Unlicensed Driver Involved in Car Accident
A two-vehicle accident occurred in Ceres on the morning of Tuesday, November 7, 2017. The accident allegedly involved an unlicensed driver who attempted to make a false police report regarding the traffic collision. This has resulted in serious charges against the unlicensed driver and their spouse.
What Happened?
A Ceres woman was involved in a traffic accident along Mitchell Road and Fowler Road at approximately 10:30 am. The woman allegedly contacted her husband to inform him that her Suzuki vehicle was involved in an accident with a BMW. The woman’s husband drove to the scene in a Honda to claim that he was the driver of the Suzuki. Witnesses at the scene reported that the woman was seen driving off in the Honda, leaving her husband to claim himself as the driver of the Suzuki.
Officials Arrest Ceres Couple
Officials from the Ceres Police Department were dispatched to the accident scene. When police arrived, they made contact with the woman’s husband. The husband claimed that he was the driver of the Suzuki. However, witness reports proved otherwise. An officer went to the couple’s home nearby to discover two unattended young children of the Ceres couple. The woman allegedly arrived 10 minutes after the officer arrived and parked the Honda a short distance from her home. The couple later admitted to attempting to make a false traffic collision report. The husband was arrested on suspicion of delaying and obstructing an investigation and child endangerment. The woman was arrested on suspicion of driving without a license, leaving the scene of an accident, and child endangerment.
Car Accidents Involving Unlicensed Drivers
Operating a motor vehicle without a license may have severe and costly legal ramifications. When an unlicensed driver is caught by an official, the motor vehicle may be impounded by authorities for up to 30 days, depending on the nature of the infraction.
Lending your vehicle to an unlicensed driver is never a good idea. If that driver is involved in a motor vehicle accident, your automobile insurance company may deny the claim due to an unlicensed driver being behind the wheel.
How to Protect Yourself Against Unlicensed Drivers
Unlicensed drivers, particularly those who have had their license suspended or revoked in the past, typically do not have an automobile insurance policy on their vehicle. If an unlicensed driver causes a car accident with other parties, this may result in extreme distress for those affected. A critical step in protecting yourself against an unlicensed driver is to equip Uninsured/Under-insured Motorist Protection (UM) on your car insurance policy. This coverage protects you and other occupants in your vehicle for compensation of damages incurred due to a hit-and-run driver, a phantom driver, or an at-fault driver who has no liability insurance or not enough insurance to cover the affected parties for their losses. Although this type of protection is optional in California, it is better to be safe than sorry. Make sure you have it! For more information, contact an experienced injury lawyer.
Modesto Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident lawyer. Accidents involving unlicensed drivers can be a headache, mainly when severe property damage or traumatic injuries occur as a result. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car wreck, please call me at (209) 227-1931 for free, friendly advice. You may also reach me through my toll-free number at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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