On July 2nd authorities were called out to a rollover accident in Harlingen.

Details are Limited at this Time

It was reported by Valley Central news that the accident occurred on the intersection of 13th Street and Harrison Ave., and involved a silver Montana minivan and a red Ford Fusion.

It is unknown what, if any, injuries were sustained by either party.

Rollover Statistics

According to SafeCar.gov:

• Rollovers have a higher fatality rate than most other kinds of car crashes.
• Rollovers account for nearly 35 percent of all deaths from passenger car crashes.
• In the majority of instances where there is a fatality, around 69 percent, the victim was not wearing a seat belt.

How Rollovers Happen

A rollover can easily happen regardless of the vehicle you are driving. Of course, vehicles that are taller and narrower — like SUVs and pickup trucks — have a greater risk of rolling over. That is because they have a higher center of gravity, leaving them top-heavy.

One of the most frequent ways a rollover occurs is when a vehicle rounds a curve. Forces from the sides of the vehicle can shift its center of gravity to one side, throwing it off balance. The same can occur when someone takes a sharp turn and overcorrects.

9 times out of 10, however, a single-vehicle rollover isn’t caused by poor steering. Usually, they happen when a vehicle “trips” over something like a guardrail, pothole, curb, or a soft roadside shoulder.

How to Protect Yourself From a Rollover

There are several ways that can greatly increase your odds of walking away from a rollover accident, and they are:

1. Wear a Seatbelt – This safety device prevents you from being ejected out of the vehicle. This is important as nearly three-quarters of people ejected from a vehicle perish.
2. Check Your Tires – Ensure that your tires have a healthy shape to them, have the right amount of pressure, and are properly inflated as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Check your tires at least once a month, and if you change out your tires, make sure they are similar to the vehicle’s original set.
3. Don’t Overload Your Vehicle – The more weight you add to your vehicle—especially pickups and SUVs—the greater the risk you face of a rollover. More weight destabilizes your vehicle. You will want to adhere to the load ratings that are specified within the owner’s manual of your vehicle and keep all heavy loads off of the roof. Remember, taller vehicles are more susceptible to rolling over. Keep your cargo as low as possible, away from the tailgate, and as close to the center of your vehicle as possible.
4. Watch How Fast You’re Going – Speeding substantially increases a vehicle’s risk of rolling over. Around 40 percent of rollovers occur because the driver is speeding, so watch how fast you are going.
5. Take Extra Caution on Country Roads– Approximately three-quarters of fatal rollovers occur in rural areas where the speed limit can exceed over 55 miles per hour. It would do you well to watch your speed, especially in the Rio Grande Valley where there are plenty of country roads.

Have you been involved in a rollover accident and need strong representation to fight for your rightful compensation. Contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today!

Rollover accidents, even a single-vehicle rollover accident, may not be your fault. If you have suffered grievous injury or lost a loved one because of a rollover accident, you may qualify for compensation.

Let the car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys evaluate your case. Contact us at any of our locations in McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City for your free legal consultation today.

Image and information pulled from valleycentral.com.

On Saturday morning, June 30, in Weslaco, three children and one adult were involved in a single-vehicle crash that sent all four to the hospital.

Details About the Crash

According to the Weslaco Police Department, the driver, for some unknown reason, lost control of the vehicle and struck a barrier on Interstate Highway 2 near the Texas Boulevard exit.

Details at the moment are limited and authorities are still investigating the car accident.

Single-Vehicle Crash Statistics

According to a 2016 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

• Texas had 1,971 fatalities that stem from single-vehicle accidents.
• In Cameron County, there were between 16 to 25 fatalities that occurred.
• Willacy County saw between 6 and 15 fatalities from single-vehicle accidents.
• Hidalgo County suffered between 46 and 55 fatalities that year.
• Starr County didn’t have any fatalities that stem from a single-vehicle accident.

In a Single-Vehicle Accident, Fault May Not Lie On You Directly.

Although it is likely that fault may fall on the driver of a vehicle in a single-vehicle car accident, it isn’t always so.

Even in a single-vehicle car accident, many other components can factor into the accident. Some of those factors include:

• Vehicle Defects – This could mean that the vehicle’s brakes, poor alignment, or any other manufacturing defect or negligence was the cause of the single-vehicle accident.
• Poor Road Design and/or Maintenance – Stoplight malfunctions and deep potholes are generally considered under this category.
• Accidents that are Unavoidable – Other drivers that drive negligently or recklessly, causing you to avoid them in which you run off the road.

Talk to the experienced car accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to see what your options are.

If you or someone you love has been in a single-vehicle accident, you may be able to seek compensation depending on your circumstances.

The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys always fight tooth and nail to bring justice to those responsible for causing car accidents, and we can do it for you too.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at any of our McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Brownsville locations for your free legal consultation today.

