On Wednesday, October 31, a Los Fresnos CISD bus was involved in a collision just outside of the Los Fresnos city limits. The crash occurred at the intersection of Siesta Lane and FM 510.

DPS investigators report that the driver of a maroon pickup truck was responsible for the collision. The pickup rammed into the side of the bus as it was turning left.

Out of 28 children aboard the school bus, there were no reported injuries. The driver of the pickup was cited for negligent driving.

Road Traffic Crash Facts and Causes

The World Health Organization has provided an analysis of road traffic injuries for the year 2018.

Statistics and facts from the site report as follows:

• Approximately 1.25 million lives come to an end each year due to road traffic collisions.
• 48 percent of road traffic deaths occur in age populations 15-44.

Speeding is a large culprit of deaths by road traffic collisions. Traveling at higher speeds can increase the chances of damages caused in a collision as well as increase the likelihood of a crash.

• An adult pedestrian’s risk of dying by a car going 30 mph is 20 percent versus 60 percent if the car is traveling 50 mph.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs is another factor of fatal road traffic crashes.

• The legally impaired blood alcohol count in the United States is 0.08 percent. Operating a vehicle at the BAC count or higher significantly increases the chances of fatal collisions.
• Drug-driving increases the likelihood of road traffic crashes according to the drug type and amount used.

(Ex. A driver under the influence of amphetamines is 5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than a person not under the influence.)

The lack of use of safety restraints in vehicles and helmets on motorcycles increase the rate of death and injuries caused by a road traffic crash.

• An approved safety helmet can reduce the chance of death in a crash by 40 percent.
• The risk of fatality can diminish by 40-50 percent for front-seat passengers and 25-75 percent for rear-seat passengers through the use of safety belts.

What is Driver Negligence?

If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a driver that has acted in a reckless or careless manner, then the negligent driver is liable for damages and injuries caused to you or your loved ones.

The term negligence is often used in car accidents to appoint liability of causation. In certain situations, the insurance company representing the negligent driver may comply and pay for the damages ensued.

However, there are cases, more often than not, when the guilty party and their insurance company may try to avoid payout and deflect blame on you. In this case, you should seek the professional help of dedicated the car accident lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

Our expert personal injury attorneys can provide you the comprehensive services you need to defend yourself against the clever tricks of the defendant, their lawyers, and the insurance companies, who will manipulate the terms of liability to lower your settlement.

Contact the experienced lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to fight for everything you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a collision caused by a negligent driver, you deserve full compensation for all the pain and suffering you have endured. The loyal car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have helped countless victims in avoiding the manipulative tactics of negligent drivers and their defense teams.

Source:

KRGV

The Harlingen Police Department is on the hunt to identify the driver of a gray vehicle that struck two pedestrians on the night of Sunday, October 28th.

About the Incident

The incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday, when two females, who were walking near the 700 block of North Ed Carey Drive, were struck by a gray vehicle. When responders arrived at the scene, one of the victims was laying on the sidewalk, bleeding from her head.

The victims confirmed that they were crossing the street when the car hit them. One of the victims was taken to the hospital for treatment.

It goes without saying that the gray car did not stop and authorities are reaching out to the community for help in locating the driver.

Auto-Pedestrian Accident Statistics and Facts

A 2017 report drafted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) offered key insights regarding the increase of auto-pedestrian accidents. For instance, it was found that between 2007 and 2016, pedestrian fatalities increased by 27 percent while other traffic deaths decreased by 14 percent.

The report also stressed the fact that auto-pedestrian fatalities were at a 25 year high in the United States. In 2017 alone, an estimated 5,984 pedestrians were killed in a motor vehicle crash in the U.S.

Texas, unfortunately, is one of five states that accounted for 43 percent of all pedestrian deaths during the first half of 2017. These states—California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Arizona—only account for about 30 percent of the U.S. population.

More importantly, the report also found that children and the elderly are most at risk of being involved in an auto-pedestrian accident, citing a “lack of perceptual judgment, inadequate risk perception, and limited pedestrian experience (for children), or limited mobility, reduced vision, and frailty (for older adults).”

