Personal Injury Blog — Valdez Garza Law Firm, P.C.

Answers for accident victims in the Rio Grande Valley — car, truck, workplace and oil field injuries, insurance companies and your rights under Texas law.

Call 866-LA-LEONA (866) 525-3662. 1105 East 6th Street, Brownsville, TX 78520.

• What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in Brownsville — The first day after a crash shapes your whole claim. Here is what to do — and what not to do — to protect your health and your right to compensation.
• Truck Accidents on US-77 and I-69E: Who Can Be Held Responsible? — An 18-wheeler crash is not like a car accident. More than one company may share the blame — and the evidence can disappear fast.
• Oil Field Injuries in South Texas: Your Rights When Your Employer Is Non-Subscribed — Texas doesn't require employers to carry workers' comp. If you were hurt in the oil field and your employer opted out, you may be able to sue.
• Should You Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Adjuster? — The other driver's insurance company wants your story on tape. Here's why that call matters more than it seems — and how to handle it.
• Workplace Injuries in Texas: Workers' Comp vs. a Personal Injury Lawsuit — Hurt on the job? Whether you file for workers' comp, sue your employer or pursue a third party depends on a few key facts.
• How Texas's 51% Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Injury Claim — Even if you were partly at fault, you may still recover in Texas — as long as you're not more than 50% to blame. Here's how it works.
• The Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury: Don't Miss Your 2-Year Deadline — Most Texas injury claims must be filed within two years. Some deadlines are much shorter. Here's what you need to know.
• What Is My Car Accident Case Worth? Factors That Affect Your Settlement — There's no formula, but certain factors drive the value of every car accident claim. Here's what insurance companies look at.
• Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Texas: What Are Your Options? — Too many Texas drivers have no insurance. If one of them hits you, your own policy may be the key to getting your bills paid.
• Motorcycle Accidents in the Rio Grande Valley: Fighting Rider Bias — Motorcyclists often get blamed for crashes they didn't cause. Here's how to protect your claim after a motorcycle accident.
• Pedestrian Accidents in Brownsville: Who Is at Fault? — When a car hits someone on foot, the injuries are often serious. Here's how Texas law decides who is responsible.
• Wrongful Death Claims in Texas: Who Can File and What Damages Are Available — When a loved one dies because of someone else's negligence, Texas law gives certain family members the right to seek justice.
• 18-Wheeler Accidents Near the Border: Cross-Border Trucking and Liability — Border traffic brings heavy truck volume to the Valley. When a cross-border truck causes a crash, the case can get complicated.
• Why You Should See a Doctor Even If You Feel Fine After a Crash — Some of the most serious accident injuries don't hurt right away. Here's why getting checked protects your health — and your claim.
• How Insurance Companies Use Social Media Against Injury Victims — One photo or comment can be taken out of context and used to cut the value of your claim. Here's how to protect yourself online.
• Rideshare Accidents in Texas: Uber and Lyft Insurance Explained — Whether you were a passenger, another driver or the rideshare driver, the insurance that applies depends on what the app was doing at the time.
• Construction Site Injuries: Third-Party Claims Beyond Workers' Comp — Construction sites have many companies working side by side. If someone other than your employer caused your injury, you may have a separate claim.
• Distracted Driving Accidents: Proving the Other Driver Was on Their Phone — Texting while driving is illegal in Texas. Here's how phone use can be proven after a crash — and why it matters for your claim.
• Drunk Driving Accidents and Texas Dram Shop Law — When a drunk driver causes a crash, the bar or restaurant that over-served them may also be responsible under Texas law.
• Slip and Fall Injuries at Stores and Businesses in Texas — A wet floor or broken step can cause serious injuries. Here's what Texas law requires you to prove in a premises liability case.
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: How They're Calculated in Your Claim — An injury can take away paychecks today and earning power tomorrow. Here's how lost income is proven in a Texas injury claim.
• Pain and Suffering in Texas Injury Cases: What It Really Means — Medical bills only tell part of the story. Texas law also recognizes the pain, anguish and limits an injury puts on your life.
• Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident? — Not every fender-bender needs a lawyer. But some "minor" crashes aren't minor at all. Here's how to tell the difference.
• How Contingency Fees Work: Hiring an Injury Attorney With No Upfront Cost — Worried you can't afford a lawyer? Most injury attorneys work on contingency. Here's what that means and what to ask.
• Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Delivery Vans, Company Trucks, and Employer Liability — When a driver on the job causes a crash, the company may be responsible too — and that can change everything about your claim.