Practices
Personal Injury
Representation for South Texans hurt in car wrecks, 18-wheeler collisions, and on-the-job accidents.
When you have been injured, the insurance company starts building its case the same day. We start building yours.
Our personal injury practice covers car and truck collisions, oilfield and worksite accidents, and premises liability across the Rio Grande Valley. We work on a contingency fee, which means you owe nothing unless we recover for you.
We document the scene, the medical record, and the lost wages. We negotiate hard with carriers and try cases when the offer does not match the harm.
What sets us apart
Why clients choose us for personal injury
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No fee unless we recover
Personal injury cases run on contingency. You pay no attorney fee and no out-of-pocket case costs unless we win or settle for you.
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Bilingual, attorney-direct intake
You speak directly with the attorney handling your file, in English or in Spanish. No call center, no rotating paralegals as your point of contact.
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Same-day evidence preservation
Dash-cam, 911 audio and nearby business video typically overwrite on a 30-day cycle. We send preservation letters the same day we are hired to lock them down.
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We try cases, we do not just settle them
Insurance carriers track which firms file suit and which firms always accept the first offer. We are on the file-suit list, and our offers reflect that.
Sub-areas
What we cover in this area
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Auto Collisions
Two-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes on US-83, Expressway 83, and rural FM roads across South Texas.
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Commercial Truck Wrecks
18-wheeler and commercial vehicle collisions, including federal motor carrier rule violations.
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Motorcycle Accidents
Representation for riders injured by inattentive drivers across South Texas highways and rural roads.
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Pedestrian Injuries
Cases for pedestrians hit by vehicles in parking lots, crosswalks, and along roadways.
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Slip and Fall / Premises Liability
Injuries at stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and commercial properties.
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Wrongful Death
Cases brought by surviving spouses, children, and parents after a fatal collision or incident.
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Workplace Injuries
On-the-job injuries beyond a simple workers-comp claim, including third-party liability against contractors.
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Our approach
What to expect when you hire us
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Same-day intake
You call, text, or walk in. The attorney evaluates the case during the first call and tells you immediately whether the firm can take it.
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Evidence preservation
We send preservation letters to insurers, request police reports, and lock down 911 audio and dash-cam footage before any of it is lost.
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Medical documentation
We make sure your medical records are complete, organized, and tell the full story of how the injury changed your life.
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Demand and negotiation
We send a demand letter with full damages, then negotiate with the carrier from a position of preparation rather than urgency.
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Filing suit if needed
If the offer does not match the harm, we file in the appropriate state or federal court and move the case forward through discovery.
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Trial or settlement
Most cases settle. The ones that do not, we try. Either way, you know what is coming before it happens.
What it costs
How we charge in this area
No surprise invoices. We put the fee in writing before you sign anything.
Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee. You owe the firm nothing up front and nothing along the way. The fee is a percentage of the gross recovery, and it is paid only out of the settlement or judgment, never out of your pocket.
Case costs - medical records, expert witnesses, court filings, depositions, mediation - are advanced by the firm. If we do not recover, you owe nothing for those costs either.
Initial consultations are free and confidential. We explain the fee in writing before you sign anything, and we tell you the truth about what your case is worth, even if that means telling you it is small.
Practical checklist
What to bring to the first meeting
Do not wait until you have it all. We work with what you have and we obtain the rest.
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Crash report or incident report
The TX Peace Officer Crash Report (CR-3) or any internal store report.
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Photos of the scene and the vehicles
Wide shots and close-ups, including license plates and street signs.
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Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
Bring whatever you have related to "Names and phone numbers of any witnesses". If something is missing, we obtain it together during the case.
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Your auto insurance declarations page
So we can identify your UM / UIM coverage.
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Medical records and bills you already have
Bring whatever you have related to "Medical records and bills you already have". If something is missing, we obtain it together during the case.
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A list of every doctor, clinic, ER, or pharmacy you visited
Bring whatever you have related to "A list of every doctor, clinic, ER, or pharmacy you visited". If something is missing, we obtain it together during the case.
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Pay stubs or recent tax returns
To document lost wages and earning capacity.
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Any letters or emails from the at-fault insurance carrier
Bring whatever you have related to "Any letters or emails from the at-fault insurance carrier". If something is missing, we obtain it together during the case.
Cautions
Common mistakes people make
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Giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance
Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions that lock in answers they can use against you later. You are not required to give that statement, and you should not.
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Posting on social media while the case is open
A photo of you smiling at a birthday party will be used to argue that you are not really hurt, even if you were in pain that whole night.
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Skipping or spacing out medical appointments
Gaps in treatment look like recovery to a jury and to an adjuster. If you cannot make an appointment, reschedule it - do not just stop going.
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Accepting the first offer to "make this go away"
The first offer is almost never the last offer, and it is rarely calibrated to your actual future medical costs and lost earning capacity.
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Waiting too long to call a lawyer
The Texas statute of limitations for most personal injury is two years, but evidence (video, witnesses, medical timing) starts disappearing in the first 30 days.
Critical windows
Deadlines you should know
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Texas personal injury statute of limitations
2 yearsTwo years from the date of the crash or injury to file suit, with limited exceptions for minors and discovered injuries. Miss it and the case is over.
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Notice of claim against a Texas governmental unit
6 monthsIf a city, county, or state vehicle or employee caused the harm, the Texas Tort Claims Act requires written notice within six months (often shorter under local charters).
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Evidence preservation window
30 daysMost surveillance video and 911 audio is overwritten on a 30-day cycle. Preservation letters need to go out fast.
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Underinsured motorist consent
Before you settleSettling with the at-fault carrier without first getting written consent from your own UM / UIM carrier can extinguish that coverage.
Common questions
Questions about Personal Injury
How much does it cost to hire your firm for a personal injury case?
Personal injury cases are taken on a contingency fee. You owe nothing unless we recover for you, and the fee comes out of the recovery, not out of your pocket.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Texas?
In most Texas personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Some claims have shorter deadlines, including some claims against governmental entities. Call as soon as you can.
What if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows modified comparative fault. As long as you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I need to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company?
No. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer, and you should not do so before talking to an attorney.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle without a trial. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, which is part of why we are able to negotiate effectively.
Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Yes. The firm is fully bilingual. We can take your call, conduct your intake, gather your medical records, and try your case in English or Spanish.
Recent representative outcomes
Anonymized example outcomes
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Commercial truck collision on US-83, Hidalgo County
Six-figure pre-suit settlement
2024
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Rear-end auto collision with herniated discs, Starr County
Policy-limit settlement after demand
2023
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Premises liability fall at a regional retailer
Confidential settlement
2023
Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict future outcomes. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits.
Who handles these cases
Your attorney for personal injury
J.M. Chema Garza personally handles every personal injury file at the firm - from the first phone call through the final signature. No rotating staff, no paralegals as your point of contact. The conversation is direct, in your language, and strategy is decided with you in the room.
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Bar admissions
State Bar of Texas · U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas · U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
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Languages
English · Español
Client voices
Trusted across the Rio Grande Valley
The attorney handled our matter personally from the first call. His knowledge of the valley and commitment to every client make the difference.
Firm client
Rio Grande City, TX
Past results do not guarantee or predict similar outcomes. Every matter is decided on its own facts and applicable Texas law.
Direct consultation
Ready to talk about your case?
Call the firm or schedule a consultation. We speak Spanish and English. Initial consultations are confidential.