A fatal accident occurred in Alamo on Saturday, May 12th.

Details About the Incident

According to KRGV news, a tragedy occurred over the weekend when the driver of one vehicle crashed into another, causing a fatal accident on the eastbound lane of Expressway 83 near Tower Road in Alamo. The incident happened at around 6:45 a.m. and claimed the lives of two victims. The identities of the victims have not been released.

One individual is in custody and the case is currently under investigation.

Fatal Car Accident Statistics

According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation:

• 1 person was killed in a car accident every 2 hours 20 minutes.
• There were 3,773 fatalities reported in 2016, a 5.45% increase from the previous year.
• There were 14,202 serious injury crashes in Texas in 2016.
• In 2016, there were 987 people killed in accidents where the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
• 455 people lost their lives in 2016 in crashes involving distracted driving.
• An estimated 3,500 people are killed on Texas roads every year.

When tragedy strikes, you are not alone. If your loved one lost their life in a car accident, contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today.

Our team of dedicated personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have the expertise to fight for you.

If another party is responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages. We have offices across South Texas and are available 24/7, nights and weekends.

Photo taken by KRGV

Authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred in Mercedes on, Thursday, May 10th.

Details About the Accident

Around 3 p.m., Thursday afternoon, a two-car crash occurred at the intersection of Texas Avenue and West Frontage in Mercedes. One woman died, and three other individuals were taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

According to witnesses, one of the vehicles involved in the crash was seen leaving the scene. A person of interest has since been placed in custody.

Hit-and-Run Deaths are on the Rise

In 2013, Texas lawmakers passed Bill SB 275, which increases the seriousness of hit-and-runs by increasing the criminality of leaving the scene from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony. The adjustment increased the maximum punishment of fatal hit-and-run crashes from five years to 20 years, equivalent to being sentenced for intoxicated manslaughter.

Despite these efforts to create tougher punishment for those attempting to flee the scene of a crash, hit-and-run accidents are still on the rise in Texas.

• According to the American Automobile Association, 2016 saw 2,049 deaths across the stemming from hit-and-run accidents.
• Texas ranks 8th among states that have the highest number of hit-and-run crashes.
• Hit-and-run accidents are on the rise in all major cities with an average of 7.2 percent each year since, and pedestrians and bicyclists are often the victims.
• Over the past 10 years, nearly 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths could be attributed to hit-and-run crashes.

If a loved one has lost their life in a car accident, contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today.

If a loved one have fallen victim to a hit-and-run collision, contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys. Our dedicated team has years of experience in wrongful death suits.

We’ll fight for your family and get you the peace of mind and compensation you deserve.

Photo taken by KGBT Photo

The city of McAllen is issuing a word of warning for motorists who take Main Street during their daily commute.

The Details

Main Street, stretching from Business 83 to Houston Avenue, will be repaved this week, causing traffic delays from Sunday, May 6th through Wednesday, May 9th. The street will also be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night until completion.

The work being done on the street is expected to cause traffic delays and interruptions, so you’ll want to plan ahead accordingly.

It’s also important to recognize that just because traffic may be slow, dangerous situations may still arise. Traffic delays are a known cause of fender benders and more severe types of accidents.

Texas Traffic Delay Statistics

• Out of the 297 most congested cities within the United States in 2017, McAllen ranked as 101st, just above El Paso.
• According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, increased traffic congestion paired with unsafe and negligent driving behaviors increases the number of fatal car crashes.
• In 2016, 41 percent of motorists who passed away in a car crash during the daytime were not wearing a seatbelt, a 1 percent increase since 2015.
• Before that in 2014, it was estimated by that one out of every four traffic accidents occur during “rush hour”.
• Texas had 3,044 fatal car accidents in 2013.

Reach Out to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today

If you have been involved in a fender bender or other serious type of car accident because of delayed traffic, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to represent your best interests in court. You need the expertise of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys.

We have locations available throughout the Rio Grande Valley for your convenience. Contact us at our McAllen, Brownsville, or Rio Grande City locations today.

An SUV crashed into a Panda Express near the Valle Vista Mall in Harlingen. The incident occurred as the driver was attempting to park.

