On Tuesday afternoon, August 14th, at around 5 p.m., a five-vehicle crash involving a school bus occurred in Pharr, sending several students to the hospital for injury treatment.

The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are proud to announce that we have been privileged to represent one of the victims of this horrendous accident. Our client will receive the best legal care possible and we will make sure that the negligent party responsible for this serious accident is brought to justice.

Details of the Accident

According to the Pharr Police Department, the accident occurred on the westbound lane of Expressway 83. Details are limited at this time about how the accident occurred, but police are continuing to investigate exactly what took place.

What is known is that five vehicles were involved, including a school bus from Brownsville ISD. This accident sent a large number of students to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The bus from Simon Rivera High School was loaded with the high school volleyball team that was headed to a match in McAllen when the accident occurred.

The crash still remains under investigation.

School Bus Accident Statistics

A key study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school transportation related accidents found that from 2006 to 2015:

• Approximately 1,313 fatalities, consisting of people of all ages in school-transportation-related crashes occurred, averaging 131 fatalities per year.
• 301 victims were school-age children and of that total, 54 were occupants of school transportation vehicles, 137 were occupants of other vehicles, 102 were pedestrians, and 8 were cyclists.
• Around 34 percent of school-aged pedestrians killed in these type of accidents were between 8 to 13-years-old.

What You Can Do To Ensure Your Children’s Safety On The Bus

Teach your children how to conduct themselves properly on the school bus in order to stay safe with these tips:

• Always keep a safe distance away from the road when waiting for the bus.
• Take a seat as soon as you board the bus and stay seated.
• Keep your arms, legs, and limbs inside of the bus at all times.
• Do not express aggressive behavior or get into a fight on the school bus.
• Do NOT distract the bus driver with:
  • Idle chatter
  • Screaming across the bus
  • Loud music or sounds from your smartphone
• Buckle your seat belt if applicable.

Have you or your child been involved in a bus accident? Our personal injury attorneys want to hear from you.

Accidents are a terrifying ordeal to experience, especially when they involve our children. If you or someone you love has been injured or died because of a negligent third party — whether it be a school bus driver or another passenger vehicle motorist — enlist the aid of the Rio Grande Valley’s best car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

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

A cement mixer rolled over in Alamo on Monday, August 13th, sending one person to the hospital.

Details About the Accident

According to authorities, the driver of the cement mixer said that he had tried to avoid crashing into another car by braking, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. The cement mixer rolled over after the Alamo exit road on I-2, closing westbound lanes for a brief period.

The driver was sent to the hospital to treat his minor injuries. No other injuries have been reported.

Facts to Note About Rollover Accidents

In a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the department found that:

• Most fatal rollover crashes involve a single vehicle.
• Rollovers are more likely to end in fatalities compared to other types of crashes.
• Nearly ¾ of occupants that died in a rollover accident weren’t properly restrained.
• Rollover accidents make up around one-fifth of all fatal accidents.
• Speed was an important contributing factor to fatal accidents, where most crashes occurred on roads that had a speed limit of 55 and over.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also concluded in May 2018 that:

• Rollover accidents account for 1 percent of all types of crashes but typically kill one-third of total passengers.
• Approximately 7,488 occupants perished in a vehicle rollover in 2016.
• More than half of victims that died in a single-vehicle crash were involved in a rollover.
• Chances for a rollover increased with SUVs and trucks, where SUVs occupants made up 47 percent of those killed in rollover accidents and 22 percent for pickup trucks. This could be because of the vehicle’s higher center of gravity.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a rollover accident, contact the Rio Grande Valley’s own J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

Rollovers are one of the most injury-inducing types of accidents that one can experience. While a lot of them happen as a single-vehicle accident, it doesn’t mean that the accident was your fault. Enlist the aid of our expert car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to help you realize and understand the rights you have for fighting for compensation.

Contact our personal injury attorneys at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations for your free legal consultation today.

Image and information pulled from KRGV.

A two-vehicle accident occurred in Edinburg on the evening of Thursday, August 10th.

Details About the Fatal Accident

According to Edinburg Police Chief David White, on Thursday evening, two vehicles collided head-on east of Closner Road near the 3300 block of Monte Cristo.

Three people involved in the accident perished. Two others were rushed to the hospital.

Police have responded to the accident and are continuing their investigation at this time.

