A crash early Friday morning in Edinburg left one woman dead and another person injured. The motorist responsible for the accident has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Details of the Fatal Accident

Local authorities stated that the accident occurred on the 3400 block of North 24 Avenue in Edinburg early Friday morning. The driver of a gray Mitsubishi sedan, a 19-year-old active duty service member, was standing outside of her stalled vehicle when a brown 2003 Mustang struck her and her vehicle.

Reports indicate that the driver of the brown Mustang was a 25-year-old man who displayed symptoms of intoxication. The 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter.

A passenger in the Mustang was also taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Drunk Driving By the Numbers

In a report drafted by the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2014:

• A total of 1,041 people perished in car accidents involving a driver that was under the influence of alcohol.
• Drunk driving fatalities accounted for 29 percent of the total amount of lives lost in car accidents.
• The report found that more alcohol-related crashes occurred between 2 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. than any other hour during the day, and mostly on Saturdays.

More recently, a 2017 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed:

• Nationally, there were a total of 10,874 deaths in car accidents involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL).
• Fatalities in drunk driving accidents accounted for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017.
• The report estimated that an average of 1 alcohol-related car accident resulted in the death of someone every 48 minutes.
• Drivers aged 21 to 24 accounted for nearly 27 percent of drivers that had a BAC over 0.08 g/dL who were involved in a fatal alcohol-related car accident.
• The rate of alcohol impairment was greater at night than it was during the day — 3.6 times more, in fact.
• Among the 10,874 alcohol-impaired driving deaths that occurred in traffic accidents in 2017, 68 percent included car accidents where a driver had a BAC over 0.15 g/dL.

Have you lost a loved one to a drunk driver? Our wrongful death attorneys are ready to hear your story.

Drunk driving accidents – especially when they end in the loss of life – are extremely tragic as they are completely avoidable.

The car accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have the experience you need to receive fair and full compensation if you have lost a loved one to an intoxicated driver.

Let us help you shoulder your pain and help you obtain the compensation you need to begin the process of healing.

Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City offices to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: Valley Central

A three-vehicle car accident that occurred on Saturday, February 9, took the life of a 55-year-old woman from Elsa.

Details Regarding the Car Accident

DPS troopers stated that on February 9, at around 3 p.m., a blue Chevrolet Trax and white Chevrolet Malibu were waiting in the southbound turning lane on FM 88 and Mile 12 North in Weslaco.

It was then that the driver of a white Ford F-250, traveling north on the same road, lost control of their vehicle and struck the Trax and Malibu. The crash left the drivers of the F-250 and the Malibu with minor injuries.

However, the driver of the Trax, a 55-year-old woman, perished at the scene.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is still investigating the cause of the accident.

What the Numbers Show About Multiple Vehicle Accidents

According to a report drafted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), crashes took the lives of 37,133 people in the United States in 2017. The report also found:

• There were a total of 17,164 deaths resulting from multiple-vehicle crashes that same year.
• Multiple vehicle accidents accounted for 46 percent of all crash fatalities in 2017.
• In Texas, there were 1,859 fatalities caused by multi-vehicle accidents, accounting for 50 percent of crash types in the state.

Multiple car accidents can cause a lot of damage, but with a little vigilance, we can keep each other a little safer on the road.

Have you or someone you love been involved in a multiple vehicle accident?

Multiple vehicle crashes can cause a lot more than just physical injury. Because of the overwhelming damages that can occur in a multi-vehicle accident, as well as the multiple parties involved, you need an experienced car accident attorney to fight tooth and nail for the compensation you need to heal.

Contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys at our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: Valley Central; KRGV

A local driver was involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler on Wednesday, January 16th.

Details About the Accident

Little is known about what caused the accident, but the driver of the pickup truck was lucky to leave the scene of the crash that took place on Golie Road and westbound Frontage in Donna.

According to Donna Police, the pickup truck had been wedged underneath the 18-wheeler for at least 45 minutes before the driver was rescued. The individual was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was expected to be discharged later Wednesday evening.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Large Truck Accident Facts and Statistics

According to data accumulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which highlighted information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a large truck is defined as having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.

A typical 18-wheeler weighs around 80,000 pounds. That’s 40 tons of metal.

On the other hand, a typical passenger car weighs around 5,000 pounds. That’s why these types of accidents are often fatal for those driving in traditional passenger cars.

A 2017 report drafted by FMCSA provides staggering insight about commercial truck accidents that took place between 2015 to 2016:

• A total of 4,564 people perished in 4,079 crashes that involved a large truck or bus, amounting to a five percent increase in fatalities and six percent increase in fatal crashes in 2015 from the previous year.
• Drivers and occupants of large trucks or buses accounted for 16 percent of these fatalities.
• In total, large truck and bus accidents accounted for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2015.

