In Ohio, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle on any public road. If you do not abide by this law, you will likely receive a citation after a motorcycle accident.
However, your citation for riding with a suspended license will not affect liability for the accident. The person who caused the accident is the liable party, regardless of the status of your driver’s license.
Note: Some insurance policies contain exclusions that will not cover unlicensed drivers or those with a suspended license.
Are You Liable for All Damages if You Drove with a Suspended License?
Even if you received a citation for riding without a license, that does not absolve the at-fault party of liability. In situations like these, however, you might have a hard time pursuing an insurance claim. The liable party may deny your claim on the basis that you didn’t have a license.
In these instances, it can help to have a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team on your side. We can explain how Ohio’s laws pertain to your situation and build a compelling argument on your behalf.
What Types of Damages Can You Pursue in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Depending on the nature of your accident, the at-fault party’s insurer could be responsible for covering your medical bills, property damage costs, and lost income. However, if the insurer doesn’t want to settle fairly, you could file a lawsuit and recover an award to cover the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income, tips, and bonuses
- Commissions and employee benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage expenses
- Impaired quality of life
- Emotional anguish
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
The American Bar Association (ABA) reminds us that most motorcycle accident cases are resolved through out-of-court settlements. However, if filing a lawsuit is necessary, then you generally have two years from the accident’s date to file, per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Steps to Take After Getting Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident Without a Valid License
In the aftermath of a collision, you should seek medical attention and consider your legal options. You should also consider taking the following steps:
Keep All Accident-Related Documentation
First, compile all of the evidence you gathered from the accident scene, like the other driver’s contact information, license plate number, and insurance provider. If you did not collect these details, our law firm can get them for you.
After you leave the accident scene, be sure to hold onto these items:
- Written correspondence between yourself and the insurer
- Your imaging scans and lab test results
- Photos of your vehicle’s damage and external injuries
- Your medical bills
- Any property damage-related invoices and documentation
Refrain From Giving a Recorded Statement
If the claims adjuster asks you for a recorded statement, here’s what you can say: “No, thank you.” A recorded statement does not protect your legal rights. Instead, it just gives the insurer power to deny your case or question its details.
When you partner with our Ohio personal injury firm, we can field these calls and requests. Aside from providing basic information, you have no obligation to submit to any of the insurer’s requests.
Follow Through with Medical Care
It’s not enough to seek medical attention after getting hurt in an accident. You must follow up with what your doctor prescribes. This could involve going to physical therapy or taking a certain medication. Failure to follow through with these obligations risks making your condition worse.
The latest findings from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) notes that in some situations, up to 40 percent of patients see their conditions worsen after failing to adhere to their treatment plans.
You do not want this to happen to you because:
- Your condition could threaten your quality of life without proper care.
- The insurance adjuster could deny or discredit your claim on this basis.
- The at-fault party could argue that the collision did not cause your condition, but instead, another situation.
If you want to discontinue treatment for any reason, consult your doctor first. Then, ask them to provide a written statement as to why this treatment did not (or could not) remedy your condition.
Bressman Law Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident with a Suspended License
Motorcycle riders already face an unfair stigma on the road as being reckless and careless. Not having a current driver’s license makes that stigma that much worse. After you sustain injury and property damage in a motorcycle accident, the party at fault is responsible for your related bills.
The personal injury lawyers at Bressman Law will make sure that the details of your suspended driver’s license are not used against you to deny your claim. We will start our investigation to build your case and prove that the negligent party is still liable for the accident.
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Call Bressman Law for a free case evaluation today, and we will give you an honest and fair assessment of your case.
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