The Harlingen Marathon and Relay is a collection of foot races held each year in February. Established in 2018, the annual competitions consist of a full marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), two-person and four-person relay events, and a 5K (3.1 miles) race.

Runners are encouraged to “Rediscover the beauty of downtown Harlingen & its landmarks” during the races. Party music, and water stops are found about every mile. Runners can experience the hospitality of the community as spectators cheer them on towards their goal.

The Harlingen Marathon is an official qualifying event for the world-famous Boston Marathon, which is held every year in April. In 2020, the Harlingen Marathon and Relay was recognized as the largest qualifying marathon in the U.S. 1% of finishers that year qualified for the Boston Marathon.

The Harlingen Marathon is a project of the City of Harlingen, the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce (Visit Harlingen) and Footworks, a Harlingen-based specialty shoe store. The motto for the event is: “Let’s together move forward in creating a healthier and more active community one mile at a time.”

One person is dead following a December 13, 2021 crash in McAllen. The crash in the 6200 block of North 23^rd Street was reported at about 1:02 p.m., according to McAllen Police Lt. Joel Morales.

Morales reported that the male victim pulled out into the street, and his vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The unidentified man was killed by the impact. Other people involved in the crash received non-life threatening injuries, Morales added.

The crash remains under investigation.

Car accident basics

The majority of personal injury claims in the US arise from automobile accidents. More than five million car accidents are reported every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Vehicle accidents and the law

Legal claims that result from motor vehicle accidents are generally governed by the law of negligence. As a general rule, people who operate automobiles are expected to exercise “reasonable care under the circumstances.” It is considered negligence when someone fails to use reasonable care.

A person who negligently operates a vehicle can be legally required to pay for any damages, including damage to a person or to property. The injured party (plaintiff) is required to prove:

• the defendant was negligent
• the negligence was a proximate cause of the accident, and
• the accident caused the plaintiff’s injuries.

What is negligence?

Courts weigh a number of factors in determining whether a driver was legally “negligent.”  Some of the major factors include:

• failure to observe traffic signs or signals
• failure to signal while turning
• driving above the posted speed limit
• driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Accidents not caused by driver negligence

In some cases, accidents are caused by factors not related to a particular driver. For example, an automobile accident can sometimes be traced to a defect in a driver’s automobile. In such a case, an automobile manufacturer, or supplier, could possibly be held liable for any injuries. This falls under the law of product liability.

Other factors, such as poorly maintained roads, and malfunctioning traffic control signals can contribute to accidents as well. Improper design, maintenance, construction, signage, lighting, or other highway defects can also cause serious accidents. In these cases, government entities can be potential defendants. However, special rules apply to claims and lawsuits against governmental entities, and proper legal advice is critical to preserving and winning such claims.

Learn more by calling J Gonzalez

If you or a loved one has suffered a car accident injury, some important questions need to be answered. Reviewing your claim with J. Gonzalez injury attorneys can help you identify who, if anyone, was negligent, and if that negligence caused your injury. Get started today by contacting us via this website, or call us at 1-800-CARCRASH.

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Source: KRGV

Established in 1937, Charro Days is an annual fiesta celebrated in the city of Brownsville during the latter part of February. The celebration is an homage to the area’s Mexican heritage, and reinforces the cultural, familial, and commercial trade bonds that have long existed between Brownsville and its Mexican sister city, Matamoros.

Charro Days takes its name from the Mexican charro – the legendary horse riders known for their large sombreros, and stylish attire. The first Charro Days celebration was held February 24–27, 1938, and consisted of parades, dances, concerts, and a grand ball in Matamoros known as Noche Mexicana.

The Mr. Amigo Association was added to the Charro Days festivities in 1969. Each year, the group selects a Mexican citizen who contributes to the friendship between Mexico and the United States. Mr. Amigo traditionally presides over the Charro Days opening ceremony which is held in the middle of the Gateway International Bridge, and begins the Mexican grito (celebratory cry). The mayors of Brownsville and Matamoros also exchange greetings and gifts.