This report also showed that Texas is one of the top 10 states with the highest rates of fatalities in large truck and bus crashes. Other noteworthy points the study made include:

• Speed was a factor in 17 percent of truck crashes involving at least one large truck fatality.
• At least 39 percent of large truck drivers or occupants that perished in a large truck or bus crash weren’t wearing a seatbelt.
• At least 6 percent of these accidents occured because the truck driver was distracted.
• 61 percent of fatal large truck or bus crashes occurred in rural areas.

It is always important to give these massive trucks their space on the road, as much as you safely can, in order to prevent yourself from becoming another statistic.

Have you, or someone you love, been involved in a car accident involving a large commercial truck?

Do not hesitate to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. Trust in the Rio Grande Valley’s best truck accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to protect your rights.

Contact us at one of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City offices to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: Valley Central, KRGV

A car accident in Brownsville led to the loss of one life and two other victims in critical condition.

Details of the Car Accident

Around noon on Saturday, December 29th,  on W. Alton Gloor Blvd., a car accident took the life of one man and left his expecting wife and daughter in critical condition. The two surviving victims were rushed to a San Antonio hospital for treatment of their injuries. The expecting mother had an emergency c-section.

The woman gave birth to a baby boy, who is also in hospital care at the moment.

Pregnant Driving Facts and Statistics

While the above victim of the car accident may not have been driving, pregnant driving is a real cause for concern. According to SafeRide4Kids.com, an estimated 300 to 5,000 fetal deaths occur every year because of car accidents.

Even if the expecting mother receives minor injuries — or no injuries at all — there is still a high risk of developing adverse fetal injuries. Those injuries can include:

• Placental abruption
• Uterine rupture
• Direct fetal injury
• Fetal loss

While there are many risks to you and your unborn child while you are out an about driving on Texas’ roads, keep in mind that there is much you can do to keep both of you safe.

What Expecting Mothers Can Do to Stay Safe

As with anything in life, safety first. Here are a few measures expecting mothers can take to better protect themselves and their precious cargo:

1. Wearing your seatbelt the correct way is absolutely important for the safety of your child. Make sure that:

• Your vehicle is equipped with a three-point restraint system, meaning you have a belt that runs across your shoulder and another across your lap.
• The shoulder belt needs to run between the chest and to the side of the belly. The belt should stay away from the neck. Do NOT wear the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back.
• The lap belt should be secured under the belly, sitting low on the hips. At no time shall the lap belt run across the belly.
• The belts should feel snug and comfortable, not too tight.

2. Avoid driving if you feel nauseated, tired, or dizzy. If these symptoms come suddenly, pull over and take a break until they subside.

3. Make sure that your airbags are in functional order.

4. Avoid sharp turns or sudden braking.

5. Keep a safe distance between the steering wheel and your body. The steering wheel needs to be tilted toward your breastbone, not belly, and it should be at least 10 inches away at all times.

6. Once your belly has grown to the point where you cannot comfortably drive, have someone drive you to where you need to be, preferably with you in the back seat as it is safer there.

If you are involved in a car accident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you are unharmed, your baby may have suffered an injury in the womb.

Have you been involved in a car accident? You need the strong and experienced team of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

If you have been involved in a car accident where you were severely injured, fighting for your just compensation to aid in your recovery should be a priority. The car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have the experience you need to help you obtain everything you deserve.

Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: KVEO

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rollover sent one man to the hospital on Monday, December 24th.

About the Accident

According to local authorities, the accident occurred on Mile 12 ½ in Mercedes. They stated that the driver of the ATV was making a turn off of a public highway when the vehicle rolled over.

The injured ATV driver was rushed to a local hospital via airlift.

ATV Accident Facts and Statistics

In a study conducted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which analyzed fatalities involving ATVs from 1982 all the way through 2016, it was discovered that:

• Texas was the worst offender of all the other states and U.S. territories with 735 fatalities reported during this time frame.
• This fatality rate accounted for six percent of reported deaths in the U.S. during that time frame.
• Between 2014 and 2016, there were 70 fatalities that were still being processed. This makes the total for ATV fatalities between 1982 through 2016 approximately 805.

It is important to note that ATVs are not allowed on public roadways and should only be used when off-roading.

Were you involved in an ATV accident and believe that a defective part caused your accident? Our car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have the experience you need if you suspect negligence played a part in your personal injury accident.

Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: Valley Central

On Christmas morning, a two-vehicle accident just three miles west of Odessa took the life of one Rio Grande Valley resident and injured three others.

Details About the Incident

Just west of Odessa on Interstate 20, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a 2018 Ford F-150 — driven by a Rio Grande City man — collided with a 2003 F-250 head on.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Rio Grande City resident was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe that he had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time the accident occurred.

