The Edinburg Police Department responded to a car accident early Sunday morning that took the life of one woman.

Details Regarding the Incident

Around 6 a.m., a two-vehicle accident involving a truck and car occurred on Expressway 281 near Trenton Road. The truck involved in the car crash had visible front-end damage while the other vehicle was “too mangled to determine the make and model.”

The driver of the car — a 29-year-old woman — died in the car accident. No other injuries were reported.

The driver of the truck was taken into custody pending charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. He was expected to face criminal charges on Monday but the arraignment was rescheduled to Tuesday.

Alcohol-Impaired Car Accident Facts and Statistics

In a recent study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analyzing 2017 car accident data, the organization found that:

• A total of 10,874 fatalities — roughly 29 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017 — occurred in crashes involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.
• That’s equivalent to 1 alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 48 minutes.
• Of these 10,874 fatalities, roughly 68 percent were caused by a driver with a BAC at 0.15 g/dL or higher.
• In 2017, motorcyclists had the highest mortality rate of drivers with a BAC at 0.08 g/dL or higher, accounting for approximately 27 percent. Passenger vehicles came next, ranging at around 21 percent, while light trucks made up 20 percent.
• Drivers aged 21 through 24 were found to be the demographic that had the highest percentage of drivers with a BAC of 0.08 g/dL or higher in fatal car accidents.
• Alcohol-impaired driving was 3.6 times higher during the night time than it was during the day.

Have you lost a loved one as a result of a car accident involving a drunk driver? Let our car accident and wrongful death attorneys help you get your life back together.

When tragedy strikes unexpectedly, and a loved one loses their life because of another’s negligence, it can be emotionally challenging to make sense of it all. However, you may find it necessary to bring a suit against the offending party, especially if you face financial hardship because of your loss.

Our car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys take great pride in providing the legal care you need to piece your life back together after a horrible tragedy strikes. Don’t let someone else’s negligence cause you to suffer in silence. Fight for your right to compensation and recovery.

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

Source: KRGV, The Monitor

A Department of Public Safety investigation is underway regarding the rollover of a tractor-truck in San Manuel-Linn that took place on December 7th.

Details of the Incident

Authorities believe that the tractor-truck may have hydroplaned while traveling on Highway 281, just south of FM 1017. Traffic was limited to one lane on the northbound side because of the truck accident.

The driver of the commercial vehicle sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

What is Hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when a driver loses control of their vehicle — whether a car, truck, motorcycle, or semi-truck — because of wet roads. The loss of control occurs when the front tires of the vehicle fail to disperse water properly, putting pressure on the front wheels and creating a thin film of water that gets beneath the tire. This causes the tire to temporarily lose traction with the road and can lead to a driver losing control of their vehicle.

Hydroplaning makes braking, steering, or maintaining general control of the vehicle essentially impossible. This loss of control can lead to a collision with another vehicle, road sign, tree, or other road structures both on and off of the road.

How to Avoid Hydroplaning

In most cases, hydroplaning occurs when the vehicle is traveling over 35 miles per hour. To avoid hydroplaning and losing control of your vehicle:

• Drive slowly in bad weather conditions
• Turn off cruise control
• Drive in a lower gear
• Avoid sharp turns
• Avoid suddenly braking

Driving in the tire tracks of the vehicle in front of you is a good practice to keep when driving on wet roads, and don’t forget to:

• Adhere to regular tune-ups and maintenance
• Check your tires frequently, searching for damages, punctures, or under/over inflation
• Rotate or replace your tires as necessary

Ensuring that your tires are in tip-top shape is your best bet to avoid hydroplaning, especially during the wet and cold Texas winter.

Receiving Compensation for Hydroplaning-Related Accident

While in most cases it may seem that the party at fault is the driver, that isn’t necessarily the case. At times, hydroplaning may be the result of:

• The Tire Manufacturer – Poorly manufactured or defective tires can turn a simple drive into a hydroplaning nightmare. If you can prove that your tires were defective or poorly manufactured, you may be able to seek compensation from the manufacturer.
• The Agency Responsible for the Road – Potholes, cracks, and other dangerous road surface issues can make hydroplaning even more dangerous. Liability may fall on the government agency that was responsible for the road’s upkeep if it was in poor condition.
• Individual Responsible for Recent Repairs – Inadequate repairs to your vehicle may make your vehicle more susceptible to hydroplaning. This may be an avenue to explore if you suspect that recent repairs from a mechanic attributed to your car accident.
• The Vehicle’s Owner – The vehicle’s owner may be held liable if anyone entrusted to drive their vehicle hydroplanes due to maintenance issues.