Image and information pulled from valleycentral.com.

An early morning crash on Boca Chica Boulevard took the life of one man and left another man with pending charges.

Authorities Called Out to the Scene of a Crash

Early Wednesday morning at approximately 1:30 a.m., officers were called out to the 800 block of Boca Chica Boulevard, in response to an accident involving a white Chevy Malibu and a brown Pontiac G6.

When they arrived, the Malibu had front-end damage and the Pontiac had visible damage to the rear. Authorities believe that the Malibu struck the Pontiac from behind.

The driver of the Pontiac, a 19-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene, and his 22-year-old passenger suffered a broken arm and head injuries. The driver of the Malibu, a 25-year-old man, suffered injuries to his knee and hip.

The two surviving men were taken to the local hospital for treatment.

Police believe that it possible that the Malibu was racing a silver Nissan Titan pickup but no confirmation has been made as of yet.

The 25-year-old driver of the Malibu will be charged for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault pending arraignment. Authorities are still investigating the crash.

Laws Regarding Illegal Street Racing

The state of Texas upped the severity of illegal street racing back in 2003. For first time offenders, illegal street racing:

• Is a Class B misdemeanor where offenders can face up to 180 days of jail time and a fine of up to $2,000. It isn’t uncommon for the offender’s license to be suspended up to a year, where he or she must work to complete 10 hours of community service to get it back.

For repeat offenders, illegal street racing:

• Can be a second-degree felony where the offender’s license is suspended. If it is deemed as such, they can face a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 20 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

If there is a third offense, illegal street racing could lead to life in prison.

Statistics Regarding Street Racing

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that street racing fatalities were more likely to occur on urban roadways.
• Street racing fatalities are six times more likely to occur when traveling over 65 mph.
• Street racing fatalities are usually male teenagers who have prior crashes and driving violations.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident where the other driver was racing, speeding, or driving negligently, contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today.

The team of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys cares about your experience and are more than capable of effectively representing you. If you have been injured or lost someone because of illegal street racing, let us help you take those accountable to court and fight for the compensation you deserve.

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

Image and information pulled from valleycentral.com.

On the evening of Monday, June 11th, at around 7:15 pm, a two-vehicle crash occurred near the Port of Harlingen that left one person dead.

A Freightliner Failed to Yield

According to Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, a white Freightliner truck tractor tanker trailer traveling west failed to yield the right of way to a white Ford Ranger that was traveling east. The Freightliner collided with the Ford Ranger near FM 106 and Cemetery Road.

A passenger within the Ford Ranger was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen to be treated for injuries. The driver of the Freightliner was not injured.

Texas DPS will continue with their investigation into the car crash.

Commercial Vehicle Crashes are Increasing in Number

It is estimated that every year around 500,000 accidents involving a semi-truck occur.

One factor often attributed to truck crashes are braking capabilities. Trucks need much more distance—roughly around 20 to 40 percent more distance—than passenger vehicles to come to a complete stop.

Driver fatigue is often another major factor in commercial truck accidents.

Regardless of the reason, statistics regarding large truck and passenger vehicle crashes are quite sobering. According to a 2016 report by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS):

• Out of a total of 3,986 deaths due to large truck crashes, 17 percent of those were truck occupants and a staggering 66 percent were occupants of other cars and/or passenger vehicles.
• The number of people that perished in these kind of accidents was 27 percent higher in 2016 than it was in 2009.
• Approximately 97 percent of occupants who were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck were occupants of a passenger vehicle.
• Of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2016, 11 percent occurred in large truck crashes.
• Regarding deaths in large truck crashes, 73 percent involved a tractor-trailer and 21 percent involved a single-unit truck.
• Regarding deaths in large truck crashes, 60 percent occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways, while 32 percent occurred on interstates and freeways. Seven percent occurred on minor roads.

Contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today if you or a loved one have been hurt in a accident with a commercial truck.

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a collision with a commercial vehicle, or lost someone who did, you may be due compensation. The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have years of experience taking trucking companies to court.

Contact our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande Valley office today for your legal consultation.

Information and image were pulled from valleycentral.com.

A 22-year-old man was involved in a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Harlingen.

The Details of the Accident

According to the Harlingen Police Department, the driver of the vehicle was traveling north on South Expressway 83 when they failed to maintain control of their speed and crashed into an off-ramp barrier on the “M” Street exit.

The impact caused the young man to be ejected from his vehicle. When police found the driver around 1:48 a.m., the man was kneeling on the roadway with severe lacerations to his head. He was taken to the local hospital for treatment to his injuries.

Police are still investigating the crash.

