The initial reaction to any car accident is shock. Something went wrong, and you don’t know the full extent of the problem until you get out of your car to see what happened. In extreme cases, a car accident victim isn’t able to get out of their car until help arrives.
Thankfully, that help can come from many reliable sources, such as police officers, first responders, and an experienced Jackson car accident lawyer.
If you’ve had the misfortune of becoming involved in an auto collision that was caused by another driver’s negligence, our legal team at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, is standing by to speak with you to help you understand your right to potentially recover compensation.
The Benefits of Hiring a Jackson Car Accident Lawyer
The aftermath of a car accident can involve seeking medical treatment and repairs for your car. Your medical treatment could be severe, and your car might be totaled. As you begin the process of recovery, you’ll need to get involved with one or more insurance companies. When the accident is the fault of another driver, you might need to file a claim with that carrier.
If you’re unfamiliar with the company and its claims process, things can get frustratingly complicated. That is why hiring a Jackson car accident lawyer can be a big benefit.
When you retain the services of an attorney, it doesn’t mean you’ll be racing to court with a lawsuit. Instead, that attorney can help with the initial insurance claim. Here’s how:
Help You Minimize Claim Mistakes
While their commercials make them out to be helpful, insurance companies are really in operation to be profitable. That means they will do whatever they can to offer a lower settlement or deny a claim outright. It is important that you prove your damage request is justified and that you’re asking for the maximum benefits allowed.
A skilled attorney can help with both of those claim-filing tasks. The goal is to make sure the claim won’t be sent back because of errors.
Take Over Communication
Your attorney will take over the communications with the insurance company. This will reduce the risk of you inadvertently making statements that could be harmful to your claim.
They’ll also be able to access updates you might not be privy to as a claimant.
Getting the Maximum Benefits
A car accident attorney will always strive to get you the maximum benefits for your claim. There might be issues about ongoing care, pain and suffering, and other costs that you might not be aware of and that you’re entitled to. When it comes to getting what you are due, you don’t want to leave any money on the table.
The Top Causes of Car Wrecks in Jackson, MS
When you retain the services of an experienced Jackson car accident attorney, they will present the facts of your case to an insurance company. That begins with establishing the cause of the collision.
Some of the most common contributing factors in Jackson car crashes include:
Drugged or Drunk Driving
Despite all the efforts to cut back on drunk driving, it remains a leading cause of accidents in Mississippi.
If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, it would be clear who was at fault. That can streamline the claim process.
Drowsy Driving
Because of their long hours, truck drivers are the most vulnerable when it comes to drowsy driving.
A truck also needs the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop. If any driver drifts off for even a second, it can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Poor Road Conditions
Sometimes, an accident isn’t the fault of another driver but rather the condition of the road. If a pothole or other debris on the road causes you to swerve or otherwise damage your car, the government agency in charge of maintaining those roads could be held accountable.
Driver Inexperience
The reason that car insurance rates are higher for teens is due to their lack of experience. That can lead to accidents. While you might feel sorry for a teen driver, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be responsible for your damages. This is why they carry liability insurance.
Drag Racing or Road Rage
Getting caught up in an incident of road rage or having your car smashed into by drag racers is a clear case of reckless driving. These types of incidents can also result in criminal charges being filed against the at-fault driver.
Distracted Driving
Cell phones have improved our lives in many ways. They’ve also caused significant potential harm, especially when driving while texting or talking on the phone. That is why Mississippi instituted a hands-free driving law prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving.
However, other distractions, such as eating, drinking, smoking, or riding with a dog on your lap, can also cause accidents.
Other types of reckless driving behaviors, such as improper turning, speeding, following too closely, and failing to yield to the right of way of other motorists, are also routinely to blame for auto accidents in Mississippi.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Hinds County
Part of the support that the team at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC can provide with your car accident claim is collision reconstruction. In our county, there are some collisions that seem to happen more often than others, with the following wreck types topping the list:
- Sideswipe accidents
- Front-end crashes and head-on collisions
- Intersection wrecks or T-bone accidents
- Rear-end crashes
Whether your crash type is listed here or not, please reach out for a free, no-obligation case review with a Jackson car accident lawyer on our team as soon as possible. Mississippi law affords you rights, but there is a time limit to take action.
Injuries That Result from Motor Vehicle Collisions
The injuries caused in a car accident might not always be immediately apparent. You may experience a delayed reaction, with symptoms of the accident appearing hours or even days after the collision. Some of the most common types that our clients suffer in their crashes include:
- Soft tissue injuries like whiplash
- Burns resulting in disfigurement or scarring
- Broken bones (bone fractures)
- Loss of limb injuries (amputations)
- Internal organ damage (i.e., a severed spleen)
- Traumatic brain injuries, which include concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, sometimes causing permanent paralysis
In addition to the range of physical injuries listed above, some of our clients are also left with lingering mental health impacts from their accidents, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Also, as you’re well aware from reviewing the Mississippi car crash statistics we shared above, not everyone is fortunate enough to survive their wreck.
