Every car accident that happens, whether on the highway or the local streets of Florida, will
turn out to be a negative experience for anyone involved, from the driver who caused the accident to the victim who was hit.
And when it comes to car accidents there is a good chance that any or all of the following may happen:
- A person suffering from injuries (minor or extreme)
- Damaged property (such as a car is a total loss) and or
- Post-traumatic suffering
This can ruin a person’s day, even life. Now imagine adding the stress of being undocumented.
In the sunshine state of Florida, specifically within the southern part of the state in the cities such as Miami, Homestead, and Hialeah, you will find a large population of both legal and illegal immigrants. For undocumented immigrants, this becomes an entirely different ball game altogether as they have more to worry about such as the fear of deportation.
The fear of facing deportation can lead these victims to flee the scene without waiting for assistance or seeking medical attention, leaving them to suffer in silence when instead they should be getting treatment for their pain just like everyone else involved. This is why it is important to know that you have rights whether you are documented or not.
Does an Undocumented Immigrant Have the Right to Pursue a Case?
The quick answer is yes. If an undocumented person in Florida suffers from any form of injury caused by someone else’s negligence, they still have the legal right to pursue a personal injury claim to help recover any loss suffered.
Why Make a Compensation Claim?
Anyone who is a victim of an accident and is in no way at fault may be entitled to compensation.
An undocumented immigrant who files a compensation claim through a reliable firm like the Law Offices of Leonard J. Valdes might receive:
- Full compensation in the form of medical cost
- Full compensation for the cost of post-accident recovery treatments and rehabilitation
- Compensation for loss of opportunities and money due to injury
- Compensation for both direct and indirect wage loss
This means that when you make a compensation claim, you will be compensated for both direct and indirect costs accumulated as a result of the accident. Although this compensation can never eliminate the injuries or trauma you may encounter, it can help in reducing any financial burden you may incur throughout the process.
So the bottom line is simple: if you are an undocumented immigrant living in Florida and have been involved in an accident in which you were not at fault, you still have the right to protect yourself. While the process and stress might be different and there are certain obstacles you may have to overcome, we can help guide the way.
First and foremost we advise that you go seek medical attention immediately and get evaluated by a medical professional even if at first your injuries may not look extensive. Then your next step should be to contact a personal injury law firm like ours as soon as possible. To help you better understand what your exact rights may be, contact our office so we can walk through your specific incident and advise the best path. We have experience in handling challenging cases of all types, and we can provide the assistance you can rely on.