Single-Vehicle Car Accident Facts

According to a 2016 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report, approximately 55 percent of motor vehicle deaths in the nation occurred in a single-vehicle accident. These type of accidents frequently occur when drivers:

• Run-off of the side of the road
• Hit a tree
• Hit a pedestrian
• Hit or try to avoid wildlife
• Collide with a guardrail
• Spin out of control (even if there is no impact)
• Flip over without impact

It is important to keep in mind that even if you were involved in a single-vehicle accident, you aren’t always the one at fault. There are a multitude of factors that you cannot control that could contribute to an accident including:

• Defective car parts and products
• Vehicle design (e.g. SUVs that have a low center of gravity are prone to rollover accidents)
• Unsafe construction zones
• Pools of water or ice patches
• Poorly designed or maintained roads
• Bad road conditions

However, it is important that drivers recognize that they could be considered at fault in incidents involving:

• Driving under the influence
• Speeding
• Texting while driving
• Distracted driving

What to do if you have been involved in a single-vehicle accident.

1. Assess your injuries – If you are injured, can you move? Are you bleeding? Just because you feel fine now doesn’t mean that you aren’t suffering from internal injuries either. Contact 911.
2. Assess your safety – Are you stuck in oncoming traffic? Can you move it out of the way? If you can, move it somewhere safe. If you can’t, exit the vehicle and walk to a safe location. If you can’t do either, turn on the hazard lights.
3. Call the police – You must have an official record of what happened that caused the accident. Did you swerve out of the way of another driver that was driving negligently? Don’t forget to take pictures of the scene and write down the time of day, speed you were going, and any road hazards you faced.

Contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys Today

If you have been a victim of a single-vehicle accident or lost a loved one because of one, let the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys represent you.

A single-vehicle accident isn’t always the fault of the driver. As stated above, many reasons can contribute to an accident, and if you were victim to one, you need to be fairly compensated. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys today.

A local Valley woman perished from a hit-and-run collision on June 1st.

Details of the Accident

On June 1st, around 10:45 p.m., a black Ford Fusion struck a red Honda from behind while the vehicle was traveling southbound on FM 1846. The impact of the initial crash forced the vehicle into the northbound lane just north of Lovett Road, where it was struck once again by a white Chrysler van. The black Ford Fusion was reported to have fled the scene, resulting in an “intense search” by the Department of Public Safety with help from the U.S. Border Patrol K-9 units.

Two passengers in the red Honda along with the driver of the white Chrysler van were hospitalized for their injuries. The driver of the Honda, a San Benito woman, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the black Ford Fusion has yet to be found.

Hit-and-Run Statistics

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

• There is more than one hit-and-run crash happening somewhere in the U.S. every minute.
• In 2016, there were 2,049 fatalities that occurred as a result of a hit-and-run crash. This was the highest number ever recorded.
• Drivers involved in hit-and-run crashes are more likely to be young males and have a history of DWI and license suspension.
• Only about half of all hit-and-run drivers are eventually identified.

Legal Consequences of a Hit-and-Run Collision in Texas

Under Texas law, a hit-and-run collision is known as a Failure to Give Information or Render Aid, and it is a crime. Texas law requires that all drivers involved in the car accident must stay at the scene, stopping their car if there is a death, injury, or property damage.

Failure to adhere to the law results in a charge ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity of the crash.

In 2013, there was an increase in penalties for a hit-and-run accident if a death occurred. Now, it is currently equivalent to that of an intoxicated manslaughter in terms of punishment. A misdemeanor conviction can incur significant fines coupled with the loss of driving privileges and other types of consequences. On the other hand, a felony could mean the guilty facing up to 20 years in prison.

Contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys if you have suffered from a hit-and-run collision or lost someone you loved because of one.

If you were involved in a similar car accident and need proper restitution to recover what you have lost,  J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are ready to fight for you with offices in McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City. Contact us at any of our locations for your legal consultation today.

Information and images can be attributed to The Monitor and the Valley Morning Star.

A driver lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a field, killing the passenger.

The Accident

On Saturday, May 26 at 10:52 p.m., Leobardo Leal, 18, lost control of his 1997 GMC truck north of Bennett Circle while traveling northbound on Farm-to-Market 493 near La Blanca, crashing into a field. The accident ejected his passenger, a 50-year-old woman, out of the truck. The passenger was later pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Leal was arrested on a charge of manslaughter, a second-degree felony that can is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Justice of the Peace Jason Pena has set Leal’s bond at $750,000 for the charge.

The crash is still under investigation by authorities.

