Does it Hurt My Case That I Was Driving Without My License?

We don’t like to admit it, but at some point in our lives, we have all probably driven without our driver’s license on our person at some point in our lives. Whether we were late for work and forgot our wallets, or were just running to the corner store to pick up milk – it happens. Unfortunately, car accidents also happen and can happen in untimely instances when you do not have your license on you. If you were driving without a license, do not let that stop you from pursuing recovery for your injuries resulting from another driver’s negligence. The Kansas City car accident attorneys at the Krause & Kinsman Law Firm can help walk you through the specifics of filing a claim.

What If I Didn’t Have a License to Begin With or If My License Was Suspended or Revoked?

Some clients are fearful of the consequences of admitting that they were injured in a car accident while they were driving without a valid license. They believe that it will prevent them from seeking compensation or will limit the amount they can recover for their injuries. This is a mistaken belief.

To be at fault for an accident, there must be evidence that you contributed or caused the accident to occur. Driving without a license in itself is not a factor that is considered when determining causation. In fact, back in 1967, the Missouri Supreme Court stated that the “mere failure to have a driver’s license does not establish a causal connection between the operation of a vehicle and an injury.” This means that legally, simply driving without a license cannot be used as evidence that someone was at fault for an accident.

Driving Without Insurance Can Limit Your Claim Amount

The bigger issue than driving without a license is driving without insurance, and the two can coincide. Generally, if you never had a driver’s license or your license is suspended or revoked, you probably do not have car insurance. Missouri law does limit the ability to recover damages when the injured driver was driving without insurance. This law is commonly referred to as the “no pay no play” law. Under Missouri Revised Code § 303.390.1, if you are an uninsured motorist and are injured in a car accident that is another driver’s fault, you cannot recover damages for pain and suffering (non-economic damages). Uninsured motorist can only recover economic damages for things like medical bills and lost wages.

Contact Us With Your Questions

Do not let driving without a license stop you from seeking recovery for your injuries. We know that car accidents happen every day under a variety of circumstances, and our attorneys are experienced with all types of car accident cases. Even if you were driving without a license or insurance, a Kansas City car accident attorney can still help you obtain compensation. Contact the Krause & Kinsman Law Firm today for a free case evaluation by calling 816-200-2900 or by visiting our website and filling out our online contact form.

Our Reputation

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is made up of some of the nation’s foremost legal minds in the mass-tort field. That’s why our clients & co-counsel partners choose us.

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, and Co-Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee in MDL 2846:

In Re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2974:

In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2924:

In Re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation

Along with the aforementioned MDLs,

Plaintiff’s Counsel has prosecuted thousands of cases across other Multi-District Litigations and Mass-Torts, including:

MDL No. 3043:

Acetaminophen ASD/ADHD Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2753:

Atrium Medical Corp. C-Qur Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2782:

Ethicon Physiomesh Flexible Composite Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 627:

In Re: Physiomesh Litigation, MCL

MCL No. 633:

In Re: Prolene Hernia System Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2750:

Cook Medical, Inc., IVC Filters Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2641:

Bard IVC Filters Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2326:

In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2606:

Benicar (Olmesartan) Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2666:

In Re: Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2591:

Syngenta AG MIR162 Corn Litigation

MDL No. 2936:

In Re: Smity’s/CAM2303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 630:

In Re: Proceed Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2543:

In Re: General Motors LLC Ignition Switch Litigation

MDL No. 2004:

In Re: Mentor Corp. ObTape Transobturator Sling Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2187:

In Re: C. R. Bard, Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2325:

In Re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2327:

In Re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2387:

In Re: Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Systems Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 251:

In Re: Neomedic Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

Highly Awarded Trial Attorneys

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is one of the nation’s leading mass-tort & personal-injury law firms. The founding partners, Adam & Robert, have been selected to serve on steering committees for some of the largest pharmaceutical mass-tort cases.

Working With Us

Partnering with Krause & Kinsman is easy. When you partner with Krause & Kinsman, you can be sure that our mutual clients’ complex matters are handled with the utmost care and dedication. In addition to our top-notch representation, we will ensure our mutual clients receive frequent communication about the status of their cases.

Partner With Us

Why Us?

Recognized leaders in mass-torts with vast experience in complex litigation.

Your clients will appreciate the high-quality representation provided.

Your clients will consistently real-time updates on the status of their case via video, email, text, and phone.

Get real-time updates on the status of our mutual clients while their cases progress.

Collaborate on the case together and receive co-counsel fees.