The hardest hitting statistic, however, shows an all-too-common problem – 75 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur in the dark.

Staying Safe

There are a few simple steps that pedestrians can take to stay safe when out for a walk or run:

• Wear reflective and/or bright clothing if you know you are going to be out and about on foot at night.
• A simple flashlight can do wonders to keep you safe.
• Only cross the road at a well-lit crosswalk or intersection. Doing so at any other junction increases your risk of getting struck.
• Stay on the sidewalk, and if there is no sidewalk, walk on the street or shoulder of the road while facing traffic, if at all possible.
• Avoid jaywalking.
• Follow all traffic signs and rules of the road, and always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Avoid using headphones which can distract you and affect your ability to hear oncoming traffic.

Have you been in an auto-pedestrian accident that left you or a loved one seriously injured? Trust in the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to fight for the compensation you deserve.  

J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys fight hard to not only earn the trust of our clients but to win the compensation needed to repair the damages that have occurred in your life.

Do not hesitate to contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City offices if you have been the victim of a car accident or personal injury caused by another negligent party.

Source: ValleyCentral

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a man was arrested for his involvement in an auto-cyclist crash that took the life of another man on Saturday, October 27th, in Alamo.

What Happened

The incident occurred on U.S. Highway 281 just east of Green Jay Road in Alamo around 12:38 p.m. when the driver of a Kenworth tractor-tanker traveling west struck a cyclist who was also traveling westbound.

The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the tanker was taken in on felony charges of criminally negligent homicide.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the accident.

Auto-Cyclist Accident Statistics

A 2016 report drafted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that:

• A total of 840 pedalcyclist fatalities occurred in 2016, accounting for 2.2 percent of all traffic-related fatalities for the year.
• The fatality rate for pedal-cyclists per million people was 5.6 times higher for males compared to females in 2016.
• Approximately 71 percent of cyclists that perished in a cyclist-motor vehicle accident in 2016 passed away in an urban area.
• Between 2007 and 2016, the average age of a victim in this type of car accident was between 40 to 46.
• In 35 percent of all fatal pedalcyclist crashes that occurred in 2016, alcohol impairment was reported for both drivers and/or the cyclists.

A 2016 report by the same administration noted:

• In 2014, about 10 percent of fatalities caused by large truck accidents were nonoccupants – meaning pedestrians and/or pedalcyclists.

Have you lost a loved one in a pedalcyclist accident? Do NOT suffer alone. You deserve to have justice for your pain and suffering.

It is up to all drivers to make sure that everyone is safe on our Rio Grande Valley roads – motorists and cyclists alike. As was with the case above, however, negligence can play a major role in a fatal car accident.

That’s why our car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys fight hard to represent victims like you have suffered at the hands of irresponsible drivers. Contact us today at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to set up your free legal consultation.

Source: ValleyCentral

On October 14th, just nine miles north of Alice, a single-vehicle car crash killed one man and a woman.

Details of the Car Accident

Three passengers in a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe were traveling south on U.S. 281 when their vehicle, for unknown reasons, went off the road and hit a guardrail, causing the vehicle to flip over.

A man and woman, both from Mercedes, were pronounced dead at the scene. The third occupant of the vehicle was rushed to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries and is now in stable condition.

Single-Vehicle Car Accident Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):

• 55 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2016 were single-vehicle accidents.
• Texas had a total of 1,901 single-vehicle fatalities in 2016, accounting for 50 percent of their total motor vehicle deaths that year, which stood at 3,776.

What Causes a Single-Vehicle Car Accident

There are many factors to consider in a single-vehicle car accident. While it is easy to think that these types of crashes mostly involve the driver being negligent, it isn’t always the case.

Poor traveling conditions often account for single-vehicle car accidents and include:

• Inclement weather
• Poor road conditions
• Narrow lanes and shoulders
• Sharp curves

In some instances, a single-vehicle car accident can be the fault of another party, such as:

• Manufacturer – Defective car parts in the steering or braking components of the vehicle.
• City – Road defects, like potholes or other obstacles, that can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
• Negligent Driver – Other drivers’ failing to adhere to traffic laws, speeding, distracted driving, and/or driving while intoxicated.

