Driving without liability insurance in New Jersey is a serious offense that carries harsh penalties including possible license suspension, expensive fines and jail time for second and subsequent offenses. Additionally, if you are in an accident that wasn’t your fault, but you are found guilty of driving while uninsured, you may be barred from pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for any injuries that you suffer. Simply being unaware of your lack of liability insurance coverage or being the victim of some type of insurance company mix-up are not viable defenses on their own to an uninsured driving charge in New Jersey. If you are charged with this offense, an experienced lawyer can help you address the charges and get you back on track.
Hackensack / Bergen County / New Jersey Driving Without Insurance Law
N.J.S.A 39:6B-2 is the state statute that addresses Driving Without Liability Insurance in New Jersey. As a motor vehicle owner in New Jersey, you are legally required to carry insurance on your vehicle with at least $5,000 in coverage for property damage, $15,000 for death or injury and $30,000 for more than one individual. Failure to do so can lead to costly penalties including loss of driving privileges and jail time:
First Offense Penalties:
- One-year license suspension
- $300 to $1,000 fine
- Community service – as ordered by municipal court
- $250 Uninsured Motorist Prevention Fund annual surcharge for three years
- Additional court costs
Second Offense Penalties:
- Minimum of two years driver’s license suspension
- $500 to $5,000 fine
- 180 hours of community service
- $250 Uninsured Motorist Prevention Fund annual surcharge for three years
- 14 days in jail
- Additional court costs
- Assessment of 9 insurance eligibility points
How The Reinartz Law Firm Can Assist You
Experienced legal counsel is vital for defending against an uninsured driving charge. The Reinartz Law Firm can help. We have the knowledge and resources to defend your case from inception through trial, if necessary. We will investigate the facts of your case and seek the best possible outcome for you, whether that means aggressively seeking outright dismissal of the charges at trial or negotiating a plea agreement with your best interests in mind. While the law remains the same in every case, the facts of every case are different. Thus, we take the time to understand the facts of your case to determine the best course of action and outcome for you.
Contact Us
If you are facing a charge of driving without insurance in Hackensack or anywhere in Bergen County, New Jersey, contact the Reinartz Law Firm at 201-289-8614 to discuss your case. We offer a confidential and free initial consultation.