Driving a car grants you freedom and convenience, but it’s also a privilege and a responsibility. Accidents happen, and most states require drivers to carry insurance that protects themselves and others from financial liability in the event of a car accident.
In Texas, drivers must demonstrate their ability to pay for damages they cause by carrying a liability policy that covers expenses like property damage and injuries to other drivers and their passengers. This policy, referred to as 30/60/25, must cover at least $30,000 for each person’s injuries, up to a total of $60,000, and at least $25,000 for property damage. You may opt to add coverage like collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), and more, but only liability is required by law.
You might be wondering: What if you don’t have insurance or you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver? How much is a ticket for no insurance in Texas? What can you do if you’re injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist?
Costs Associated With a No Insurance Ticket
If you are caught driving without insurance, you may face several expenses related to the infraction. You might be wondering: how much is the fine for driving without insurance?
First, you will receive a ticket for no insurance, along with a fine of $175-$350, supposing it’s your first offense. Subsequent offenses could entail fines of $350-$1,000 for each infraction. It’s unlikely your license will be suspended for a first offense, barring additional offenses like DUI, for example, but you could face suspension for repeat offenses, which entails a reinstatement fee of $100.
When you obtain insurance following a no-insurance ticket, a surcharge of $250 will be added to your premiums each year for three years following the ticket. You may also face higher insurance premiums than the average driver due to your ticket.
Following a first offense, you must file a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) with the Department of Public Safety. This proves you carry state-mandated auto insurance. Your insurance provider will file it for you, typically for a small fee. Finally, your vehicle may be impounded for repeat offenses at a cost of $15 per day for up to 180 days.
Can Police Issue No-Insurance Tickets If You’re Not In An Accident?
The short answer is yes. If you are pulled over for another reason, and it is discovered that you’re uninsured, you can be issued a no-insurance ticket. An officer may also pull you over under suspicion of having no insurance.
Texas has a statewide database called TexasSure that can be used to check whether a motorist is insured by entering vehicle information such as a license plate number, VIN, or owner information. Insurance providers notify the DMV of insurance lapses, and when this happens, you’ll have only 10 days to provide the DMV with proof of new insurance before facing penalties.
Are There Penalties Aside From Fines For Driving Uninsured?
You can’t fully answer the question, “How much is a ticket for driving without insurance?” if you don’t also understand the legal ramifications. In Texas, driving uninsured is a Class C misdemeanor.
Although this is the least serious misdemeanor offense and entails no jail time, it could include a fine of up to $500 for conviction. If you are convicted of three offenses within 24 months, you could be fined up to $2,000 and/or sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.
Even a single misdemeanor conviction will appear on your permanent record and show up in criminal background checks, which could be problematic when you apply for a job, a lease, or a loan in some cases. Insurance providers can also find this information, and it may increase insurance costs in the short term.
What To Do If You’re Injured In An Accident With An Uninsured Motorist
It’s estimated that about 8% of drivers in Texas–around two million–don’t carry the required minimum insurance policy. If you happen to be in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident that involves an uninsured motorist, you may assume that you’re out of luck when it comes to seeking compensation for costs associated with injuries and property damage.
However, this isn’t necessarily true. There are steps you can take to try to recover damages. A good place to start is by contacting a qualified attorney to discuss your case and learn more about options for seeking compensation. Consider taking one or more of the following steps:
Explore Shared Liability
If a driver responsible for causing a car accident is uninsured, you may have to identify other potentially responsible parties who are insured to cover injury costs. Who else could be held responsible?
If the driver was distracted by passengers in their vehicle, leading to a crash, those passengers may bear some liability for the accident and associated costs. Alternatively, an employer could be held liable if a driver is on the clock when an accident occurs, particularly when driving a work vehicle.
Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage is an option you can choose when obtaining your car insurance policy. It is not included in liability or comprehensive coverage, so you’ll have to add it separately to your policy.
This insurance can cover injuries and property damage for you and your passengers following an accident with an uninsured motorist. It also covers hit-and-run incidents.
File A Lawsuit Against The At-Fault Party
If all else fails, you can always go after an at-fault, uninsured motorist in court to recover damages. Drivers are responsible for the damage they cause, whether they have insurance or not.
Challenges Of Trying to Recover Damages From An Uninsured Motorist
If you’re in an accident with an uninsured motorist, and you decide to file a lawsuit to recover damages, keep in mind that a person who can’t afford insurance may not have the assets to pay a settlement, even if you win. This could leave you holding the bag for legal costs with no hope of recovering damages. It’s always best to discuss your case with a qualified Austin car accident lawyer to decide on the best course of action.
Contact An Experienced Austin Car Accident Attorney at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Texas, you could have important legal rights. If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help. For more information, contact the Austin car accident law firm of McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers or visit our office in Austin, TX.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Austin Office
502 W 14th St
Austin TX 78701
737-258-3987
