DONNA – A 33-year-old Alamo man is facing an intoxication manslaughter charge related to a fatal June 14 collision in Donna. Freddy Lerma is accused of failing to yield right of way to a motorcycle, causing a collision that killed 41-year-old Ricardo Torres.

that killed a motorcyclist, according to the Donna Police Department.

According to the Donna Police Department, Lerma was arrested after officers responded to the crash in the 1000 block of Business 83, just west of Val Verde Road at around 7 a.m.

A press release states Lerma attempted to turn into the Val-Verde Flea Market, causing the accident, adding, “Officers on scene smelled alcohol emitting from the vehicle,” and that “Lerma (was) exhibiting signs of intoxication.” A blood/alcohol analysis for Lerma was pending at the time of this writing.

Misdemeanors to felony charges in personal injury cases

Misdemeanors to felony charges can be brought, depending on the seriousness and specific circumstances of the charge in a personal injury case. Misdemeanors are generally defined as crimes which may be punishable by up to a year of jail time, and felonies bring more substantial fines and penalties.

Legal advice is crucial

Retaining a qualified attorney ensures you have the best representation for filing a claim in misdemeanor and felony personal injury cases. Both types of crimes can result in jail time, fines, job loss, and a criminal record for those convicted. However, you want a lawyer that seeks the best outcome for you and your family when filing such a complicated claim.

Examples of misdemeanors and felony charges include:

• Assault that results in bodily injury, to murder or homicide
• DUI or DWI that results in manslaughter, homicide, personal injury
• Burglary that results in a grand theft charge with or without injury
• Domestic violence with assault and/or battery, personal injury
• Use of a weapon with related personal injury or death
• Personal attacks which may rise to level of kidnapping and/or sexual assault
• A crime which escalates to involving personal injury, harm, death

Time limits affect compensation

Personal injury time limits affect your legal ability to not only file a claim, but also to receive compensation for the injuries you have received. In Texas, the time limit to file a personal injury case is two years from the date of the incident. If you try to file a claim after the time limit, the court can refuse to hear your case, resulting in your loss of rights related to any possible compensation. Retaining a qualified personal injury lawyer early prevents delay in filing your claim, and potential loss of receiving an award.

Misdemeanors to felony personal injury attorneys

Call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm should you be faced with a personal injury or the death of a family member resulting from a misdemeanor to felony charge. Our highly-qualified team of personal injury attorneys will protect your rights, and bring maximum compensation for your personal injury.  Call today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Source https://www.krgv.com/news/alamo-man-arrested-in-connection-to-fatal-motorcycle-collision-in-donna?fbclid=IwAR2IT5UeBtmKe4m6xr_iwJMSrPZODN3dA1OmfFQ7Vil4y8d8CP4Yjou1gdM

EDINBURG – The victim of a June 9 auto-pedestrian accident in Edinburg has been identified as 43-year-old Andres Garza of Corpus Christi.

Garza, a subcontractor with the Texas Department of Transportation, was setting up construction zone signs on the southbound lanes of Interstate Highway I-69C near FM 490.

A driver towing a vehicle veered onto the median and struck Garza, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Edinburg police are still investigating the accident, and they have not said if the driver will face any charges.

Frequency of highway construction zone accidents in Texas

The vast majority (85%) of fatalities in construction zone crashes are motorists, not construction workers. Nearly 1,000 people are killed in work zone accidents across the U.S. every year, and Texas has more work zone fatalities than any other state (about 150 deaths per year).

Highway work zones are inherently dangerous as thousands of construction zone accidents happen every year. Most are due to distracted drivers and negligent construction companies.

1. Gonzalez Law Firm can help

If someone caused your injury accident, or caused the death of someone in your family, you should not have to fight an uncaring insurance company or workers compensation system to get the compensation you legally and ethically deserve.

Our personal injury attorneys will put decades of experience to work on your case. Founding attorney Jesse Gonzalez has worked hard to achieve numerous multi-million-dollar awards and settlements for his clients.