About the Accident

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2018, an SUV crashed through the front area of a Panda Express on the 2000 block of Lincoln near Valle Vista Mall.

According to the Harlingen police investigation, the driver of the SUV was attempting to park the car when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the building.

The driver was treated for minor injuries by emergency first responders. No other injuries were reported.

Storefront Crashes Are Not a Rare Occurrence

According to the Storefront Safety Council:

• On average, 60 vehicles crash into commercial buildings every day.
• Storefront crashes leave more than 4,000 people injured and cause as many as 500 deaths each year.
• These numbers do not take residential crashes into account.

The Storefront Safety Council also reports that:

• The number one cause (34%) of storefront crashes is pedal error.
• Second is operator error at 19%.
• DUI accidents account for 19% of storefront crashes.
• Other causes include traffic accidents, medical issues, and criminal actions like ram-raiding.

J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys Want to Speak With You

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car or truck accident or have fallen victim to a storefront crash, J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys would like to speak with you regarding what can be done to get you the financial recovery you deserve.

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

Image provided by KRGV, full story can be seen at Here

On Tuesday, May 1st,  an 81-year-old Illinois woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Raymondville.

About the Crash

According to DPS, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a white Chevrolet Traverse heading northbound on Interstate Highway 69 E and Farm-to-Market Road 490 suddenly veered to the left and hit the highway guardrail.

The vehicle then went into a side skid before striking the guardrail again, going off the overpass, and landing upside down on the road below.

A female passenger of the vehicle was identified as 81-year-old Grace R. Ollech. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital.

The accident remains under investigation.

Texas Car Accident Statistics

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

• There was a 5.45% increase in the number of motor vehicle fatalities between 2015 and 2016.
• In 2016, there were 3,773 fatalities on Texas roads.
• Single vehicle, run-off the road crashes resulted in 1,293 fatalities in 2016.
• There was 14,202 serious injury crashes in 2016.
• 17,582 people sustained a serious injury in Texas car wrecks.
• As per reported crashes in 2016:
  • 1 person was killed every 2 hours and 20 minutes.
  • 1 person was injured every 1 minute and 59 seconds.
  • 1 reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds.

Contact the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to fight for you.

If a loved one has been severely injured or even perished in a car accident, you don’t have to fight alone. Our dedicated and experienced team of legal experts and skilled attorneys have handled and won a multitude of personal injury and wrongful death cases.

If another party is responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages. J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys provide care and protection for families all across South Texas with offices in McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City. Contact us today – our team is available 24/7, nights and weekends.

Let us take a stand for you and help you through these difficult times.

Photo credit:valleycentral.com

While being approached by a lawyer after an accident may not seem like a big deal, it is actually against the law for a very good reason. When unethical lawyers do this, they are only interested in their own wallet.

The team at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys firmly believes that nobody should have to deal with illegal solicitation after a serious car accident. This is an extremely vulnerable time for victims and the wrong step can prevent them from obtaining the legal protection they deserve.

This is why we want to shed a little light on what illegal solicitation – also known as barratry – consists of and what you can do to protect yourself or loved one from it. Save yourself from becoming a victim.

What exactly is barratry?

Barratry is an “ambulance chasing” scheme where a “runner” working for a law firm will approach you shortly after a car accident to persuade you to work with their specific firm. This runner is normally paid in commissions by the law firm to approach victims of car accidents, slip and falls, or work-related accidents.

Their commission is usually taken from the compensation you win. Compensation that is yours and yours alone.

The alarming truth is that runners can be just about anyone: police officers, nurses, doctors, mechanics, funeral home directors, tow truck drivers, body shop workers; any individual who may be involved in the accident in some form may secretly be trying to persuade you to make a decision that you shouldn’t.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that while Texas law prohibits any direct contact in-person or by phone until 30 days after an accident, an advertisement or mass mailing letter not personally addressed to the individual recipient constitutes a form of advertising.

What consequences happen to lawyers who commit barratry?

Offenders of the Texas law are first met with a misdemeanor offense upon their first conviction. If any other incidents occur thereafter, it becomes a third-degree felony, and the forfeiture of their license to practice can also occur.