Speaking with an experienced car accident attorney can help you determine what party is responsible for your single-vehicle car accident.

Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are waiting for your call.

The car accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want for nothing more than for you to be safe on the road. But should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in a single-vehicle car accident, they are your best bet to fighting, and winning, compensation to help you recover.

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

Source: ValleyCentral

Saturday night turned deadly as one man was taken into custody after a fatal car accident took the life of one woman and sent another man to the hospital.

Details About the Incident

On October 13th, at around 8:30 p.m., a man driving a white Chevrolet pickup failed to yield the right of way to a Harley Davidson motorcycle on the intersection of Victoria Road and Business 83, and ended up causing a fatal crash.

The man driving the Chevrolet pickup was taken in by local authorities on charges of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. The accident killed a 50-year-old woman and sent another man to the hospital for treatment. The survivor is expected to recover.

Motorcycle and Vehicle Accident Statistics

As one could surmise, riding a motorcycle comes with significant safety risks, especially if the rider isn’t wearing a helmet. However, the majority of the risk stems from the absence of structural protection traditional passenger vehicles like cars and trucks offer.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you are 37 times more likely to perish in a motorcycle accident than you are in a car accident. In 2016, the NHTSA also conducted a report that found:

• 5,286 motorcyclists died in 2016, a 5.1 percent rise from the 5,029 that were killed the year prior.
• Around 27 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2016 were riding without a valid motorcycle license.
• In 2016, it was discovered that motorcycle riders involved in a fatal crash had the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers compared to any other vehicle statistic:
  • 25 percent for motorcyclists
  • 21 percent for passenger cars
  • 20 percent for light trucks
  • 2 percent of large trucks

Still, it is important to note that even though a motorcycle lacks the structural protection that a car has, wearing a helmet is still encouraged and required if you are under the age of 21. For motorcyclists over the age of 21, you must have:

1. Successfully completed a motorcycle operating training and safety course, or…
2. Be covered by a health insurance plan that provides medical benefits for injuries that result from a motorcycle accident.

A staggering statistic that the NHTSA found was that an estimated 1,859 motorcyclists’ lives were saved because of helmets in 2016, and around 802 more lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn a helmet.

If you, or someone you love, have been involved in a motorcycle accident as a result of another’s negligence, do not hesitate to call the auto accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

With years of experience, our personal injury attorneys can help determine fault and recover the compensation you need to put your life together.

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

Source: ValleyCentral

A fatal car accident took the lives of two teenagers. One of the survivors was in court recently, facing two charges of criminally negligent homicide.

Details About the Incident

On October 9th, a vehicle carrying four passengers crashed into a Brownsville property, located on the 300 block of West 5th Street, just after midnight.

The car accident killed two of the four passengers, a 15 and 16-year-old, while the other two occupants, another 15 and 16-year-old, were hospitalized. The latter were in stable condition.

Local authorities have yet to conclude their investigation into the car accident. One of the survivors, the 16-year-old driver, is now in police custody facing two charges of criminally negligent homicide.

Teenage Car Accident Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) drafted a report this past June that revealed jarring statistics, including:

• Between 1999 and 2016, motor vehicle traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths in teenagers.
• Between 1999 and 2016, traffic accidents accounted for 62 percent of all unintentional injury deaths.
• 2013 through 2016 saw an increase of 12 percent in unintentional injury death rate.

Keeping Our Teenagers Safe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has devised just the thing for young drivers to review and practice before going on the road. It is called the “5 to Drive,” and it aims to stimulate conversation between parents and teens regarding safe driving practices.

It is always a good idea to teach our new drivers the importance of “5 to Drive,” meaning:

1. No cell phone usage while driving
2. No speeding
3. No drinking and driving
4. No extra passengers
5. Always wear your seat belt

Adhering to these basic rules can ensure that your teenager remains safe on the road.

Have you lost a loved one as a result of a negligent driver? Our car accident attorneys are waiting for your call.

