As a motorist, you’re extra-vigilant. You make sure that you’re well-rested and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your phone or anything else before getting behind the wheel of your car. You also give yourself ample time to get to your destination in case you encounter traffic congestion, so there’s no need to speed, run lights, or otherwise drive recklessly.

While you do your best not to cause or become involved in an auto accident in Jackson, MS, you’ve found that others don’t necessarily do that.

Many states assign points for every type of traffic violation. The more points you get, the more likely you will have your license suspended. Mississippi does not use the driver’s license point system. However, moving violations will remain on your driving record for three years.

A traffic ticket can determine who is at fault for an accident. That is good if you’re filing a claim against the other driver. Of course, it can also work against you if you are held responsible for the accident. Because Mississippi is a comparative negligence state, you could share in the blame for the accident if both drivers get a ticket.

For most folks, the goal when pulling into a parking lot is to find a spot that is closest to your destination. That might take a few loops around the lot, but it will be worth it if you can score that sweet spot. Unfortunately, the parking lot is also the zone where tens of thousands of crashes occur each year. That is according to information provided by the National Safety Council (NSC). That brings up the issue of who is at fault in a parking lot backing out accident.

Speeding is rarely an issue in parking lot accidents. However, there are plenty of other distractions. The NSC conducted an opinion poll that had 66% of respondents admitting they make phone calls while driving through parking lots. Here are the other reported distractions:

A car accident can happen at virtually any intersection or along any stretch of highway, on any street, or in any parking lot. Those accidents can be anything from a minor fender bender to a major rollover. The immediate aftermath of an accident is a check for injuries and damage. Once you get over that shock, it is time to assess the next move to recover any losses by filing an insurance claim. What happens if you get insurance after a car accident in Mississippi?

According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau, if you’re driving at 30 mph, you need 116 feet to come to a complete stop. That includes your thinking and reaction time. If someone pulls out in front of you, there might not be enough time to stop and prevent a collision. But would you be at fault if someone pulled out in front of you?

Data from 2020, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2022, shows that there were an estimated 5,250,837 police-reported accidents. Of that number, 2,282,015 of these accidents involved injuries. Those numbers could also reflect the amount of insurance claims filed by the motorists to collect compensation for their losses.

Generally, motorists who suffer injuries in a crash or family members who lose a loved one in a collision file a claim first. What happens if they offer less compensation than their claim is worth or deny it altogether, though? This is when filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Are you at that stage? If so, we’ll share how to sue an insurance company after a car crash.

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver flees the scene without stopping to exchange information or provide aid.

Unfortunately, these accidents can happen anywhere.

In most car crashes, the victims can identify the responsible party and collect compensation from them. But what happens when the driver is unknown? Well, that can lead to several challenges.

Victims of hit-and-run accidents often face an uphill battle when trying to recover damages. In many cases, identifying the responsible driver can be difficult. Let’s examine how to recover compensation from a hit-and-run accident in Jackson, MS.

If you research the different factors that contribute to car accidents, you’ll find car maintenance issues on that list.

Some reports suggest that there are, on average, around 45,000 crashes across the nation that are attributable to this. Other estimates show that as much as 20% of all auto accidents that occur in our country are caused by a lack of roadworthiness. While most of these wrecks appear to be attributable to tire issues, there are undoubtedly some that can be blamed on brake issues.

Having your driver’s license is a privilege many Americans enjoy, and while most drivers are safe out on the road, not everyone is. Accidents happen every day in every state, causing damage and injuries and often the deaths of those involved.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it’s estimated that nearly 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021, equating to 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people. That number is sobering to think about, and it brings up the question, “What state has the highest car accident fatality rate?”

Keep reading to find out.

Driving on Mississippi’s roads can be a beautiful experience, with its expansive landscapes and scenic routes.

However, it’s important to stay vigilant because the state also experiences its fair share of car accidents. Understanding the primary causes of these accidents can help drivers take precautions to stay safe on the road.

Let’s look at some of the top causes of car accidents that we’ve seen at Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, and explore ways to prevent them.