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What is the California Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law?
The Insurance Information Institute [1] provides that virtually all states require drivers to have auto liability insurance before they can legally drive a motor vehicle. (Liability insurance pays the other driver’s medical, vehicle repair and other costs when the policyholder is at fault in an accident). State laws set the minimum amounts of insurance or other financial security that drivers must pay for the harm caused by their negligence if an accident occurs.
In the state of California, the Compulsory Financial Responsibility [2] Law (§§16000-16078 VC) ensures that drivers and owners of vehicles are financially responsible for any damage or injury caused by a traffic accident, regardless of fault, and to remove financially irresponsible drivers from the highways. If you drive a motor vehicle, whether you own it or not, or if you own a motor vehicle, even though you may not drive it yourself but allow others to drive it, California law requires that you maintain one of the forms of financial responsibility either in the form of liability insurance, a surety bond or cash deposit of $35,000.00 dollars.
Financial responsibility (commonly known as insurance) is required on all vehicles operated or parked on California roadways. Drivers must carry evidence of financial responsibility [3] in their vehicle at all times and it must be provided when:
- Requested by law enforcement.
- Renewing vehicle registration.
- The vehicle is involved in a traffic collision.
Los Angeles Auto Accident Lawyers
When you are involved in a California car accident without insurance, it is a good idea to contact an attorney who deals with automobile accidents so that the lawyer can advise you concerning your rights and responsibilities with respect to the accident, determine to proceed and advise if you can obtain compensation for your injuries.
Call the Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC, APC, Statewide at our toll free number: 866-966-5240. Consultations are always free, there are no up front fees, and we never charge a fee until we recover money for you.