Who’s responsible if you’re hit by a car with temporary plates and no insurance?

Person attaching temporary license plates to the front of a car, representing the risks of a temporary plates accident with no insurance coverage.

Car accidents are stressful under any circumstances, but they become even more complicated when the other driver doesn’t have proper insurance. Imagine this: you’re driving along when you’re struck by a car that has temporary plates and no insurance coverage. That raises an important question: Who’s responsible in this kind of scenario?

Unfortunately, these types of accidents are not uncommon in New Jersey. With more people driving vehicles on temporary tags, sometimes while waiting for permanent registration and sometimes to avoid insurance costs, the risk is higher than most drivers realize. If you’ve been injured in this type of crash, you still have options for recovering compensation.

Understanding Temporary Plates and Insurance

Temporary plates are often issued when someone purchases a new or used vehicle. They allow drivers to legally operate the vehicle while waiting for permanent registration. In most cases, insurance is still required, even during the temporary plate period.

However, problems arise when:

A driver never obtained insurance in the first place.
Insurance coverage lapsed without renewal.
The driver deliberately avoided paying for insurance.

If you’re hit by someone driving with temporary tags and no insurance, the path to recovery becomes more complicated, but not impossible.

The Law in New Jersey

New Jersey requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. Driving without insurance is illegal and carries serious penalties, including fines, suspension, and even the loss of driving privileges. But when an uninsured driver causes an accident, the bigger issue is who pays for the damages.

New Jersey is a no-fault accident state, which means your own car insurance carries coverage for the treatment of injuries injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. This coverage is called Personal injury Protection (PIP), which covers medical bills and other accident-related costs. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance is still responsible for property damage and repairs. However, if that driver has no insurance, you may need to pursue other options to recover compensation for those accident-related expenses.

Your Options After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

If you’re hit by a car with temporary plates and no insurance, you may be able to recover compensation through several sources:

1. Your Own PIP Coverage

As mentioned above, New Jersey is a no-fault state, which means your own PIP coverage pays for your medical bills after an accident, regardless of fault. This applies even if the other driver is uninsured.

2. Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Most auto insurance policies in New Jersey include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This protects you if you’re injured by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. UM/UIM coverage can pay for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

3. Holding Other Parties Accountable

In some cases, liability may extend beyond the uninsured driver. For example:

If the car was purchased from a dealership that failed to follow proper registration procedures, they could share responsibility.
If the driver was operating someone else’s vehicle, the vehicle owner may also be held accountable.

Challenges in These Cases

These accidents can be complicated for several reasons:

Lack of insurance: The most obvious issue is that the at-fault driver doesn’t have coverage to pay your damages.
Disputes over liability: The uninsured driver may try to shift blame to you.
Insurance company resistance: Even your own insurer may push back on UM claims, trying to minimize payouts.

That’s why having an experienced personal injury attorney is so important in these situations. A lawyer can help you navigate the claims process, fight unfair denials, and identify all possible sources of compensation.

What to Do After the Crash

If you’re hit by a car with temporary plates and no insurance, here are the steps you should take right away:

Call the police. A police report is critical for documenting that the other driver had no insurance.
Seek medical attention. If you are injured, get medical treatment immediately.
Gather evidence. Take photos of the vehicles, the plates, and the accident scene.
Get witness information. Their statements can help back up your version of events.
Notify your insurance company. Report the accident promptly, but avoid making detailed statements without legal advice.
Call a lawyer. These cases are complex, and legal guidance can make all the difference in the outcome.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Even when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation for:

Medical expenses (hospital visits, treatment, rehabilitation, future care)
Lost wages if your injuries keep you from working
Pain and suffering caused by the accident
Property damage to your vehicle
Long-term losses if your injuries affect your daily life or earning ability

New Jersey law also allows you to file a claim against the at-fault driver if you’ve suffered a serious injury. Under state law, a “serious injury” may include death, permanent disability, significant disfigurement or scarring, loss of a body part, displaced fractures, or loss of a fetus.

If your injuries meet this threshold, you can pursue additional damages directly from the at-fault driver or other responsible parties. This type of claim opens the door to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages that PIP does not cover.

The amount you may recover depends on your policy, the severity of your injuries, and whether another party can be held legally accountable.

Why Legal Help Is Essential

Insurance companies often take advantage of accident victims who don’t have representation, especially in cases involving uninsured drivers. They may delay, deny, or offer lowball settlements. A lawyer can:

Review your insurance policy and explain your coverage.
File uninsured motorist claims properly and on time.
Negotiate aggressively with insurance adjusters.
Investigate whether third parties may share liability.
Take your case to court if necessary.

When the other driver has no insurance, having an experienced advocate on your side becomes even more important.

Who’s Responsible If You’re Hit by a Car with Temporary Plates and No Insurance?

Ultimately, responsibility often falls to your own insurance coverage when the at-fault driver has none. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. It just means you’ll need to pursue claims differently. With the right approach, you may still recover compensation for your injuries, lost income, and other damages.

Call Team Law After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

If you’ve been hit by a car with temporary plates and no insurance, you may be wondering how you’ll cover your medical bills and repair costs. The good news is that you do not have to face this situation alone. At Team Law, we have decades of experience helping car accident victims throughout New Jersey secure the compensation they need, even in cases involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Our attorneys know how to investigate these crashes, deal with insurance companies that want to avoid paying, and identify every available path to recovery. We understand how stressful this situation can be, and we’re here to protect your rights every step of the way.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll explain your legal options, review your insurance coverage, and build a strong case on your behalf. At Team Law, we fight for justice and won’t stop until you get the compensation you need. We represent drivers in Newark, Edison, Cranford, and throughout New Jersey.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.