Some of the notable celebrities who have been chosen as Mr. Amigo in years passed include: Mario “Cantinflas” Moreno, Vicente Fernández, Juan Gabriel, Lola Beltrán, and Lucha Villa.

The Sombrero Festival was added to Charro Days in 1986. The three-day street festival enriches the fiesta spirit throughout the city. This event takes place in Washington Park located in downtown Historic Brownsville, and features an array of attractions, including the jalapeno eating contest, the grito contest, and the charro bean cook off. The Sombrero Festival also features performances by Tejano, Conjunto, Norteño, Country, and rock music performers.

The most-colorful aspect of Charro Days is the wearing of regional costumes of Mexico by the general public. The tradition began in 1949 when organizers issued a booklet of patterns featuring drawings of women’s and men’s traditional apparel from Michoacán, Oaxaca, Yucatán, and Chiapas, and other regions of Mexico. The china poblana dress, and the charro suit (including sombrero) are among the most popular costumes worn during Charro Days.

Five people were transported to a Harlingen hospital after a December 23 vehicle crash. The collision between two vehicles happened on Dixieland Road outside Valle Vista Mall.

According to police, there were seven occupants in the two vehicles, but only five were transported to the hospital. The Harlingen Fire Department reports that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Can passengers sue drivers following an accident?

When police investigate a two-car accident, they can find that one or both of the drivers were at fault for the crash. Depending on the circumstances, the passengers in those vehicle could theoretically sue one or both drivers for their injuries.

However, several conditions have to apply regarding the claims and lawsuits that a passenger can bring. Talking to an attorney at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm can help clarify which driver bears fault for your injuries.

Passenger Injury Claims

In order to make any claim following a car accident, a victim needs to prove liability for the accident. Car crashes often involve many factors that make it difficult to determine who was actually at fault.

Insurance company appraisers and investigators often assign percentages of fault if both drivers bear some responsibility. Sometimes, a single driver will bear the fault, but in other cases, both drivers can be found to have had some role of liability regarding the accident.

As a passenger, you may not bear any liability for causing of the accident. This means that you might qualify for compensation for your injuries, no matter who bears fault. The percentage of fault, however, will determine how much compensation you can seek from each responsible party.

At-Fault Passenger Claims

Personal injury claims filed by passengers are classified as third-party claims. These types of injury claims proceed in the same way as any car accident claim. Unlike drivers, a passenger can make a claim against both drivers if both share fault in the accident that caused his or her injuries. If one driver bears no fault in an accident, such as during a rear-end crash, the passenger may only file a claim against the at-fault driver.

Fault-Based States

Texas is an at-fault state under its tort liability system. This means that the insurance carrier of the at-fault driver will be responsible for paying out the claim.  Rather than turning to your own insurer no matter what, you must turn to the responsible party to cover your expenses arising out of the accident.

Texas’ at-fault auto insurance laws allow passengers to hold accountable the party that was actually responsible for causing the accident. Thus, if another party caused your accident, you don’t have to file a claim with your insurer and pay a deductible or risk higher premiums.

Furthermore, if the other party doesn’t have sufficient coverage to cover your expenses, you may also be able to sue the at-fault driver to recover the difference.

Know Your Rights as a Passenger

If you have experienced an accident as a vehicle passenger, you have a legal right to personal injury claims. As a passenger, you can file an injury claim against the driver of the vehicle that transported you and possibly against the driver of the other vehicle if both drivers are found to be partially at fault.

The attorneys at J. Gonzalez Law Firm can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today if you would like more information regarding the possibility of passengers suing both drivers. We can discuss your rights as a passenger, which may help you determine what your next steps should be.

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Source: ValleyCentral.com

Edinburg police have charged a 29-year-old resident following a wrong-way crash on Christmas day that resulted in the death of Sylvia Martinez De Garza.

Otis Charles Barron is charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, accident involving death, and two counts of accident involving serious bodily injury.

The crash, which happened at about 2:28 a.m. in the area of Trenton Road and Professional Drive also injured two passengers in the car the victim was driving, including one who suffered a broken leg.

