Mississippi Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, you must contact a qualified Mississippi car accident lawyer immediately to get you the compensation you need for your injuries. A thorough on-scene investigation must be performed to uncover any possible evidence of negligence before the evidence disappears.
Once you hire Giddens Law Firm, our car accident attorney will get to work immediately. We can guide you through getting proper treatment for your injuries and put things right by recovering the compensation you lost through medical bills, lost wages at work, and any pain you endured during the time since the car wreck. The initial consultation is free, and we don’t get paid until we win your case.
The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in Mississippi
After a car accident in Mississippi, you may wonder if hiring an experienced car wreck lawyer for your claim is worth the trouble. But even with a minor fender bender, speaking with an injury lawyer is always wise to learn your legal options. Some of the ways our Mississippi car accident lawyers can help you with your case include assessing the value of your case, handling negotiations on your behalf, and representing you in court.
Determine Responsibility For the Car Crash
A car crash lawyer in MS will have access to tools and experts to examine the car accident and discover who can be held at fault for the crash. Your attorney will investigate the accident scene, gather information from the police report and witness testimony, and examine photographs and videos to learn who may be responsible for your accident.
In a complex car accident, your attorney may rely on expert witnesses’ assistance to learn more about how the accident occurred and who can be held at fault.
Evaluate the Worth of Your Car Accident Claim
After a car accident, it’s common for injury victims to underestimate the value of their personal injury claim. Between medical expenses, property damage, and potential loss of income due to missed work, the costs can quickly add up, leaving you with a substantial financial burden.
When an insurance company hands you a settlement check for your claim, the initial amount offered may be tempting to accept immediately. However, it’s important to remember that the settlement amount may not represent the full value of your claim and may not include future expenses that you may need to cover, such as additional medical treatment.
Having a reliable MS car accident lawyer can help you evaluate the full value of your claim, considering not only economic damages but also possible non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment. By having an expert in your corner, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
The insurance company is not willing to negotiate with a car accident victim. Before you even have a chance to recover from your car accident, the other driver’s insurance company may be calling to learn how the accident occurred. The insurance adjuster may try to bully you into taking a settlement or try to get a recorded statement from you.
But when your injuries are significant enough to cause a lifetime of pain and suffering, a quick and easy settlement from the insurance company is never enough to cover the future medical costs from the auto wreck, suffering, and emotional distress from the crash, and recover your lost wages as a result of your injury in the auto accident.
But to get a fair settlement, you’ll need to negotiate, and that’s where a car accident attorney can come in. Our experienced car accident attorney has handled accident claims for injury victims throughout Mississippi. We understand the difficulties you may be facing and will take the time to speak with the insurance adjuster on your behalf to get you a fair settlement offer.
Fighting For Your Rights in Court After Your Car Accident
Unfortunately, not all car accident claims can be settled out of the courtroom. If your case is in court, you need a trial attorney to fight for your rights. Our Mississippi car accident lawyers have the knowledge and skills to take on the insurance companies inside and outside the courtroom.
We have the resources to prove that the other driver was responsible for your car crash. Using expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists, we’ll show what occurred before, during, and after the accident and how your injuries resulted from the other driver’s negligence.
Compensation Available Following a Car Accident in Mississippi
If you’ve been in a car accident, you’re probably facing a significant amount of debt. With medical bills building up as a result of your injuries, as well as lost pay and mental suffering, you may require compensation to get back on your feet.
One of the first inquiries we frequently get from auto accident clients is how much compensation they can get after a car crash. And the answer is that you could receive the following:
Economic damages are the monetary compensation for any financial losses incurred due to the truck accident. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Medical expenses include hospital and urgent care visits, doctor appointments, surgery, lab results, equipment, and long-term medical care.
- Lost wages, including any vacation or personal time caused by the accident.
- Loss of earning potential. If you are forced to accept a lower-paying position due to the injuries experienced in the motor vehicle collision, you may be entitled to compensation for the difference between what you could have earned in your previous job and what you now earn.
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses if a loved one was killed in a car accident in Mississippi.
Non-economic damages are compensation for any non-monetary losses you have endured. Pain and suffering are the most common types of non-economic damage. Pain and suffering is a broad term that refers to any physical or mental stress you may have experienced as a result of the accident. Non-economic damages can also include:
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional anguish
- Dissatisfaction with life
Punitive damages may be awarded in unusual instances. These damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for the actions that led to the car accident.
What to Do Following a Car Crash in Mississippi
Your first step is to make sure everyone is ok. If your car is in the middle of the road and is still drivable, try to move it to safety.