Texas law also allows victims of barratry the ability to collect a $10,000 penalty for each illegal phone call or in-person solicitation by the offending lawyer and/or by their runner. Aside from the penalties, victims of barratry are also entitled to emotional pain and suffering damages that resulted because of the lawyer’s illegal and unethical behavior, as well as any attorney fees.

This all applies to contracts that were entered on or after September 1, 2011.

Are you a victim of barratry?

According to the State Bar of Texas v. Kilpatrick, 874 S.W.2d 656, 659 (Tex. 94), barratry is defined as the “solicitation of employment to prosecute or defend a claim with intent to obtain economic benefit.”  If you have experienced any of the following, you may have been a victim of barratry:

1. Have you received a phone call from someone stating that a family member told them to call you? If this happened, did the person know the name of your family member? Did your family member later deny asking anyone to call you? This could be a red flag.
2. Did someone approach you while you were recovering at a hospital or in rehabilitation? Sometimes runners that do this claim to be an “investigator” and they will ask you about the injuries you’ve received and other aspects of your car accident.
3. Were you coerced by a police officer, tow truck driver, or mechanic to contact a particular lawyer? The scene of an accident can be chaotic, and if you were approached by any individual to contact a law firm, you may have been a victim of barratry.
4. Did someone approach you when you were at your loved one’s funeral? Not only is barratry illegal, having someone approach you during a vulnerable time like the loss of a loved one is absolutely reprehensible.
5. Were you promised gifts, sign-up incentives, bonuses, or any other type of gift by a lawyer or his/her runner? – A lawyer will never approach you during such a sensitive time in order to gain your business. Not only is it unethical, it is against the law.

If you have fallen victim to barratry, here is what you should do.

Take notes. If you received a call from a solicitor, make note of their name, what time they contacted you, what they said, and who they represent. Save any business cards or other forms of contact information they may have given you.

Mark down all the details of what happened regarding the illegal solicitation, making sure that you include every minute detail you can think of.

Finally, contact an experienced attorney for a possible barratry claim.

If you have fallen victim to an ambulance chaser, it isn’t too late to find help. Enlist the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to fight back.

Barratry isn’t something that is taken lightly in the field of law. It is an offense that takes advantage of innocent victims when they are going through enough hardships as is.

If you have fallen victim to barratry, we here at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help you win back all of your lawyer fees, expenses, and possible emotional pain and suffering damages, even if you already won a settlement or if your case is still in progress.

Reach out to us at any of our three locations in the Rio Grande Valley today.

As reported by KTXS, DPS Troopers were on the scene of a major car accident in Cameron County on Monday, April 16th.

Authorities said that the crash involved two 18-wheelers and several other vehicles. One of the vehicles is said to have caught on fire.

Law enforcement is still investigating the crash and no details have emerged about the extent of injuries of any of the victims.

The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are keeping up-to-date on this accident. We’d also like to remind our local Rio Grande Valley residents on the importance of having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side. Accidents involving 18-wheelers often have devastating consequences for those involved.

Our dedicated team at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys will help you seek fair and reasonable compensation for your pain and injuries. Remember that you will be fighting against the statute of limitations, the decay of evidence, and a trucking company that will not readily accept responsibility. Act quickly to protect your rights.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For Your Truck Accident

Semi-truck accidents can occur for any number of reasons. From a mechanical malfunction to negligent drivers and human error, a crash with an 18-wheeler can be devastating. Especially when you consider that when fully loaded, these vehicles can easily weigh 80,000 pounds.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident, one or more parties can be held liable including:

The trucking company: Failure to comply with maintenance regulations can easily lead to equipment malfunctioning. Additionally, if it can be proven that the company failed to adequately train or vet the driver, then the owner of the semi-truck involved in the accident can be found liable.

The driver: The driver of the 18-wheeler can be found responsible if evidence shows that they were driving recklessly. Driving records showing write-ups, complaints against the driver, a history of accidents, and drug/alcohol tests can all help to strengthen your case.

Parts manufacturer: If the crash occurred as a result of a malfunctioning part, then the case can fall under product liability. Issues with the design of the part itself or with the manufacturing process can leave a manufacturer liable.

