What Visitors from Mexico Should Know After a Car Accident in El Paso?

If you’re visiting El Paso from Mexico and you’re involved in a crash, you may feel confused, scared, or overwhelmed. However, you do have rights under Texas law, and you may be able to get help. This blog will explain what to do, how your situation differs because you crossed the border, how insurance works, and how an El Paso car accident lawyer can help. Call Michael Gopin today for a free consultation if you are hurt while visiting El Paso.

Why This Matters

When you’re visiting another country, a car accident can bring a lot of confusion. You might worry about medical bills, who’s responsible, or whether your insurance applies in Texas. It’s important to understand how local laws protect you and what steps to take right away.

Here’s why it matters to know your rights after a crash in El Paso:

• Even if you’re just visiting from Mexico, a car accident in El Paso means Texas laws apply because it happened here.
  
• A cross-border accident doesn’t mean you lose your right to compensation simply because you aren’t a U.S. resident.
  
• Knowing what to do right away improves your chances of obtaining fair recovery for injuries, lost wages, or other losses.
  
• Many people don’t realize how quickly evidence disappears or how insurance companies might treat visitors differently.

Your Rights After a Car Crash 

You can file a claim

If someone else in Texas caused the accident, you have the right to seek a claim for your injuries, regardless of whether you live in the U.S. or Mexico.

Immigration status isn’t a barrier

Your legal or immigration status does not prevent you from filing a personal injury claim. The accident, insurance claim, or lawsuit is a civil matter.

Laws that apply

• Texas is a “fault” state: Meaning the driver who causes the accident generally pays via their insurance.
  
• Modified comparative fault: You can still recover damages even if you share some blame. You just cannot be over 50% at fault.
  
• Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you typically have 2 years from the crash to file a lawsuit. 

Unique Considerations for Visitors from Mexico

License & Registration

If you are driving, make sure your Mexican driver’s license or a valid equivalent is in hand, the vehicle registration is valid, and you have insurance that covers you in Texas or verify the other driver’s insurance covers the crash.

At‑fault driver’s insurance in Texas

If a Texas driver caused the crash, you can claim against that driver’s insurance. That process works just as it would for a U.S. resident.

Your own insurance or Mexican policy?

Here’s where things get specific for visitors from Mexico:

• Your Mexican auto insurance policy may not be valid or recognized in the U.S. if the crash happened here.
  
• If you were driving a U.S.‑registered vehicle, your U.S. policy, if any, may apply but you’ll still need to check how the policy handles out‑of‑state or visitor claims. 
• A lawyer can review your policy, explain what coverage applies, and contact the insurance company on your behalf. They can also spot exclusions or limits that could affect your claim and make sure you don’t miss benefits you’re entitled to.

Cross‑border filing

You may later go back to Mexico while your claim is still pending. That’s okay, an experienced El Paso car accident lawyer can often manage your claim for you, communicate remotely, secure evidence, and ensure your rights are protected while you’re back home.

Steps After a Car Accident

When you’re involved in an accident in El Paso:

1. Ensure safety and call 911 if anyone is injured.
2. Stay at the scene, leaving can lead to criminal liability.
3. Exchange information such as names, contact info, driver’s license,  and insurance.
4. Take photos and videos of the scene, the vehicles, your injuries, Texas road signage, and weather conditions.
5. If you speak less English, ask for a translation of the accident report.
6. Seek medical care promptly, even if you feel fine now, as some injuries appear later.
7. Contact an El Paso car accident lawyer early, especially if you’re from Mexico, because evidence preservation is critical.

What to Know about Insurance & Claims 

Making a claim

If the Texas driver is at fault, you can file a claim with their insurance company for:

• Medical treatment for past and future
• Vehicle repair or loss
• Lost income if you were working or would have been working
• Pain and suffering

What your Mexican insurance policy does not do

If your vehicle is Mexican‑registered or your policy is issued in Mexico, it may not cover accidents that occur in Texas. The same way U.S. insurance isn’t valid in Mexico. 

Common issues for visitors

• Insurance companies may delay or challenge your claim, hoping a visitor returns home and drops the case.
• You may have fewer local witnesses, less familiarity with U.S. legal systems, or difficulty staying until all evidence is collected.
• Language and translation issues may complicate statements or reports.

How a lawyer helps

• They gather police reports, medical records, and scene photos.
• They identify all liable parties such as the driver, vehicle owner, and rental car company, and help you recover full compensation.
• They protect you from accepting a quick, low settlement before you know your future needs.
• They guide you through Texas’s rules around fault, deadlines, and paperwork, saving you stress and time while you’re away from home.

If the Crash Happens While Crossing the Border or Near the Border

If the accident happened right at or near the Texas–Mexico border, the same rules still apply. You were in Texas, so Texas law governs. Your location does not change your right to file a claim. If the responsible driver is a Texas resident or the vehicle is from Texas, you can pursue the claim here.

Contact an El Paso Car Accident Lawyer

If you were visiting from Mexico and got hurt in a crash in El Paso, you don’t have to face the process alone. The laws, insurance systems, and paperwork can feel unfamiliar, especially when you’re far from home. That’s where an El Paso car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC can help. When you contact us, we’ll:

• Communicate with you in English or Spanish
• Team is available to travel to meet with you in your home or anywhere else that is convenient for you within El Paso
• Keep your case moving even if you’ve already returned to Mexico.

You deserve someone local in El Paso who knows the courts, the insurers, and how to make your claim as smooth as possible.

Don’t Wait, You’ve Rights, Act Now!

If you or someone you love was injured in an accident in El Paso while visiting from Mexico, you are not alone and you have legal rights. U.S. laws do not bar you from seeking compensation simply because you live outside the U.S. Acting quickly to get medical care, preserving evidence, and consulting with an El Paso car accident lawyer is the best way to protect yourself. If you find yourself in this situation, let the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC be your guide. 

Call (915) 333-3333 or fill out our online form today for a free consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day and ready to help you get the support you need after an accident in El Paso.

Frequently Asked Questions for Visitors from Mexico

Do I need to stay in El Paso until my claim is resolved?

Not necessarily. An experienced lawyer can continue working on your behalf while you return home. It’s smart to start the claim process immediately.

What if I don’t understand English well?

You can work with a bilingual lawyer and ask for a translation of important documents. Language differences should not prevent you from pursuing a claim.

Can I claim lost wages even if I wasn’t working in the U.S.?

Possibly. If your regular job in Mexico was interrupted or you cannot work because of the injury, you may recover that loss. The lawyer will evaluate your situation.

Can I still get help if I was a passenger, not the driver?

Yes. Passengers have the same right to seek compensation as drivers. If you were hurt while riding in a car, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.

What if the other driver left the scene or gave false information?

If the at-fault driver fled or refused to share real details, you should report it immediately to the El Paso police. They may locate the driver using traffic cameras or witness statements.

Michael J. Gopin

Michael J. Gopin has practiced law in El Paso since 1987. Even after more than 30 years, he still remembers his first jury case. It was two weeks after receiving his license, when he represented a person whose life had been forever changed after being blinded in a work-related incident...