If any of the parties above contributed to your car accident, hire an experienced car accident attorney to fight for the compensation you need to properly recover from such a traumatic incident.

It isn’t easy to collect damages from a hydroplaning car accident, simply because it can be a challenge to prove that it wasn’t your fault. But with the help of an experienced car accident attorney, like the ones at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, you stand a great chance.

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

Source: KRGV

A collision in Brownsville led to a police officer’s hospitalization on Monday, December 3rd.

What Happened

The officer was dispatched in response to another car accident, and while traveling to the scene of the incident, collided with another vehicle near Old Port Isabel Road and Jaime Zapata Avenue.

While the driver of the other vehicle was not injured, the police officer was rushed to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Law Enforcement Car Accident Facts and Statistics

In a detailed report drafted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 1980 and 2008:

• A total of 823 law enforcement officers (LEO) died in traffic accidents. 733 of those deaths occurred while the officer was in a passenger vehicle and 90 occurred while the officer was on a motorcycle.
• On average, 44 LEO perished every year throughout the 1980s. Shortly after, the average increased to 45 in the 1990s, then increased to 62 around the turn of the century.
• On average, 36 police officers were killed every year in a traffic accident between 2000 to 2008. This was a 44 percentage point increase in comparison to the period of 1980 to 1999.
• Texas had the second highest rate of law enforcement officers perishing in a fatal motor vehicle crash.
• These crashes also involved 525 non-police vehicles, 71 of which were occupant fatalities and 454 vehicles had no occupant fatality.

Law enforcement can be a dangerous field to work in and car accidents are one of the many dangers these individuals face.

The men and women in blue sacrifice much in the name of protecting our communities. It is our job as citizens to take care of them as much as they take care of us.

If you or someone you love in law enforcement has been involved in an accident, the car accident lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are waiting for your call.

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

Source: KRGV

The Texas Department of Public Safety was called out to a car accident involving a pedestrian near Progreso this past Saturday, December 1st.

Details About the Accident

The driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche was driving west on Gonzalez St., near Progreso, when the vehicle struck a 35-year-old man who was walking in the same direction. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

As per Hidalgo County Public Records, the driver was charged with driving while intoxicated and was released on bond.

Facts and Statistics Regarding Auto-Pedestrian Accidents Involving Alcohol

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015, approximately 5,376 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic crashes throughout the United States. To put that into perspective, that is one crash-related pedestrian fatality every 1.6 hours.

Additionally:

• In 2015, almost half (48%) of crashes that caused the death of a pedestrian, involved alcohol use either by the pedestrian or the driver.
• Around 34 percent of these fatal pedestrian crashes in 2015 included a pedestrian that had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 g/dL or higher.
• Approximately 15 percent of drivers involved in these types of crashes in 2015 had a BAC over 0.08 g/dL.

In 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that around 10,497 people lost their lives to drunk driving. This total accounted for 28 percent of all traffic deaths in the U.S. that year.

They also found that 948 fatalities—or 9 percent of the total fatalities—were nonoccupants, meaning pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and others.

Did your loved one lose their life or suffer a life-changing injury as a result of a drunk driving accident caused by an irresponsible driver? The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want to help you.

Drunk driving accidents can be prevented. Sadly, they happen way too often, leaving injury, death, and heartbreak in its wake. While nothing can bring back the loss of a loved one, the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want to help you right that wrong.

Contact our offices in McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: ValleyCentral

The Department of Public Safety responded on Monday, November 26, to a fatal car accident that occurred near Falfurrias.

Details of the Accident

According to investigators, the driver hit a guardrail while traveling down Highway 285. The Hebbronville resident then swerved into the guardrail on the opposite side of the road, causing her to go airborne.

