Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Legal
  4. / U.S. State Laws
  5. / California State Law
  6. / California State Law (General)

by Tagalong on July 16th, 2005

Tagalong

Question

Help answer this question below.

If a person in California were involved in an auto accident, and did not have insurance, is this considered a "crime"? And if there was was a law suit, would this be resolved in criminal or civil court?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by Answer Guy on July 18th, 2005

    Answer Guy

    Auto insurance is required under California law, so driving without insurance is a crime. It's a violation of California Vehicle Code section 16028(a). It's an infraction, but carries a hefty fine (over a thousand dollars in some jurisdictions).

    If you're asking about how/where this would be resolved, the two court systems operate independent of each others' decisions. You could be charged with the criminal offense of driving without insurance in a criminal court and also sued in civil court for any damage you caused.

    In response to Tagalong's comment: The question asked if a person was "involved in an accident." I took that to mean the driver of a car. Your comment, without further explanation, in no way undermines the accuracy of my answer. The theory under which you were sued civilly as the registered owner, but not the driver at the time of the accident, could be one of "negligent entrustment" (letting somebody use your car that was known to be unsafe). Not enough information to respond to your comment, but I stand by my original answer.

    Comments

    • i was not the driver, i was the registered owner, and i have been sued in civil court and have a 10,000 judgement, against me

      Tagalong

      by Tagalong on July 20th, 2005

    • Tagalong: Unfair rating. You omit highly relevant fact, then ding AnswerGuy cause he didn't read your mind??!! Tacky.

      Jodie44

      by Jodie44 on July 24th, 2005

    • AnswerGuy is right, Tagalong, your car, your failure to have insurance, your decision about the driver. You're stuck.

      jalex137

      by jalex137 on August 4th, 2005

    • are you a lawyer? you shouldn't be giving out legal advice, answer dude

      Beverlyofhills

      by Beverlyofhills on April 7th, 2006

    • Beverlyofhills: There is no legal advice in Answer Guy's answer. What are you referring to?

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on January 16th, 2009

    • Like
    • Report

    5 comments | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading If a person in California were involved in an auto accident, and did not have insurance, is this considered a "crime"? And if there was was a law suit, would this be resolved in criminal or civil court?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company