Trust the car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to fight for the compensation needed to help treat your teenager and rebuild your family should they get into a car accident.

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

Source:

ValleyCentral

Red light runners are responsible for hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries each year. Collisions at an intersection are especially dangerous, accounting for 45% of all traffic-related deaths.

Unfortunately, one of our newest clients had to suffer as a result of a completely negligent and irresponsible driver who ran a red light. While traveling eastbound on the center lane of Van Buren Avenue, our client had the right of way on a green light when a GMC Sierra heading north viciously crashed into them as result of disregarding a red light. The collision was so severe that it caused our client to spin out of control and slam into a light pole. To make matters worse, the driver of the GMC Sierra then struck our client once again. A witness observed the driver of the GMC Sierra disregard the right light which led to the horrific accident.

When you or a loved one has been the victim of a red light violation or intersection crash, do not hesitate for a moment to contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys at (956) 232-8970. We know to fight back hard and fast. Our team of experienced lawyers in the Rio Grande Valley will make sure you get the compensation and justice you deserve.

Common Causes of Red Light Accidents

Red light violations often result in serious – and even fatal – accidents. Some of the most common causes of red light accidents include:

• Failure to come to a complete stop
• Failure to follow right-of-way rules
• Attempting to speed through a yellow light
• Negligent driving behaviors (i.e. phone use)
• Speeding
• Right-hand turn without stopping
• Drunk driving

Red light accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death. Negligent drivers who run red lights should be held fully accountable for their actions.

Common Injuries of Stop Sign Accidents

Because speed is often a factor in red light accidents, injuries tend to be more severe and damage to the vehicle is often costlier. Some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of a red light accident include:

• Neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations from broken class
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Nerve damage
• Hemorrhaging
• Paraplegia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Psychological anguish

Whether in a side-impact or head-on collision, you have very little time to take evasive action or to protect yourself from devastating injuries.

At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we have fought for the rights of personal injury victims in the Rio Grande Valley for more than 15 years. We understand how challenging the aftermath of a severe car accident can be in your life. You may be dealing with the need for extensive medical treatment, you may be unable to work and meet your financial responsibilities, you may even have to give up on the activities that you truly loved.

Find comfort in knowing that you don’t have to go through this ordeal alone.

If you have been injured in a red light accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation and the peace of mind knowing that you have the premier lawyer in the Rio Grande Valley on your side.

When tragedy strikes, depend on the dedicated team of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to guide you through these challenging times. One of our most recent clients knew that they could trust our experienced and successful car accident lawyers to help them fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.

While traveling eastbound on US-83, our client was viciously rear-ended. The impact of this initial collision thrust our client forward, causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. This multi-car accident left our client suffering from various injuries.

Commuters, please be advised that there is heavy construction happening in the Rio Grande City area. If you are traveling to and from Rio Grande City, please remember to always drive the speed limit, maintain a proper distance from the person in front of you, and obey traffic laws while driving through construction zones.

J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys would like to remind all drivers in the Rio Grande Valley to stay safe!

What to Do After a Rear-End Crash

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for 28% of all automobile accidents, making them one of the most common types of car accidents in the United States. This comes to 1.7 million rear-end collisions, 500,000 injuries, and 1,700 deaths a year.

These types of accidents commonly occur because of negligent drivers who are:

• Speeding
• Distracted
• Following too closely (especially in heavy traffic areas or construction zones)

If you have been involved in a rear-end accident, please take the following steps:

• Check for injuries. Regardless of the severity of the crash, you should still seek out medical attention. The adrenaline rush following a car accident may numb your injury symptoms momentarily but you may begin to feel severe pain within a day or two of the accident. Even a “small” accident can cause you whiplash or a back injury.
• Contact the police immediately. Assuming you are OK, contact the police immediately after an accident, even if it only caused minor damage to your vehicle. The police report will be essential to not only filing your insurance claim but will also be an important piece of evidence should you file a legal claim against the negligent driver.
• Try to gather as much information as possible. If you are uninjured and capable of doing so, begin to gather as much evidence as possible. Evidence and information you should gather include:
  • Photos of the scene of the accident
  • Photos of the damage done to all vehicles
  • The other driver’s insurance information
  • The other driver’s full name, address, phone number, driver’s license info, and license plate number
  • The police report (when it is available)
  • Keep notes of any medical care you receive
  • Keep any medical bills and prescriptions
• Never admit fault. While you may be tempted to talk to the other driver following a rear-end accident, please be careful of what you say to them. Even a simple, “I’m sorry,” can be used against you. Never admit fault to the police or insurance companies either. Allow them to do their investigations and determine who is responsible.