The woman had not been wearing a seat belt and the car accident ejected her from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

About Fatal Car Accidents Involving Individuals Not Wearing Their Seat Belt

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had much to report in this review of 2016 car accident statistics. Some of the highlights of the study included:

• A total of 14,668 lives were saved by seat belt use in 2016.
• Nearly 27.5 million drivers and passengers still do not use seat belts.
• In 2016, over 37,000 drivers perished in fatal car accidents and 48 percent of these individuals were not wearing a seat belt.
• It was estimated that 2,456 lives could have been saved if the drivers had worn a seat belt.

In most cases, car accidents where the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt are not grounds for seeking compensation, unless it was caused by another party. At that time, the driver without the seat belt is partially responsible for their own injuries.

However, if a seat belt malfunctions due to a manufacturer’s defect, that is a whole different story.

Types of Seat Belt Defects

When a seat belt design, production, or installation defect is present, you may experience:

• Inertial Unlatching – This occurs when the belt latch is released during the car accident.
• False Latching – This defect occurs when the buckle appears to be latched in properly but may come loose during a car accident.
• Seat Belt Retractor Failure – This defect gives the belt too much slack, failing to properly restrain the driver or passenger during a car accident.
• Certain Material or Weaving Defects Inside of the Belt – This defect compromises the integrity of the belt itself, leaving it prone to wear and tear.
• Door-Mounted Belts
• Poor Seat Belt Designs and Geometry
• Lap Only Belt Designs

Aside from visible defects, often times, a seat belt defect may go unnoticed until it is too late. Watch out for the following signs indicating a possible seat belt defect:

• When an injured driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt but claims that they were prior to the accident occurring.
• A passenger or driver was belted but made contact with the windshield or was ejected from the vehicle.
• A passenger or driver that was wearing a seat belt sustained an injury but the vehicle received very little damage.
• Multiple passengers, who were all wearing seat belts, sustained serious injuries during the car accident.
• A seat belt is found damaged or torn after the car accident occurred.

If you suspect that your injuries resulted from a defective seat belt, enlist the aid of the best car accident attorneys in the Rio Grande Valley.

Have you or a loved been involved in a car accident where the seat belt or other automotive part was defective? Our experienced car accident attorneys want to speak with you.

The experienced car accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have helped plenty of individuals and families win their due compensation by fighting auto part manufacturers that acted negligently.

Don’t wait to get the compensation you need to recover properly. Contact us at our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City location to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: ValleyCentral

An accident along a Harlingen highway on Friday, November 23, left a motorcyclist with a serious injury.

What Happened

According to authorities, the accident occurred right as the man—traveling westbound—was changing lanes near the Lewis Lane exit early Friday morning. The victim was not wearing a helmet.

The man was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries.

Statistics on Motorcycle Accidents

A car accident involving a motorcycle can happen if a driver is distracted, driving while intoxicated, or committing any other kind of negligent act. The number of motorcyclists fatalities per year is truly a cause for concern.

According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which highlighted car accidents involving a motorcyclist without a helmet:

• In 2016, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists perished in accidents.
• This total was more than twice the number of motorcyclists that died in the same manner in 1997.
• Around 13 percent of all car accident fatalities in 2016 were attributed to motorcyclists.
• In 2015, the federal government estimated that, per mile traveled, the number of motorcyclist fatalities was nearly 29 times the number of car accident fatalities.

The IIHS claims that helmet use is important because serious head injuries are common in accidents involving a motorcyclist. In fact:

• Helmets are 37 percent effective at preventing motorcycle fatalities.
• Helmets are 67 percent effective at preventing brain injuries.

Unfortunately, only 19 states mandate that motorcyclists wear a helmet. In Texas, wearing one is not required by law for drivers over the age of 21.

Texas Law Regarding Motorcycle Helmets

While helmet laws were implemented on and off during the 80s and early 90s, by 1997 the state of Texas no longer required that motorcyclists wear a helmet, as long as the motorcyclist is not under the age of 21, has passed a safety course, and/or is covered by an adequate insurance plan.

