When you are involved in a car accident, driving without a valid license can complicate your ability to recover compensation. However, it doesn’t automatically destroy your claim. While operating a vehicle unlicensed is illegal and can certainly be used against you, the question of who caused the accident remains separate from whether you had legal permission to drive. In these situations, a McAllen car accident lawyer can help you navigate the difficult intersection of traffic violations and personal injury law.
You Have the Right to Compensation, Regardless of License Status
Texas operates under a fault-based insurance system, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for covering the resulting damages. This system focuses on negligence and liability rather than whether everyone involved had proper documentation.
If another driver ran a red light, was speeding, or otherwise drove recklessly and caused your injuries, they can still be held accountable—even if you weren’t legally licensed to drive. Your lack of a license doesn’t give the at-fault driver a free pass. You still have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering if someone else’s careless driving caused your injuries.
Driving without a License Can Still Complicate Your Car Accident Claim
While your license status does not eliminate your right to compensation, it can create significant obstacles in your case. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will likely use your unlicensed status to argue that you were partly at fault or that you contributed to the accident in some way. They may claim that driving without a license demonstrates a pattern of irresponsible behavior, which could reduce the value of your settlement.
Beyond the complications to your injury claim, you may also face penalties for driving without a license. A first offense typically results in a ticket and a modest fine, and a second offense usually brings a higher fine. However, a third offense can carry a fine of up to $500 and a jail sentence ranging from 72 hours to six months. These penalties add another layer of stress to an already difficult situation.
How a Texas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Rights
Insurance adjusters know that unlicensed drivers are in a vulnerable position, and they may pressure you into accepting a low settlement or try to shift blame onto you. That’s why having legal representation is critical to protecting your interests.
A McAllen personal injury attorney understands how to handle cases involving unlicensed drivers. Your lawyer can gather evidence proving the other driver’s negligence, challenge unfair allegations that you contributed to the crash, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies that try to minimize your claim. They will work to demonstrate that your license status had no causal relationship to the accident itself and that the other driver’s actions were the true cause of your injuries.
With strong legal advocacy, you can counter the defense’s tactics and pursue the full compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in an accident and you’re worried about how driving without a license will affect your claim, contact a lawyer today for a free, confidential consultation.
