WILLACY COUNTY – An Atlanta man was killed after being ejected from his vehicle in a rollover crash in Willacy County on Saturday.

Antonio Perez Jr., 44, died at the scene of the crash due to his injuries, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety news release.

The crash occurred May 11 at around 5:13 p.m. on U.S. Highway 77 south of FM 3168 in Willacy County.

According to a DPS statement, Perez drove his white Ford F-550 off the road and onto an open field once he reached the end of the concrete barriers from the bridge. Perez was not wearing his seat belt, according to DPS, and he was ejected as the truck rolled over.

Troopers are still investigating the crash and said they suspect alcohol “was a contributing factor pending the toxicology report.”

For visitors to our Great State of Texas

If you should ever be injured while you’re on vacation in Texas, the J. Gonzalez Law Firm strongly recommends that you work with an experienced attorney who is local to the area where the crash took place.

Hiring a local Texas attorney makes sense for many reasons.

Car accident cases are often complicated and time-consuming.

Your attorney may need to subpoena records and evidence, depose the defendant, follow up with eyewitnesses, and more.

It is also to your benefit to contact a lawyer sooner rather than later, as critical evidence may be lost forever if your lawyer isn’t able to protect and examine it soon after the crash.

All these things are much easier to handle if the person doing the work is familiar with, and local to, the area.

Additionally, an experienced attorney based where the crash took place will be familiar with local laws, local courts and judges, and potentially even local insurance company attorneys who may be on the defense team.

For all these reasons, working with a Texas attorney can help the process go much more smoothly, and give you a better chance at a great outcome than trying to handle things on your own or with an attorney from out of state.

Call J. Gonzalez

The J. Gonzalez Law Firm has handled many claims for out-of-state crash victims. We have recovered millions of dollars in damages while our clients we able to return home while we handled their case.

Call us today to find out how we can help you get the largest settlement you legally deserve, and you won’t pay any money until we do. Call 1-800-CAR-CRASH today or contact us via this website.

Source: https://myrgv.com/local-news/2024/05/13/44-year-old-atlanta-man-killed-in-willacy-county-rollover-crash/

PHARR – The mother of an eight-year-old boy who was fatally struck while riding his bicycle has shared her grief with the public.

Sonia Hernandez of Pharr spoke with KRGV-TV reporter Sarah Cervera about the death of her son, Caleb Ramirez, which occurred April 26 about 7:30 p.m. outside the family home in the 700 block of East Eller Street.

“He was real silly,” Hernandez said in her interview with Cervera. “He played with everyone. He was the nicest little boy. He had his morals.”

According to Pharr police, Ramirez was riding his bicycle on the street when he was hit by a pickup truck. Hernandez says the incident was recorded by a home surveillance camera.

“The video shows where he looked both ways, no cars and by then there was a truck parked on the curb, so to Caleb there was no danger,” Hernandez said the interview. “As he started peddling, the truck took off, and he ran over my baby.”

Pharr police have not released the name of the driver, but they have said he remained at the scene the accident and that he has cooperated with their investigation. No charges have been filed against him.

Hernandez said in her interview that the community created a makeshift memorial for Caleb, and she urged parents to cherish their time with their children.

“Love your babies. Don’t go a day without saying goodbye or without kissing them to take pictures with them,” Hernandez said.

What is loss of consortium?

In Texas, loss of consortium is a legal tort which holds that someone else’s negligence deprived a plaintiff of the benefits of a relationship due to an injury or death. It most often arises in wrongful death civil lawsuits.

Loss of consortium applies only to the loss of a relationship with a child, parent, or spouse. A sibling cannot seek loss of consortium for the death of another sibling, nor can members of the extended family.

Loss of a Child

In Texas, there is a limitation on a loss of consortium claim involving a child. For example, a woman can claim loss of consortium for an injury to her husband, but she cannot do the same when her child is injured. A parent is not able to recover loss of consortium damages for an injured child. However, if the accident results in the wrongful death of the child, they are able to take legal action.

While there is no amount of money that can take away the grief of losing a child, the financial award from the claim can help to ease the financial hardship that results from the loss.

Gonzalez can help

If you experienced the loss of companionship due to another’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for loss of consortium. The personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm are ready to help you explore your options.

