Jackson, MS Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, it is crucial that you contact a qualified Jackson, Mississippi car accident attorney as soon as possible to obtain the compensation you need for your injuries. Before any potential evidence of negligence can vanish, it is essential that a comprehensive investigation be conducted at the scene.
Auto accidents can be stressful, particularly if you’ve never been involved in one before. You may be frustrated and require assistance navigating the intricate process of submitting an insurance claim. You will need evidence to support your claim, and you will need an advocate if your claim is denied.
Once you retain Giddens Law Firm, our Jackson, MS personal injury attorney will promptly get to work. We can assist you in obtaining the appropriate treatment for your injuries and rectify the situation by recovering the compensation you lost due to medical bills, lost wages, and any pain you have endured since the car accident. The initial consultation is complimentary, and we are not paid unless we win your case.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Jackson, MS for My Accident?
Every year, millions of people are injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 31,785 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes from January 2022 to September 2022.
After a car accident in Mississippi, you may wonder if it’s worth hiring an experienced car wreck lawyer for your claim. But even with a minor fender bender, it’s always wise to speak with an injury lawyer to learn your legal options. Some of the ways our Mississippi car accident lawyers can help you with your case include:
Figure Out How Much Your Car Accident Claim is Worth
After a car accident in Mississippi, many injury victims don’t realize how much their personal injury claim may be worth. Medical expenses and property damage can add up and if you missed time at work, then chances are you are facing a huge financial debt.
When the Mississippi insurance company hands you a settlement check for your claim, you may be tempted to take that settlement as soon as it’s offered. The problem is many times that settlement is the lowest possible amount the insurance company is willing to make for your claim. It may not include any future expenses you may be facing, such as additional medical treatment.
But having a MS car accident lawyer in your corner, you will learn the full value of your claim, which includes not only economic damages but possible non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment.
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
The insurance company is not willing to negotiate with a car accident victim. In fact, before you even have a chance to recover from your car accident in Jackson, 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’re going to need to negotiate and that’s where a car accident attorney can come in. Our experienced Jackson car accident attorney has handled accident claims for injury victims throughout Mississippi. We understand the difficulties you may be facing at this time and will take the time to speak with the insurance adjuster on your behalf to get you a fair settlement offer.
Fight 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 heading to court, you will need a trial attorney to fight for your rights. Our Mississippi car accident lawyers have the knowledge and the skills needed to take on the insurance companies both inside and outside the courtroom.
We have the resources needed 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 were a result of the other driver’s negligence.
What Compensation Can I Recover Following a Car Accident?
If you’ve been in in a car accident, you’re probably facing in 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 crash. And the answer is that you could receive the following:
Economic damages are the monetary compensation you will receive for any financial losses incurred as a result of the truck accident. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Any medical expenses, including hospital and urgent care visits, doctor appointments, surgery, lab results, medical equipment, and long-term medical care.
- Wages lost, including any vacation or personal time taken as a result of 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 are now earning.
- Damage to property
- Costs of rehabilitation
- 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:
- Companionship or consortium loss
- 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 Should I Do After a Car Accident to Protect My Claim?
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 any drivers, passengers, or witnesses to the car accident. It will also be wise to take photos of the accident scene and video if you can. This will be valuable evidence to strengthen your accident claim later on.
When the Mississippi police arrive, give a brief statement but don’t admit fault. Seek medical attention right away 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.
In the days after a car accident, it’s important that you 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 call you, you are not under any obligations to talk to them. However if you do find yourself speaking with them, keep your comments brief and do not go into much detail about what happened and what injuries you sustained. Whatever you do, do not agree to a recorded statement.
Finally, speak with an experienced car accident attorney to learn your legal option.
What Are the Major Causes of a Car Wreck in Jackson, MS?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 687 fatal automobile accidents in Mississippi in 2020. The one factor all these car wrecks had in common was they were all the result of someone’s negligence.
According to the NHTSA, the following are the major causes of car accidents in Mississippi today:
- Distracted driving – Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for approximately 5 seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, reading a text while driving is like driving with your eyes closed for the full length of a football field.
- Drunk driving – Approximately 11, 564 people died from drunk driving crashes across the nation in 2020. In addition, driving will 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 the recklessness of speeding, 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 which can make it difficult to react before getting into an accident.
Why Choose Giddens Law Firm For Your Car Accident in MS?
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 dedicated completely 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.
Unlike many law firms, Giddens Law Firm, P.A. limits legal representation to only a few select and serious personal injury cases and death claims per year. This enables their legal experts to focus the most time and resources on each case in order to yield the best possible results for their clients.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered By Accident Attorneys
How Soon After a Car Crash Can You File a Lawsuit in Mississippi?
In many instances, your accident attorneys must file a lawsuit before the expiration date of your claim, also known as the statute of limitations. In Mississippi, you have three years following a car accident to submit a personal injury claim, per the statute of limitations. However, you should not delay so long before filing a claim. The longer you delay, the more likely it is that the evidence will disappear, severely undermining your case.
Should I Contact My Insurance Following a Car Accident?
Yes, you must contact your insurance company if you were involved in a car accident. Your insurance company may require you to notify them immediately following a car accident. In addition, contacting the insurance company will expedite the payment of your car repair invoices and medical expenses.
What Fault-Based System Does Mississippi Utilize?
Mississippi is one of the few jurisdictions in the United jurisdictions with a traditional fault-based system for auto accidents. This means that if the at-fault driver in a car accident also caused injuries to another party, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover the injured party’s costs.
If you were injured by another driver’s negligence in Mississippi, you can collect damages in one of three ways:
- You can submit a claim to your insurance provider. It will attempt to pursue a claim against the liable party’s insurance company on your behalf.
- You can submit a third-party claim with the negligent party’s insurer.
- You can file a claim for personal injuries against the negligent driver.
What If the Driver at Fault Does Not Have Auto Insurance?
If the other motorist is uninsured, your insurance company will be responsible for covering your expenses. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, the damages from the accident will be covered.
Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Assisting Mississippi Automobile Accident Victims and Their Families with Their Accident Attorneys
If a family member was killed or you were injured in a car accident, contact our Mississippi accident attorneys immediately. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights during this trying time. Our attorneys can assist you in filing a claim for damages on behalf of you and your family while you concentrate on helping yourself and your family recover from injuries or loss.
The initial consultation is always free, and if we accept your case, our attorneys will work on contingency. This means that we are only compensated once your case has been resolved. If we are unable to obtain the compensation you deserve following an auto accident, you will not be required to pay our fee.
Call the Giddens Law Firm, P.A., at (601) 355-2028 to learn how a car accident attorney can assist you with your accident claim.
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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 overwhelemed and stressed. What can you do to get the compensation needed to recover?
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