After a serious car accident, victims often face overwhelming financial burdens from medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Navigating the claims process alone can make securing fair compensation challenging, especially when dealing with an insurance company's legal team. The experienced McAllen personal injury attorneys at Falcon Law Group are ready to advocate for your rights.
Don’t wait—call now at (516) 618-0411 or reach out online for a free case consultation.
McAllen Car Accidents Statistics
In 2023, McAllen, Texas, experienced a notable number of car accidents, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to road safety in the area. The Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports (CR-3) documented a total of 2,724 accidents in the city, which underscores the frequency and types of incidents affecting the community.
- Total Accidents: 2,724 recorded accidents in McAllen.
- Fatal Accidents: 6 accidents resulted in 7 fatalities, emphasizing the serious nature of some incidents.
- Suspected Serious Injury Accidents: 38 accidents led to 40 suspected serious injuries.
- Suspected Minor Injury Accidents: 477 accidents resulted in 697 suspected minor injuries.
- Possible Injury Accidents: 1,047 accidents were categorized as "possible injury," involving 1,831 potential injuries, indicating uncertainty about the extent of injuries.
- Non-Injury Accidents: 1,101 accidents reported no injuries.
- Unknown Severity Accidents: 55 accidents had unknown severity, leading to 251 injuries that could not be classified.
Main Causes of McAllen Car Accident
The unique traffic patterns, road conditions, and driving behaviors in this region contribute to the frequency of accidents. Here are some of the most common causes specific to McAllen:
- Distracted Driving: With a growing number of drivers using their phones for navigation or texting, distractions on the road have become a leading cause of accidents in McAllen.
- Speeding: Many drivers exceed speed limits or drive too fast for road conditions, particularly on busy streets like 10th Street and N 23rd Street, where traffic congestion can lead to impatience.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drug impairment continue to pose significant risks, especially during weekends and holidays when social events are common.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signals: Running red lights and stop signs can be particularly problematic at intersections like those on N 10th Street and Dove Avenue, where traffic flow can be hectic.
- Poor Weather Conditions: Heavy rains during the summer months can create hazardous driving conditions, leading to accidents due to reduced visibility and slippery roads.
- Inexperienced Drivers: The presence of inexperienced drivers on the roads, particularly near schools and residential areas, can increase the likelihood of accidents.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can lead to various injuries, often affecting victims significantly. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained in such incidents:
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Head Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Lacerations and Abrasions
- Internal Injuries
6 Steps to Take If You’re Involved in a Car Accident
We also believe that it’s crucial for you to know what you should do if you’re in a car accident. Falcon Law Group understands that not everyone has someone they can call and ask about this sort of unfortunate experience. However, you should note that the following isn’t legal advice. It is for educational purposes only.
- Call 911. Even if you and/or the other party aren’t injured, it’s vital to obtain a police report. This step may differ during significant weather events where law enforcement has requested that parties exchange information and only call 911 for medical emergencies stemming from accidents.
- Exchange information with the other involved driver or drivers, but don’t apologize. While it’s common courtesy if you physically bump into someone in a store to apologize, a car accident isn’t the time to say anything that resembles an apology. If you have no liability, anything similar to an apology could be taken as you taking responsibility for the accident.
- If you can, take photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries. This can assist in future preservation of a potential legal claim.
- Collect information from witnesses. This can make finding eye witnesses easier in the future if you have a valid legal claim, particularly if it goes to trial.
- Seek immediate medical care even if you don’t feel injured. If you don’t need to go to the emergency room, you should at least make an appointment with your doctor or go to urgent care. Internal injuries may have no symptoms or few symptoms. You may not feel any symptoms for any injury until the adrenaline from the car accident wears off.
- Preserve your legal claim by scheduling your consultation with the experienced McAllen car accident attorneys with the Falcon Law Group. Our attorneys are zealous lawyers who fight hard for our clients and protect their best interests.
Should You Trust the Insurance Company?
Insurance is an interesting concept as a business. While you should be able to trust them because you are a car accident victim, the truth is that you can’t. Consider this:
- You’re legally required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance so that you can drive (legally) on the roads
- By carrying insurance, many people believe they are protected because the very idea is to put them back to at least close to where they were before the accident
- Research shows that up to 17% of drivers in Texas have no insurance.
- The insurance companies are for-profit businesses
If almost 20% of the drivers on the road don’t have insurance and if all insurance companies are for-profit businesses, is it any wonder that car insurers deny so many claims or attempt to pay victims so much less than the claim is truly worth? The goal of a for-profit business is to make money on the policies they write; which, again, according to statistics, only around 80% of drivers are insured.
Determining Negligence in Texas Car Accidents
In Texas, negligence plays a crucial role in car accident cases, as it is often the basis for establishing liability. To prove negligence, key elements must be demonstrated:
- Duty of Care: Drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws. This includes adhering to speed limits, avoiding distractions, and not driving under the influence.
- Breach of Duty: If a driver fails to meet the standard of care—such as speeding, texting while driving, or running a red light—they are considered to have breached their duty.
- Causation: There must be a direct link between the driver’s breach of duty and the accident. This means showing that the negligent actions were the actual cause of the crash and any resulting injuries.
- Damages: The injured party must demonstrate that they suffered actual damages as a result of the accident. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if the injured party is found to be partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if a victim is deemed 20% responsible for the accident, their potential recovery would be reduced by that percentage ( PR Fire ) and how negligence is determined can be vital for victims seeking compensation for their injuries. Consulting with an experienced car accident attorney can help clarify these concepts and navigate the legal process effectively.
How an Experienced McAllen Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced McAllen car accident lawyer can help you in several ways. Some of these include:
- Seeking out and preserving evidence to prove your claim
- Collect and organize your medical records and expenses
- Work with your medical providers to help ensure that they have all of the medical information required to prove your claim and to get the compensation you need and deserve
- Dealing with the insurance company or other party on your behalf
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your claim or provide zealous trial advocacy on your behalf
Falcon Law Group: Advocating for McAllen Car Accident Victims
If you’re hurt in a car accident, you need an experienced trial accident team ready to stand up for you. Falcon Law Group is ready to work hard for you. Schedule your consultation now.
FAQs About Car Accidents in McAllen
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a car accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, it’s advisable to initiate the claims process as soon as possible to gather evidence and ensure that all deadlines are met.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, Texas operates under a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault, your damages will be reduced by that amount.
How do insurance companies determine compensation after a car accident?
Insurance companies evaluate various factors to determine compensation, including the extent of property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and the severity of injuries. They may also consider liability and fault in the accident. It's important to have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
