Even if you are the most cautious driver in McAllen, Texas, you are still at risk of a rear-end collision. Whether you are stopped at a traffic light downtown or navigating heavy traffic elsewhere, a rear-end accident can occur anywhere, anytime. When it does, you will need an experienced McAllen rear-end crash attorney to assist you. At The Law Office of Lino H. Ochoa, there is a dedicated McAllen rear-end crash lawyer who can help.
Contact our law office in McAllen, TX, at (956) 420-0384 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options after a car crash.
How Lino H. Ochoa Lawyers Can Help After Rear-End Crashes in McAllen, TX
The Law Office of Lino H. Ochoa is ready and able to assist anyone who has been in a car accident in McAllen, TX. Our McAllen car accident lawyer understands the nature of car accident litigation for plaintiffs and defendants alike.
Our McAllen personal injury lawyer can assist at any stage of the process by:
- Collecting relevant evidence;
- Determining fault;
- Assessing damages;
- Negotiating with insurance companies;
- Preparing for trial; and
- Settling claims
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and need a McAllen car accident attorney to assist you, let The Law Office of Lino H. Ochoa take over. Our McAllen rear-end crash attorney will guide you every step of the way and will fight for a favorable outcome in your case.
How Common Are Rear-End Car Accidents in McAllen, Texas?
According to a report published by the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 2,724 vehicle crashes in McAllen, Texas, in 2023. In those accidents, seven fatalities were reported, and more than 2,800 people were injured or may have suffered some degree of injury. Even in the 1,101 accidents in McAllen in which no one was injured, there was likely damage to vehicles or other property.
One of the most common types of car accidents is a rear-end collision. This occurs when a lead car is either stopped or moving slower than the car behind it, and the car behind strikes the rear end of the slower car in front.
What is My Rear End Car Accident Case Worth?
Every car accident case is valued differently. The value of your case will depend on the nature and extent of the injuries and financial losses you suffered as a result of the accident. A McAllen car accident attorney can assess the value of your case after meeting with you to discuss your damages.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
As an accident victim, you are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the costs and expenses you incur as a result of an accident for which you can show a specific dollar amount, such as:
- The cost to repair your vehicle;
- The amount you paid for medical treatment; or
- The lost income you suffered because you could not return to work
Non-economic damages may include the following:
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Diminished quality of life
A car accident attorney can assess the value of your damages and pursue full compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer?
Fees for rear-end accident attorneys are established on a “contingency fee” basis. This means your fees are contingent on your attorney winning your rear-end accident case. You pay no upfront fees. When you win or settle your case, your fee is a standard percentage of your recovery (normally between 30% and 40%).
Can I Recover for My Damages if I’m Being Blamed for a Rear-End Accident in Texas?
Texas follows comparative negligence rules. As long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident, you may recover your damages, but your percentage of fault will reduce your total damages. However, if you were more than 50% at fault for the accident (the 51% Rule), you cannot recover anything.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Accident Injuries
Here are some common injuries that occur to drivers who experience rear-end impact:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head trauma
- Neck trauma
- Spinal cord injury
- Face or eye injury
- Shoulder injury
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
- Fatality
These injuries can be severe or minor, depending on the degree of impact.
What Causes Most Rear-End Accidents in McAllen, Texas?
Common causes of rear-end accidents may include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Weather and road conditions
- The quality of brakes on the vehicle
- The weight of the vehicle
- Visibility
- Unfamiliarity with the road
- Driver fatigue or impairment
Any of these factors may impact the value of your claim in a rear-end accident. That is why it is important to have an experienced car accident attorney involved immediately after a rear-end impact.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Rear-End Accident in Texas?
More than one driver can be partly responsible for any accident–even the driver in front who gets rear-ended.
To establish negligence, you must prove that:
- Another driver owed you a legal duty to drive within an accepted standard of safety (all drivers have this duty);
- The other driver breached that duty (for example, by driving recklessly or carelessly or by violating a traffic law);
- You suffered actual damages;
- The other driver’s breach of duty caused your damages (you must prove that your injuries and financial losses result from the driver’s fault, not from a previous or subsequent incident or event)
If two different drivers are each negligent by violating a traffic law that leads to an accident resulting in injuries, then both drivers can be held responsible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Rear-End Accident in Texas?
Texas law sets a time limit for bringing a claim against another party after a rear end collision. In Texas, the statute of limitations in a rear end collision case is two years.
Contact Our McAllen Rear-End Crash Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Contact the Law Office of Lino H. Ochoa right away after a rear-end crash in McAllen, TX. We offer a free initial consultation with our McAllen rear-end crash lawyer to assess your case and discuss your options.
