San Benito woman killed in car accident

CAMERON COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal crash that occurred November 15 on FM 509 south of FM 800 in Harlingen.

According to a DPS news release, the fatality occurred around 1:27 p.m. An initial investigation showed a silver 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe occupied by a male driver was traveling southbound on FM 509, approaching a curve.

A black 2021 Hyundai Kona, occupied by the female driver and male passenger was traveling northbound on FM 509.

The Chevrolet was speeding, according to DPS, and attempted to pass a semi-truck in a no-passing zone. It then tried to veer back into its lane to avoid colliding with the Hyundai.

The driver of the Chevrolet failed to control his speed and struck the rear left side of the semi-truck. The momentum sent the Chevrolet back into the northbound lane and collided with the Hyundai.

The driver and passenger of the Hyundai as well as the driver of the Chevrolet were transported to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen with life-threatening injuries.

The victim is identified as 77-year-old Oralia Garza of San Benito. The passenger of the Hyundai and the driver of the Chevrolet remain in critical condition at Valley Baptist Medical Center.

The crash remained under investigation at this writing.

Factors that can affect personal injury settlements

Calculating personal injury settlements is not an exact science. However, attorneys who understand the factors that can affect the value of personal injury cases can manage their client’s expectations and work through negotiations more effectively.

Here are just a few of the factors play into a personal injury settlement.

Severity of the injury

Accidents that result in more severe injuries tend to produce larger settlements because of the pain and suffering involved. Injuries such as broken bones and spinal cord damage, usually raise the value of settlements, as opposed to soft-tissue injuries like sprains or bruising. Likewise, if injuries are permanent, victims can generally expect to be awarded a larger settlement. These include brain trauma, disfigurement, diminished mobility or the permanent loss or use of a body part.

Life disruption

Injuries that dramatically disrupt a client’s daily life will likely produce a larger personal injury settlement. For example, some injuries make it more difficult for the victim to perform everyday activities such as walking or standing. The same goes for accidents that leave victims unable to play sports, travel or work certain jobs.

Treatment and recovery

Larger settlements generally occur when post-injury medical treatment becomes a long-term process. Reconstructive surgeries are also associated with cases that involve high settlement values. The duration of a recovery period matters. Longer recoveries often entail a significant number of follow-up appointments and prescriptions for medical treatment. This also explains in part why soft injuries generally result in lower settlements.

Emotional and mental trauma

Emotional and mental trauma in the form of anxiety or depression can be equally debilitating in the aftermath of an accident. However, establishing proof that clients are suffering psychological trauma can require meeting a high evidentiary bar. To impact a personal injury settlement, it usually requires input from reputable mental health professionals who can testify to an accident’s longer lasting

Contact the J. Gonzalez Law Firm

The personal injury attorneys at the J. Gonzalez Law Firm have combined decades of experience handling personal injury cases. They will take the time to do whatever it takes to ensure you are justly compensated for your injuries and full recovery. That includes doing the clerical work, deposing witnesses, and hiring experts to address technical issues.

Moreover, they will vigorously defend your rights to ensure deep-pocketed defendants don’t squeeze you out of a fair settlement value. You pay nothing up front, and don’t pay anything at all unless you are fully compensated for your losses.

Contact J. Gonzalez today via this website, or by calling 1-800-CAR CRASH.

Source: https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/san-benito-woman-dies-in-car-accident/