Schedule a consultation with the J. Gonzalez legal team today to learn more about the options that might be available in your particular case. Call 1-800-CAR-CRASH to get started right away.

Source: https://www.krgv.com/news/mother-of-child-killed-in-pharr-while-riding-his-bike-speaks-out 

BROWNSVILLE — One person was injured when a police pursuit in Brownsville ended in a crash involving multiple vehicles.

According to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened May 3, when Border Patrol agents began pursuing a 2018 Volkswagen occupied by a man and a woman. It was not clear what prompted the pursuit.

Cameron County deputies and other police agencies subsequently joined in car chase.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the pursuit ended two blocks away from the Gateway International Bridge when the suspect vehicle crashed into a gray Frontier, struck another vehicle, and crashed into a parked car before coming to a stop.

Authorities say a woman in the Volkswagen was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and Cameron County County Sheriff Eric Garza added that one person was taken into custody.

Complicated personal injury cases

Complex injury cases involve injuries that may multiple defendants, liability that is not immediately clear. Here are a couple of examples:

A driver is injured by flying debris that falls off a truck ahead of him. There may be a case against the truck driver, the owner of the truck, or the company that loaded the vehicle.

A motorist is hit by a vehicle that is fleeing from police. The fleeing driver might be assumed to be at fault, but he or she could end up in prison and unable to pay any judgment. Police are generally immune from liability, but not if they violated agency safety procedures for high-speed pursuits.

Your personal injury attorney must be prepared for all possible scenarios, but this isn’t something every attorney can do.

Why you need J. Gonzalez on your side

Hiring the wrong personal injury attorney can have serious, permanent consequences. An attorney without enough experience won’t know how to properly plan your case and may make bad early decisions that impact the outcome.

Your personal injury attorney must be someone who can handle the most-complicated cases. The personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm have decades of experience handling every type of accident case. They have helped their clients through the most-stressful times of their lives, and they are ready to do the same for you.

You can call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-CAR-CRASH for a free consultation and you don’t have to pay anything until they win your case!

Source: https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/brownsville-car-chase-ends-in-multi-vehicle-crash-dps-says/

More often than not, Texas judges will require the parties in a personal injury lawsuit to attend mediation before proceeding to a full-blown trial. The parties are not required to reach a mediated settlement, but more than 90% of personal injury disputes are resolved in mediation.

How does mediation work?

Unlike a trial, mediation is an informal meeting involving the plaintiff, the defendant, their respective attorneys, and a neutral mediator. The mediator (usually an attorney or judge) presides over the meeting.

The process begins with each party presenting its version of the case to the mediator, after which the two sides retire to separate rooms.

The mediator will then meet separately with the plaintiff and their attorney to find out what they want in order to settle the case. The mediator takes that information to the defendant and their attorney who will either accept the plaintiff’s terms, or make a counter offer.

The mediator will go back and forth between both rooms in an effort to reach a settlement that both parties will accept. If an agreement is reached, the defendant agrees to compensate the plaintiff according to the terms of the settlement, and the plaintiff agrees to drop the lawsuit and any further claims against the defendant.

Is it mandatory to reach a settlement?

As stated above, neither party is legally required to settle in mediation. If no agreement is reached, the parties return to court, and the judge will set a trial date. Since the mediation process is confidential, none of the discussions are disclosed during the trial.

Who pays for the mediation?

The mediator’s fees are usually divided equally between mediating parties, unless parties agree in writing to a different arrangement. Any unused funds will be applied to any outstanding case fees.

Am I required to have an attorney at mediation?

Plaintiffs are not required to have their attorney present during mediation, but just as it is not a good idea to represent yourself in court, it is not a good idea to represent yourself in mediation either.

That’s why it’s essential to hire a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney like J. Gonzalez to represent your interests. The J. Gonzalez Law Firm has helped thousands of injured victims recover compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other losses both in mediation and in court.

To speak with one of our personal injury lawyers about mediation or any other aspect of your case, you can contact us via this website, or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to sue the responsible party for damages. In Texas, some types of damages are limited, or capped, but others are not. Here is a basic overview of current Texas law on damage caps.

