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Unlicensed Driver Accidents in Santa Monica
Car Accident Attorneys at McGee, Lerer & Associates
Were you injured by an unlicensed driver? Today, one in five fatal collisions
involves an unlicensed driver, proving that unlicensed drivers are a very
real threat on the road. According to a 2008 report published by the AAA
Foundation, nationwide there was an average of 35,505 fatal crashes that
resulted in 42,886 deaths each year. The report states that overall, an
average of 8,030 drivers who were definitely or possibly operating without
a valid license (13.7% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes) was involved
in 7,679 fatal crashes, amounting to 19.9% of all fatal crashes, a very
large number. If you were injured by an unlicensed driver, you should
contact a
Santa Monica personal injury attorney for legal assistance.
Who are these unlicensed drivers and why is it such a big problem? Unlicensed
drivers cover several categories including those who never had a driver's
license before, those driving on a suspended or revoked license for
DUI or too many points on their driver's license, teenagers driving without
a license, immigrants driving without a license, and the
elderly who have had their driving privileges taken away for medical reasons.
Each of these examples falls under the category of unlicensed drivers
and all of them pose a great threat to others on the road, especially
those who are unaware of the laws because they have never received proper
driver's education.
Whether a driver is too old to drive responsibly because of visual or mental
impairment, or if they are too young and cannot obtain a valid license
legally, or if they have never had a license before and are unaware of
traffic safety laws and the rules of the road, or if they have had too
many DUIs, each situation poses an enhanced risk to the health and safety
of other drivers around them. Due to the large number of unlicensed drivers
in California, these hazardous drivers are bound to make mistakes and
injure others in their vicinity.
Your Recourse if you were Hit by an Unlicensed Driver
If you were hit by an unlicensed driver who was at fault for the accident,
you have a claim against that driver. If the unlicensed driver was in
the course and scope of employment at the time of the car crash, you also
have a case against that driver's employer.
The unlicensed driver who struck you may or may not have auto insurance.
In California, unlicensed drivers can obtain car insurance. Some insurance
companies actually target the unlicensed driver population as a lucrative
market. These carriers go after the niche market of undocumented workers.
The carriers who write these policies are usually small insurance carriers
that offer minimal insurance coverage at a premium price. They only require
that the applicant have an international driver's license or a driver's
license from their home country.
If you were hit by an unlicensed driver who actually was insured, it is
likely that the driver has a minimal policy limit. If the value of your
claim exceeds the driver's policy limit, after exhausting that driver's
policy limit, you can make an
underinsured motorist claim under your own auto insurance policy, if you have the coverage.
If the unlicensed driver who hit you had no car insurance, you can make an
uninsured motorist claim under your own car insurance policy. Your uninsured motorist and underinsured
motorist coverage will apply if you were hit by an unlicensed driver while
you were driving, walking or biking. It will also apply to your
children who are hit while walking orbicycling.
Santa Monica Car Accident Lawyer
At McGee, Lerer & Associates, husband and wife legal teamDaniel McGee and
Catherine Lerer represent accident victims in all types of
personal injury claims including those who have been injured or
killed by an unlicensed driver. If you or someone you love has been injured in a
car accident that was caused by an unlicensed driver, it is in your best interests
to contact us right away.
With
more than 40 years collective experience representing car accident victims, we are confident that we are qualified
to help you pursue financial compensation for all of your damages. Such
damages may include covering damage to your vehicle, any medical bills
that were incurred, your pain and suffering, as well as lost income and
loss of future income. Contact us today to arrange your initial consultation
with a member of our legal team. The sooner you get started, the sooner
you can start looking forward to a brighter future.