Have you been injured by a drunk driver in the Biloxi area? You deserve compassionate, aggressive legal representation to help you recover the damages you have suffered. Contact Mama Justice – MW Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.

There is not much more terrifying than being hit by a drunk driver. Every year, several thousand Mississippi residents are seriously injured in car crashes, and many of those are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol.

After being injured, you may find yourself facing a long recovery and mounting medical bills. You are scared of what the future holds and yet, you did not cause any of this. There are few more frustrating positions to be in.

One of the ways to ease the burden when you are dealing with this type of traumatic situation is by seeking legal counsel as soon as possible after the accident. Our Biloxi drunk driving accident lawyers at Mama Justice – MW Law Firm are proud to offer empathetic counsel, assertive legal representation, and hard work toward the best possible outcomes for our clients. We can help take some of the stress and uncertainty off of you so you can focus on your recovery with a clear path for your future.

Our law firm can help you file an auto insurance liability claim or initiate other legal action to pursue compensation after being injured by a drunk driver. If a drugged or drunk driver was responsible for your accident, you could be entitled to hold them liable for financial damages. You can sue for things like medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

A Biloxi drunk driving accident lawyer can help you build a solid case. Call the Mama Justice – MW Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.

Is a DUI a Criminal Offense in Mississippi?

According to Mississippi law, a DUI is a criminal charge with heavy repercussions. When a drunk driver is captured behind the wheel, they should expect to be arrested and charged, and should they be convicted, there are serious consequences up to including jail time. If they manage to cause a car accident that led to injury or death before they are apprehended, they should expect to face intensified charges.

If being under the influence results in a driver committing negligence and causing a car accident that results in a fatality, they could face felony charges.

The purpose of these charges is to bring the at-fault driver to account in criminal court. But a separate car accident lawsuit can be brought in civil court to recover financial compensation for your damages, and that’s where our legal counsel comes in.

Do I Need a Criminal Conviction to Hold the Driver Responsible?

Although a conviction for the driver who caused your injury would help strengthen your claim, it is by no means required to move forward. You can still collect the damages you need to cover your hospital bills, lost wages, and other damages, even if a criminal case does not go through.

In a civil case, the leading question isn’t whether or not the driver was intoxicated, but whether or not they were negligent. In a Biloxi car accident case, negligence is proven or disproven based on four distinct points:

  • The driver had a duty of care to others on the roadways
  • The driver failed to maintain their duty of care
  • Their failure resulted in a car accident
  • The accident caused you to sustain injuries and other damages

For instance, let’s say the intoxicated driver who struck you ran a red light. Driving laws say they have to obey the light, but they clearly failed to do so. Their failure resulted in them hitting your car, and your injuries put you in the hospital. An experienced Biloxi car accident lawyer might be able to prove they ran the red light, even if they are unable to prove they were under the influence. This is all that is needed for financial recovery in this case.

To find out more or get started on a car accident case today, call the Biloxi car accident attorneys at Mama Justice – MW Law Firm.

Penalties and Damages in a Drunk Driving Case

Consumer information related to driving under the influence published by The Mississippi Bar says that there are harsh criminal sentences for those who plead guilty or are otherwise convicted of driving under the influence following a Biloxi car accident. Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated endangers everyone on the roadway and puts them at a heightened risk of severe injuries or fatalities; a risk that is 100% preventable. If a driver caused a car accident while under the influence, they could face felony charges and as many as 25 years of incarceration.

Oftentimes, however, imprisonment is simply not enough. Although this may punish the negligent driver, it does nothing to help you, the injured person, get back on your feet economically.

If you feel that your car accident was caused by an intoxicated driver, a Biloxi car accident lawyer from our firm can help. Call us to find out whether we think you have a case and how much you might be able to recover.

Economic Damages You May Collect

Economic damages are made up of the losses and expenses you sustained or will sustain due to someone’s negligent drunk driving. They encompass both current and projected car accident damages or expenses that are directly associated with your treatment, injuries, or accident. Damages that are usually recoverable include:

  • Medical evaluation, care, and associated expenses
  • Lost income and job-related benefits
  • Reduced or lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job or unable to work at all
  • Property damages, such as vehicle replacement or repair
  • Miscellaneous expenses, like the cost of a rental car

Non-economic damages don’t have a precise dollar value. They often involve emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other mental anguish experienced by car accident victims.