The passenger of the F-250, which included two men and one woman, sustained life-threatening injuries. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing.

Holiday Car Accident Facts and Statistics

A study conducted by ValuePenguin ranked the deadliest holidays in terms of car accidents and found that:

• The deadliest period in the nation is Memorial Day Weekend, where an estimated 312 fatal accidents occur every year. It also rated Houston as the deadliest city for accidents during this time frame.
• Thanksgiving came in fifth, with 258 fatal accidents per year.
• In sixth place was New Year’s. It had an estimated 245 fatal accidents per year.
• Lastly, Christmas made seventh place, with an estimated 231 fatal accidents per year. San Antonio was considered the deadliest place to be during this particular holiday.

The report also concluded that the holiday season increases the chance of getting into a drunk-driving accident.
Always drink responsibly, and if you drink, don’t drive. A designated driver can save you a lot more than just jail time or a heavy fine.

Have you fallen victim to a car accident during the holiday season? J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are here for you when you need us most.

The holiday season should be one full of cheer. Unfortunately, car accidents tend to occur more frequently during this time of year.

Count on the car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to fight for the compensation you need to help heal the damage done to both your body and your mind.

Contact us at one of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: Valley Central

On the morning of Wednesday, December 19th, a woman and an 8-year-old child lost their lives in a car accident.

Details of the Car Accident

The Texas Department of Public Safety stated that the car accident occurred in Donna, near FM 493 and Vertrees Road.

The driver of a white vehicle, traveling north on FM 493, lost control, causing the vehicle to run off the road. The driver then overcorrected the vehicle’s course, sending it straight into a blue SUV that was traveling south.

The white vehicle held four passengers. Unfortunately, the car accident took the lives of the female driver and an 8-year-old child. Two other children inside of the white vehicle were taken to the hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

One other person from inside the blue SUV was taken in for treatment as well.

What Does Overcorrecting Mean?

Overcorrecting, also known as oversteering, occurs when a driver abruptly turns the steering wheel more than is necessary. Oftentimes, the wheel is steered in the opposite direction in which the vehicle is going, causing a loss of control.

There are many reasons why an overcorrection can occur, but most times it is a reaction to something that may be on the road like wildlife, a vehicle running off of the road, an oncoming vehicle traveling in the wrong direction, or even potholes.

Overcorrecting Car Accident Statistics

According to a 2016 study conducted by the Insurance Information Institute, overcorrection/oversteering killed 1,967 drivers and motorcycle operators that same year.

In a separate study filed in 2018, it was found that overcorrecting/oversteering:

• Decreased as the age of the driver increased.
• Is more likely to happen for drivers that are sick, sleepy, or fatigued than it would be if the driver felt fine.
• Is affected by driver characteristics and speed limit.

It also noted that in 2014, 4.1 percent of drivers overcorrected their vehicles, causing fatal car accidents.

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident caused by an overcorrection? Let the quality car accident lawyers of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys help uncover who is at fault.

Overcorrecting can lead to a dangerous situation. The South Texas lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have the experience necessary to help you find out who was at fault and to fight for the compensation you deserve if your accident was caused by another negligent party.

Don’t suffer in silence any longer. Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: Valley Central

A two-vehicle crash in Edinburg ends with one fatality.

Details About the Incident

Just after 10 a.m. on Monday, December 17th, a Nissan passenger vehicle struck a mini-van at the intersection of Trenton and 24^th Ave.

The three individuals involved in the accident were rushed to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. One of the passengers of the mini-van — a 55-year-old woman — later perished.

The car accident is still under investigation by the local authorities.

Fatal Car Accident Statistics Based on Gender

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men are more likely to perish in a car accident because of numerous reasons including riskier driving practices, such as failure to wear a seat belt, drunk-driving, and/or speeding.

The IIHS also claims that the severity of crashes are worse for male drivers than they are for female drivers. However, women are more likely to die or be severely injured in car accidents of equal severity.

In studies conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was discovered that:

• If belt-restrained, female drivers are 47 percent more likely than men to sustain serious injury.
• For men and women under 16 years of age, car accident fatalities have actually decreased, while the 51 to 55-year-old age group has suffered a larger increase of fatalities by car accident.
• Regarding women, those over the age of 65 had the highest number of motor vehicle crash fatalities, which were then followed by the 16 to 20-year-old age group.

If the data from the IIHS is any indicator, women are safer drivers than men. Unfortunately, they are more susceptible to death or serious injury if involved in a car accident.

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident recently and need experienced representation? Our south Texas car accident attorneys are waiting for your call.

Every day, our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, and cousins go to work, school, or to handle other responsibilities by way of our Texas roads. It is each of our jobs as citizens to ensure that they – and everyone else – remain safe while commuting.