Loading companies: Any companies responsible for loading a tractor-trailer can improperly load or overload an 18-wheeler, causing many detrimental effects to the braking system and other components of the vehicle. If it can be shown that the loading company missed protocols, rushed through the process, or failed to meet loading regulations, they can be held liable in a commercial truck accident.

Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer

Truck companies will not readily accept their responsibility in an accident and will have a team of lawyers to protect themselves from personal injury claims made against them.

To successfully hold these companies and their drivers responsible, it may be necessary to file a personal injury claim against them. The trusted and dedicated team of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys will fight to help you recover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and additional damages for the suffering you have gone through as a result of the accident.

Time is a factor in successfully filing your claim. Don’t hesitate to contact our McAllen lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys if you or a loved one have been injured in a collision with an 18-wheeler.

Multiple accidents involving buses occurred in Texas, all within a 3-day span. Tragically, these incidents included multiple deaths and injuries.

The first accident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 10th,  in Walker County. A Kia Sorento was being driven recklessly on I-45 when the vehicle negligently crossed into the southbound lanes and struck a silver passenger vehicle. The silver vehicle then collided with a Megabus that was carrying 75 passengers from Dallas to Houston.

While several passengers were taken to a local hospital for injuries, sadly, the driver of the silver vehicle was killed as well as the driver of the Kia Sorento.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only major accident involving a bus.

On the morning of Friday, April 13th, a Greyhound bus crashed in Fort Worth while traveling from Abilene to Dallas. Thirty-four individuals were treated at the scene of the crash including six bus passengers. Eight people were taken to local hospitals.

Authorities were investigating this accident as well and details were not yet available.

These serious bus accidents highlight the dangers of traveling throughout Texas, especially when using mass transportation. This is especially true for many of our Rio Grande Valley residents who travel throughout the rest of the region and state using buses as their sole means of getting around.

Being involved in an accident while traveling on a bus can be a horrifying experience made even worse if you don’t know how you can obtain recovery for any injuries you suffered. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury – or worse – as a result of a bus accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to obtain recovery for your pain and suffering. The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys will work tirelessly to determine if compensation is possible and to help you get a fair settlement.

Please consider the following information.

Legal Protection for Bus Riders

A large percentage of Texans depend on buses to get through their daily routines. From school buses to city buses that transport citizens to and from work, tours, and events, mass transportation plays a huge role in our modern society.

In the state of Texas, buses and commuter vans are categorized as “common carriers”. Because of this designation, they are subject to stricter standards of responsibility for the safety and protection of their passengers; a standard even higher than what a private individual faces when driving their own vehicle.

As common carriers they are responsible for but not limited to:

• Ensuring that all drivers hired and trained have the right licensing and will obey the law.
• Monitoring amount of hours worked.
• Ensuring drivers are sober and drug-free.
• Maintenance on the vehicle (i.e. fixing brakes, tires, and other parts).

Following these guidelines is absolutely essential for the safety of passengers. Failing to meet these requirements puts the lives and well being of passengers at stake.

A bus’ sheer size also makes it much more challenging to maneuver and often leads to much more serious accidents when compared to regular passenger vehicles crashing. For this reason, common carriers laws require bus drivers and their companies to follow more precautions.

It is also worth noting that common carrier laws can apply to other companies that offer transportation such as limousine companies.

What Bus Companies Try to Do After an Accident

Bus companies have plenty of resources and tactics they use to prevent injured passengers from getting the full and fair compensation that is rightfully theirs. That’s why it is important that you seek legal guidance from a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who knows how to handle the sneaky corporate attorneys.

Bus companies (ex. Greyhound) have a number of strategies they use to mitigate liability in an accident including:

• Having passengers fill out C-4 forms to draw information that can be used against a passenger should a lawsuit arise.
• Request a recorded statement from a victim. Often times, questions are posed in a manner that makes the victim misrepresent themselves.
• Offering a quick settlement to stop victims from filing lawsuits and obtaining additional compensation for their injuries.

Like most major corporations, bus companies will deny most claims. Even when cases appear to be clear-cut, these companies will use their “experts” and lawyers to minimize the amount of money that is paid out to innocent victims who have been injured.

