Car accidents can result in significant personal property damage and bodily injuries. These could have significant impacts on your work, the way you live, and future medical care. When the accident is because of someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering what the average car accident settlement is in McAllen, TX.
Understanding what impacts settlements can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Car Accidents in McAllen
McAllen is one of the most populous cities in South Texas. With more residents, the likelihood of an accident increases. In 2024, the city had 2,853 crashes. Some of McAllen’s roads are busier and potentially more dangerous than others. These danger spots include:
- Interstate 2
- Ware Road (FM 2220)
- State Highway 336
- Jackson Road (FM 3362)
While these roads are highly traveled, they are certainly not the only roadways where accidents can occur. Anywhere there are cars is a potential accident waiting to happen. This can happen on roadways, highways, and even parking lots. Drivers face many challenges when operating a vehicle, including poor vehicle response from lack of maintenance, poor weather, aggressive driving, and more.
Fault in Texas Car Accidents
Another major factor that affects how much compensation you’re eligible for is fault. Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence law, you may only receive compensation if you are less than 51% at fault.
However, your compensation can also be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault. If you are considered 30% at fault for an accident, you may receive 30% less compensation.
Remember that determinations of fault are not just based on how you feel about an accident, but how insurance companies and other parties view your contribution to the accident. Having an experienced lawyer can help you know how to argue your case and prove who was really at fault in an accident.
Average Settlement Amounts in McAllen, TX
There is no simple average amount of car accident settlements in McAllen, or Texas at large. This is because each case is unique, and settlements could range anywhere from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars.
Texas had over 250,000 total crash injuries in 2024, with a motor vehicle crash fatality rate of 13.3 per 100,000 residents. While many of those injuries may have been like each other, each would be unique when you factor in personal responses, disruptions to work, vehicle damage, and more.
In general, the more severe one’s injuries are, the more compensation they might be able to receive. More severe injuries mean more medical care and potentially long-term disability or impairment.
Factors That Affect Settlement Values
Car accidents in McAllen are complex, especially when they involve injuries or multiple drivers. When you’ve been injured in an accident, there are many factors that can affect your compensation. These include:
- Extent of injuries. How many injuries you sustain, how severe they are, and how long they may last.
- Medical costs. These are higher with more extensive injuries, and some injuries require more care than others.
- Personal suffering. Texas allows compensation for emotional and psychological harm caused by car accidents.
- Lost wages. If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, your lost income can be factored into compensation.
- Insurance limits. Unfortunately, if the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is capped at a certain amount, your compensation may also be bound by that limit.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident, your first thoughts should be about recovery. You may need to get checked for injuries, receive urgent medical care, attend counseling, or access other resources to help you get better.
It’s difficult to focus on your own recovery while also pursuing compensation, even when that compensation might help you recover with more ease. You can reduce this burden by working with a McAllen car accident attorney who understands your situation and can help guide you forward.
When you are in a car accident, you are likely to have many questions about what you should do next and what compensation you may be entitled to. Attorney Abraham Peña is here to help you with the answers you deserve. Hire a car accident lawyer from our office to take the first steps towards compensation.
FAQs
What Are Signs of a Good Settlement Offer?
The signs of a good settlement offer are unique to your case. A settlement should cover any costs you’ve faced because of the car crash, including emotional damages. If the settlement offer covers your costs and makes you feel like you have good support for recovery, then it might be a good offer for you. Speaking with a lawyer will help you estimate and determine what compensation you should pursue.
How Long Do Texas Car Accident Settlements Take?
Car accident settlements in Texas can range from a few months to a year or more in length. The complexity of the accident, damages you sustained, and negotiating with insurance can all affect how long it takes. Whether you settle out of court or must go through litigation can also change the timeline. Speak with your lawyer, who can help you determine an approximate timeline in your case.
Is There a Maximum Settlement for Car Accidents?
Texas does not set a maximum settlement amount for car accident cases. Instead, your eligibility for compensation is based on the damages you sustained and the insurance of the at-fault driver. Skilled negotiation can be a valuable skill in helping you get the compensation you deserve instead of just a minimal amount.
McAllen Car Accident Lawyer
Attorney Abraham Peña is a South Texas native with deep roots in the Rio Grande Valley. At our law firm, we are dedicated to helping clients with personal injury cases, allowing us to focus all our efforts on the unique needs these cases have.
We strive to provide every client with clear guidance on their case and strong advocacy, both in and out of the courtroom. If you need a personal injury lawyer after a car accident, no matter how severe, come to a local attorney you can trust. Contact our office today to learn more. Se habla español.
