After a crash, the biggest fear for many border families isn't the car or the pain — it's "I don't have papers" or "I was driving without a license, better not say anything." That fear keeps people quiet and makes them lose what they're owed. At Gonzalez & Associates we serve the community of Eagle Pass, Laredo, and San Antonio every day, and we want you to know this clearly: in Texas, an injured person has rights, regardless of immigration status.
1. Your immigration status doesn't erase your right to file a claim
In Texas, the law that lets you claim for an injury doesn't ask where you're from or whether you have papers. If another driver hurt you through their negligence, your right to seek compensation for medical bills, missed work, and the pain you went through still stands. You're not asking for a favor — you're claiming what the law recognizes for any injured person.
2. Driving without a license doesn't automatically make you at fault
Many people assume that "since I didn't have a license, the accident was my fault." That's not how it works. Fault in a crash is decided by who caused it — who ran the light, who was distracted, who rear-ended whom — not by whether you had a license at the time. Driving without a license is a separate traffic matter; it doesn't cancel your right to claim for injuries someone else caused you.
3. You don't have to discuss your status with the other insurance company
The other driver's insurance adjuster doesn't need to know your immigration status to pay for the harm their insured caused, and that topic usually isn't even relevant to your claim. If someone keeps pressing you about papers or immigration, you have the right to say you'll talk to an attorney first. Don't give statements or sign anything without getting advice.
4. What you tell your attorney is confidential
When you tell your case to an attorney, that conversation is private and protected. At Gonzalez & Associates we serve you in Spanish, straight and without judgment. Our job is to understand what happened, explain your options, and fight for you — not to report you or put you at risk. You can tell us your situation with confidence.
What should I do if this happened to me?
The same thing anyone should do after an accident: get medical care even if you feel fine, save photos and the police report if there is one, don't accept or sign insurance offers, and talk to an attorney before giving statements. Your status or your license don't change these steps.
If you or a family member had an accident in Eagle Pass, Laredo, or San Antonio and you're worried about your status or your license, tell us what happened before you answer the insurance company. The consultation is free, it's confidential, and we serve you in Spanish, 24/7. Call us at (833) 698-9467.