to court for you.
The Cost of Hiring Legal Representation
We’ve seen how accidents put serious financial burdens on victims. Our team never wants to contribute to this, so we represent clients on contingency. Instead of requiring upfront payment, we:
- Take our attorney’s fees only when we win a settlement or court award
- Charge a predetermined percentage of the compensation recovered
There are never any hidden or surprise fees when you hire us, and the initial consultation is free.
We Serve Car Accident Clients Throughout Florida
Our firm has locations in multiple major cities, from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville and Orlando to Fort Myers. Still, if you can’t visit one of our offices, we charge nothing to come to you. Our car accident lawyers will visit your hospital room, work, or home to meet with you about the case.
Get a Personal Injury Lawyer to Help Build Your Case
If you or a loved one has been injured by a motorist who chose to drive without a license, enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer who can help you get your life back on track.
For responsive legal support, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case evaluation today. Our dedicated personal injury team can help you understand your legal options if you were involved in an accident caused by an unlicensed motorist.
