Maison Law can guide you through the claims process after you’re injured in an accident in California. Sometimes, there’s situations where filing a claim isn’t the first thing on your mind–like if you face deportation from California. But no matter what the circumstances are, you still have legal options that our team can help you with. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
Can I Still File an Insurance Claim If I’ve Been Deported?
If you were hurt in an accident while living in California, you can still file an insurance claim (or lawsuit), even if you were later deported. Being sent back to your home country doesn’t cancel out your injury or the harm you’ve gone through. This is because all that matters is who caused your accident. The law in California protects anyone who’s been injured by someone else’s negligence—no matter where you were born or whether you’ve been deported.
In legal terms, this means proving “negligence,” which could look different depending on the kind of accident you were involved in. Here are a few examples of who could be responsible:
- Drivers who were distracted, drunk, or careless
- Property owners who didn’t fix dangerous conditions
- Employers who didn’t provide a safe work environment
- Businesses that failed to follow safety rules
- Cities or agencies responsible for unsafe roads
In some cases, more than one person or company may be at fault. That’s important, because the more responsible parties we find, the better your chances are of recovering full damages.
How Do You File a Claim If You’re No Longer in the U.S.?
Filing a claim is your way of holding the responsible party accountable—and recovering money for everything you’ve lost. Even if you’ve been deported, the process generally follows two tracks:
- Insurance claim – The starting point of any injury claim is filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance. This can help cover medical bills, lost income, and other direct costs, and it happens outside of court, so it’s usually quicker.
- Lawsuit – If the insurance company refuses to offer enough to cover your losses, your lawyer can file a lawsuit in court, even while you’re abroad.
The exact value of a claim depends on how badly you were hurt and how the injury has affected your life. In general, people can recover damages for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages or job opportunities
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of mobility or independence
- Wrongful death, if a loved one was killed
Just because you’ve left the country doesn’t mean your case ends. If you were hurt in California and deported before filing, you still have legal rights. But timing is important. California has a two-year deadline to file most injury claims. If that deadline passes, you could lose the chance to take legal action altogether.
What Can I Do To Help My Insurance Claim?
Our lawyers can make sure your case is filed on time—even if you’re not here to sign paperwork in person. Here’s how you can help strengthen your claim, even from abroad:
- Gather records – Save any medical paperwork, photos from the scene, witness info, or anything that shows what happened.
- Stay in contact – Be reachable by phone, email, or video call so your attorney can update you or get information as needed.
- Be honest and clear – Stick to the facts about what happened and what injuries you’ve had to deal with.
While it’s hard, you need to do what you can to stay calm and focused after the accident. The steps you take in those first moments—like getting medical help, gathering evidence, and reporting what happened—can make a big difference in your injury claim. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, we’re here to walk you through the process and help protect your rights.
How Can Maison Law Help You With an Insurance Claim After You’ve Been Deported From California?
If you’re facing deportation, or if you’ve already been deported, getting hurt in an accident can feel even more overwhelming. You may worry about speaking up or feel unsure if the legal system will treat you fairly. But here’s the truth: your immigration status doesn’t take away your rights. If someone else caused your injury, you still have the legal right to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
That said, the process isn’t always easy—especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, or pressure from insurance companies. That’s where having the right lawyer matters. Our team at Maison Law can help by:
- Investigating what really happened and who’s at fault
- Collecting evidence and organizing your records
- Talking to insurance companies so you don’t have to
- Helping you get proper medical care
- Working to lower your medical bills
- Negotiating for a fair settlement—or going to court if needed
You deserve a fair shot at recovery—no matter where you were born or what your immigration status is. We’ll stand by your side and walk you through each step, so you’re not dealing with it alone. Reach out today to set up a free, confidential consultation.