According to official data, nearly one-fifth of America’s entire population is comprised of immigrants. Here too, there should be a differentiation that can be made between legal immigrants and undocumented immigrants.
When it comes to the legalities surrounding car accidents, the processes can appear to be quite complex and complicated. Whether you are an immigrant that is the victim of a car accident or an American citizen at the receiving end of an undocumented immigrant, there are different legal options that are available to you.
In this article, we speak to experts over at Santa Barbara Accident Lawyers. We request them to share important details that immigrants, as well as non-immigrants, should know about car accidents.
What you can do if you have been involved in a Car Accident with an Undocumented Immigrant?
First and foremost, you need to know that if the person who has committed the car accident is an undocumented citizen, they do not have auto insurance.
In fact, any undocumented citizen in any of the states of America cannot get a Driving License. If they do not have a DL, then they cannot file for auto insurance.
This will make you wonder whether there is any merit in proceeding with a personal injury case against the person or not.
However, legal experts state that there are two important things that you can check for in order to get some compensation or the other-
- Your attorney can check whether the immigrant has the resources and financial assets to strike some kind of an out-of-court settlement away from prying legal eyes.
- If the undocumented citizen was using the vehicle for work purposes, the liability of the same then stands with the employer. You can file a lawsuit against them.
Are you an Immigrant looking to file a Car Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The first thing that you need to know is that an individual’s status as an immigrant does not affect their capacity to file a car accident personal injury lawsuit.
If you are a legal immigrant or are waiting for your official confirmation, then you do not need to worry about any legal troubles or impediments. You rather need to get in touch with an expert legal attorney who can effectively build your case and help you get compensation.
However, if you are an undocumented citizen that is a car accident victim, the perpetrators might try to strong-arm you by stating how they will report you to the relevant authorities.
Legal experts state that undocumented citizens should not feel afraid when involved in a car accident. This is because the law grants them equal rights, whether they are documented or undocumented. In other words, the due process of law in car accidents is the same for everyone.
List of 5 Things that Immigrants should do when Involved in a Car Accident
If you are an immigrant that has been involved in a car accident, the following are some steps that you should take immediately-
- Get in touch with a specialized and experienced car accident attorney.
- Contact an ambulance and visit the nearest medical facility for treatments.
- Gather all the relevant information from the perpetrator of the accident.
- Record evidence on your phone camera and the voice recorder.
- Ensure that you do not leave the site of the accident unless your lawyer and law enforcement are at the scene of the crime.
Most importantly, it is important that you do not feel scared or intimated on account of your immigrant status. The law and its scope are equal for everyone. Following the due process of law will help in ensuring compensation to cover medical bills and lost wages.
The Bottom Line
Immigrants are an integral part of American society and have been provided several legal protections. Getting in touch with an experienced legal attorney can help in understanding and knowledge about how the various processes work. This will ensure a favorable outcome of the car accident cases for immigrants.