The Statistics

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million are injured each year from a motor vehicle crash. One in 3 crash deaths in the nation involve drunk driving and almost 1 in 3 involve speeding. Additionally:

• About 90 people die each day in the United States because of car crashes.
• There were over 40,000 lives lost in motor vehicle deaths in 2017.
• In 2015, among male drivers between 15 to 20 years of age who were involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash, 32 percent of them were speeding at the time of the crash, and 22 percent of them were drinking and driving.
• That same year, 60 percent of drivers aged 15 to 20 who perished in a fatal motor vehicle accident after drinking and driving were not wearing seat belts.
• In 2016, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the US.
• In 2016, males drivers between 16 to 19 years of age were twice as likely than their female counterparts to get into an accident.
• Unsupervised teenage drivers that are driving with other teenage passengers are at a greater risk of crashing. The risk is increased with the number of passengers.

It should be noted that Leal’s crash was due to reasons unknown and the accident is currently under investigation.

Let the experienced J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys help deliver justice if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident.

J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are dedicated to seeking and winning compensation for individuals involved in a car accident. Don’t let your voice go unheard.

Contact us at any of our offices in McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City today.

Images and Information can be attributed to kurv.com and the Monitor.

A six-vehicle car crash in Pharr leaves seven people injured. The victims were taken to local hospitals for unknown injuries.

The Accident Involved an 18-Wheeler

On Monday, May 21nd, at around 5:30 PM, five cars and an 18-wheeler were involved in an accident on the westbound lane near 1301 W. Expressway 83.

Seven people in total were injured including one child. Thankfully, there were no fatalities.

18-Wheeler Accident Statistics

Truck accidents generally include incidents involving a semi-truck, big-rig, 18-wheeler, or tractor trailer crashing into a smaller vehicle. These type of accidents, unfortunately, have higher rates of injuries and fatalities.

• According to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), a crash is labeled a truck accident if the vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds.
• In the U.S., it is estimated that around 500,000 truck accidents occur every year.
• Of that 500,000, it is estimated that around 5,000 end in fatalities.
• Approximately 1 out of every 8 fatal auto accidents is said to involve a truck.
• Ninety-eight percent of fatalities in such accidents are usually the occupants of the smaller automobile.
• Only about two percent of fatalities in such accidents are truck drivers.
• Thirty percent of fatal truck accidents occur because the truck driver was tired, overworked, or fatigued.

Reach out to the experienced J. Gonzales Injury Attorneys if you have been hurt in a truck accident.

An accident with a large commercial truck is a traumatic experience to live through, and it is understandable that fighting for your compensation may seem like an uphill battle.

With the experienced J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, you’ve got a team that will be dedicated to serving your best interests, and fighting tooth and nail for the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Contact us at any of our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations to get you started on your legal journey.

Image and information provided by CBS 4 News.

A multi-vehicle crash that included a school bus occurred in Rio Grande City this morning.

What We Know

The incident took place on Highway 83 when a van traveling west struck a vehicle that was merging onto the road. This, in turn, caused the merging vehicle to swerve into the center lane which then caused the school bus to veer off the road and into a telephone pole.

No fatalities were reported but Rio Grande City School District officials noted that 17 students were taken to the local hospital.

The area was closed off as an electric crew worked to repair the downed power line.

The investigation is ongoing.

School Bus Accident Stats and Common Reason They Occur

While school bus accidents may be rare, they do in fact occur and can be quite serious. The National Highway Transportation Association released a report in early 2018 detailing statistics related to school-transportation crashes, including:

• From 2007 to 2016 there were 1,282 people killed in school-transportation related crashes.
• From 2007 to 2016 there were 281 school-age children killed in school-transportation related crashes including 102 pedestrians.
• More than a ⅓ of pedestrians who were killed were aged 8 to 13 years old.
• Impact to the front of school transportation vehicles occurred in 45% of fatal crashes.

School bus accidents, like any other type of car crash, can occur for any number of reasons including:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Other negligent drivers on the road
• Mechanical failure
• Speeding

Contact the bus accident experts today at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

If you or loved one has been injured in a bus accident, call our bus accident attorneys in Rio Grande City for a free consultation.

Authorities are investigating a 3-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Mile 3 North and Ware Road on May 12, 2018.

What Happened Saturday Afternoon

Three individuals were taken to the hospital for unknown injuries this past Saturday afternoon, with one victim ejected from the car. The individual that is suspected to have caused the accident was taken into custody for trying to flee the scene but was stopped by bystanders.

The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys wish those injured a speedy recovery.

How multiple-vehicle car crashes occur.

While the full details about this particular crash are unknown, most multiple-vehicle crashes occur:

• As a result of a chain reaction accident, where one car hits another car with so much force that it causes that car to then hit another car.
• Because of driver’s negligence.
• Because of carelessness from multiple drivers.

Have you been involved in a multi-vehicle accident?

If you or someone you love has been involved in a multiple-vehicular accident, reach out the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today. With a dedication that can’t be matched, our expert car accident attorneys can effectively represent you in court, fighting for the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Image provided by valleycentral.com and krgv.com