McAllen Car Accident Lawyer

McAllen Car Accidents

Every auto collision is different, but these incidents can be classified based upon the underlying circumstances. Some of the more common traffic crash scenarios around McAllen include:

• Head on accidents;
• Rear end crashes;
• Side rear-quarter collisions;
• Side front-quarter incidents;
• Side T-bone crashes;
• Wrong-way accidents;
• Vehicle rollovers; and,
• Many others.

Regardless of the specific causes or type of crash that led to your injuries, it’s important to retain an automobile accident lawyer who will thoroughly investigate. These factors are critical for proving the four elements above. Our car collision attorneys at The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, work to gather this essential evidence to support your claim.

Causes of Car Accidents in McAllen

Though negligence is indeed a root cause of many traffic crashes, it can take many forms. The key is whether the responsible motorist complied with the legal duty of care. Some signs that the other driver breached this duty include violating Texas’ rules of the road, such as:

• Speeding;
• Improper lane changes;
• Failure to obey traffic signs or signals;
• Driving under the influence of drugs or controlled substances;
• Not using turn indicators when turning;
• Passing in a no-passing zone;
• Texting or cellphone use;
• Failure to yield; and,
• Many more.

However, negligence may also be a factor despite traffic laws, when the driver doesn’t exercise reasonable care. Examples include:

• Drowsy or fatigued driving
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Distracted driving
• Any conduct that demonstrates a failure to use proper care when operating a vehicle.

What To Do After a Car Crash

You’re understandably shaken after an auto accident, but there are a few things you should try to do if you’re physically able. Your success with filing an auto accident injury depends on taking quick action and using a few tips on what to do after a car accident:

• Check yourself and your passengers for injuries;
• Call 911 if anyone is seriously hurt, bleeding, unconscious, disoriented, or demonstrates other signs of distress;
• Contact a police non-emergency number to explain your situation, and follow instructions designated by law enforcement;
• Make sure you get a copy of the police report, or find out how to get one if the officer files the incident paperwork later;
• While still at the scene, exchange contact and insurance information will all drivers;
• Try to speak to witnesses, and get their contact information;
• Take photos and video of the scene, your car, and other relevant details;
• Seek medical treatment at an urgent care center or visit your own doctor, preferably the same day or within 48 hours; and,
• Call your insurance company to report basic details.

Of course, another important consideration is when to hire an attorney for a car accident. Because the next stages of your auto accident injury are crucial, you should contact a car crash lawyer at The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers as soon as possible.

Proving Negligence after a Car Accident

Even if you’ve never been in an auto collision, you can probably guess that careless or reckless conduct by a motorist is a factor. The legal term is negligence, and it’s a very specific concept under Texas law. If you suffered car accident injuries, you must prove certain facts to recover compensation for your losses.

The four essential elements for an auto accident injury claim based upon negligence are:

• Duty: You must show that the other motorist had a duty to exercise a certain level of care while driving. This legal duty applies to all drivers, requiring them to conduct themselves in the same way a reasonable person would when operating a vehicle.
• Breach: It’s necessary to prove that the motorist in question failed to comply with the legal duty of care by acting unreasonably under the circumstances.
• Causation: You must establish a causal link between the breach of duty and the car crash, such that you wouldn’t have been hurt if the breach never happened.
• Damages: You’ll need to demonstrate that you suffered losses in the form of physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Compensation in Car Accident Claims

Damages, losses, and compensation may be used interchangeably in an injury claim after car accidents. They all refer to the same concept, which is to reimburse you for the physical, emotional, and financial consequences you experience as a victim. There are two types of damages you may seek as compensation, including:

• Economic Damages: These losses relate to your out-of-pocket or definable damages caused by your injuries. They are “economic” because they can be determined by looking at receipts, invoices, pay stubs, tax information, and other concrete evidence.
• Non-Economic Damages: Some of your losses are difficult to quantify by documentary proof, but they definitely take a toll. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and losses affecting your personal relationships are a few examples. Though you may not have paperwork, a skilled car wreck attorney has access to resources and tools that serve as solid proof of your non-economic damages.

How Our McAllen Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, our auto injury attorneys draw from considerable experience and in-depth legal knowledge. Besides having the advantage of this extensive legal background, we can also offer assistance in areas that you may not initially realize you need when seeking car accident compensation.

• Tackle the Complicated Claims Process: There’s much more involved with filing a claim than just filling out some forms. You must present the right information regarding fault and support your claim packet with sufficient evidence regarding your injuries.
• Working with an Insurance Company: Even after you provide forms and documentation, you’ll face pushback from a claims adjuster. The claims process requires ongoing communication and persistence.
• Get the Full Compensation for Your Car Wreck Injuries: The end goal in filing a claim is a car accident settlement that sufficiently compensates you for your losses. If you don’t know the value of your injury claim after a car accident, you must come up short.
• Access to Support Resources: An auto accident attorney is dedicated to serving victims of car crashes, so it’s common for a law firm to retain reliable resources that help with issues of proof. Professionals in medicine, accident reconstruction, economics, and other areas are valuable for purposes of evidence.
• Representing Your Interests in Court: If it’s not possible to reach an auto accident settlement, you’ll need to file a lawsuit to enforce your rights as a victim. Litigation requires high-level legal knowledge, skills, and experience in a courtroom.

Throughout the various phases of a car accident claim, our McAllen personal injury attorneys will be at your side. Your focus as an injured victim should be on getting back to health. Let us handle the legal challenges while you recover.

Local McAllen Car Accident Resources

By reviewing information on Drive Texas and the Texas Department of Transportation website, you can have a look at current traffic conditions and locations of accidents. This information can help you avoid delays or plan your trip around traffic-related incidents. If you are in an accident, you may refer to the City of McAllen website or the McAllen Police Department’s online reporting system for information.

McAllen Car Accident Statistics

A synopsis of car wrecks in the area demonstrates the risks you face when driving in McAllen, TX and the surrounding area.

• In 2016, there were 10 fatal crashes that claimed the lives of 11 people.
• There were over 62 collisions that resulted in serious injuries for 70 victims,
• Another 268 people were hurt in non-incapacitating crashes;
• Another 1,440 victims may have suffered injuries in accidents, but these figures could be inaccurate because of reporting.

Most Dangerous Roads in McAllen

You may not be able to avoid all car collisions, but there are certain areas that require extra precaution when you’re driving around McAllen. They include:

• Intersections and ramps along US Interstate 2 and US Highway 83: These major roadways see heavy traffic, including semi-trucks and daily commuters, leading to frequent accidents.
• Ware Road and 10th Street: As two of McAllen’s busiest streets, these areas often experience congestion, especially during rush hours and weekends.
• The area near La Plaza Mall: Heavy shopping traffic and distracted drivers in parking lots make this a high-risk zone for accidents.
• Business 83 through Downtown McAllen: Increased foot traffic, stop-and-go driving, and local events can create hazardous conditions.