Collision Statistics in Texas

According to a Texas Department of Transportation report:

• In 2016, there was a total of 639 people killed in head-on-collisions.
• There were no deathless days on Texas roadways throughout 2016, meaning at least one person perished per day.
• One 2016 crash, in particular, fell into a “6 deaths or more” category.
• A total of 17,602 serious injuries were reported from 14,217 serious injury crashes that same year.
• Approximately 265,431 persons were injured in motor vehicle crashes throughout 2016.
• Of the total amount of individuals killed in an accident, a staggering 43.9 percent of persons that perished in a motor vehicle accident were not properly restrained.
• Approximately 52 percent of the state’s fatalities occurred in Texas’ rural areas, totaling 1,955 fatalities throughout 2016.

Other statistics of note based on reportable car crashes in 2016 were:

• 1 person was killed every 2 hours and 19 minutes due to a car accident.
• 1 person was injured every 1 minute and 59 seconds.
• 1 reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds.

A range of circumstances can cause a multiple-vehicle accident, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are at fault. Enlist the expert car accident lawyers of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to get the protection you need. With the assistance of our attorneys, we’ll get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City office today to schedule your free legal consultation today.

Image and information pulled from Valley Central.

A vehicle crashed into the storefront of a beauty supply shop in Harlingen, sending five people to the hospital.

Details About the Incident

On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 7th, Harlingen police received a call about a vehicle crashing into a local beauty supply store.

According to authorities, the accident occurred at South Tex Beauty Distributors near Commerce and Taft Street. A 64-year-old woman, for reasons unknown, drove into the store while attempting to park.

The accident pinned two female shoppers, both 17 and 8 years of age, underneath the vehicle and harmed 3 employees. All five were taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The accident is still under investigation.

Vehicle-to-Building Accidents are a Growing Problem

According to the Storefront Safety Council, research from 2014 to 2017 concluded that:

• States that have the highest number of licensed drivers over the age of 65 also rank as the states with the highest number of storefront crashes.
• Florida leads in storefront crashes.
• 20 to 29-year-old drivers cause 20 percent of storefront crashes.
• Older adults cause 13 percent of storefront crashes.
• Approximately 24 percent of these incidents happened at a retail store, followed by commercial buildings at around 23 percent. Restaurants ranked 4th at 19 percent.

As for the causes of the storefront crashes, roughly 30 percent was due to operator error. In second was pedal error at 26 percent, and third was DUI at 17 percent.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle-to-building accident, know your rights and reach out to J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today.

It’s the last thing you could ever dream of happening, but vehicle-to-building accidents do occur more than you think. If you have been injured—or lost someone because of this type of accident—our experienced attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have nearly 20 years of experience in personal injury claims and are just what you need to obtain compensation for any injuries you may have suffered.

Contact any of our locations in McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City for your free legal consultation today.

Image and information pulled from Valley Central.

On Friday afternoon, August 3rd, a car accident in Los Indios sent a family to the hospital. Unfortunately, the other party involved in the accident did not survive.

Details of the Car Accident

Details at this time are limited, but authorities claim that a man had been walking down Highway 281 when he was struck by a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle and the two minors that accompanied the driver were taken to the hospital to treat unknown injuries.

According to the local authorities, the man that perished was an immigrant.

Pedestrian-Traffic Fatality Statistics

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2013 report:

• Approximately 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, which was actually a 2 percent decrease from 2012’s 4,818 pedestrian fatalities.
• The same report showed that on average one pedestrian was killed every two hours. It also showed that injuries were more frequent with one pedestrian injured from a traffic accident every 8 minutes.
• The 2013 report found pedestrian deaths to be 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
• The most pedestrian fatalities (26 percent) occurred between 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
• Approximately 92 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in a single-vehicle accident.
• One-fifth of those pedestrians were killed by hit-and-run drivers.
• Around 49 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents involved a drunk driver or drunk pedestrian.
• Children from birth to the age of 14 years also make up one-fifth (21 percent) of pedestrian fatalities that year.

The car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have nearly two decades of legal experience necessary to win your case, bringing those that acted negligently to justice.

Don’t suffer in silence. Know your rights, and contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations for your free legal consultation today.

Image and information pulled from Valley Central.

A terrible tragedy befell three people, including a child, in Donna as a result of a four-vehicle crash Friday afternoon.

Details of the Accident

Around 7 p.m. on Friday, July 27th, a four-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Salinas Boulevard and Mile 9 ½ in Donna.

Authorities say that at least eight people were involved in the multi-car accident, and of those eight, three people, a child among them, lost their lives.

The accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

What Causes Multiple Vehicle Collisions?

