Expired Tags in Car Crash Claims

November 20, 2024

You were driving yesterday, and another driver ran a traffic light and T-boned your vehicle. Do you want to hire an auto accident attorney to file a lawsuit, but your car tags have expired? Can you still sue for your losses? The short answer is yes. You can still file a personal injury claim or lawsuit if another driver injures you and your tags are expired.

Learn more about car accidents with expired tags below. If you have additional claim questions, a North Las Vegas car accident attorney is available in your community now.

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What Happens In A Car Accident Claim With Expired Tags? 

So, your car tags were expired when another driver hit and injured you. Having expired tags and driving is illegal, but the good news is that you can still seek compensation for your crash injuries even if your registration expires. The auto accident happened because someone was negligent, not because of your expired tags.

While it is negligent to drive with expired tags, the at-fault driver’s insurance company cannot blame you for the accident because of expired registration. They can only blame you if you were negligent and caused the accident. Some of the reasons you or another person can be found liable for a car accident are:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Tailgating
• Fatigued driving
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Not using your signal before making a turn
• Reckless driving

You should promptly speak to a car accident attorney if another driver hits you and your tags are expired. The police can cite you for the tag issue, but you shouldn’t be blamed for the crash for this reason.

Can Car Registration Ever Matter In An Accident? 

You generally cannot have it held against you after a car accident that your tag is expired. The liable party should still have to compensate you for your losses in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

The only time that an expired registration might matter is if you don’t have auto insurance. Most drivers in the US are required to have auto insurance. The insurance company may not renew your policy if the registration has expired. If you cause an accident, not having insurance can expose you to legal liability.

However, you cannot lose your auto insurance during your term simply because you do not have your car registered. Ensure that you tell your auto accident attorney if your registration was expired when another driver injured you.

What If The At-Fault Driver’s Auto Insurance Is Expired In A Car Accident? 

Suppose you are hit by another driver at a red light from behind. You find out that they don’t have auto insurance or that it has expired. In fault states, including Nevada, drivers are responsible for accidents they cause, and their insurance policy will usually cover the injured person’s costs.

If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, obtaining full compensation for your losses is complicated. The other driver may have to pay out of pocket for your medical bills, lost earnings, and damaged vehicle. However, many drivers do not have significant assets and may be unable to pay.

You should consult a car accident lawyer after another driver hits you and their insurance lapses. They can help file a lawsuit against them and secure a judgment for their non-exempt property so you can be fairly compensated. If they don’t own anything that can pay for your losses, a personal injury attorney might help file a claim on your own insurance.

If the other driver hit you and fled the scene, your attorney may also assist with filing a claim on your uninsured driver policy.

Why Hire A Car Accident Attorney For Your Claim? 

Another driver hit and injured you, and your registration is expired. Why should you have a car accident attorney help? Here are some ways that a car accident attorney may assist:

Determine If Your Claim Is Viable

After a serious car crash with expired tags, you might be sure the other driver was at fault. However, there must be convincing proof that another party injured you. Your auto accident attorney will review your case for free to determine if there is a strong case.

They will review any accident information you have, such as the police report, videos and photos, surveillance video, witness statements, etc. The auto accident attorney handles many claims and can usually tell quickly if another party is probably responsible for your losses.

There’s no point in pursuing a claim if you were not at fault or had no damages. A contingency agreement compensates a car accident attorney. This means they are only paid for their work if you receive compensation.

Collect Evidence To Prove Fault

After a car crash, your attorney will gather the evidence needed to prove liability. They will review all crash-related evidence and determine how to use it to show the other driver injured you. Your attorney also will review your injuries and medical bills to understand the full value of your losses. For example, many people with serious injuries require future medical care for weeks, months, or even years. Your future and recovery must receive full compensation for your future medical needs.

Negotiate A Fair Auto Accident Settlement

A severe car crash where your or the other driver’s tags are expired is highly stressful. You don’t want to have to negotiate a fair settlement with the liable driver’s insurance company. There is a strong chance that they will offer less than you deserve when you need money the most.

Instead, rely on a seasoned auto accident attorney to negotiate for the full amount of your damages. In addition to medical expenses now and in the future, you can receive compensation for your current and future lost earnings. A severe auto crash injury may keep you out of work for months or years. You also can have a permanent injury that prevents you from working at all. In this situation, you should receive money for future lost earning capacity.