Compensation You Can Receive for a Rear-End Collision

The at-fault driver’s insurance company should cover any damages to your vehicle and any costs associated with medical care to treat your injuries. Typically, you will be able to receive compensation to cover:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death

Do not let a rear-end accident ruin your life. Contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys1-800-CAR-CRASH

At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we are committed to providing the dedicated care and strong legal guidance needed to protect the rights of innocent people who have been hurt by the negligence of others.

We were recently privileged with the opportunity to represent an individual who was injured in a car accident in McAllen. The client was driving safely and appropriately in his own lane on Quince Ave. and 23rd Street, when another driver carelessly ran a red light and slammed into him. The impact of the collision was so severe that it caused the client’s vehicle to spin out of control while he suffered multiple injuries.

The individual knew exactly who he could turn to in his time of need – J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

With more than 18 years of experience fighting for the rights our clients, we know how to get you the compensation needed to get your life back on track. We will take charge of setting up the insurance claim and communicating with the insurance adjuster because we want you to focus on getting healthy again.

Common Causes of Intersection Crashes

Too many motorists on the road drive recklessly and will speed through an intersection in an attempt to “make” the light. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 2.5 million intersection accidents occur on a yearly basis and are the second largest category of accidents.

Some of the most common causes of intersection crashes include:

• Failure to stop at a light/stop sign
• Following too closely
• Improperly turning
• Speeding
• Failure to yield right of way
• Dangerous passing and merging behaviors
• Failure to obey traffic signs

Careless driving is often the cause of serious injuries and fatalities.

The Evidence We Gather

When you choose J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we will get to work immediately collecting evidence in order to effectively determine causation. The evidence we gather includes but is not limited to:

• Police report
• Witness statements
• Cell phone videos and photos of the scene
• CCTV footage from surrounding business (when applicable)
• Social media records
• Cell phone records
• Alcohol and drug tests

You deserve justice. Do not let your pain go unanswered. Contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.    

A four-vehicle crash occurred in Pharr on Wednesday, October 3rd.

Details of the Accident

Local authorities were called to the scene of a four-vehicle crash in Pharr that occurred on the Interstate 2/Expressway 83 interchange. The accident involved a tractor-trailer along with three other vehicles. At this time, no other information has been provided about the conditions of those involved in the accident.

Large Truck Accident Statistics

Although it is currently unknown what kind of injuries were sustained in this particular multi-car accident, oftentimes, a car crash involving a large truck can cause serious injuries and death to drivers in traditional passenger vehicles.

To highlight the severity of these kinds of accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a study in 2014 that revealed some pertinent information about commercial truck accidents:

• In 2014, approximately 3,978 large trucks and buses were involved in a fatal car accident.
• An increase of 55 percent in injuries was noted between 2009 and 2014.

When we inspect the data between 2013 and 2014 carefully, however, we see that:

• The number of fatal car accidents involving large trucks actually decreased by 5 percent from the year prior, falling from 3,921 to 3,744.
• At the same time, the number of large truck accidents that caused injury increased by an astounding 21 percent, rising from 73,000 to 88,000.
• There was a 31 percent increase in property damage only crashes involving large trucks.

These statistics make it crystal clear that giving these large trucks as much space as you can on the road is completely necessary in order to keep you and your family safe.

Car accidents involving large trucks can cause serious injury and death. With decades of experience, the truck accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have fought against neglectful trucking companies with success, earning our clients the compensation needed to get them back on their feet.

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

Source: ValleyCentral