Alleged human smuggling attempt results fatal crash in Mission
by Benjamin Treviño | December 23rd, 2021 | Lawsuit, Legal Representation
A driver was arrested December 11 after an alleged human smuggling attempt ended in a fatal crash in Mission. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) a gray Ford Explorer SUV crashed with another vehicle after failing to yield right of way at an intersection.
The crash occurred at Trosper Road and Mile 2 Road. There were six passengers in the SUV, and at least one person in the vehicle died, according to Mission police.
The driver, identified as 18-year-old Esteban Cantu Jr., was arrested and charged with evading arrest, and human smuggling.
Can undocumented immigrants file a personal injury claim?
Undocumented immigrants are often told that they don’t have any rights when they enter the United States illegally. Unfortunately, this kind of misinformation has led many undocumented immigrants to believe they cannot file a personal injury claim or lawsuit after being hurt in an accident that was not their fault.
The truth is that immigration status does not affect the right to pursue damages after being hurt through someone else’s negligence. The United States protects every individual injured in any type of accident, regardless of their immigration status. Besides car crashes, the right to file a personal injury lawsuit extends, but is not limited to:
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Workplace accidents
- Premises liability
- Product liability
If you have been injured, and it was not your fault, then you should not hesitate to talk to J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys about what you can do to get fair compensation.
Can illegal immigrants be deported after filing a personal injury lawsuit?
US border enforcement agencies are all not allowed to deport an undocumented immigrant simply because he/she filed a personal injury claim or lawsuit. In fact, the INS has never deported anyone in history who was injured in an accident and filed a claim.
Attempting to deport an undocumented immigrant who had recently filed a personal injury claim or gotten into a serious accident can be seen as obstruction of civil justice. To avoid any legal entanglement, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service usually waits to take any action until the injury claim is fully resolved.
Damages are available to undocumented immigrants
The damages that undocumented immigrants can receive through a successful claim are the same as any U.S. citizen. These damages include:
- Costs resulting from medical bills and treatments
- Lost income due to being unable to work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional trauma caused by the event
Gonzalez stands by clients from all walks of life
Gonzalez Injury Attorneys welcomes and offers compassionate legal assistance to everyone in our community, regardless of citizenship status. No matter where you are from, you have the right to file a claim against any party that hurts you through an act of negligence.
Let J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys show you how to use and protect your rights by filing an effective personal injury claim on your behalf.