Motorcyclists under the age of 21 are required to have a helmet on.

J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are here for you if you have been involved in a car accident.

The car accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have seen it all. Don’t risk your life and stay safe on our Texas roads.

If you have been involved in a car accident, contact our experienced attorneys at any of our locations in McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City to set up your free legal consultation today.

Source: KRGV

On November 14th, a five-vehicle collision occurred on the 2000 block of Expressway 83 in Weslaco. The accident involved several vehicles including a semi-truck. Major traffic accumulated on the eastbound lanes, causing congestion and delays. While there were reports of injuries, no one is said to have been admitted to the hospital.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Overview of Multi-Vehicle Crashes

Multi-vehicle accidents account for approximately 15% of all auto deaths in the U.S. and causing over 13,000 injuries per year. Multi-vehicle crashes can be some of the most severe types because a vehicle/driver can get hit from numerous angles, multiple times.

It’s worth noting that fire is always a potential hazard in these situations as multiple impacts to a vehicle can cause it to leak fuel. The risk of combustion only increases if a commercial truck transporting hazardous materials is involved in the collision.

Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents

From negligent drivers to hazardous road conditions, there are a number of reasons that a multi-vehicle accident can occur, including:

• Weather – Rain, fog, ice, and hail can cause dangerous situations.
• Speeding – Speeding – especially in bad weather – can easily lead to an accident.
• Drunk Driving – Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous forms of negligent driving and can easily lead to a multi-vehicle accident.
• Other Distractions – Cell phones, falling asleep behind the wheel, loud music, GPS and the use of other electronics, can cause a driver to become distracted and cause an accident.

Determining Fault in a Multi-car Accident

Multi-vehicle accidents are considered those in which 3 or more vehicles are involved. Determining fault in a multi-car collision requires a ton of investigation and is a complex process as authorities must identify the negligent party that was speeding, following too closely, using an electronic device, or driving erratically.

When determining who is at fault, insurance investigators will check police reports for arrests or citations that include:

• Intoxication
• Possession of narcotics
• Open alcohol container
• Speeding
• Suspended license or unlicensed driver
• No insurance
• Reckless driving

Texas is considered a “fault” state, which means that the responsible party/parties for the accident are financially responsible for any accidents they may cause. This is generally covered through car insurance.

Filing Your Personal Injury Claim

Since there are various parties involved in a multi-vehicle crash, multiple personal injury claims may be made. If you are a victim in a collision, it is necessary for you to seek assistance from a professional car accident lawyer that can help to investigate the accident.

For more information on how to secure your compensation as a victim in a multi-vehicle accident, contact the J Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today at (956) 630-6700.

Source: Valley Central

McAllen authorities are investigating a single-vehicle car accident that occurred early Saturday morning.

Details Regarding the Car Accident

Right before 2 a.m., Nov. 17, McAllen police received a call about a single-vehicle car accident after a vehicle struck a utility pole and then rolled over.

There were three passengers in the vehicle when the crash occurred. Unfortunately, only one of the passengers survived. The severity of the injuries sustained took the lives of the other two.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the crash, particularly the cause.

Night Time Car Accident Facts

According to The National Safety Council, the risk of a car accident while driving at night increases tremendously versus daytime driving. This is especially important to consider now during the holiday season as we have “fallen back” from daylight savings time. Days are shorter, nights are longer, and the increased traffic caused by the holiday season can make this time of the year one of the most dangerous for drivers.

There are many factors that contribute to the increased rate of car accidents during this time of year, including:

• Shorter days
• Fatigue
• Poor night vision
• Rush hour
• Impaired drivers

As per the National Safety Council:

• The riks of a fatal crash is three times greater at night.
• Even with high-beam headlights on, drivers can only see about 500 feet ahead.
• Night time driving becomes even more challenging as we age; a 50-year-old driver needs twice as much light to see just as good as a 30-year-old driver.
• 50 percent of traffic deaths happen at night.

The risk of nighttime driving is just as dangerous for young teen drivers:

• 32 percent of fatal crashes involving 16-to 17-year-old drivers occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• The fatal crash rate of 16-year-olds is nearly twice as high at night.
• 57 percent of teen nighttime crashes occur between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Have you or a loved one suffered a severe injury as a result of a nighttime accident caused by a negligent driver? J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are ready to fight for you.

