Car Accident Attorneys in Jackson Video
Jackson Car Accident Statistics
According to a 2021 report from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mississippi witnessed a concerning rise in car accidents that year.
More specifically:
- The number of car accident fatalities surged by approximately 17%, rising from 642 in 2019 to 752 in 2020;
- The fatality rate per 100 million miles increased significantly by about 32%, from 1.56 in 2019 to 2.06 in 2020;
- Additionally, serious injuries saw a dramatic increase from 1,577 in 2019 to 3,616 in 2020.
Statistics like these highlight the stunning frequency of car accidents in Mississippi and the need to secure reliable legal representation in their aftermath.
What Causes Car Wrecks in Jackson, Mississippi?
Car crashes in Jackson can be attributed to countless factors.
That said, they often result from a combination of these common causes:
- Driver error or negligence
- Failure to properly service or maintain a vehicle
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Inexperienced drivers facing unfamiliar situations
- Fatigue/falling asleep at the wheel
- Distracted driving
- Alcohol or drug use
- Consuming food or beverages while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Dangerous tailgating or following too closely
- Texting/cell phone use
- Unsafe lane change
- Exceeding speed limits
- Making improper turns
Other potential causes include improper passing or lane use, vehicle malfunctions, faulty auto parts, and poor road or weather conditions.
What Types of Car Accidents Happen Most Frequently?
Car accidents can differ widely in nature, but some of the most common types include:
- Rear-end collisions: These crashes occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another, often due to sudden braking or tailgating;
- T-bone accidents: Also known as side-impact collisions, these happen when one vehicle strikes the side of another, typically at an intersection;
- Head-on collisions: One of the deadliest types of crashes, head-on collisions occur when two vehicles strike one another while traveling in opposing directions;
- Multi-vehicle pileups: Multi-vehicle accidents tend to take place on high-traffic roadways like highways and interstates;
- Sideswipe accidents: When one vehicle brushes against the side of another, it’s known as a “sideswipe”;
- Rollover accidents: Rollovers occur when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof, often in high-speed or off-road situations.
Each kind of accident presents unique contributing factors and dangers, highlighting the importance of safe driving and defensive behavior on the road.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can lead to a wide spectrum of injuries, some of which can be debilitating or even fatal.
Notable examples include:
- Whiplash;
- Fractures and broken bones;
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
- Soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments;
- Internal injuries due to the impact of the collision;
- Burns resulting from contact with hot surfaces or vehicle fires;
- Spinal cord injuries, which can potentially cause paralysis or loss of sensation;
- Psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety.
Tragically, car accidents can also lead to loss of life, underscoring the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices.
Your Recovery Is Our Priority
If you've been in a car crash, the best way to protect yourself is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our Jackson car accident attorneys can guide you through the process of filing a car accident claim and help you maximize your compensation to cover your resulting financial losses.
Contact Brown, Bass & Jeter today to find out what your case is worth.
Who Is Liable After a Car Crash in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, liability after a motor vehicle accident is determined based on pure comparative fault.
Under this system, the party or parties responsible for causing the accident are accountable for some amount of the harm done. Each party’s degree of fault is assessed, and they’re then deemed liable for that proportion of the damages. For example, if a driver is found to be 70% at fault, they’d be liable for 70% of the damages.
How to Prove Liability After a Car Accident
You’ll only be able to obtain compensation from another party after your collision if you can prove that they were to blame for the accident. In Mississippi, the blame for car accidents is generally based on what’s known as the negligence standard.
In the context of a car accident, negligence is the failure to take proper care when behind the wheel. While the concept seems straightforward, applying it to real-world scenarios is often challenging.
To prove that another party was negligent, you’ll need to demonstrate the following four things:
- Duty of care: This can be defined as a legal obligation to look out for the well-being of another party in a given situation;
- Breach of duty: A breach of duty is a failure to live up to the aforementioned legal duty;
- Direct causation: There must also be a causal connection between the breach of duty and the plaintiff’s injuries;
- Demonstrable loss: The plaintiff must have suffered actual compensable losses, such as severe injuries.
Proving negligence without the aid of a skilled car accident attorney can be extremely difficult, which is why it’s so important to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Jackson, Mississippi?
If you’re injured in an auto collision, you may be eligible to recover various economic and non-economic damages if you can prove the other party is at fault and therefore liable for your losses. Here are some of the common damages car accident victims can claim.
Medical Expenses
This can cover both past and future medical bills resulting from the accident, including expenses for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and any other relevant medical treatments.
Lost Wages
If the accident caused you to miss work or reduced your earning capacity, you might receive payment for those lost earnings and potential future earnings.
Property Damage
This typically covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property lost or damaged in the crash.
Pain and Suffering
These non-economic damages are meant to compensate for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured due to the accident.
Loss of Consortium
If you’ve lost companionship, affection, intimacy, or support from a spouse or other loved one as a result of the accident, you may be compensated for loss of consortium.
Wrongful Death
When an accident ends in a fatality, the deceased’s family might be entitled to claim damages for their loss, including funeral and burial costs.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the responsible party’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious, punitive damages might be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including auto accidents, is three years from the date of the accident. This means that you have 36 months from the day the incident occurred to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.
However, it’s important to note that there are some exceptions and nuances to this rule, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the parties involved. For instance, personal injury claims against government entities may have different notice requirements and time frames.