Economic damages

There are no damage caps on economic damages in Texas. Economic damages include:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage

Documentation is key to being compensated for these types of damages. Be sure to keep all bills and records related to your losses as proof in your claim or lawsuit. Lost earning capacity is determined by factors such as employment history, skills, age, and education.

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages are harder to calculate. These intangible damages cover losses such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety and stress
• Emotional pain
• Loss of companionship or consortium

Loss of companionship damages focus on emotional and psychological losses. Loss of consortium focuses on the loss of the physical aspect of the relationship.

In Texas, there are no damage caps for non-economic damages, except in medical malpractice cases. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, non-economic damages are capped as follows:

· Damages against doctors and other healthcare workers cannot exceed $250,000

· Damages against healthcare facilities cannot exceed $250,000

· Total non-economic damages in a Texas medical malpractice lawsuit are capped at $750,000.

Punitive damages

Punitive damages can be awarded when the defendant’s actions involve gross negligence, malice, or fraud. In Texas, punitive damages are capped at either $200,000 or double the total amount of economic damages plus the amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000 (whichever is greater). Punitive damage caps do not apply if the negligent act of the defendant results in a felony conviction.

Claims against public entities

Government agencies and other public entities in Texas are generally protected from personal injury liability. In the few cases where a government entity has been held accountable, damages were capped at $250,000 for one person and $500,000 for an individual event.

Contact J. Gonzalez

The complexity of Texas personal injury damage caps are just one more reason you need the knowledge and expertise of the J. Gonzalez Law Firm on your side. Our team will explore all your options and clear up any confusion you might have about what types of damages you are entitled to, and whether or not there will be any damage caps involved.

Contact us right now via this website, or call us at 1-800-CAR-CRASH to set up your free, no-obligation consultation. J. Gonzalez is ready to fight for you!

CAMERON COUNTY – An April 18 crash has left four people injured and one driver facing numerous citations. The crash happened at about 7:30 a.m. on State Highway 4, which connects Brownsville to the SpaceX rocket testing facility at Boca Chica Beach known as Starbase.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the driver of a Jeep traveling east on Highway 4 attempted to pass a Silverado pickup truck in a no-passing zone. The Jeep sideswiped a tractor trailer rig heading west, according to the report, which then caused the 18-wheeler to swerve into the oncoming lane and strike the Silverado pickup.

DPS spokesperson Sgt. Maria Hernandez stated that three people in the Silverado, and the driver of the Jeep were hospitalized with minor injuries. No fatalities were reported. Hernandez added that the driver of the Jeep would be issued three citations: passing in a no-passing zone, not having liability insurance, and having expired automobile registration.

DPS did not release the names of any of the people involved in the crash.

Liability in chain-reaction accidents

Each chain-reaction car accident is unique, but most of them have one thing in common – questions about who is at fault for the initial collision and any subsequent collisions. Unfortunately, this same confusion can also impact a person’s ability to successfully file a personal injury claim against that driver.

Who is at fault?

Proving fault in a motor vehicle accident is far more complicated than pointing a finger at a particular driver. To determine fault in a personal injury case of any kind, one needs to prove that a person’s actions or negligence were at least partially to blame for the accident occurring.

The basic rule of thumb is that the driver who caused the initial collision that led to all subsequent crashes is generally the at-fault party. However, “rule of thumb” is just a social turn of phrase, not a legal term. Determining liability is going to hang on the facts behind each particular accident.

Will you need an attorney?

You will absolutely need legal representation. Insurance claims and legal proceedings are highly complicated. Insurance companies and court defendants are going to have attorneys on their side, so it only makes sense that you should have the best attorneys you can find on your side.

Call J. Gonzalez

If you or a loved one are injured in a multi-car collision, the team of personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm is here to help. We have experience handling complex cases where determining a guilty party may be more complicated than usual. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients to ensure the best possible outcome.

Call us today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH to get started on building the strongest case possible in your favor.

Source: https://www.krgv.com/news/dps-driver-facing-citations-following-three-vehicle-crash-near-spacex-boca-chica-facility 

A 23-year-old Mission man was arrested April 16 in connection with a fatal road rage confrontation that occurred earlier this month. Briaham Alexis Pena is charged with murder for the road rage shooting death of Jose Cruz Jr.

