Q: Could I go to jail for a car accident without insurance in Louisiana?
I was a passenger in my own vehicle when another person who was driving caused an accident. I don't have insurance, but the police allowed me to leave the scene without citing or charging me. No one was hurt, except for a woman who went to the hospital as a precaution. Both vehicles involved sustained damages. I have legal tags and a title in my name. Could I still face legal trouble or go to jail because I don't have insurance?
A: Based on your post, I doubt you would go to jail and/or be threatened with jail. As for legal trouble, there is the possibility of traffic citations being issued to you although generally they are issued at the scene. Another possibility is a civil claim being made against you depending on the facts and circumstances of why you were not driving your vehicle, however not enough information is provided in your post to provide a substantive opinion about this. If you repair your vehicle I recommend that you obtain vehicle insurance and/or if you obtain a different vehicle instead, then I recommend that you insure that vehicle. Good luck.
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A: Unlikely you will face jail time for this. While I am not a criminal lawyer, I have helped clients without vehicle insurance in the past and none have gone to jail solely for lack of vehicle insurance. If you are hurt, you should speak to an attorney however. While you may not have had insurance, the at-fault party driving your vehicle may have been covered by their own insurance.
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