A dedicated team like the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys will help to protect you and your loved ones, as well as make sure that you are treated fairly.

Who is Responsible?

It is important to recognize that not every case is the same, and not every bus accident is the direct result of the driver acting negligently. Depending on your individual case, there may be various parties involved such as a parts manufacturer, other drivers, managing company, or even the party who last performed maintenance.

Regardless of who is responsible, our dedicated McAllen accident lawyers will uncover the truth with the assistance of experts who will work aggressively to protect you.

If you have been the victim of a bus accident, you are not alone. Depend on the trustworthy J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to help you through your tragedy.

Our hearts go out to those affected by these horrific events. With the sudden loss of a loved one comes many unanswered questions. J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help you get the answers you deserve.

Contact us today at any of our three locations throughout South Texas.

Back in December 2017, a federal requirement that all 18-wheeler trucks nationwide be installed with an electronic logging device (ELD) went into effect. While the law was in a “soft enforcement” period, April 1st saw full implementation of this federal mandate. This means truck drivers, fleet owners, and trucking companies can now face stiff penalties including having vehicles and drivers be placed out of service.

The aim of the new ELD rule, as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is to improve road safety and prevent driver fatigue – which can both lead to serious or even fatal commercial truck traffic accidents.

At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we’ve seen innocent people and their families deal with the catastrophic aftermath of being involved in a commercial trucking accident. We know how often these companies and their drivers are willing to deny responsibility. Thankfully, this ELD rule will bring new transparency and improve roadside safety.

Why Do We Need This ELD Rule?

The ELDs will replace traditional paper logs, which often contain falsified information that essentially allows truckers to drive more hours than they were legally able to. Now, these new systems will be able to electronically track key data points such as  the number of hours a trucker drives, location, miles driven, and whether a truck engine is running or not. They will also make it easier for safety officials to obtain and check data for compliance.

The FMCSA believes this new rule will not only provide commercial drivers improved protection against harassment from industry standards that encourage driving exceedingly long hours but that it will also help to curb bad driving behaviors caused by excessive work.

This is especially true of sleep deprivation.

Due to hectic schedules and work pressures, truck drivers often work more than what they are legally allowed to in order to meet business requirements. Prior to the implementation of the new ELD rule, drivers could track data through handwritten logs. Of course, these were manipulated and often included breaks that never occurred.

While the FMCSA had previously attempted to regulate “hours of service” through mandates that include taking a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of driving, drivers not being allowed to drive more than 14 consecutive hours, and mandatory 10-hour breaks, paper logs made it very easy for truck drivers and companies to bypass these laws.

In reality, drivers under stress, lacking rest, and handling an 80,000-pound semi-truck can quickly become dangerous to others on the road.

But not anymore.

Turning a New Corner

While companies and drivers have argued against the legislation, proponents of the law have countered that there has been plenty of time for carriers to transition. As previously mentioned, while the law came into play on December 18, 2017, officials provided additional months for carriers to get into compliance. Additionally, companies who were using electronic systems already have until December 2019 to transition to ELDs.

Though there are some expenses related to the purchasing and installation of the new equipment, government reports indicate that the ELDs will help reduce hours-of-service violations by as much as 50% while also decreasing crash rates across the nation. Regulators believe the rule will be able to prevent hundreds of accidents and injuries, as well as dozens of fatalities, per year.

J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are Here for You When You’ve Been Involved in a Commercial Truck Accident in McAllen or the Greater Rio Grande Valley.

We understand that after a brutal accident with a massive commercial vehicle, you may not have the energy to fight. Your primary focus should undoubtedly be on getting back to your healthy self, but while you are regaining your strength and recovering, let J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys fight your legal battles.

Together we can win the compensation your pain merits. Contact us today at (956) 630-6700.

On the early Sunday morning of March 18th, a 25-year-old man attempted to cross a road in the Dallas suburb of Carrolton when he was struck by a vehicle. Rather than stopping to render aid, however, the driver fled the scene.

The pedestrian was left on the road with extensive injuries and was transported in critical condition to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano. While the victim has been placed in medically induced coma, he is expected to survive.

Police are seeking the public’s help to help identify the driver.