There are several causes of multi-vehicle crashes. They can be attributed to:

• Pile-Ups – Pile-ups tend to occur in high traffic areas with low visibility. When drivers begin to follow each other too closely, the likelihood of an accident occurring increases even further.
• Chain-Reaction Crashes – This generally occurs because of hazardous weather and road conditions. For instance, heavy rain can easily lead to dangerous road conditions where drivers can lose control and begin colliding into one another.
• Driving Too Close – Multiple vehicle crashes can also occur even where there are not any types of road hazards present. Simple negligence by disregarding safety procedures can start a chain-reaction. Keep a distance of at least 5 seconds between you and the car in front of you, that way you have plenty of time to respond should they brake suddenly.

Statistics Regarding Multiple Vehicle Crashes

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in the year 2016:

• Approximately 1,875 deaths occurred in the state of Texas due to multiple vehicle crashes.
• Multiple vehicle crashes accounted for 50 percent of the grand total of deaths caused by a car accident in Texas.
• The national total of multi-car accident deaths was calculated at over 16,800, which was 45 percent of all car crashes that occurred within the United States that year.

If You or Someone You Love Have Been Injured Or Perished in a Multiple Vehicle Accident, The Time To Seek Compensation For Your Recovery is Now.

Our founder, Jesse Gonzalez, has vowed to always fight for those who have faced an injustice. If you were involved in a multiple vehicle accident due to someone else’s negligence, the car accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want to set up a free legal consultation to review your case.

Get started now by contacting us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City locations today!

Image and information sourced from Valley Central<.

A 20-year-old man passed away at a local hospital after he suffered critical injuries sustained in a hit-and-run car accident.

Details of the Incident

At approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 21st, the Harlingen Police Department found a young man lying on the roadway. It is believed that he was struck by a dark-colored pickup truck that was heading west on the 400 block of West Taft Avenue in Harlingen.

The young man was rushed to the local hospital where he perished from his injuries. Police are looking for a pickup which may have suffered front-end damage.

The Harlingen Police Highway Enforcement Unit and Major Crimes Unit is currently investigating the tragic incident.

The Sad Truth

Since 2006, hit-and-run accidents have risen in number, and Texas is in the top 10 states where hit-and-run fatalities are rampant. Recently, Valley Central ran an article highlighting a study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) regarding hit-and-runs, and the findings were staggering.

• This study cited that a 30 percent rise occurred in Texas alone between 2015 to 2016.
• Every year since 2006, an average of 682,000 crashes have occurred.
• Nearly 65 percent of those killed in a hit-and-run are pedestrians and bicyclists.

The truly astonishing part? Weslaco police reported the average had risen from 200 to 250 hit-and-run crashes. They believe that since Texas ranks high in DWI arrests, hit-and-runs occur because someone is intoxicated, and in an effort to evade prosecution, they flee the scene. The responsible party may also be missing a valid driver’s license and/or may not be insured.

Keeping Pedestrians Safe While Driving

In order to keep yourself and pedestrians safe take these tips into consideration:

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings – Pedestrians may walk or run out to the street without warning, especially near schools and parking lots.
• Have a Little Patience With Pedestrians – Pedestrians and bicyclists need more space on the road. When passing them, give them as much space as you possibly can while staying safe yourself.
• Be Courteous – As a driver, you should always give pedestrians and bicyclists at a crosswalk the right of way. Yield to them, even if they aren’t crossing in a designated area.

Don’t suffer in silence. If you or someone you love has fallen victim to a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to recover compensation.

J. Gonzalez of the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys has made it his life duty to protect those that would be taken advantage of. Let him and his team of Rio Grande Valley car accident attorneys fight for your rights if you have been injured by a negligent driver.

Don’t suffer in silence. Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations today!

Image and information pulled from valleycentral.com.

Jesse Gonzalez knows all about hard work. From a childhood spent as a migrant worker to making a future for himself through education, Jesse has always had the desire to do more for the community he serves.

That dedication to truth, justice, and his responsibility to those he represents was recently recognized by RGVision Magazine when he was awarded the Best Rio Grande Valley Attorney for Personal Injury. While there was certainly stiff competition, Jesse’s skill level, expertise, success rate, and reliability could not be overlooked.

RGVision sought to determine the top rated attorneys in the region based on the criteria of: honesty, experience, advocacy, results, and accomplishments. It is these attributes of Jesse that make him a true star amongst attorneys in the Rio Grande Valley.

While Jesse counts his blessings and greatly appreciates each award he receives, he also continues to grow as an individual and attorney to provide the best services possible to those he is entrusted to represent.