The deadly encounter happened about 8:57 p.m., April 8, in the 2500 block of W. Expressway 83. When officers arrived on the scene, they reported finding the Cruz inside his truck with eight gunshot wounds, including one in the head. Further investigation revealed the victim’s truck had eight bullet holes on the passenger’s side door and two bullet holes on the driver side window.

Cruz was transported to McAllen Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.

A subsequent investigation identified Peña as the suspect in the fatal shooting, but he had fled to Mexico in the aftermath of the confrontation. According to police Peña surrendered himself at the international bridge in Rio Grande City on Sunday, April 14. During interviews with investigators, Peña suggested Cruz initiated the incident.

Peña has since been arraigned on a murder charge and remains behind bars in the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center under a $2 million bond.

J. Gonzalez Law Firm safety tips

The J. Gonzalez Law Firm wants you to be safe should you ever have the misfortune of encountering an angry driver on the road. We recommend you take the following actions to avoid or minimize the conflict.

Let it go

Road rage encounters often involve one person who is in a hurry. We advise you to just get out of their way and allow the driver to pass and move on. Consider pulling over for a moment to calm down before you continue driving — residual anxiety can still affect your driving even if the incident is over.

Don’t make eye contact

Angry drivers may want to intimidate you, or could actively encourage conflict by staying next to your vehicle. Ignore them and focus on the road. Aggressive drivers will often move on when ignored.

Contact police

If an angry driver refuses to stop harassing you, contact the police to report any dangerous behavior, but only when it’s safe to do so. Be prepared to provide any identifying information, including a description of the offending vehicle, its license plate number, as well as your location and direction of travel.

Don’t go home or find a safe place to stop

Aggressive drivers will sometimes to continue to follow you, so you do not want to allow such a person to find out where you live. Instead, you should drive to a busy public site with witnesses or, better yet, a police station. Keep your windows up and the car doors locked.

What to do if a road rage driver injures you

The first thing you should do is seek medical attention for your injuries. Second, you’ll want to contact police to file a report. It’s understandable to be rattled, but as best you can, you should note the driver’s appearance, their car, and their license plate number so you can report them once the incident is over.

Finally, contact the J. Gonzalez Law Firm. If you are injured by a road rage driver, you are entitled to compensation for your physical and emotional injuries. Oure team of expert personal injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in damages for people who have been injured by the neglect or hostility of others. Call us today for a free consultation about the specifics of your case. Call 1-800-CAR-CRASH now!

Source: https://myrgv.com/local-news/2024/04/18/10-shots-fired-in-fatal-mission-road-rage-murder

A tractor-trailer carrying onions rolled over April 10 on FM 493 and the Expressway 83 underpass in Donna, according to Donna Police Chief Gilbert Guerrero.

The chief urged drivers to avoid the area as the rollover was already causing traffic delays and would continue to do so until the wreckage was cleared. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, and no injuries were immediately reported.

This is a developing story at this writing, and no other details are immediately available.

Can commercial truck drivers sue their own company?

Drivers are not always to blame for commercial trucking accidents; they can sometimes be the victim of a negligent or unscrupulous employer.  Texas Workers’ Compensation does provide some coverage for truck drivers who are injured at work, but in most cases the system prevents drivers from suing their employers. Additionally, workers’ comp does not cover contract drivers.

When trucking companies are at fault

It is unfortunate, but there are trucking companies that sometimes cut corners and abuse their workers in the name of increased profits.

If a trucking company engages in any of the following practices, its drivers may have a case against their employer in the event that it leads to an accident:

• Pressuring drivers to violate speed limits or hours of service regulations
• Failing to properly secure cargo
• Installing faulty components in the truck, such as defective brakes
• Failing to maintain scheduled truck maintenance
• Breaking government safety guidelines

Call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm

If your trucking company hid any of these things from you, or put you at risk in some other way, you are a potential victim and deserve strong legal representation.

The J. Gonzalez Law Firm has more than two decades of experience fighting for truck drivers’ rights and for motorists’ rights after they’ve been injured in trucking accidents.  Our team of personal injury attorneys know how the trucking industry works, and they know how the insurance industry works. We want to give you the best legal representation available, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

Contact us right now via this website, or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH!

