Being hit by any driver is frightening, but discovering the person who caused your crash had a suspended license adds a troubling new layer to an already difficult situation. A suspended license is not a minor paperwork issue; it means the state of California determined that the driver was unsafe to be on the road, and they drove anyway. When that decision leads to your injuries, you have every right to hold them accountable.
If you have been hurt in a crash involving a suspended driver, the personal injury attorneys at Callahan & Blaine, PC are ready to help you build the strongest possible case. Founded in 1984, our firm has 29 senior trial attorneys and more than 40 years of litigation experience fighting for people who have suffered serious injuries through no fault of their own.
Why Suspended Drivers Are on the Road at All
It may seem hard to believe, but a significant number of suspended drivers continue driving after their licenses are taken away. Research published by the California Department of Motor Vehicles found that suspended or revoked drivers in California are nearly three times as likely to be responsible for a fatal crash as drivers with valid licenses.
Why Licenses Get Suspended
License suspensions in California happen for several reasons, and understanding the cause matters in your case.
The most common reasons a driver’s license may be suspended include:
- DUI convictions: Driving under the influence is among the leading reasons for suspension, and those drivers present a heightened danger to everyone sharing the road.
- Excessive traffic violations: Accumulating too many points on a driving record triggers an automatic suspension.
- Failure to carry insurance: California requires all drivers to maintain liability coverage, and driving without it can result in suspension.
- Failure to appear in court: Ignoring traffic citations or court dates can cause a license to be suspended administratively.
Each of these reflects a pattern of disregard for road safety, which may support a stronger negligence argument in your case.
What Liability Looks Like in These Cases
When a suspended driver causes a crash, the legal principle of negligence applies directly. In California, any driver owes a duty of care to others on the road. A driver who gets behind the wheel with a suspended license has already breached that duty before the ignition is even turned on. Proving car accident negligence in California requires establishing that breach, the resulting injuries, and the damages you suffered, all of which our attorneys know how to document and present.
When the Driver Does Not Have Insurance
One of the most common complications in these cases is that suspended drivers frequently carry no insurance. A license suspension often comes hand in hand with a lapse in coverage, which means the at-fault driver may not have a policy to compensate you. In that scenario, your own uninsured motorist coverage may become your primary source of recovery. Our attorneys are experienced in pursuing compensation in accidents involving uninsured motorists, and we know how to maximize every available avenue for recovery when the at-fault driver cannot pay.
Steps to Take After the Crash
What you do in the hours and days following a crash with a suspended driver can significantly affect your case. The most important steps include getting immediate medical care, calling law enforcement to create an official record, and documenting the scene as thoroughly as possible. A police report in this type of crash will typically note the driver’s suspended status, which becomes valuable evidence.
Gathering witness contact information, taking photographs, and keeping records of all medical expenses and lost wages will all strengthen your claim. Do not delay in speaking with an attorney, as California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the accident.
Contact Callahan & Blaine, PC to Handle Your Litigation Matter
Callahan & Blaine, PC has spent more than four decades standing beside people who were seriously injured by reckless and negligent drivers. Our 29 senior trial attorneys have secured landmark results for our clients, including a $934 million jury verdict, the largest in Orange County history, and a $50 million personal injury settlement, the largest of its kind in U.S. history. Managing Partner Edward Susolik has personally handled more than 1,500 mediations and over 2,000 insurance disputes, bringing unmatched depth to every case we take on.
If a suspended driver injured you, you should not have to absorb those losses alone. Our firm pursues full accountability on behalf of every client we represent, and we are prepared to do the same for you. To submit your potential case for review, please contact us today.
