What Happens if I Get in a Car Accident without Insurance?
If you’re involved in a car accident in Ontario and do not hold the mandatory auto insurance coverage required under provincial law, you may face serious penalties. You might even have to pay for damages to your vehicle and substantial medical costs resulting from injuries you may have sustained.
If you have insurance but the driver who caused your accident does not, you may be entitled to coverage. Ontario operates a no-fault car accident system, so even the lowest insurance coverage option may allow you to receive some accident benefits.
Legal Amounts of Auto Insurance Coverage
Ontario requires all vehicle owners in the province to carry a certain amount of auto insurance coverage. Operating a vehicle without the proper insurance coverage could result in serious penalties, including:
- Fines of between $5,000 and $50,000
- Suspension of driver’s license
- Vehicle impounding
By law, Ontario drivers are required to have auto insurance coverage that includes:
- Third-Party Liability Policy: Provides at least $200,000 in third-party liability coverage for the injuries or other damages that victims sustain in an accident you may cause
- Statutory Accident Benefits: Covering medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, caregiver costs, lost wages, and more if you qualify
- Direct Compensation-Property Damage Policy: Covering vehicle repair or replacement costs following a collision caused by another driver
- Uninsured Motorist Policy: Benefits that may be available through a third-party liability policy if the motorist who causes your accident does not have insurance coverage, or flees the accident scene
Compensation Options if an Uninsured Driver Causes Your Accident
Ontario law provides protection for motorists and vehicle occupants who have sustained injuries and other damages in collisions caused by uninsured drivers.
If you have the required auto insurance coverage, your no-fault policy may compensate you for damages resulting from your collision, no matter who is responsible for the accident. Available compensation is determined by the severity of a victim’s injuries and related losses, as outlined in the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule. Standard Ontario automobile insurance coverage also compensates accident victims for fault-based claims if the responsible driver does not have liability insurance coverage.
If neither you nor the other driver has the required auto insurance coverage, you may qualify for benefits through Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund.
Understanding Your Options for Compensation
If you’d like to better understand your options for pursuing compensation after an accident, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to provide useful assistance and advice.
If you or another driver involved in your collision did not have insurance, recovering damages you incurred may be a complicated process. To find out how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you pursue compensation, call 1-800-JUSTICE now for a free, initial consultation.