Unfortunately, this happens too often on Texas roads, and the Rio Grande Valley has its own share of problems when it comes to pedestrian accidents. As one of the fastest growing regions in the state, more and more people are on the road, both in cars and on foot.

Your experienced McAllen lawyers at the J. Gonzalez Firm are dedicated to keeping the streets safe for drivers and pedestrians alike. With the Governors Highway Safety Association reporting that 2016 saw an 9% increase in pedestrian fatalities across the nation compared to 2015, the importance of safety has become even more relevant. Being informed is one of the first steps that you can take to protect yourself. Below you will find information regarding pedestrian accidents in Texas, the most common reasons why they happen, and what legal actions you can take if you’ve been hurt.

The Need to Improve Texas Road Safety

Unfortunately, Texas is often ranked within the top states that have the most car accidents. It’s estimated that 3,500 individuals are killed on Texas roads every year. Statistically, this breaks down to one car accident every minute in Texas. However, the frightening reality is that one person is injured in a car accident in Texas every two minutes and eight seconds, and one person is killed every two hours and 29 minutes.

When it comes to auto-pedestrian fatalities, there were at least 678 deaths on Texas roads in 2016. This was more than a 12% increase from 2015, which saw an estimated 550 deaths.

These numbers are absolutely abysmal, and it is the duty of all Texans to improve the safety of our roads for our loved ones and community alike.

Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are at extremely high risks of being struck by the front of the vehicle. This often makes the injuries much more severe as the victim can roll under the car, magnifying the damages.

Pedestrian traffic accidents can happen under various circumstances – and at times – are caused by lack of attention or inappropriate actions by the pedestrians themselves. Generally speaking, however, accidents are often caused by negligence. The negligent behavior of the driver (or pedestrian) can easily lead to a serious injury or fatality. Some of the main causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Alcohol: One of the leading causes of car accidents in general, driving while under the influence of alcohol (or drugs) can quickly lead to a pedestrian auto accident. It’s also worth noting that many alcohol-related accidents involve pedestrians who are intoxicated. It is the responsibility of all parties involved in an auto-pedestrian accident to remain sober when driving behind the wheel or walking busy streets.
• Failure to stop at crosswalks: Many drivers simply fail to follow traffic laws. This can mean failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light that also has a crosswalk. When this happens, pedestrians can easily fall victim to a negligent driver.
• Road rage and uncontrolled speed: Another leading cause of car accidents in general, aggressive driving coupled with excessive speed has been shown to be a huge factor in fatal accidents. A 2009 study by the American Automobile Association tracked data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found that aggressive driving played a role in 56% of fatal accidents from 2003-2007.  Road rage often leads to reckless driving behavior and failure to obey traffic signs and laws which can leave pedestrians without a chance in sight.
• Distracted driving: Happening much more frequently because of today’s “cellphone culture,” distracted driving is another form of negligent driving that can quickly lead to a tragedy. Of course, while texting and unnecessary cell phone use do contribute to auto-pedestrian accidents, other behaviors such as changing the radio station, eating, searching for items on the floor, or adjusting one’s appearance in the mirror can all lead a fatality.

What happens if I’ve been in a auto-pedestrian accident?

If you or a loved one was a victim of an auto-pedestrian accident (you were the pedestrian), there are remedies and legal actions that you can take to recover damages. Our McAllen personal injury lawyer at the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help you bring the negligent driver to justice.

We’ll fight for everything you deserve to get your life – and that of your family’s – back on track. Damages we may be able to recover include:

• Emergency medical bills
• Ongoing care expenses
• Lost wages and earnings
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Our experienced McAllen lawyers can also help in any negotiation with any insurance company to ensure that you are being properly treated and able to obtain the compensation that is rightfully yours.

If your loved one suffered a fatality because of a negligent driver in auto-pedestrian accident, you may be able file a wrongful death suit and recover:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of parental services
• Loss of spousal services
• Loss of companionship
• Punitive damages

Get the legal care and guidance you deserve. Contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today if you or a loved one has been the victim of pedestrian traffic accident.

Our personal injury lawyers in McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City are here to help you get your life back in order. Contact us today at (956) 630-6700.