Proving Liability for Your Accident
When it comes to civil matters like these, it’s your responsibility to prove that someone else’s negligent actions are responsible for you suffering harm and associated financial costs. Proving your case is necessary to secure compensation for your accident-related losses described above.
To prove liability, your Jackson car accident lawyer must be able to show that the at-fault party:
- Had a duty of care
- Breached their duty of care
- Caused you to suffer injuries
- Left you with documentable losses
Damages You Can Recover in Your Mississippi Car Accident Case
Whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Jackson, MS, or your loved one suffered a wrongful death in a wreck, you or your family members have likely suffered significant financial losses that you’re eager to recover compensation for. Here in Mississippi, you may be entitled to reimbursement for the following losses by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit:
Medical Expenses
Your medical expenses start with the first trip to the emergency room or your doctor’s office.
Depending on the scope of your injuries, there could be a need for X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, surgery, hospitalization, and prescription medications. You might also require physical therapy and the use of mobility devices.
All those expenses must be covered as part of your car accident claim.
Lost Wages
You are entitled to compensation for your lost income while recovering from the accident. If the accident causes you to leave your job, you might also be entitled to future income.
Pain and Suffering
Ongoing pain and mental anguish that is a result of your accident should also be compensated for.
You and your attorney will determine this amount based on the extent of your injuries.
Property Damage
You will also need to be compensated for any repairs to your car. If it was totaled in the accident, then you should receive an amount equal to the car’s value at the time of the accident.
In instances where a car crash caused a fatality, it may also be possible to recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses. That could open up a wrongful death claim for the surviving family to pursue.
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded if a case proceeds to trial and the circumstances surrounding the crash were particularly negligent. For instance, punitive damages are often part of a personal injury lawsuit that involves a drunk driver.
You can expect Jackson auto accident attorneys to not only aid you in pinpointing your current crash-related expenses but also any future ones you may incur.
Mississippi Auto Collision Statistics
Car crashes occur frequently in our capital city and throughout our state. Data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) indicate that 703 traffic fatalities occurred in Mississippi in 2022. This equates to a 23.9 per 100,000 resident death rate, which is the highest rate among all 50 states.
A deeper dive into the statistics from the Jackson Metropolitan Planning Organization Safety Analysis 2017-2021 Report and the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD) Metropolitan Planning Organization reveals the following alarming facts. In 2021, there were:
- 3,562 serious accident injuries in Mississippi
- 772 accident fatalities in Mississippi
- 696 serious accident injuries in Jackson
- 77 accident fatalities in Jackson
Why Do You Need a Jackson Car Accident Lawyer?
Taking on an insurance company can be extremely intimidating. They will always seek ways to deny a claim or settle for a lower amount than what you are due. When you retain the services of a skilled Jackson, MS car accident lawyer, they will take over all the communications with the insurance company on your behalf. Here is what else your attorney can help with:
- Serving as a reliable source of information about Mississippi law and Hinds County court rules and procedures.
- Aiding you in collecting evidence that helps you build a strong car wreck claim.
- Analyzing compiled evidence and conducting further investigations (if necessary) to determine causation and liability for your crash.
- Preparing a demand letter and compiling supporting materials once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI).
- Negotiating an out-of-court settlement in your case.
- Preparing your case for and presenting it at trial (if necessary).
The process of filing a claim and seeking a fair settlement can take several weeks, if not months. You don’t have to wait until you recover from your injuries to get the process started. In fact, the clock starts ticking on the day of the accident.
Should You Contact an Attorney Right Away?
You should. Acting fast in car accident cases can make a big difference.
From the moment an accident occurs, the clock starts ticking. Mississippi law allows a limited window to pursue legal claims, usually three years from the accident. However, waiting to act can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation due to fading evidence, lost documentation, or witness unavailability.
Acting immediately makes sure that all evidence is preserved. Quick legal action enables your attorney to secure and analyze this evidence before it is lost.
Along with that, legal intervention also helps with stronger case preparation. Your attorney can start investigations, identify at-fault parties, and consult with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economists. With that, you can build a more compelling case to present to insurers or in court.
Additionally, acting quickly prevents missing deadlines or improperly handling communications with insurers. An experienced car crash lawyer will guide you in protecting your claim from the start. They will make sure you don’t unintentionally compromise your case.
Early action strengthens your claim and gives you peace of mind. You can relax knowing your case is in capable hands from the beginning.
The above are just a few of many different reasons you will want to get in touch with a Jackson car accident lawyer right away, especially if you’ve suffered serious injuries or a loved one has suffered a wrongful death in an auto collision.
Remember that initial consultations with our legal team at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, are always free. So, don’t hesitate. Reach out to us right away.