The car accident lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have the dedication and experience you need to seek out compensation from those that have done you wrong; compensation that is needed to treat your injuries and help you recover.

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

Source: ValleyCentral

Right-of-way rules have been established for the purpose of creating safer roads for drivers and pedestrians alike. Negligent drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way often end up causing serious accidents and severe injuries.

In the state of Texas, failure to yield the right-of-way results in thousands of accidents a year, and unfortunately, one of our most recent clients fell victim to such an incident. While traveling in Premont, the individual was driving responsibly down South Broadway when another driver, in a Chrysler 300, exited a private drive and failed to yield. The owner of the Chrysler barreled into the driver’s side and ended up causing substantial property damage and injury to our client who was obeying the rules of the road.

Sadly, too many irresponsible drivers try to get away with such behaviors, and in this case, their actions led to the personal injury of an innocent victim.

When you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by another driver who failed to yield right-of-way, do not hesitate for a moment to contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys at (956) 232-8970. We know how to fight back hard and fast.

What does “right-of-way” mean?

The phrase “right-of-way” is used to describe certain safety rules based on common sense and courtesy. Every individual on the road must follow these rules and that includes bike riders, pedestrians, and the likes.

Failing to yield the right-of-way frequently leads to crashes and should be followed when:

• At a yield sign
• At uncontrolled intersections when vehicles are already on the road/intersection
• At “T” intersections where drivers must yield to others on the through road
• When turning left in areas of oncoming pedestrians or vehicles
• When driving on an unpaved road that intersects with a paved road
• When driving back onto the roadway after a car has been parked

Potential Compensation

An individual who fails to yield the right-of-way may be the actual and proximate cause of a car accident. When a negligent driver’s action causes you injury, you may be able to sue for compensatory damages that can include:

• Medical bills (for current and future costs)
• Lost income
• Household services
• Rehabilitation
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

If you have been involved in an accident caused by another driver’s failure to yield the right-of-way, contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. Our dedicated and experienced Texas attorneys have the ability to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.

An auto-pedestrian crash occurred in Raymondville on Tuesday, November 6th, killing one elderly man.

Details of the Accident

The Texas Department of Public Safety was called out to Business 77 to investigate an auto-pedestrian accident just north of Raymondville that took the life of a 69-year-old man this past Tuesday. It was reported that a Dodge Ram pickup truck had been traveling south when the elderly resident of Raymondville was struck just after 7 in the evening.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation, working with the driver of the vehicle, who also stopped to render aid to the elderly man.

Texas Auto-Pedestrian Law

While auto-pedestrian accidents have seen a recent spike in the last 25 years, it is important to know what Texas law requires if anyone should be involved in such an accident. Rendering aid can literally save lives.

The state of Texas requires, under the Texas Transportation Code Title 7 Chapter 552, that pedestrians must:

• Use a sidewalk whenever available and stay on the right side of it.
• Only use traffic lights to cross and only when given the signal.
• Only cross on a marked crosswalk.

However, it is worth noting that if no marked crosswalk is available, a pedestrian may cross the street only after giving vehicles the right-of-way. This, in accordance with Texas traffic law, is considered jaywalking, and a pedestrian can be held liable if they did not yield properly.

By the same token, as a motorist, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of those on the road as well. There are four ways that a motorist can be considered negligent:

1. The driver of the vehicle had a duty to ensure the pedestrian’s safety.
2. That duty was breached.
3. That breach of duty caused the pedestrian’s injuries.
4. The pedestrian suffered damages.

As drivers, it is our duty to obey all traffic laws and ordinances while refraining from engaging in reckless, negligent, or distracted driving.

Have you or someone you love been involved in an auto-pedestrian accident? Don’t let your voice go unheard.

At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, our expert car accident attorneys are well-versed in traffic law and how that can affect your case. For years, we have effectively represented hundreds of clients and won them the compensation they deserve.

Let us do the same for you. Contact us today at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation.

Source: ValleyCentral