But when car accidents happen, you need strong, experienced representation to fight for you.

The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are a Three Best Rated® law firm who have the experience and dedication to get you the results and compensation you deserve.

Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: ValleyCentral

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[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Over the weekend that started on December 15th, the Rio Grande Valley saw multiple car accidents involving drunk drivers crashing into a fire serviceman and an emergency service vehicle.

Unfortunately, on December 16th, the life of a medic was lost as a result of a drunk-driving accident.

A Run-in With the Fire Marshal

On Thursday, December 13th, while responding to a bomb threat in Alamo, a Hidalgo County fire marshal was struck at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and East Frontage Road.

The other driver was cited by authorities for failure to yield. According to the San Juan Police Department, the case is still under investigation to ensure that the fire marshal also adhered to the rules of the road.

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the last time this past weekend that an emergency response worker’s life was put in jeopardy.

Two People Lose Their Lives in an Alleged Drunk Driving Accident

On Sunday, December 16th, a 32-year-old medic and a 68-year-old patient lost their lives when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Hidalgo County EMS ambulance. According to authorities, a Ford F-250 drove into oncoming traffic, hitting the ambulance head-on near Monte Cristo Road and Jasmine Road.

The crash also left a 24-year-old woman in the hospital. She is expected to recover. The medic had been in the back of the ambulance treating the patient when the crash occurred.

The driver of the F-250 is in police custody, awaiting criminal charges.

Emergency Response Vehicle Accident Facts and Statistics

According to data from the National Institute of Health (NIH), between 2005 and 2013:

• Approximately 2,406 police vehicles were involved in a car accident.
• Both ambulances and fire vehicles were involved in 528 car accidents.

This data highlighted the fact that police cars are 1.8 times more likely to be involved in a car accident while driving in emergency mode in comparison to traveling under normal circumstances. Fire vehicles and ambulances, however, were no more likely to crash when in emergency mode compared to driving regularly.

The Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) states that between 2003 through 2007, about 13 EMS fatalities occurred per year, totaling 65 deaths. It also found that:

• Approximately 45 percent of EMS fatalities occurred in a highway incident, mainly in vehicle collisions.
• Another 12 percent of EMS fatalities occurred when personnel were struck by a vehicle outside of the EMS vehicle.
• About 31 percent of EMS fatalities also involved air-transportation incidents.
• None of the above statistics involved the death or injury of civilians or patients.

The team at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys would like to remind all drivers to drive cautiously around emergency responders.

Serving the community as part of an emergency response team is often done without much thanks in return. These individuals are charged with ensuring all of our safety and it is only fair that we take care of them in return.

If you or someone you love have fallen victim to a car accident, trust the experts of car accident litigation at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to help you get the compensation you need to recover properly.

Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: KRGV & Valley Central[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]
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A rollover car accident near the Hidalgo-Brooks County line lead to an investigation by the Department of Public Safety.

Details of the Incident

The rollover occurred on Highway 281 just south of the Hidalgo-Brooks County line on Wednesday morning.

An airlift was requested in an effort to transport one of the individuals involved in the car accident to a hospital, while another was transported by ambulance. No further details about the rollover have been issued out at this time.

Rollover Facts and Statistics

According to SaferCar, of nearly 9.1 million accidents involving cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans in 2010, only 2.1 percent involved a rollover.

While this may seem like a relatively small amount, shockingly, nearly 35 percent of all fatalities stem from rollover accidents. In 2010, more than 7,600 people perished in rollover accidents, the majority of which (69 percent) were not wearing their seatbelts.

A 2002 study conducted by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that rollover accidents:

• Were most fatal when involving single-vehicle crashes.
• Constituted about one-fifth of all fatal crashes.
• Are more likely to result in a fatality compared to other types of car accidents.

How Can You Stay Safe?

There are a number of ways that you can prevent a rollover from occurring:

• Stay Alert – Distracted driving, like texting while driving, tends to make your reaction time slower. If you are not looking out at the road, you may have less time to react to an obstacle that might be in the way, causing you to abruptly swerve to miss it. This could cause a rollover, especially if your vehicle is top heavy.
• Don’t Speed – The faster you travel, the more likely you are to roll over. If you are moving heavy cargo, it would be best to stay off the highway, as the extra weight can throw off the balance of your vehicle.
• Check Your Tires – Check tire pressure at least once a month. A tire with low or high pressure can burst while on the road, and if you are traveling fast, that could cause your vehicle to roll over.
• Wear Your Seat Belt – If the statistics above are any indicator, seat belts save lives. Wear them.

Have you or a loved one experienced a rollover accident as a result of someone else’s negligence? Get the best car accident attorney in the Rio Grande Valley on your side.

The car accident lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have the experience necessary to fight and successfully win your case. Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: KRGV