What Are The Penalties for Driving Without Insurance In New Jersey?
It is a requirement in the state of New Jersey to have car insurance and show proof of it. Failing to do so is not a good idea and can put a driver in hot water legally, not to mention at serious financial risk. The Insurance Information Institute (III) cited one study that identified uninsured motorists in the United States and found that as high as 14% of motorists did not have insurance. This means that one in seven U.S. drivers are traveling around the roads uninsured.
If you were hurt in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be feeling incredibly overwhelmed by the ordeal and wondering if there is any way you can obtain compensation. This is especially true if the uninsured driver has fled the scene, which many of these drivers are more prone to do. In this case, it is important to remain calm and speak with our South Jersey car accident attorney at Monaco Law PC. There are options and ways to get the compensation that you need, and Attorney Monaco can review your case and discuss what they are for your specific accident experience.
New Jersey Insurance Penalties
All drivers in New Jersey must carry the minimum converge of bodily injury and property damage liability. In addition, drivers must be able to show proof of insurance coverage. If a driver is unable to show that they are covered, then they can still be penalized with a ticket, and in some instances, points may be put on their license.
Uninsured drivers can face the following consequences:
First Offense potential punishments
- Ticket that can range from $300 to $1,000 plus additional fees
- A license suspension of up to one year
- Community service
- Vehicle impoundment
Second Offense potential punishments
- A ticket that can range from $500 to $5,000 plus additional fees
- A license suspension for up to two years and reinstatement at the discretion of the director of the DMV
- Jail for up to 14 days
- Vehicle impoundment
Uninsured drivers may also face other repercussions, such as an inability to keep their employment if they no longer have personal transportation or have to spend time in jail. Additionally, it can be hard to find employment opportunities for those who lose their job or are job seekers. Not to mention, having legal representation from a traffic violation lawyer can be costly.
If an uninsured driver causes an accident, they may face lawsuits where plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation for their damages. This may mean that an uninsured driver could risk losing their personal assets to pay for those damages.
Speak to a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in a car accident with an uninsured driver, please call our experienced South Jersey personal injury lawyer at Monaco Law PC at (609) 277-3166 for our New Jersey office. We also handle Pennsylvania cases and can be phoned at (215) 546-3166.
We are a New Jersey and Pennsylvania personal injury law firm serving Atlantic County, Bucks County, Burlington County, Cape May County, Camden County, Chester County, Cumberland County, Delaware County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, Ocean County, Salem County, and all of South Jersey.
Source:
iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