According to Police, Barron’s truck crossed into the oncoming lane in the 400 block of west Trenton Road and hit the 2013 Nissan Sentra that Martinez was driving. Police say Barron left his vehicle at the scene, and was later arrested at his residence in the 1700 block of N. McColl Road.

Barron was booked into the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center on a total of $800,000 in bonds.

Texas drunken driving injury lawsuits

Depending on the circumstances, a drunken driver can face criminal charges from the state of Texas as well as civil charges from the injured party. If convicted on criminal charges, a drunken driver can face fines, jail time, rehabilitation, community service, and restitution. A civil case can force the drunken driver to compensate victims for medical costs related to the accident.

If you are injured in an accident with a drunken driver, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit to recover your costs. In fact, a civil lawsuit may be the only way to hold the drunken driver accountable for your medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, damage to your vehicle, lost income, and pain and suffering related to your injuries.

A successful civil lawsuit would require that you prove that the drunken driver was responsible for your injuries. Your attorney would have to show in court that the following elements were true:

• The other driver owed you a duty of safe travel as you shared the road.
• The driver breached his or her duty by an act of negligence (e.g. drunk driving).
• The driver’s negligent act caused injury to you in the form of a car accident.
• The injuries caused you to suffer specific and quantifiable damages.

As long as your attorney can provide evidence that prove all these points, you should be able to hold the drunken driver accountable, and win the compensation you deserve. You might also be able to seek punitive damages for exceptionally reckless behavior on the part of the drunken driver.

Get Help from J Gonzalez Injury Attorneys

Texas is a pure negligence state, meaning that you are free to file a lawsuit against a drunken driver who caused your injuries. However, the driver’s defense attorney and insurance company might also fight the charges, which could lessen your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

The driver’s insurance company might also offer you a quick settlement with a low payout. It might try to get you to sign a release of liability form that prevents you from seeking more injury claims in case your injuries show up later. Do not fall for these tactics!

You need the help of the J. Gonzalez Law Firm to fight hard for your rights. We know the right time to file a claim against a drunken driver. This usually occurs after he or she has been convicted on criminal charges for a DWI.

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Our injury attorneys will use all available evidence to prove that the drunken driver should be held financially responsible for your injuries. Our knowledge and experience can help you get the maximum compensation for your losses, and make sure the at-fault party is held accountable.

Source: MyRGV.com

A 23-year-old Edinburg man was killed December 18 after his vehicle struck a utility pole. The single-vehicle crash happened about 3:00 a.m. in the 3600 block of East Richardson Road.

According to police, Everado Zodam Ledesma of Edinburg was traveling west when he lost control of his car and it impacted a pole on the north side of the roadway. Ledesma was transported to Doctors Hospital at Renaissance where he later died.

The accident remains under investigation, and a toxicology report is pending.

Can I sue on behalf of a deceased relative?

Under Texas law, people who file suit following the death of a loved one are not suing on behalf of the deceased person. They are suing on behalf of themselves for their own losses caused by that death. J Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help you determine if you have a case to file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to seek financial compensation, and find the closure you deserve.

Who can sue for wrongful death?

In Texas, surviving family members can have legal standing in a wrongful death suit. One family member can file the suit as an individual, or a group of relatives can choose to file together. Family members include:

• The spouse of the deceased person, including common-law
• The children of the deceased person, including adult children and legally adopted children
• The parents of the deceased person

If the surviving spouse, children, or parents do not file a wrongful death claim within three months of the date of death, the executor of the victim’s estate can file the claim. This can be a family member not otherwise eligible to file suit, or it can be any other party designated by the probate court.

The exception to an estate representative filing suit is when a surviving spouse, child, or parent specifically requests that the executor not file a wrongful death claim.

What is a wrongful death lawsuit?