Wrongful death damages may be available to the surviving family members of someone who died in a drunk driving accident. This can include funeral expenses, burial or cremation costs, hospital bills, loss of camaraderie, and more.

Punitive damages are rarely awarded but may be possible in certain personal injury cases. Punitive damages are typically awarded in conjunction with compensatory damages and are expressly intended to penalize the defendant further. After our Biloxi car accident lawyers conduct a thorough investigation into your drunk driving accident, they can tell you whether or not punitive damages can be pursued in your case.

To understand more or find out how to recover compensation after a southern Mississippi car accident, call the Mama Justice – MW Law Firm and schedule a free consultation with a Biloxi car accident lawyer today.

How Will a Biloxi Drunk Driving Lawyer Build My Case?

Our Biloxi drunk driving accident lawyers know the most effective methods of proving liability and negligence in an auto accident, regardless of whether the negligent driver was intoxicated or not.

Even if the negligent driver who caused your car accident was never charged, took a plea deal, or wasn’t convicted, our attorneys may still be able to hold them responsible. This will involve proving they were negligent and that their negligence led to the car accident and your serious injuries.

In order to achieve this, our Biloxi car accident attorneys may:

  • Investigate the person responsible for the auto accident
  • Acquire a copy of the arrest report, police crash report, court records, and other pertinent information
  • Interview potential witnesses
  • Collect additional evidence to support your claim
  • Utilize expert witnesses who can help us establish liability, fault, and the total value of your damages
  • Keep a comprehensive record of your accident-related expenses

If we are able to prove the at-fault driver violated a driving law or some other law, and their violation led directly to your car accident, we will file an insurance claim on your behalf. Alternatively, our Biloxi car accident lawyers will take your case to trial to see an award if necessary.

Call the Mama Justice – MW Law Firm today to discuss your auto accident case with a member of our personal injury team.

Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Suit in Mississippi

The Mississippi statute of limitations normally gives personal injury accident victims as long as three years to bring legal action. This statute also applies to cases where the impaired driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred. Regardless of how much relevant evidence you have that establishes the drunk driver’s fault and negligence, once this deadline lapses, you will be barred from filing and seeking damages.

Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances that could impact the statute of limitations. Don’t assume you have three years and wait until the last minute to seek legal representation. The sooner you reach out to our firm, the better chance you have of a favorable outcome.

Contact a car accident lawyer from the Mama Justice – MW Law Firm as soon as possible after a car crash. We offer free consultations and can help you build a compelling case against the other driver to recover a fair settlement based on your injuries and other damages.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Alcohol impairment plays a role in roughly 40% of all automobile accidents across the United States every year. A report published by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration calls to attention the grim fact that an average of 30 people are killed in alcohol-related car accidents each and every day. Even after decades of prominent public campaigns increasing public awareness of this problem, these statistics show that a considerable amount of the population is still willing to risk driving a car after having too much to drink.

The state of Mississippi has consistently led the nation in fatal car accidents, earning it the dubious designation of being the deadliest state in America in which to drive a car. There are multiple reasons for the state’s excessively large number of traffic-related fatalities in the state, and alcohol is certainly one of them. In just the past twenty years, thousands of Mississippi residents have died in alcohol-related car accidents statewide.

Just like any other state, Mississippi has harsh criminal penalties for anyone who is convicted of driving under the influence. Offenders could be looking at hefty fines, incarceration, the revocation of their driving privileges, as well as other consequences. Although these punishments may act as a semi-effective deterrent against negligent drivers, they do absolutely nothing to help those who sustain serious injuries caused by drivers under the influence.

The Bottom Line

Anyone who is injured due to an accident with a drunk driver is entitled to compensation under Mississippi law. They should seek the representation of an experienced Biloxi car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident in order to make sure they receive it.

If you or a member of your family were injured in an accident that involved a driver who you suspect was driving while under the influence, it is vital that you speak with an experienced attorney who is skilled in handling Biloxi car accidents. Before you agree to speak to anyone from the other driver’s insurance company, call our personal injury firm and schedule a free review of your case.