If you were in an accident with someone who was driving without a license in Georgia, you may not know your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries. The other driver without a license could face legal and financial consequences from both the accident and criminal charges. They also may be liable for your compensation, depending on who caused the crash.
If you were driving without a license at the time of the crash, however, keep in mind that the severity of the consequences will depend on whether you simply forgot or lost the license.
Consequences of Driving Without a License
The kinds of consequences a driver could face for driving without a license depend on whether the driver had a valid license at all or not. If a driver simply forgot their license, then they will likely face a lesser charge than if their license has expired, been suspended, or revoked.
Driving Without a Valid License on a Driver’s Person
According to O.C.G.A. § 40-5-29, a driver has to have a license with them while they are operating a vehicle. If they can present a valid license in court, they will only be fined $10. A temporary paper license can also satisfy this requirement.
Driving Without a Valid License
According to O.C.G.A. § 40-5-20, it is against the law to drive without a valid license. There may be several circumstances that put a driver in violation of this law.
- They were never issued a valid license.
- They had a valid license, but it was suspended or revoked.
- They had a valid license, but it expired.
The severity of a charge will depend on the specifics of the case, such as whether this is the driver’s first offense. A driver without a valid license could face steep fines and other consequences.
If you are facing a more serious misdemeanor or a felony, we can discuss your best options to protect your rights going forward.
How Driving Without a License Impacts a Case for Compensation
If you or the other driver in a car accident was driving without a license, you may wonder how that could affect any future lawsuit or injury claim.
Keep in mind that driving without a license may be illegal, but it does not constitute negligence. Proving that a driver was negligent – and therefore liable for the accident – is a separate matter from that of their license’s status. Learn more with the help of an Atlanta car accident lawyer.
Fault and Negligence in Car Accident Cases
The driver who was negligent and carries primary responsibility for the crash is the driver who will be deemed liable for compensating the other injured party.
As long as you can prove that the other driver was more at fault than you were, you can still pursue damages for your resulting losses. There are many ways in which the other driver could have negligently caused your accident, such as the following:
- Drunk driving
- Drug–impaired driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Road rage
How a Lawyer from Our Team Can Help You Pursue Compensation
A lawyer from our team will investigate your accident to find evidence of negligence in the crash. Useful evidence includes:
- Video footage
- Photographs
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Other official documents
This evidence will help us prove that you were owed safe travels on the road, that the other driver negligently put you in danger, and that your accident and injuries resulted from this negligence. If we can prove all of this, then we can help you recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Recoverable Damages in Car Accident Cases
There are two main types of damages you can recover through a personal injury lawsuit or claim. These damages are meant to compensate you for your losses, both economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages help offset your past and future financial losses due to your accident. Some common economic damages you can recover after a car accident include the following:
- Doctors’ bills
- Hospital bills
- Surgery costs
- Medication expenses
- Medical equipment costs
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy services
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Out–of–pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for your intangible losses such as your past and future:
- Physical pain
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
The amount you can recover in both economic and non-economic damages depends on the losses you can prove. With that, it can be beneficial to have one of our lawyers investigate your case and advocate for your best interests.
Call Kaine Law Today to Learn More
The sooner you give us a call, the sooner our team can put our experience to work for you. The car accident lawyers at Kaine Law are here to help.
Call someone from our team now at (404) 214-2001 to learn more about your options after you or another driver was in an accident without a license in Georgia. Your initial consultation is free.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