A person or business can be liable for wrongful death in circumstances where there has been:

• Negligence or a failure to provide reasonable care
• “Wanton or reckless” action
• Danger to a person due to a defective product, including a vehicle

In a wrongful death lawsuit, the deceased person’s relatives, or the person’s estate, can file suit to recover compensation for:

• Lost wage-earning capacity
• Loss of care, maintenance, services, support, advice, and counsel
• Loss of love, companionship, and comfort
• Loss of potential inheritance, including what the deceased would likely have saved and left to surviving family members

Why Choose J Gonzalez Injury Attorneys for my wrongful death case?

The J Gonzalez Law Firm has years of experience supporting those who have lost a loved one to wrongful death. We have intimate knowledge of Rio Grande Valley court systems, and we will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

We understand that money will not bring back your loved one, but we also know that the road to healing is more difficult when you are also concerned about finances.

If you have questions about your rights and legal options following the sudden death of a loved one, contact us today for a free consultation.

A state trooper was injured after a woman traveled into oncoming traffic and collided with the officer’s patrol unit. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the two-vehicle crash happened at 4:23 a.m. December 18 in Roma on U.S. 83 west of Farm-to-Market Road 3167.

A preliminary investigation shows that the trooper was traveling eastbound when a 2015 Chevrolet driven by a woman collided with the patrol unit, causing the vehicle to spin.

The trooper sustained injuries, and was last reported in stable condition at a hospital. The woman was also transported to a hospital where she provided a blood specimen for alcohol concentration. She was also reported in stable condition.

DPS says she displayed symptoms of intoxication, however, the crash remains under investigation.

Legal rights of Texas police officers, firefighters and emergency responders injured in accidents

Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency responders risk their lives on the job every day. Some of these first responders will inevitably get hurt while on the job. In Texas, emergency responders have the right to recover money from their worker’s compensation insurance to pay for the medical bills they incur as a result of a wreck.

However, worker’s compensation doesn’t always cover all the actual costs. If a police officer, firefighter or other first responder is hurt on the job, and his or her worker’s comp insurance doesn’t cover everything, the responder can recover additional compensation by filing a personal injury claim.

A personal injury claim is a separate claim made against a person (or a company) who contributed to the injury.

When can emergency personnel file a personal injury claim?

In order to make a personal injury claim in addition to worker’s comp, a few things must apply:

• There must be a separate party at fault for your accident. For example, if an on-duty police officer is on the road, and a careless driver crashes into his or her squad car, the officer could file a claim against the negligent driver, and his or her insurance policy
• There must be an injury, and the injury must have been caused by the accident
• The at-fault party must have insurance. If the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance, a separate claim can still be made, but it gets more complicated. A consultation with a personal injury attorney is advised.

Filing multiple claims

Filing multiple claims has multiple benefits. The main one is that it allows the injured responder to recover more money which means it is less likely he or she will have to pay for anything out of pocket.

In many cases, worker’s compensation does not fully compensate emergency workers who are hurt on the job. Under Texas law, emergency responders are allowed to recoup wages that are lost due to an accident by filing a worker’s comp insurance claim. However, worker’s comp doesn’t cover workers for 100% of missed wages.

When you file a separate personal injury claim, you increase the odds that you will recover enough money to cover these costs 100%.

Do you need an attorney?

Not every accident case warrants hiring a personal injury lawyer. However, if you’re not sure if it’s safe to handle your case on your own, we urge you to contact the J Gonzalez Law Firm.

Not every accidental injury suffered at work will permit a supplementary claim for damages to occur, but many will. In order to find out whether you may be entitled to recover compensation, contact us today for a free consultation.

Source: MyRGV

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.

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The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a one-vehicle accident that resulted in the death of an Edinburg man.

The crash happened December 13 at about 8:56 p.m. on Wisconsin Road, west of Val Verde Road. The driver, 50-year-old Oscar Garcia Arango of Edinburg, died at the scene.

According to DPS, a preliminary investigation suggests Arango may have been driving at an unsafe speed when he lost control of his vehicle and it went airborne into a canal. However, the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, the news release stated.

Single car accidents and liability

Single-car accidents are just like other traffic accidents in the sense that there is always an underlying cause. Most of the time, the driver is found at fault for a one-vehicle accident, but sometimes the blame for these kinds of crashes can lie elsewhere.

