DuPage County Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle Defense Lawyer

Attorneys Representing Clients Charged With Driving Without Insurance in Hinsdale and Westmont

Most drivers will be involved in a car accident at some point in their life. That is why Illinois law requires all registered motor vehicles to carry liability insurance, to ensure payment for damages caused to others when a collision occurs. The minimum coverage amounts are $20,000 for property damage and $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for personal injury or death. A driver stopped by the police is required by law to show proof of insurance.

Penalties for Driving Without Liability Insurance

Failure to carry adequate auto insurance is generally considered a petty offense in Illinois. If you are ticketed and convicted, the punishment is a fine between $500 and $1,000 (625 ILCS 5/3-707). In addition, your driver's license will be suspended for a minimum of three months, and you will have to pay a $100 fee before your license will be reinstated. Be aware that driving while your license is suspended is a serious traffic violation (a Class A misdemeanor) in Illinois, not a petty offense.

Car Accidents While Driving Uninsured

Stiffer penalties apply if an uninsured driver gets into an accident. For example, a driver who injures another person while operating an uninsured vehicle can be convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,500.

A driver who gets into an accident may be tempted to leave the scene to avoid a getting a ticket for operating uninsured. However, leaving the scene of an accident (otherwise known as hit-and-run) is generally a far more serious offense than driving uninsured, Therefore, drivers should always remain at the scene of an accident as required by law.

Operating Uninsured With Other Traffic Violations

In some cases, a driver will be stopped by the police for one relatively minor traffic violation, such as speeding, and end up ticketed for multiple violations. The police may find, for example, that the vehicle registration (license plate) is expired or that the vehicle is uninsured. The police can also use their in-car computer to check your driving record, which can influence their decision to ticket you for one or more new violations.

Having multiple violations (or "points") on your driving record can cause a lot of problems for you, such as having your driver's license suspended or even revoked. In addition, the penalties for many traffic violations increase if you have had a previous conviction for that violation. Therefore, the fewer convictions you have on your driving record, the better. An experienced traffic law attorney can advocate on your behalf to minimize the consequences of multiple traffic violations.

Get Help from an Experienced Traffic Violations Attorney

If you have been ticketed for driving an uninsured vehicle, particularly if you have multiple violations, talk to an experienced DuPage County traffic offenses lawyer to discuss your legal options. The attorneys at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. have decades of experience defending clients in the DuPage County courts. For a free initial consultation, contact us at 630-472-9700. We provide legal help to clients throughout DuPage County, including Oak Brook, Lombard, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Addison, Wheaton, and Westmont.