Best Personal Injury Lawyers in McAllen

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in McAllen, Texas?

  The non-emergency hotline for the McAllen Police is (956) 681-2000.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in McAllen, Texas?

  You can receive case reports from the McAllen Police Department's Criminal Records Unit. You may request via mail by downloading the Public Information Request Form and submitting it with a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope and a check or money order made payable to the City of McAllen. Requests will be responded to in writing and accompanied by an invoice detailing any costs incurred. After ten days of receiving a request, the McAllen Police Department will inform the requestor if an exemption applies and submit a decision to the Office of the Attorney General.

• How long do you have to file a claim for personal injury in McAllen?

  In McAllen, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury. If someone dies because of the accident, you have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. Most of the time, if you miss these deadlines, you could lose your only chance to get the money you need to pay for your injuries and losses.

• Can you recover compensation if you have a pre-existing ailment and were injured in a personal injury accident in McAllen?

  Yes. Texas protects individuals with pre-existing conditions in personal injury claims. Texas' Eggshell Skull Doctrine prohibits using pre-existing conditions against you. Careless drivers must pay for any injuries under this provision; the victim's condition before the accident in McAllen doesn't matter. The Eggshell Skull Doctrine protects you if your pre-existing condition was stable before the accident and worsened afterward. You must also prove that the car collision worsened your condition.

• In McAllen, who is allowed to file a premises liability claim?

  Slip-and-fall liability regulations in Texas further provide that the injured party must prove they have permission to be on the property at the time of the accident in McAllen. According to Texas premises liability laws, there are three types of individuals who may file a premises liability claim. These include the invitee, licensee, and trespasser. The property owner or lessee may owe a duty of care to everyone who enters their property.

• Are settlements for personal injury taxable in McAllen?

  No, compensation for personal injury settlements in McAllen is not taxable. According to Section 104 of the Internal Tax Code, compensation for bodily injury and personal injury is not taxable. Judgments and settlements are separated into several categories to assess the taxability or exemption of the money received. They include actual (1) damages resulting from physical or nonphysical harm, (2) emotional discomfort, and (3) punitive damages, which are intended to punish reckless or destructive behavior, not to compensate victims of accidents.

• Does McAllen have a cap on damages for personal injury?

  Yes, there is a cap on personal injury damages in McAllen. The amount of specific damages you can collect in a personal injury case is limited in Texas. These restrictions only cover non-economic damages in lawsuits involving medical misconduct. These damages have a cap of $250,000 per defendant and $500,000 overall.