I received a call from someone who was hurt when a car struck his motorcycle and he was calling to find out if he could have a case. He didn’t think of calling a motorcycle lawyer at the time of the accident because he was driving without a motorcycle operator’s license.
The caller said because he was driving the motorcycle illegally and was issued a ticket for driving without a license, he thought that he would not be able to have a lawsuit. I asked him if he had a valid motorcycle license at the time of the accident would that have prevented the accident?
Someone could be driving without a valid motorcycle license for various reasons but the lack of a license didn’t cause the accident:
- it was valid but left at home;
- was suspended or revoked; the driver failed to renew it; or
- the driver never obtained a license.
Some people think that if the motorcycle operator obeyed had the law by not driving without a license, he would not be in that place at that time and the accident would never have happened. But that argument is ridiculous. The lack of a driver’s license is not what caused the accident.
The only issue is whether the other driver is at fault. The caller’s injuries were 100% caused by the other driver’s negligence when the caller’s motorcycle, which was stopped at a red light, was hit in the rear by the car. The motorcyclist is therefore entitled to be compensated for his injuries.
If a motorcyclist did not have a motorcycle license, it would only become an issue if he lied about having a license. If the motorcyclist testifies at a deposition or in court that he or she had a motorcycle license when it was only a learner’s permit or there was no license at all, evidence from the DMV can be submitted for the purpose of showing that the motorcyclist did not have a license and lied. The jury could now consider whether the motorcyclist is a liar and whether other testimony should be believed.
If at the time of the accident, the injured operator of a motorcycle never had a license or previously had a motorcycle license which was expired, suspended, or revoked, the motorcyclist IS entitled to compensation for injuries.
Continued at “Can I get money for injuries if I was driving without a motorcycle license? Part 2”
Also see: Can I Sue for My Injuries If I Was Drunk?
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in which you were operating the motorcycle without a valid license, please call the New York motorcycle accident lawyers
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Motorcycle Attorney Phil Franckel talks about how motorcycle accidents are different
Philip L. Franckel, Esq. is one of the Personal Injury Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York; He has a 10 Avvo rating; Avvo Client’s Choice with all 5-star reviews; Avvo Top Contributor; and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Franckel is well-known in New York for representing motorcyclists and created the motorcycle awareness campaign BE AWARE MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE®.
Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.
Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.
Robert Plevy, Esq. is one of the Personal Injury Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York. Robert began his legal career in 1993 as an Assistant Corporation Counsel defending The City of New York against personal injury lawsuits.
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