Should that happen to you, you may have the right to recover from the responsible party. Knowing your rights after a single-vehicle accident can make all the difference if you become a victim of someone else’s negligence.

When is a driver in a single-vehicle crash not liable?

Here are a few examples of when a driver in a single-vehicle accident might not be found negligent in connection with the crash.

If your one-vehicle accident was a result of you trying to avoid a more-serious collision with a negligent or reckless driver, the crash might not be deemed to be your fault. The key challenges are to identify the other driver, determine that he/she was at fault, and finding out whether he/she was insured.

If the road on which you were driving was unsafe, such as the presence of a hazard that should have been removed, or if some other maintenance-related issue caused or contributed to your single-vehicle accident, you might be able to make a claim against the local government agency charged with the road’s upkeep. Claiming that bad road conditions caused a car accident is usually a difficult legal battle, but it is impossible.

You might also be able to escape liability for a single-vehicle accident if a vehicle defect or equipment failure played a part in causing your crash. However, the defect or failure must be sudden and unexpected. If the vehicle was subject to a recall notice, or if you allowed a known mechanical issue to get worse, then you might not have a sound legal argument.

The importance of legal advice

If you’re involved in a one-car accident, but you’re confident that the crash was not your fault, you must gather evidence as soon as possible, and report the accident to your insurance carrier. If there were any witnesses to what happened, get their contact information.

Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help you examine the details of your case to determine questions of liability. Even if the circumstances of the crash lead you to believe you will be considered at fault, our attorneys’ expertise can help you determine all your available options. Working with J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys as quickly as possible can help you evaluate your case, and protect your rights under Texas law.

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Source: The Monitor

18-year-old Esteban Cantu Jr. has been arraigned on two counts of murder in connection with a December 12 car crash that claimed the lives of two Mission women. According to a news release, Cantu was being pursued by US Border Patrol agents and Texas state troopers when his vehicle collided with another vehicle at the intersection of 2 Mile Line and Holland Road.

Two women in the other vehicle, 59-year old Carmen Huerta Sosa, and her 22 year old daughter, Viridiana Charon Lloyd, were both killed.

Authorities say Cantu was transporting six undocumented immigrants, and that the vehicle pursuit began after Cantu refused to heed Border Patrol agents’ instructions to pull over. Cantu and the occupants in his vehicle were injured in the accident, but they survived the crash.

Who can be held liable for a crash resulting from a police chase?

There are different ways to determine responsibility for such crashes. In most cases, the party at fault is the one who had a duty of care to the person injured, or killed, and who is found to be guilty of violating that duty.

The parties who possibly could be held liable for causing a police chase accident are:

• The suspect. Every motorist owes a duty of care to other people on the road. Reckless driving during a police chase can be viewed as a breach of that duty. The suspect can be named in a lawsuit if a subsequent crash causes death, injuries, or property damage. The suspect also can be liable for the cost of treatments for mental and emotional distress.
• Police officers and departments. It is more difficult to sue law enforcement agencies for injury compensation, but it is not impossible. State and federal authorities have specific requirements governing pursuit procedures that must be followed. If it is found that they violated procedure, crash victims, and even the offenders themselves, can file suit against officers or the department after an injury. Furthermore, the suspect’s family can file a lawsuit against the officers, or their supervisors, if the suspect was killed in the pursuit.
• Government employers. Depending on the circumstances, states and municipalities can be held liable for crash injuries if there were no safeguards in place to prevent reckless behavior, or if the crash resulted from a failure to adequately train officers in pursuit procedures.

If you were hurt in a car accident, J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help you determine who should pay for your medical bills and lost income. You can contact one of our experienced injury attorneys today via this website, or by calling one of the following phone numbers:

Brownsville: (956) 420-7363

McAllen: (956) 420-7328

Rio Grande: (956) 420-6484

Weslaco: (956) 420-7363

1-800-CARCRASH

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Source: The Monitor News