Many undocumented immigrants — including those with legal status — do not know what to do after a car accident. This is understandable. It takes time to adapt to a new country; during that process, a car accident is the last thing you want to deal with.
Regardless of the circumstances, you need to follow these steps:
Call 911
Many immigrants dread the idea of involving law enforcement in such incidents. This is because they fear law enforcement authorities will hand them over to immigration officials. But that is not the case. Instead, when police officers respond to the accident scene, they will write an accident report describing the scene, parties involved, time, date, location of the accident, and other important details, not your immigration status.
Gather Information and Evidence
You will need the other driver's details, such as a picture of their driver's license and insurance card. Also, ensure you collect evidence of the accident scene by taking photos of the injuries and damages, any relevant signage, skid marks, or anything that could help prove your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible. If you take too long to get checked, your injuries could worsen. It is also important to note that internal injuries do not usually show symptoms immediately. And if they do, it is because things have become even more serious.
Remember to document everything when you visit the doctor. Then, ensure you have a copy of the doctor's report.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
An experienced car accident attorney can fight for you regardless of your immigration status. Whether you are an undocumented immigrant, an asylee, or a permanent resident, traffic laws throughout the country protect you if you get injured in a car accident.