Gonzalez and his team of expert attorneys will:

• give you the personal attention you deserve
• conduct a thorough investigation into your crash
• calculate the maximum fair value of your damages
• negotiate on your behalf to achieve a fair settlement
• present your case in court if the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly

You don’t have to fight alone. Call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH, because J. Gonzalez is ready to help you!

Source https://www.krgv.com/news/txdot-worker-killed-in-auto-pedestrian-accident-in-edinburg-identified?fbclid=IwAR28WvjxQFlkXGQ_N6FHoLu35Qb4xi9iFRFNpMRh6DrZejMG-5BrdiQlsAU

BROWNSVILLE – The Brownsville Police Department is investigating a June 13 auto-pedestrian accident that killed an 81-year-old man.

According to a news release, the victim, Roberto Recio, was walking on the crosswalk at the intersection of Palm Boulevard and Jefferson Street when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver stayed at the scene and intoxication was ruled out as a cause of the crash, police added.

The investigation continues.

Pedestrian fatalities in Texas

When a car hits a pedestrian in Texas, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying medical expenses, wage losses, and other applicable damages related to the crash. If the pedestrian is killed, family members can sue on his behalf for their loss of kinship.

Generally, the injured pedestrian would file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, if the driver is uninsured, or it was a hit-and-run accident, there may be no source of liability against which to make a claim. Even if the driver is insured, Texas only requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person or $60,000 for an auto accident with multiple victims.

In such cases where there is no source of liability insurance available to cover damages incurred by the pedestrian, it can be difficult to determine how much their case is worth. It’s important to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney who can help you understand your rights and options when filing an injury claim as a pedestrian in Texas. An experienced lawyer will also be able to evaluate your case and provide guidance on how much compensation you may be entitled to receive.

Talk to a Lawyer                                           

The experienced personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm can help you with your accident case. Contact us today via this website, or call 1-800-CAR-CRASH to get reliable information for yourself or your family.

Source https://www.krgv.com/news/brownsville-police-investigating-fatal-auto-pedestrian-crash?fbclid=IwAR08WzbU7-HNNRzQ5myi2qYuOidgQwJSbQEUfvkCApd2Pc6C5eqG5JHf4rM

Personal injury cases generally begin with an initial consultation between a personal injury attorney and a prospective client. The purpose of the initial meeting is to evaluate the merits of the case, and to determine if the attorney is in a position to represent the injured person’s claim either in court or through the negotiations process.

Initial consultations can take place in person or by telephone. However, signing a retainer agreement and opening a claim file might require an in-person meeting. Accommodations can be made when a visit to the attorney’s office is not feasible.

Topics of discussion

Personal injury attorneys will have a lot of questions for the client. They’ll want to know how the incident in question occurred, the injuries involved, and any medical treatment that has been rendered up to that point.

The attorney will also want to get a general understanding of what treatment will be needed in the future. Clients should expect to answer a lot of questions, and potentially produce documents or records during the initial consultation phase.

Documents to bring

The potential client should bring with them anything that they think is important to the case. This can include a police report and medical records. The need for any other documents will depend on the individual case.

The attorney will review the documents and records to evaluate them based upon his or her experience, and use the documents in order to evaluate the claim and advise the potential client accordingly.

The attorney’s investigation

Attorneys will always conduct their own investigation. The extent of the probe will depend on the nature of the claim. If there is a question of liability, the attorney will try to determine who was at fault, and to what degree.

The attorney might seek witnesses to determine how the incident occurred, and he or she might consult with a medical professional to assess the extent of the injury that was sustained.

Contact the J. Gonzalez Law Firm

At the J. Gonzalez Law Firm, the initial consultation is always free, and you are under no obligation to sign a retainer if you don’t want to. If we agree to work with each other, you pay nothing unless we satisfactorily settle your claim, or win your case in court. To find out if we can help you with your personal injury claim, call us today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

A McAllen man was killed in a June 30 motorcycle crash in Edinburg despite the efforts of witnesses who tried to save his life, authorities said in a news release.

