Best Truck Accident Lawyers in McAllen

Frequently Asked Questions

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

  Dial (956) 682-4321 to reach the McAllen Police Department non-emergency hotline.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in McAllen, Texas?

  Fill out a request form at https://www.mcallen.net/docs/default-source/pd/accident-report-request-form.pdf?sfvrsn=4 and have it mailed to the McAllen Police Department - Crime Records Office at PO Box 220 McAllen, TX 78505-0220. Requests will be answered in writing, along with an invoice indicating any charges incurred. No reports will be faxed. In addition, the City of McAllen manages its police records using the Texas Crash Records Information System (CRIS). You can access the online database at https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/app/home to order a copy of the crash report.

• Can you still recover compensatory damages in a McAllen truck accident if both parties share responsibility?

  Yes, but only if your proportion of responsibility in the truck accident is no greater than 50%. In McAllen, the city handles fault by adhering to Texas’ modified comparative negligence law. For instance, the plaintiff who is determined to have been 30% responsible can only recover 70% of the damages awarded by the jury.

• How do unrealistic trucking schedules increase the risk of truck accidents in McAllen?

  When profit-focused trucking companies impose unrealistic schedules on drivers, the overscheduled and overworked truckers experience fatigue. Fatigue is among the leading causes of truck accidents in McAllen. Unrealistic schedules can come in several forms, such as (a) no 30-minute breaks after 8 hours of driving; (b) 60–70 hours of driving within seven to eight consecutive days; (c) driving in unforeseen events, such as route detours, mechanical issues, and adverse weather conditions; and (d) sufficient time for pre-shift truck safety inspections.

• Which roads in McAllen encounter the most frequent truck accidents?

  Among the known dangerous roads in McAllen with the most frequent truck accidents occurrence include (a) the major intersections along Bicentennial Boulevard and Nolana Avenue; (b) Business 83, particularly downtown near 10th St.; (c) Ware Road access routes to slow traffic neighborhoods and Frontage Road that runs parallel to I-2; and (d) the Interstate 2 highway, especially along the exit and entry ramps.

• What critical pieces of evidence should be obtained to win a truck accident lawsuit in McAllen?

  Pieces of evidence such as recorded data from electronic tracking and logging devices, analysis and testimony of an accident reconstruction specialist, statements from eyewitnesses, photos or video footage of the collision, and a police accident report must be obtained to ascertain how the truck accident occurred along the roadways of McAllen. Other documents, including truck maintenance records, driver employment and qualification information, and the trucking company work systems, can also be used to determine fault and liability.

• Who is held responsible for a truck accident in McAllen—the truck driver or the trucking company?

  To determine who is liable in a McAllen trucking accident, the following information must be assessed: (a) the truck driver’s status as an employee, including duties, work schedule, training records, wages, and employment benefits; and (b) the trucking company status as an employer, such as hiring, screening, and training implementation, and truck maintenance records. These criteria are used to identify whose negligence most impacts the collision incident.