Call 911 right away and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. While waiting, exchange contact information with drivers, passengers, or witnesses to the car accident. It will also be wise to take photos of the accident scene and video if possible. This will be valuable evidence to strengthen your accident claim later on.
When the police arrive, give a brief statement but don’t admit fault. Seek medical attention immediately after the accident, even if you don’t think you were injured. Sometimes, injuries don’t surface until hours or even days after the accident. Never leave the site of the accident. After all is said and done, call us to speak with a car accident attorney, even in a minor car accident.
In the days after a car accident, you must keep track of all your expenses. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and repair costs. It may be helpful to keep a journal and write down all your expenses as they come in.
If the other driver’s insurance company calls you, you are not under any obligation to talk to them. However, if you choose to speak with them, keep your comments brief and do not go into much detail about what happened or what injuries you sustained. Whatever you do, do not agree to a recorded statement.
Finally, speak with an experienced car accident attorney to learn and discuss your legal options.
Catastrophic injuries such as amputation, paralysis, burns, brain damage, or even death in a car wreck have lifelong effects on you and your family. This is when you need the advice and counsel of a compassionate, experienced car accident lawyer in Mississippi who is entirely dedicated to your cause.
Giddens Law Firm, P.A. has built a name for itself throughout the state of Mississippi for the amount of pre-trial preparation in all of our cases, building car wreck cases through a thorough investigation, and use of technology in the courtroom, which results in many significant jury awards and verdicts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are the Major Causes of Car Crashes in Mississippi?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Mississippi had 703 fatal automobile accidents in 2022. The one factor all these car wrecks had in common was that they were the result of negligence.
According to the NHTSA, the following are the significant causes of car accidents in Mississippi are:
- Distracted driving – Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for approximately 5 seconds. Traveling at 55 mph and reading a text while driving is like driving with your eyes closed for the entire football field length.
- Drunk driving – Approximately 11,564 people died from drunk driving crashes across the nation in 2020. In addition, driving under the influence of drugs is steadily increasing. Fifty-six percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug in 2020.
- Speeding—In addition to speeding being reckless, 51% of speeding drivers involved in fatal car crashes in 2020 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident.
- Drowsy driving – Driving while tired is similar to driving drunk. Your reaction time decreases, making reacting challenging before getting into an accident.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Mississippi?
In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before your claim’s expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. According to the statute of limitations, you must file an injury claim in Mississippi three years following a car accident. You should not wait that long to file a claim. The longer you wait, the more likely the evidence will disappear, which can severely weaken your claim. Let our auto accident lawyers help keep your case on time.
Should I Call My Insurance After a Car Crash?
You should call your insurance company if you have been in a car accident. Your insurance company may require you to contact them during a car accident. Contacting them will begin the claims process and get you one step closer to returning to normalcy. Further communication with your insurance company can be handled by our team, leaving you to focus on your recovery. Our accident lawyers will fight for you all the way.
What Type of Fault-Based System Does Mississippi Follow?
Mississippi is one of the few states in the United States that follows a traditional fault-based system for car accidents. This means that if the driver who was found at fault for the car crash also caused harm to another, that driver’s insurance is responsible for paying the injured party’s expenses.
In Mississippi, if the negligence of another driver injured you, you can collect damages in one of three ways:
- You can file a claim with your insurance company. It will try to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s carrier on your behalf.
- You can file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
- You can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
What if the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
If the other driver does not have the required insurance, you must turn to your insurance company to pay your expenses. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, this will cover the damages from the accident.
Our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyer Is Here to Help
If you lost a family member in a car accident or you got hurt in a car wreck, call our Mississippi car accident lawyers right away. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you know your rights during this difficult time. We can help you pursue a claim for damages on behalf of yourself and your family, all while you use your time to focus on helping yourself and your family heal.
The initial consultation is always free of charge with our car accident attorney, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid for our services after settling your case. You do not pay our fee if we fail to get you the compensation you deserve following a car accident.
To find out how a car accident attorney can help you with your accident claim, call Giddens Law Firm, P.A., at (601) 355-2022.
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Millions of Dollars Recovered By OUR CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS
An unexpected and unfortunate accident can lead to difficult hurdles and challenges that you are unprepared to overcome on your own. You’ll be facing a huge financial debt and may not be able to work for a long time. Chances are the insurance company is not going to give you a settlement that will pay all the expenses. You may feel overwhelmed and stressed. What can you do to get the compensation needed to recover?
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