Visitor Question

Can I sue someone who has no auto insurance?

Submitted By: Lorvin (Miami, FL)

I was driving a motorcycle and someone made an illegal turn which caused me to crash into the vehicle and get severely injured. The other driver received a ticket for their illegal maneuver. I had no insurance because it isn’t required for motorcycles.

I consulted a lawyer who said they couldn’t do anything because the other person didn’t have auto insurance.

I’ve since lost my job, lost my transportation, failed some college classes I was taking, and suffered damages.

I’d like to know if there is anything I can do since I lost it all? It seems like the other driver should be responsible, yet he gets off scot free because he doesn’t have insurance? That’s nuts!

Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.

Answer

Dear Lorvin,

The other driver hasn’t gotten of “scot free” yet. Just because she didn’t have any automobile insurance doesn’t mean that you can’t still pursue a legal claim against her.

Because the other driver was ticketed, there is every chance she was completely liable for your property damage and any possible injuries you may have endured.

The State of Florida has a 4 years Statute of Limitations for civil cases. That means you have up to 4 years to either settle a legal claim, or file a lawsuit. In addition, you can consider filing a lawsuit against the driver in Small Claims Court. That way you won’t have to retain an attorney.

In the State of Florida the maximum jurisdictional limit, or “highest amount” you can sue for in Small Claims Court is $5,000 dollars.

If you file suit and the driver ignores the case you will be able to take a judgment against her for the amount of your damages, and an additional amount the judge may give you for your pain and suffering. The judgment will accrue interest each year.

Once you have the judgment you can file it with the county. That way every time someone runs a credit check on her that judgment will show up. Hopefully someday that will get the driver to pay you.

Learn more here: Accidents with Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.

We wish you the best with your claim,

Published:

2 thoughts on “Can I sue someone who has no auto insurance?

  1. Anonymous says:

    Same thing happened to me a few months ago and from the look of things it seems like the lady is going to get away with it.

    Lawyers just tell me they can’t do anything due to statute of limitations, but it hasn’t even been a year yet. Mine was also on a motorcycle and now my bike is falling apart and borderline gonna lose a second job because of it.

    It seems like lawyers don’t care when you’re not still injured, but my bike is barely hanging on.

  2. Lorvin says:

    Thank you so much for your response! I had no hope in receiving any compensation for my accident (even though I could have died). I was giving up on my case but now I will pursue it more!

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