EDINBURG — Edinburg police say a metal object flew off of a flatbed trailer and struck two vehicles Thursday morning. The incident happened April 11 at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate Highway 69C between University Drive and Freddy Gonzalez Drive.

According to a police department news release, the semi-trailer was transporting a large fabricated component when a metal panel dislodged from the cargo and flew into traffic behind the rig. The statement indicates one vehicle sustained only minimal damage, but the panel caused major damage to a second car’s hood, the windshield, and left the roof partially collapsed.

Police say the driver of the heavily-damaged vehicle was transported to a local hospital, but with no apparent major injuries. No identifications were provided on any of the drivers and the investigation was continuing as of this report.

When flying debris from a truck causes an accident

Establishing liability in flying truck debris cases can be complex, and will depend on the specific circumstances of a case.

A number of different parties could possibly be liable, including:

· trucking companies

· truck operators

· cargo-loading companies

· government entities, and more.

If the debris did not fall off the truck and instead was kicked up from the road, pursuing a personal injury claim will be much more difficult.

When dealing with accidents and resulting injuries from flying debris, it’s important to document the incident thoroughly. Collect information about the scene, take photographs, and immediately seek medical attention if you are injured. If a truck is leaving the scene, try to get license plate information or other details about the vehicle, including logos or phone numbers that are visible on the rig.

Call J. Gonzalez

If you are the victim of a truck debris accident, consulting with the experienced personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm will help you unerstand the legal process of seeking compensation for damages and injuries.

Insurance companies do not always compensate victims if there are ambiguities in a case. The J. Gonzalez Law Firm has a proven track record of winning cases involving falling or flying truck debris.

For a FREE and confidential consultation, call 1-800-CAR CRASH.

Source: https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/large-metal-falls-from-trailer-crashes-onto-cars-on-expressway/

SAN JUAN – A second person is facing criminal charges in connection with a road-rage crash that left one man dead.

40-year-old Carlos Manuel Garcia Sancho was arraigned April 4 on an intoxication manslaughter charge in connection with a three-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Roberto Carlos Rios Rodriguez of San Juan.

Sancho had been hospitalized since the crash, and was transferred to the Hidalgo County Jail following his arraignment, according to San Juan Police Chief Leandro Sifuentes. According to Sifuentes, a preliminary investigation determined Sancho had a 0.29 blood/alcohol content (BAC), and was under the influence of alcohol and opiates at the time of the crash.

The crash happened March 26 at the 400 block of State Highway 495 following a road-rage incident involving three vehicles. Roberto Victor Sotullo was previously identified as a third driver involved in the crash and was subsequently charged with collision involving death.

According to a criminal complaint, Sotullo claimed he was being chased by the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado (subsequently identified as Sancho) and was traveling at speeds of up to 109 miles per hour prior to the crash.

Sotullo told police he saw the crash happen and “was relieved and went home” without staying at the scene or calling authorities, the complaint states.

Sancho’s bond was set at $75,000.

Degrees of fault in road rage personal injury claims

Establishing levels of fault in Texas road rage crashes hinges on the degree of negligence or recklessness that a plaintiff is claiming. When making a claim of gross negligence or more serious aggression, the plaintiff has a higher burden of proof, which might require proving the other driver’s mental state.

If you believe you have such a claim, the personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm can investigate the details of your accident to determine what the available evidence supports. If we find that a legal action would most likely be unsuccessful, we can explain why and explore other possible options.

Successful personal injury lawsuits stemming from road rage incidents generally depend on proving the other driver’s fault for negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm. Keep in mind that Texas road rage incident liability can be shared by all drivers in any one incident.

If you can prove you’re no more than 50% responsible, you can still sue for damages. However, any evidence that you engaged with another driver’s rage can reduce the damages you’re entitled to. That’s why avoiding confrontation and reporting safety concerns are crucial for the success of a road rage claim.

Every case depends on the facts specific to the incident. Call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm today for a free assessment of your case. Since we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, you pay us only if the case we build secures compensation. You can contact us via this website or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Source: https://www.krgv.com/news/driver-in-fatal-san-juan-road-rage-crash-charged-with-intoxication-manslaughter?