Jesse Lee Gonzalez, 37, of McAllen died after suffering what Edinburg police described as “major injuries” in the crash.

At around 9:45 p.m., Edinburg police responded to the vicinity of Wisconsin and northbound Frontage roads and found that bystanders were “providing first aid to the male rider involved in the crash.”

Police determined that Gonzalez had been involved in a “major crash involving a single motorcycle,” according to the release.

“The driver suffered major injuries and was then transported to (DHR Health in Edinburg) where he was later pronounced dead,” the city said in the release

The cause of the crash was under investigation at the time of this writing.

Environmental causes of accidents

While the victim may have been the only person involved in a crash, that doesn’t mean he/she was responsible for it. If the person lost control of the vehicle because of unsafe road conditions, the person or the person’s estate may have the right to sue a government agency for damages.

The government is responsible for laws on road conditions and upkeep, which makes sure that all citizens have access to safe roadways. Unfortunately, these roadways are not always properly maintained.

If an accident is caused by road conditions, such as a steep shoulder drop-off, potholes, or other hazardous conditions, victims deserve compensation. But they must act quickly — plaintiffs have only six months to file when suing a government agency, or the case will be dismissed.

Manufacturing defects can cause a crash

The vehicle itself may be the cause of a crash. While we expect our vehicles to run properly, a manufacturer might have left a serious defect, and that could cause an accident. Manufacturers have an obligation to keep consumers safe.

Most people are unfamiliar with auto and motorcycle engineering. The J. Gonzalez Law Firm can help pinpoint the cause of your accident so you can pursue compensation. For your free consultation, simply call 1-800-CAR-CRASH or contact us on this website to get started on the path to full compensation.

Source: https://myrgv.com/local-news/2023/07/01/37-year-old-mcallen-man-killed-in-motorcycle-crash-good-samaritans-tried-saving-him/?fbclid=IwAR0HcBQKwhA0UP33i2ml6I7aNyc5NZnHprLC1bxAIJuN-fnBiOz5BG3aZjQ 

SAN BENITO — A San Benito man is recovering after a May 19 auto-pedestrian accident left him temporarily hospitalized. Miguel De La Fuente was walking to work when he was hit by a car in the 100 block of Williams Road.

Additional details on the incident were not immediately available.

In an exclusive interview with valleycentral.com, De La Fuente urged other pedestrians to use caution when walking along roadways, and told drivers to be alert for pedestrians.

“We need to have more precautions when driving and see all the mirrors and see more than anything in front of you to make sure there is no one,” De La Fuente told the news outlet.

Pedestrian safety tips

Everyone will be a pedestrian at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NTSHA) and the J. Gonzalez Law Firm offer the following tips to keep pedestrians safe:

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
• Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out and get moving.

Exercise your rights

Regardless of how cautious you are, there may come a time when you are injured due to the carelessness or negligence of a motorist. If that should ever happen to you, the J. Gonzalez Law Firm is ready to help you exercise your right to recover due compensation.

The first step in the process is to get an initial consultation with a qualified attorney to determine if you have a personal injury case. At the J. Gonzalez Law Firm, the initial consultation is always free, and if we take your case, you pay nothing until we achieve a just settlement or verdict in your favor.

Call us today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Source: https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/san-benito-man-who-was-struck-by-a-vehicle-cautions-drivers/

HIDALGO COUNTY — A Hidalgo County employee was killed and another injured in a May 23 job-related accident. According to Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. Eddie Guerra, the accident happened at approximately 11:43 a.m. north of Mile 4 North on Midway Road along a drainage canal. The area is near Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area, south of Weslaco and Donna.

The sheriff says the two victims were employees of Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, and were working along a levee area as part of preparations for hurricane season. Guerra says a backhoe that was being used for the cleanup shifted, and moved down an embankment, killing one worker and injuring the second.

