Mississippi Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you were injured by a drunk driver in MS, our drunk driving accident lawyer is here to help.
When someone chooses to drink and drive, they endanger the lives of everyone in their path. A drunk driving accident can turn your life upside down. You will be faced with high medical bills that you were not expecting. You need compensation for your injuries and most of all, you want justice. If you were hurt in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, know that the law is on your side.
Our Mississippi drunk driving accident lawyers at Giddens Law Firm, P.A. understand how dangerous these types of car accidents can be for all involved. That’s why we fight for the rights of people who have been injured or killed in drunk driving accidents.
Don’t wait. If you were involved in a drunk driving accident, our Mississippi car accident lawyers are here to help. Contact our drunk driving accident lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
What Compensation Can I Receive in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?
Drunk driving accidents can be devastating. According to the most recent data from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, 18 percent of the total traffic deaths in 2016 involved drunk drivers. Even a small amount of alcohol in your system can be dangerous — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that over 2,000 people were killed in a drunk driving car crash where the driver had a blood alcohol content of less than .07.
Drunk driving accidents can result in massive losses for everyone involved. You could have received serious injuries such as brain injury, spinal and neck injuries, or internal bleeding. With such severe injuries, you could be facing months of doctor visits and lost time from work. It’s important to know what you will receive after getting into drunk driving accident.
By hiring our experienced car accident attorney in Jackson, MS for your drunk driving accident claim, you could receive the following compensation:
- Medical expenses: Any medical bills you received from the accident can be compensated. This includes ER visits, doctor appointments, lab results, medication, physical therapy, and long-term care.
- Lost wages: Even if you use vacation time to recover from your injuries, you could receive compensation for current and future wage loss.
- Property damage: If your vehicle was damaged or had been totaled by the drunk driving accident, you could be compensated.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering refers to any emotional, mental, or physical pain you may have experienced because of the accident.
If you lost a loved one in the drunk driving accident, you may be able to recover funeral and burial costs. Speak with our Mississippi fatal car accident lawyer for more information.
What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?
If you were in an accident caused by a drunk driver, there are some things you could do after the accident to protect your legal rights. It can start right after the accident occurs.
Report the Auto Accident Right Away
It is critical that you call the police as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’re that injured or the other driver pleads with you not to call. An official report of the incident needs to be made and is required when you file a car accident claim.
Start Collecting Evidence
When a drunk driving accident occurs, your drunk accident lawyer will want to start gathering evidence that shows the car accident was caused by the drunk driver’s negligence. Photos, contact information for witnesses and the other driver, and video of the accident scene can all be useful in this regard.
Get Medical Treatment
An auto accident brings on an adrenalin rush and you may not feel like you were injured. But seeking medical attention after a drunk driving accident is always a good idea. If you choose not to be examined, it may be difficult to collect future medical expenses if injuries are discovered later on.
Do Not Record a Statement
You should never give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before consulting with a drunk driving accident attorney. Any statement you make during the claims process can be used against you if the drunk driving accident case goes to trial. Instead, only respond to what is asked of you and make no assumptions about what happened.
Keep a Record
It’s important to keep a record of any expenses related to the motor vehicle accident. This not only includes your medical bills but also your time off of work and repair bills. By keeping track of what money is going out, it will be easier to calculate how much your claim may be worth.
Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
If you were in a drunk driving accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience with drunk driving accidents. Our MS car accident lawyer can assist drunk driving accident victims in communicating with insurance companies, obtaining compensation for medical bills and other accident-related expenses, and filing a wrongful death claim if the collision results in death. Our drunk driving accident lawyer will walk you through the legal process and seek justice on your behalf.
Contact the drunk driving accident attorneys at Giddens Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Why is Drunk Driving So Dangerous?
To truly understand how dangerous drunk driving can be for everyone on the road, it’s important to understand how the brain functions while under the influence of alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol in your system can severely impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle. Consider the most prevalent effects of alcohol on drunk drivers.
- Delay in Reaction Times: Even one drink affects how quickly you can react to various situations. Your reaction times have been significantly slowed and it takes longer for your brain to process information, which means it takes longer to act appropriately. For example, if a car suddenly pulls out in front of a drunk driver, the intoxicated driver may not be able to react in time and won’t be able to stop in time, hitting the other driver.
- Lack of Coordination: Excessive drinking can affect motor skills such as eye, hand, and foot coordination. These abilities are essential when driving, where the drunk driver may have an issue getting into the car let alone steering and keeping alert for emergency situations. Consider the most prevalent effects of alcohol on drivers.
- Poor Judgment: Your brain determines how you evaluate situations. If you’re the driver, you must remain alert and aware of the surrounding conditions in order to make sound decisions. However, this ability is impaired by alcohol. What may look like a hazard to a sober driver may not be the same to a drunk driver. This can result in making a dangerous choice and cause an accident.
- Vision Impairment: After consuming alcohol, a person’s vision may become blurred or they may lose control of their eye movement. Impaired vision can affect how people judge the distance between other vehicles on the road while driving. Peripheral vision can also be impaired, which can be particularly dangerous when changing lanes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents
Q: What Are the Legal Consequences of a Drunk Driving Accident?
A: According to Section 63-11-30 of the Mississippi Code, if a drunk driver gets into an accident in Mississippi and causes an injury or death, that individual will be charged with an Aggravated DUI. They will receive five to 25 years of prison for each death or injury. The driver will also have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicle for five years. If the individual is a commercial driver, they will be charged with a felony.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident?
A: In Mississippi, you have up to three years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver’s insurance company. But the sooner you file a claim, the more likely you will be successful in recovering compensation for your injuries.
Q: Can I Hold Someone Else Responsible for the Car Accident?
A: It depends. According to Mississippi’s dram shop law, the injured party cannot hold a vendor responsible for selling alcohol to a drunk driver who causes an accident. Yet, there are exceptions. If the drunk driver is a minor or was visibly intoxicated yet was still sold alcohol, the vendor could then be held liable.
Q: How Much Does a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Cost?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis. What this means is you do not have to pay our fee until the case is settled or reaches a verdict. If we are unable to get you compensation, then you do not owe us a fee.
Q: How Can a Mississippi Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help?
A: Our drunk driving accident attorneys will get to work right away to learn more about your accident. We will speak with experts and examine the evidence, give you an estimate of how much your auto accident claim is worth, and start negotiating with the insurance company. If negotiations should break down, we will represent you in court and fight for your rights.
Attorney John Giddens has been helping drunk driving accident victims across Mississippi for almost 30 years. He understands what needs to be done to get you the compensation you deserve in an accident claim.
If you were involved in a drunk driving accident and need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer, we’re here for you. Contact the Mississippi drunk driving accident lawyer at Giddens Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
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