You can learn more about the RGVision award and Jesse’s accomplishments here.

Or if you are in need of trusted and transparent legal representation that fights for your success, then contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today at (956) 630-6700.

On Monday, July 9th, shortly after 10 p.m., a 25-year-old man was struck – and fatally injured – at the intersection of FM 1925 and Sunflower Road.

Details of the Tragedy

According to officials, an unknown driver struck a young man before fleeing the scene, traveling eastbound on FM 1925. Officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety stated that there is a vehicle of interest, a pickup truck pulling a trailer, but the make and model are unknown at this time.

The young man was pronounced dead at the scene, and local authorities are still investigating the accident. The driver, however, is still at large.

Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

Generally speaking, a crash is considered a hit-and-run when at least one of the drivers flees the scene after an accident without rendering aid or providing sufficient information to the other driver involved. This also is the same for failing to report an accident.

According to a report released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

• More than one hit-and-run crash happens every minute in the U.S.
• An average of 682,000 hit-and-run accidents have occurred each year since 2006.
• 65 percent of deaths in a hit-and-run were attributable to pedestrians or cyclists.
• Over the last decade, 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths were caused by a hit-and-run.
• Hit-and-run deaths have increased an average of 7.2 percent per year since 2009.
• In 2016, 2,049 people were killed in a hit-and-run crash. This was a 60 percent increase from 2009.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run crashes are increasing and we as drivers and pedestrians need to remain vigilant in protecting ourselves.

Tips to Stay Safe

Another AAA article provides meaningful tips and information regarding pedestrian safety. If you are planning on going out for a walk or bike ride, please consider the following:

1. Be Visible: Wear light colored or reflective clothing at night, and during the day, wear brighter colors that stand out. Also, stay in well-lit areas.
2. Avoid Distractions: Put the phone away when you’re walking or riding your bike. You need to pay attention to the rules of the road just like drivers do, and avoiding distractions will keep you alert.
3. Use Safe Spaces: Use crosswalks when crossing the street. Walk on the sidewalk when possible, and if one isn’t available, walk on the far side of the road facing traffic. Stay away from walking on highways and other areas where pedestrians are prohibited.

Have you or someone you love been the victim of a hit-and-run car accident when out for a walk? The experienced personal injury lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want to speak with you.

Car crashes are a tough ordeal to live through as it is, but when they are a hit-and-run, it makes things more complicated than they need to be. The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want you to know your rights.

Insurance policies may be able to help cover uninsured claims, or if the driver is eventually found, you may be able to file against their insurer. You also have the option of suing the fleeing driver if he or she doesn’t have insurance.

You deserve to have justice and there are multiple options to getting you the compensation you need. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations for your free legal consultation today.

Information and image were pulled from KRGV.com and valleycentral.com.

Six people have been hospitalized after a vehicle pursuit by local authorities ended in a car crash in Penitas.

Details About the Incident

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the McAllen Border Patrol Station received a notification from the Penitas Police Department about a vehicle pursuit heading their way, and assistance was requested.

When units from the Border Patrol and the National Guard helicopter arrived on the scene, they learned that a crash had occurred involving a black Ford Mustang and a Chevrolet Malibu. The latter had two passengers inside of the vehicle.

It was discovered that the 20-year-old driver of the black Ford Mustang was smuggling three undocumented immigrants as well. The driver had evaded local authorities which prompted the vehicle pursuit.

The driver of the Malibu was airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries, and the rest were sent to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. The driver of the Mustang was taken in by the Sullivan City police.

Vehicle Pursuit Car Accident Statistics

According to a 2015 article in USA Today:

• Estimates show that police across the USA chase tens of thousands of people each year The drivers they are pursuing often drive recklessly.
• From 1979 through 2013, more than 5,000 bystanders and passengers in other cars have been killed in police car chases, and tens of thousands more are injured.
• During that same time frame, 6,300 fleeing suspects were killed as well. That’s an average of 329 per year, just below one person per day.
• Bystanders and passengers in chased cars account for nearly half of all people killed in police car chases running from 1979 to 2013.
• Most bystanders were killed in their own vehicles from fleeing drivers that the police were pursuing.

If you or someone you love has been struck by a car attempting to flee from law enforcement, contact the law office of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today.

Law enforcement authorities work diligently to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road. However, accidents can happen when those they are pursuing drive recklessly in an effort to escape justice.

If you or someone you love has fallen victim to a car accident resulting from a vehicle pursuit, contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today at any of our offices in McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City.

Information and image pulled from valleycentral.com.