Car Insurance DUI Los Angeles CA

Reader’s Question:

I live in LA, California and was arrested for a DUI and caused an accident with no injuries. My insurance was cancelled 3 months ago because of non-payment. I had no other arrests, judgments and had a clean record until now. What can I expect? I am currently training to try out for Navy Divers I have enlisted but am on a delayed program to prepare for the Navy dive school to begin in Oct.

Jamie

Los Angeles, CA

 

Unfortunately, driving without insurance in California is a violation of California’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility laws. Due violation of this section of the CA vehicle code can result in fines up to $500 plus penalties. This could be a pain, but penalties would vary such as impoundment of the vehicle and suspension of the driver’s license. Plus, if the vehicle is impounded, the owner will have to pay for all storage and tow charges as well.

Not to make you feel worse, but there can be more serious consequences if you are involved in an accident without any insurance. Certainly, you will be due for compliance with financial responsibility laws (SR22, SR22s, SR16) including having to pay for injuries or damages from the accident out of your own pocket. Also, that covers being uninsured and being in an accident. Now since you were also arrested for a DUI there will be other penalties put on you if you are convicted of this offense. Thus, the DMV can take an administrative action against your driving privilege after you are arrested for a DUI, which is related only to your driving privilege. Therefore, the court may take a separate action for the same offense and may involve payment of a fine, jail time, suspension or revocation of your driving privilege, and completion of a DUI program.

If you ask me if there is anything you can do, well for now you may contact the court listed on your ticket to find out more about associated penalties and citations or read some information on the CA DMV website.