Legal Recourse for Injuries by Unlicensed Drivers
Getting into a car accident is stressful under any circumstances. But when the other driver doesn’t even have a valid license? That takes things to a whole different level. If you're dealing with injuries caused by an unlicensed driver in Lexington, Kentucky, you're not alone—and you don't have to handle it all on your own. These types of cases are serious, and having an experienced, committed car accident attorney in your corner can make all the difference.
Let's break it all down: what the law says, how it impacts your ability to recover damages, and why it’s critical to work with someone who knows the roads—literally and legally—in Lexington, and the surrounding communities.
At Wilson & McQueen PLLC, our personal injury lawyers have several years of experience in car accident cases. Contact us today to discuss your case.
How Big Is the Problem?
Unlicensed drivers are a real threat on the road. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 20% of fatal car crashes in the U.S. involve a driver without a valid license. These drivers are more likely to have a history of reckless behavior, including prior accidents, DUIs, and repeated traffic violations.
The Federal Highway Administration and the NHTSA also track data that shows unlicensed drivers are often repeat offenders. These aren’t people who just “forgot” to renew their license last week—they’re drivers who were never legally cleared to be on the road in the first place.
What Kentucky Law Says About Unlicensed Drivers
In Kentucky, driving without a license is a violation of KRS § 186.510 and can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. But when it comes to car accident liability, KRS § 186.640 makes things even more serious.
Under that statute, if someone is involved in an accident while driving without a license (or while their license is suspended or revoked), that fact alone is considered strong evidence of negligence. That’s good news for injury victims, because it helps strengthen your legal position. But that doesn’t mean getting compensated is simple.
The Insurance Roadblock
Here’s where things get tricky: most unlicensed drivers are also uninsured. They know they’re not supposed to be behind the wheel, and they’re not about to spend money on a policy they technically can’t use. So what does that mean for you if you’re injured?
You may need to rely on your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Kentucky law doesn’t require UM coverage, but many policies include it by default. If you do have it, that can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. But even with a UM policy, your insurer might put up a fight.
Why Unlicensed Drivers Are So Dangerous
Let’s be honest: someone driving without a license is already making risky decisions. But it’s more than just a legal violation. Many unlicensed drivers have never had formal training, don’t understand traffic laws, or have a history of reckless behavior.
This makes them especially dangerous in:
High-traffic areas like downtown Lexington or Richmond.
School zones in Nicholasville.
Intersections along New Circle Road or Man o’ War Blvd.
Rural roads in and around London.
And when they cause a crash, they often flee the scene or give false information. That just adds another layer of stress to an already painful experience.
What You Can Do After a Crash With an Unlicensed Driver
If you’ve been hit by someone who didn’t have a valid license, it’s important to act fast:
Call the police right away. Their report will document that the other driver was unlicensed.
Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions don’t always show up right away.
Gather evidence. If you’re able, take photos of the scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and anything else that seems important.
Don’t speak to the other driver’s insurance company without legal help. They may try to downplay your injuries or deny the claim altogether.
Talk to a car accident attorney who handles unlicensed driver cases in Lexington and nearby areas.
The Real Cost of a Crash Like This
Let’s talk numbers. A serious car accident can cost you more than just a few days off work. You might be facing:
Emergency room bills
Ongoing physical therapy
Lost wages or job loss
Emotional distress or PTSD
Loss of mobility or quality of life
And that doesn’t even touch on the stress and frustration that comes from dealing with a driver who never should’ve been on the road to begin with.
An experienced car accident attorney can put together a strong case to recover all of these damages. That includes both economic losses and non-economic ones, like pain and suffering.
What If the Driver Was Using Someone Else’s Car?
It happens more than you’d think. Unlicensed drivers often borrow cars from family or friends. In those situations, the car owner might share liability under Kentucky’s negligent entrustment laws—especially if they knew the person was unlicensed or had a poor driving history.
So even if the driver has no assets or insurance, you might still have a path to compensation. Again, a good car accident attorney will dig into every possible angle to build your case.
Local Knowledge Makes a Difference
A car accident attorney based in Lexington, Kentucky isn’t just familiar with the law—they know the streets, the traffic patterns, and how local courts handle these cases. Whether your accident happened near the University of Kentucky campus, out in Georgetown, in busy downtown Richmond, or along rural roads outside London, having a lawyer who knows the area helps.
For example, judges in Fayette County might handle injury claims differently than courts in Jessamine or Laurel Counties. Knowing those local nuances can give you a serious advantage.
Your Legal Options
Depending on the specifics of your accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through:
A personal injury lawsuit against the driver
A claim against the vehicle owner (if different)
Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy
A dram shop claim (if the driver was intoxicated and served at a bar or restaurant)
The right car accident attorney will explore every option and help you decide on the best path forward.
Why Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Matters
There’s no substitute for experience when it comes to handling car accident cases involving unlicensed drivers. These cases are rarely straightforward. You need someone who knows how to:
Track down drivers who may have given false information
Subpoena phone records, surveillance footage, or vehicle data
Work with accident reconstruction experts
Push back against lowball insurance offers
And perhaps most importantly, you need someone who treats you like a person, not a case file. A personable and experienced car accident attorney in Lexington will take the time to hear your story, answer your questions, and explain your rights in plain language.
Call Wilson & McQueen PLLC
Getting hit by an unlicensed driver isn’t just frustrating—it can leave you dealing with medical bills, lost income, and a lot of unanswered questions. But you don’t have to deal with it alone. An experienced car accident attorney in the Lexington area can help you protect your rights.
At our firm, we serve clients throughout Lexington, Georgetown, Richmond, Nicholasville, and London. Call us at Wilson & McQueen PLLC today.