The identities of the employees were not immediately released. The accident remains under investigation.

Workers’ comp vs. personal injury claims

If you have been injured at your workplace or while performing work dutie, you may be wondering if you should file a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury claim to pay for your medical bills and help recover your damages.

Workers generally assume when they are injured at work, the only option they have is through workers’ compensation, but in some situations, it’s possible to file a personal injury claim for a work accident as well.

Workers’ compensation claim

The main difference between workers’ comp and personal injury is liability. When you are injured at your workplace or off-site while carrying out work-related tasks and decide to file a workers’ comp claim, you don’t have to prove that your employer, co-worker, or any other party caused the injury. Instead, you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits even when the injury was your fault in some way.

This is what workers’ comp is for. It’s meant to protect workers who become injured in any way; even if the injury were their fault. If you decide to go with workers’ compensation, you will not receive anything outside economic costs — for example, pain and suffering.

Still, you may recover damages such as medical expenses, weekly compensation for wages, permanent impairment benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.

Personal injury claim

A personal injury claim is not limited to any specific set of people (i.e., workers). In fact, anyone who is injured due to the negligence of another is eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Still, in order for an injured worker to recover damages through this more broad route, they must be able to prove that another person or party was at fault or negligent and caused the injuries.

Personal injury damages are compensatory, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and damages for pain and suffering resulting from the injury.

A person injured at work may be able to successfully file a personal injury lawsuit when the:

• The injury involves a defective product, which would allow for a claim against the product manufacturer;
• employer’s conduct was intentional or obviously likely to cause serious harm or death;
• The injury involves a toxic or illegal substance;
• employer fails to carry workers’ comp insurance or didn’t because they were not technically required to;
• The injury was caused by the negligence of a third party that doesn’t work for the company.

J. Gonzalez Law Firm

To determine if you’re entitled to a personal injury claim, you need the advice of a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney. At the J. Gonzalez Law Firm, we will always use our experience and resources to your benefit and ensure that you’re empowered to make the right decision. Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Source https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/hidalgo-county-employee-killed-in-backhoe-accident/ 

BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville police have released the names of the victims in the May 7 crash outside the Ozanam Center. Eight people were killed and nearly a dozen others were injured when they were struck by a car as they waited for a bus to arrive.

Those killed in the incident are identified as:

Jose Javier Carrio Moreno (18)

Cristian Jesus Sangranis Rodriguez (19)

Brayan Garcia (24)

Hector David Medina Medero (24)

Enyerbeth Cabarcas Meza (23)

Luis Jeffrhey Matute Vasquez (31)

Jorge Luis Flores Colina (48)

Richard Alejandro Bustamante Perez (27)

Those injured in the crash include:

Manuel Rafael Chacón Martinez (42)

Raul Antonio Ramos Vivas (28)

Gabriel Jose Gallardo Contreras (26)

Joan Jose Quiroz Subero (40)

Jose Luis Duran Gonzalez (29)

Andreivy Moises Contreras Marquez (26)

Juan Carlos Paredes Morales (45)

Monra Alberto Quevedo Silva (32)

Ender Augusto Mata Garcia (23)

Yender Palacios Alvarado (21)

Euglis Matheus (33)

The vehicle’s driver, 34-year-old George Alvarez, remains in custody on eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held on a $3.6 million bond.

Personal injury and citizenship

Texas personal injury laws do not treat accident victims differently based on their citizenship status. Illegal immigrants have the same rights as victims that citizens do. When injured by the negligence of someone else, illegal immigrants may be entitled to compensation.

The only element that matters in a Texas motor vehicle accident claim is whether a victim was injured because of someone else’s negligence.

What compensation is available to illegal immigrants?

If an illegal immigrant is seriously injured in a Texas car accident, that person is entitled to the same damages as any other accident victim. The same applies to the families of loved who are killed in car crashes. The potential damages include, but are not limited to:

• Medical expenses
• The cost of any future medical care that is needed
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Does an accident claim affect immigration status?

