What if I Was Hit by Someone Without a Driver’s License in California? 7 Points of Advice Following an Accident

A California driver’s license gives drivers permission to travel via a motor vehicle.

A driver’s license is a form of identification that includes information such as:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Signature
• Photo
• Physical description

Your driver’s license will also have a unique number, known as your driver’s license number.

According to the Federal Highway administration, there are 27.2 million licensed drivers in California as of 2019. With a population of 39,185,605, that leaves over 10 million potentially unlicensed drivers.

In California, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle without a proper license. 

There are some blatantly obvious reasons why some residents don’t have a driver’s license (a one-day old baby, for example). 

However, some people may willingly get behind the wheel without a driver’s license. For example:

• Teenagers who have yet to get their driver’s license
• Teenagers with only a permit who decide to drive without a licensed driver in the vehicle (illegal)
• Elderly drivers who have had their license revoked or restricted
• Drivers who have had their license suspended
  

A driver’s license may be suspended for a number of reasons, including:

• Driving under the influence
• Driving without insurance
• Underage drivers with alcohol in their vehicle
• Not paying a traffic ticket
• Not paying child support

It’s not rare for someone driving without a license to not have insurance as well. 

Furthermore, there is a difference between driving without a license and driving unlicensed. Drivers without a license may actually be licensed, but they simply left their actual document at home.

An unlicensed driver is one who does not have a license at all, making it illegal for them to operate a vehicle under California law. 

Also, getting into an accident with someone who doesn’t have a license does not mean they are automatically at fault.  A licensed driver who hits an unlicensed driver can still be found negligent after a car accident.

There are many different types of car accidents that can result in different injuries. Some of the most frequent car accidents are:

Head-on Collision – when two cars collide at the front-end of each vehicle. These are very common when drunk drivers veer onto the wrong side of the road.

T-bone – when another car smashes into the side of another vehicle.

Rear-End Collision – when one automobile hits the rear end of another car – common at stop signs and red lights. 

Sideswipe – when two cars traveling in the same direction collide, resulting in one vehicle scraping the other.

If you get into a car accident with an unlicensed driver:

• Call 911 immediately, regardless of whether or not you believe you were injured
• Collect as much information about the other vehicle or vehicles involved in the crash, including license plate number, year, make, model, and color.
• Get any other drivers contact information. If they don’t have a driver’s license, document it! Be sure it’s included in a police report.
• It’s not rare for unlicensed drivers to try to dodge the scene. They may also offer cash or other compensation. Don’t accept! You have the right to deny anything they propose.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene. This could be additional evidence for a claim.
• Seek medical attention. Even if you feel OK, you could have injuries like damaged vital organs or internal bleeding.
• Reach out to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer who can assist with a unique crash like getting hit by someone without a driver’s license. 

Getting hit by an unlicensed driver can create another level of frustration for victims. It’s different from an accident between two insured drivers.

The LA lawyers at C&B Law Group are devoted to your justice. Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys have decades of combined experience helping victims like you recover compensation. 

Injuries that can occur from a car accident can be unbearable, and often include:

• Neck Pain or Injuries
• Broken Bones 
• Back Pain or Injuries
• Cuts and Lacerations
• Bruises
• Internal Bleeding or Other Organ Damage 
• Scarring or Disfigurement 
• Paralysis
• Head Injuries
• Wrongful Death

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone without a driver’s license, contact our Los Angeles car accident attorneys today. 

We will work within our legal power to bring you the justice you deserve.

Reach out to us today for a free consultation.