Car Accident on I-2 / US-83 Near McAllen, Texas — What to Do

If you were in a car accident on I-2 or US-83 near McAllen, Texas, you need to call 911 immediately, request the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and do not move your vehicle until law enforcement arrives — your next steps in the following hours can make or break your personal injury claim.

Why I-2 and US-83 Are the Most Dangerous Roads in the Rio Grande Valley

The I-2/US-83 corridor stretches across the entire southern edge of Hidalgo County, connecting Laredo to Brownsville and running directly through McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, Mission, and Weslaco. It is the primary commercial freight route for border trade between the United States and Mexico, and it carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily — including a significant volume of 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, and commercial box trucks crossing through or staging near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.

McAllen recorded 2,853 crashes in 2024, averaging 7.8 crashes every single day. A disproportionate share of those crashes occur on or near the I-2/US-83 corridor, particularly at high-traffic interchanges including the US-83 and Ware Road interchange, the Business 83 junction near 10th Street, and the Spur 115 connector. High speeds, heavy truck traffic, frequent lane changes, and border crossing congestion all combine to create dangerous conditions that are different from typical city street crashes.

Call DPS — Not City Police — After a Crash on a State Highway

This is one of the most important things to know about accidents on I-2 or US-83: jurisdiction belongs to the Texas Department of Public Safety, not McAllen PD, Pharr PD, or Edinburg PD. When you call 911, make sure you clearly state that the crash occurred on a state highway or interstate. DPS troopers are trained for high-speed highway crash investigation, and their crash report — the CR-3 form — is the official document that will be reviewed by insurance adjusters and, if necessary, by the Hidalgo County District Court in Edinburg.

If the wrong agency responds or if there is confusion about jurisdiction, request clarification. A properly completed DPS crash report establishes road conditions, vehicle positions, speed estimates, and initial fault determinations that are critical to any future injury claim.

What Causes Most I-2 and US-83 Crashes

Speeding and Unsafe Lane Changes

The posted speed limit on I-2 through Hidalgo County ranges from 65 to 70 mph in open stretches and drops near interchanges. Drivers frequently exceed those limits, and the multi-lane format of US-83 creates constant lane-change conflicts, especially during peak hours when border traffic backs up and drivers attempt to gain position around freight trucks.

Commercial Truck Negligence

I-2 is a designated NAFTA corridor. Semis, flatbeds, tankers, and oversized loads are a constant presence. Truck drivers face federal Hours of Service regulations and are prohibited from driving while fatigued, but violations are common. Trucking companies are required to maintain their vehicles to federal FMCSA standards, and failures — worn brake pads, bald tires, defective trailer hitches — regularly contribute to serious accidents on this stretch of highway.

Border Crossing Congestion at Pharr

The approach to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge creates stop-and-go traffic in an area where vehicles entering from I-2 are still traveling at highway speeds. Rear-end collisions in this zone are among the most common and most serious crashes in the entire corridor.

Evidence That Is Unique to Highway Accident Cases

Highway accidents generate types of evidence that city crash cases rarely involve. Acting quickly to preserve this evidence is essential:

• TxDOT traffic cameras. The Texas Department of Transportation maintains surveillance cameras at major interchanges and high-volume points along I-2 and US-83. Footage is typically overwritten within days. A preservation letter must be sent immediately to TxDOT to hold that footage.
• Commercial vehicle black boxes (ECMs). If a truck or commercial vehicle was involved, the engine control module records speed, braking, and throttle data in the moments before impact. This data can prove speeding or sudden stops that caused the crash.
• Dashcam footage. Trucking companies are increasingly equipping their fleets with forward and cabin cameras. Independent dashcam footage from other drivers is also increasingly common. Witnesses should be identified at the scene.
• Weigh station and port records. For trucks coming through border crossings, federal documentation of cargo weight, driver ID, and crossing time can establish the full chain of custody for a freight vehicle.
• DPS crash reconstruction report. For serious injury or fatality crashes, DPS may assign a crash reconstruction specialist. Request a copy of any supplemental report.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an I-2 Crash

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. You can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the crash. In highway accidents involving commercial vehicles, potentially liable parties include:

• The at-fault driver
• The driver’s employer (if driving for work)
• The trucking company or motor carrier
• A shipper or cargo loader (if improper loading contributed to the crash)
• A vehicle manufacturer (if a mechanical defect was involved)
• TxDOT (in limited cases involving known road hazards and failure to warn)

Steps to Take After an I-2 or US-83 Accident

• Call 911 and request DPS. State that the crash is on a state highway.
• Do not move your vehicle unless it is creating an immediate safety hazard and an officer has not yet arrived.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain. Document all injuries at an emergency room or urgent care facility.
• Photograph the scene from multiple angles — vehicle positions, skid marks, road signs, damage, and any visible cargo or debris.
• Collect names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, insurance information, and plate numbers from all involved drivers.
• Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before consulting an attorney.
• Contact a personal injury attorney in the Rio Grande Valley as soon as possible — Texas law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003.

Why a Local RGV Attorney Matters for I-2 Crash Cases

I-2 and US-83 crashes often involve out-of-state trucking companies, national insurance carriers, and complex federal trucking regulations. An attorney who practices in Hidalgo County knows the Hidalgo County District Court in Edinburg, where personal injury cases exceeding $200,000 are filed, and understands how local juries evaluate these cases. Hiring a firm from Dallas or Houston that has no presence in the Valley means your attorney is learning the local roads, courts, and players on your dime.

Chris Sanchez is a personal injury attorney at The Relentless Lawyer, serving McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, and the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call after a crash on I-2 or US-83?

Call 911 and request the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS has jurisdiction over state highways and interstates in Texas, not city or municipal police departments. Make sure the dispatcher knows you are on a state highway so the correct agency responds and completes the official crash report.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident on I-2?

Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003. Missing this deadline almost always bars your claim permanently, regardless of how serious your injuries are.

Can I sue a trucking company after an I-2 crash?

Yes. If a commercial truck driver caused your crash, you can pursue the driver directly and, in most cases, the motor carrier that employed or contracted them. Trucking companies carry large commercial insurance policies and are subject to federal FMCSA regulations. Their liability is often greater than that of a typical individual driver.

What if I was partly at fault for the crash on US-83?

Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000.

Will TxDOT traffic camera footage be available for my case?

Potentially, but you must act fast. TxDOT camera footage at I-2 and US-83 interchanges is typically overwritten within a short window. Your attorney must send a formal evidence preservation letter to TxDOT immediately after the crash to prevent that footage from being deleted.

What is the Hidalgo County District Court and where is it?

The Hidalgo County District Court is located in Edinburg, Texas, the county seat of Hidalgo County. It handles civil personal injury cases in excess of $200,000. Cases arising from crashes anywhere in Hidalgo County — including on I-2 and US-83 — may ultimately be filed and tried in Edinburg.

Does it matter that the trucking company is based out of state?

No. If a crash occurred in Texas on I-2 or US-83, Texas courts have jurisdiction over any parties involved in the crash, regardless of where their company is incorporated or based. Your Texas attorney can pursue an out-of-state carrier the same as a local one.

For a free consultation, contact Chris Sanchez at The Relentless Lawyer at therelentlesslawyer.com or call our McAllen office.