Filing an accident claim or personal injury lawsuit in Texas does not impact a person’s immigration status. It is not necessary to reveal one’s immigration status when discussing a claim with an insurance company or that insurance company’s attorney. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement are not automatically notified when civil lawsuits are filed.

Should illegal immigrant crash victims hire an attorney?

Illegal immigrants have the right to have their legal rights protected, just like everyone else. The best way to do that is to hire an experienced Texas personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

The personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm have helped clients in all types of personal injury claims and are prepared to help you as well, even if you are an undocumented immigrant. To schedule a free consultation with us, call 1-800-CAR-CRASH. Hablamos Español.

Source: https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/victims-in-deadly-brownsville-migrant-center-crash-identified/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR3TVYk7fvUUgHGNz1S4RrgBx7CP_GS5Rb0JvkjABNp0p-GUyCwGihnHpXk 

HARLINGEN — Eight people, including six members of the Rio Grande City High School baseball team, were injured in a one-vehicle accident in Brooks County, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The accident happened May 16 at approximately 3:00 p.m. on FM 755 and County Road 314, west of Encino. Authorities say the students were part of a non-school-related trip, when the van they were in hydroplaned on a rain-soaked road and rolled over. The students were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, but a spokesperson for the Brooks County Sheriff’s office said one person suffered a broken leg in the crash.

Officials with Rio Grande City ISD stated that the students and coaches were not on a school-related activity, although the purpose of the trip and who organized it is not clear.

Can a school be held liable for injuries to a student during a field trip?

Although the above case does not appear to have been part of a school function, it does raise the question of liability when an injury occurs during a field trip or other school outing.

The answer depends on the facts of the case. Typically, courts will look into some typical elements that can influence a school’s liability for injury to a student during a field trip. They can include, but are not limited to:

• the age and experience of the students involved
• the field trip location
• the individual accountable for the injury
• the injured student’s relative fault in causing the harm, and
• any precautions taken by the school

Liability release forms

Schools will usually require students’ parents to sign a release form to shield themselves from liability for injuries that may happen during the trip. But such forms are not always enforceable, and they do not protect an institution or individual from liability in the event of negligence.

Find the right personal injury lawyer

If your child was injured during a school field trip, you should contact the J. Gonzalez Law Firm to learn about your rights. Our team of experts can tell you about Texas’ field trip laws, and analyze your case to determine the likelihood that you’ll be able to recover. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

DONNA – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred Monday night leaving one Donna resident dead.

According to a news release, the crash happened around 7:20 p.m. on FM 493 and Atlanta Street in Donna.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a black 2016 Ford F-150 was traveling northbound on FM 493 when a red 2005 Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle made a wide right turn into the northbound lane and collided with the Ford head-on.

“The driver of the Harley Davidson was ejected,” the release said.

A state trooper applied a tourniquet on the right side leg of 19-year-old Raul Osiel Luna to stop the bleeding and he was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

In an attempt to avoid hitting the motorcycle, the driver of the Ford traveled off the roadway but struck a utility pole and overturned.

The Ford driver was also transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

DPS troopers continue to investigate the crash.

Have you or a family member recently been injured in a Texas motorcycle crash? Contact the J. Gonzalez Law Firm to get the help you need to fight for your right to compensation.

We will ensure you are fully compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, distress, and other losses. Our experienced Texas motorcycle accident lawyers can help you work toward a full financial recovery.

At the J. Gonzalez Law Firm, we have top-rated, award-winning attorneys who are dedicated to helping injury victims and families all over the Lone Star State. Founder J. (Jesse) Gonzalez has decades of litigation experience.

Your case evaluation is 100% free, and our team is standing by to take your call now at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Source: https://myrgv.com/local-news/2023/04/18/fatal-two-vehicle-crash-in-donna-leaves-one-man-dead/