Will An Expired Driver’s License Negatively Affect Your Car Accident Settlement In Texas?
Expired Driver’s License in Texas
Getting into an accident in the state of Texas is already enough of a stressful situation. Add to this the fact that your driver’s license has expired, and that could make the situation even more unbearable. You may be wondering if you even have a case at this point, and if you will suffer harsh penalties as the result of not having a license.
Fear not – just because your license has expired does not mean you have already lost before you started. An expired license is a minor offense that is nowhere near as serious as driving with a suspended or – worse- revoked license. However, it may still impact your case, which is why we strongly suggest you hire a car accident lawyer to represent you in your settlement.
Causing An Accident With An Expired License
If you drive with an expired license, you risk incurring points on your license once it’s reinstated and having to pay a fine. If you get into an accident with an expired license, however, you may suffer these penalties and more. The other driver may be able to sue you for damages, and your car may be impounded.
Further, your insurance company could refuse to pay out on your claim, particularly if there is a clause in your contract specifying that you must hold a valid license at all times. What this means is that if the accident is your fault, you will be stuck paying for everything out of pocket. For minor fender-benders, this is no big deal. But if you’re in an accident that resulted in serious damage and personal injury, this is the kind of situation that could bankrupt someone.
If you’re being sued as the result of an accident you caused, and you did not have a valid license at the time, we can help. We have seen every accident case imaginable, and we know when you need an aggressive lawyer to help you get the best possible results.
Filing a Claim Against the Other Driver
Even if you were driving with an expired license, you can file suit against the other driver if he or she was the one at fault. Yes, you shouldn’t have been driving with an expired license. But that issue is inconsequential when compared to the facts at hand.
However, some lawyers will see this as an opportunity to fight for their client to not have to pay your expenses. After all, they’d argue, why should their client pay for someone who was an irresponsible driver? But you should not have to pay for medical treatment and damage to your vehicle with no assistance when all you did wrong was fail to renew your license on time.
Insurance Coverage
There is one thing that remains true for all insurance coverage: if you suffered serious damage or injuries as the result of another driver’s negligence, then his insurance company has to pay you. The status of your license at the time of the accident is of no moment.
The only time things get murky is when either you were at fault entirely, or you both played a part in causing the accident. However, even then an expired license is typically seen by the court as an honest mistake. As opposed to a suspended or revoked license, which is a restriction placed on a driver for bad behavior, it’s easy to allow a license renewal to lapse when the time to renew it is so infrequent.
Still, in either situation, our lawyers and staff are prepared to help you fight for what’s yours. We know the law, and we know when someone is trying to take advantage of our clients – and nothing makes us fight back harder.
In An Accident With An Expired License? We Can Help!
If you have been in an accident in the state of Texas with an expired license, you probably feel like you could not be more to blame. However, you may still have a case even if you were partially at fault. An expired license is a misstep, but it is not a punishment for something you did, like driving drunk or having multiple traffic infractions. For this reason, the courts are usually more forgiving.
However, on the off-chance they are not, you may want to consider hiring a Dallas car accident lawyer to help you handle your case. By hiring a lawyer, you can rest assured that you have done everything possible to provide the best defense for your case. If you would like to speak to a member of our team, fill out our contact form or call us at 469-998-4069 to get started.
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