SAN DIEGO -- The state is tightening laws to stop people from driving without insurance.

A 10News investigation showed the effect an uninsured driver could have on your life.

"I'm in pain right now. I'm always in pain,” said Dave Layton.

Layton was permanently injured when 27-year-old Yesenia Nunez crashed her car into his SUV.

Nunez had no insurance and has now been involved in three accidents.

Since the 10News investigation, the author of California’s mandatory insurance law has promised to close loopholes in the law.

"It means that in the future, if you drive your vehicle without insurance at the time of registration, you're going to be fined,” said Democratic state Sen. Jackie Speier.

Speier said fines were always a part of the insurance laws.

However, beginning Oct. 1, insurance companies will be required to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles whenever drivers drop or lose their insurance policies.

Speier added, "The DMV informs the driver that if you do not get insurance, your registration will be suspended."

She also said she will keep the pressure on if uninsured drivers do not change their ways and get insurance.

"There will be another bill introduced that slaps even higher penalties on those who do not rectify the situation,” said Speier.

In some urban areas -- where there are a large number of migrants -- it is estimated the uninsured driver rate is as high as 50 percent.

Speier said she hopes the fines and automated reporting through the DMV will bring that percentage down significantly.

Throughout California, there is an estimated 3 million drivers without insurance -- nearly 14 percent of all drivers.

Nationally, only 7 percent of motorists are uninsured.