Your compensation negotiated by a skilled auto accident lawyer may also include pain and suffering. Serious injuries, such as brain trauma, spine injuries, burns, or broken bones, can cause severe pain and suffering. This compensation is subjective, and an experienced personal injury attorney knows how to negotiate for the most money. Mental and emotional anguish compensation can also be available.

Go To Court, If Needed

Most auto accident claims are resolved with a settlement. It’s usually advantageous for both sides to settle the claim without a lawsuit. However, in cases where the insurance company denies the claim or offers token compensation, a skilled auto accident attorney can file suit and go to court.

The insurance company will have seasoned defense attorneys, but your lawyer will know how to make the best argument in your favor. Your auto accident attorney will recommend whether it’s best to take the best offer for a settlement or go to trial. However, the final decision lies with you.

What Is A Serious Car Accident Claim Worth? 

Every car crash claim with expired tags is different. What one case is worth can be much more or less than another. Thus, no legitimate auto accident attorney will initially tell you what your claim is worth. It all depends on the individual case factors. That said, several factors may influence the amount of compensation:

• How severe your injury is. Do you have a severe back injury with paralysis? This is a catastrophic injury that can cause permanent disability. A spinal cord injury or severe head injury will have a higher case value than a broken bone or sprained ankle. A severe injury will almost always increase your case’s value. 
• How much your medical bills are. Severe injuries usually require expensive medical care. A paralysis injury after a car accident may require hundreds of thousands in care in the initial month, and ongoing care can cost much more over the years. On the other hand, a broken arm, while a severe injury, will probably heal after a few weeks or months of medical care. 
• How much lost income you have. A severe injury may render you permanently disabled, so your lost earnings would be higher than for a minor injury. A paralysis injury may make it impossible to work in the future so that you may deserve lost earning capacity. A minor injury like a broken wrist may have a few weeks or months of lost income, but you can probably fully recover. 
• How old you are. Older people may have a lower settlement than younger people. A younger person has more lost work years for a severe injury than someone older. 
• Insurance amounts. Many states, such as Nevada, only require $25,000 in bodily injury insurance. Your damages can be much higher. Even if you deserved $100,000 in compensation, getting more than what is covered is often challenging. 
• How the injury affects your life. A brain or spine injury may severely impact your quality of life. You may be unable to eat, drink, dress, use the restroom, or dress without assistance for life. Your settlement amount will increase because of the devastating impact on your life. Other severe injuries, such as internal organ damage or burns, also can have a severe impact on your life. 
• How the case is resolved. Settlements are the most common way auto accident claims are settled. It’s usually beneficial for the plaintiff and defendant to settle the matter without a lawsuit. Lawsuits take time and are expensive. A settlement means you accept a certain sum, usually less than the full case value, to end the case. The settlement may be less than you can get in court from a jury, but trials are uncertain. 

When Should You Always Retain A Car Accident Lawyer? 

Retaining a car accident attorney after an accident with expired registration isn’t required, but it is often wise. There are many circumstances in which hiring a car crash lawyer is wise:

• You have a catastrophic injury: This is a severe injury that involves a permanent disability. Common examples of catastrophic injuries are brain and spine injuries, as well as organ damage and severe burns. Your damages will be high, and auto insurance companies aggressively contest cases with a high value. 
• Liability is contested: Suppose the driver with an expired registration hit and injured you severely. However, the insurance company denies liability. You should hire a car accident lawyer will so much on the line. You don’t want to end up with much less than you deserve if you have tens or hundreds of thousands in damages. 
• Multiple vehicles are involved: Many crashes involving two vehicles are ‘relatively’ easy to sort out. However, crashes involving many vehicles, such as a chain-reaction crash on interstate, are complex. You can get blamed wrongly if you don’t have a lawyer. 

Speak To A Car Accident Attorney Today 

Did another driver hit and injure you? Was your registration expired? You should retain a car accident attorney now for justice. You can receive compensation for your medical expenses and more. Don’t face this challenge alone, the insurance company may try to use the expired tags to support a lowball offer. Talk to a North Las Vegas personal injury attorney in your city today. You don’t pay out-of-pocket for their services, and the consultation is free.

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