If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the Jackson car accident attorneys at Mama Justice to explore your right to compensation.

With over 150,000 residents and thousands of annual visitors, it is no surprise that the roadways in Jackson remain constantly busy. Although motorists want to make it to their destinations on time and in the most efficient manner possible, there are numerous instances where people are injured in car crashes due to the negligence of others.

The impact of a motor vehicle accident can be felt immediately. Not only do most victims require emergency medical care, but the long-term medical and financial after-effects can be overwhelming for victims and their families. Rather than trying to move forward alone after your accident, you can benefit greatly by reaching out to a skilled car accident lawyer in Jackson who will fight to get you justice.

Missy Wigginton, AKA Mama Justice, is a Jackson car accident attorney who remains dedicated to helping car accident victims pursue legal action against negligent drivers. Whether you were harmed as a result of a negligent, malicious, or reckless individual, it is crucial that you are able to hold them to account for your damages and suffering. Do not wait to take legal action. Contact our personal injury lawyers in Mississippi as soon as possible to get started on your case.

How is Fault Established in a Mississippi Car Accident?

The state of Mississippi follows a fault-based system when it comes to auto accidents. This system maintains a pure comparative negligence system. This means that each party to an accident is assigned fault to some degree. Through investigating the incident, the percentage of fault for each party is determined. After the percentage is determined, awards for damages are given in an amount proportional to the amount of negligence assigned to each party.

Under a pure comparative negligence system, each individual who was involved in a given accident can file a claim against other people who were also in the crash to obtain compensation for their resulting damages and injuries. Even if a person shares the highest percentage of fault for an accident, they are still able to recover for their damages.

Fault can be a potential defense in arguing your claim. Given the fact that pure comparative negligence rules allow some damages to be awarded to victims regardless of fault, the amount of the award can be reduced based on the driver’s share of responsibility for the accident. Proving that the other driver involved in your accident can help reduce the extent of damages you are responsible for. This can increase the amount of compensation that you are able to recover.

Contact Mama Justice – MW Law Firm online or by phone at (833) 626-2587 today for a free and confidential consultation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Jackson

There are a variety of reasons why motor vehicle accidents take place in Jackson and across the state of Mississippi, however, there are three factors that play a major role in the majority of accidents we see every year. These include:

  • Drivers who are impaired: The Mississippi Department of Transportation estimates that around 18% of all traffic-related fatalities are caused by drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Our state has the fourth-highest rate of DUI fatalities in the entire country and we do not see this changing anytime in the near future. Year after year, the number of people killed or injured in drunk driving crashes continues to increase.
  • Distracted driving: Out of all fifty states, Mississippi has the most traffic-related fatalities caused by drivers who are distracted by their phones. In addition to drivers using their phones to talk and text, we see many accidents take place due to motor vehicle operators eating, deterring their attention to passengers in their vehicles, and other actions like fiddling with the radio.
  • Driving on rural roadways: Rural roads, in particular, have much higher speed limits than other roads in the state. These roads also have less oversight than streets in busy city areas. As a result, we tend to see more drivers engage in reckless actions while traveling on rural roads because they are less worried about getting caught by the police. Crashes on rural roads are often severe in nature. The fact that these roads can be some distance from cities means they take longer for first responders to arrive.

Other common causes of crashes in Jackson include:

  • Aggressive driving behaviors
  • Fatigue/ falling asleep while operating the vehicle
  • Failing to yield the right of way to others
  • Speeding
  • Changing lanes or passing vehicles in an improper manner
  • Following too closely
  • Driver inexperience
  • Not adequately servicing a vehicle
  • Defective auto parts
  • Improper turns

These and other factors can lead to devastating crashes that cause painful injuries for victims. Studies show that as high as 80% of crashes each year are caused by some form of driver error. If you have been injured as a result of a negligent, malicious, or careless driver, you should seek the guidance of a Jackson car accident lawyer at Mama Justice as soon as possible. Our team will review the circumstances surrounding your accident and help determine who is at fault.

The Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Jackson

Car accidents can take place for a variety of reasons. Given the variety of causes for accidents, it is no surprise that no two accidents are exactly alike. There are several types of car accidents that can impact your life. Some of the most common types of accidents we see include:

  • Head-on collisions
  • Sideswipe accidents
  • Side-impact accidents (T-bone crashes)
  • Intersection accidents
  • Highway construction accidents

Should you be injured in an accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights. By reaching out to an aggressive car accident lawyer in Jackson at Mama Justice as soon as possible, we can get started on investigating your accident and helping you determine who is at fault.

Common Injuries from Auto Accidents in Jackson

Every year, tens of thousands of people in Mississippi are negatively affected by motor vehicle accidents. Here in Jackson, we see a significant number of victims left with painful injuries that require both immediate and long-term care. Some of the most common injuries we see victims left with following car accidents include:

  • Back injury
  • Broken bones and bone fractures
  • Bruises
  • Brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Internal injuries
  • Scrapes, cuts, and lacerations
  • Whiplash
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Loss of limbs
  • Paralysis
  • Death

These and other severe injuries require expensive medical care. An ambulance ride alone can be around $500. Add to this the cost of examinations, hospitalizations, surgeries, and other treatments and you can easily rack up more than $100,000 in medical bills from a single collision.

No one should be forced to spend their own hard-earned money on medical bills they face due to the negligence of another person. For this reason, the Jackson personal injury lawyers at Mama Justice provide fearless representation to our clients to help them recover the compensation they need for these and other expenses they face moving forward.

Call us at (833) 626-2587 to discuss your situation during a free consultation. You may also contact us using our free online case evaluation form.

Types of Compensation for Your Accident

It is important that you understand that every car accident is unique. There is no way to guarantee the amount of compensation that you should expect to receive after your accident. We will review the circumstances of your accident in order to determine the damages you’ve sustained and the compensation you deserve. Some of the factors that determine the amount of compensation you receive include:

  • The medical bills you accrued from your accident
  • The amount of medical care you will need in the future for your injuries
  • Any rehabilitation you require for your injuries
  • Any lost wages you endure from taking time off work to recover from your injuries
  • Lost earnings if you are unable to return to work indefinitely
  • Pain and suffering you endure from your accident

These are just some factors that our Jackson car accident lawyers take into consideration when it comes to determining the full amount of compensation that you can recover. Our ultimate goal is to help you get full and timely compensation so you are able to cover the financial burdens you face now and well into the future as you recover from your injuries.

The Importance of Working with a Car Accident Attorney

After being involved in a motor vehicle accident, there are some mistakes that you may want to avoid. There are certain things that people do following their accidents that impact their ability to get justice.

Here are some mistakes that you will want to avoid following your accident:

Do not lose track of time

The longer you wait to take legal action against the at-fault driver, the harder it will become to recover compensation for everything you need and deserve. Waiting to take legal action can impact your ability to collect evidence from the scene. You may have a difficult time reaching out to witnesses. The details surrounding your accident may be difficult to remember. Rather than waiting, you must take quick legal action to ensure you get justice.

Do not avoid getting medical attention

You must seek medical assistance immediately after your accident. Not every injury can be seen with your eyes. There are several internal injuries that can be fatal without adequate and timely care. You may have delayed onset of injuries, such as whiplash. Or, you may be overcome by adrenalin and be unable to realize what has happened to your body. Rather than taking any risks with your health, seeking medical assistance can ensure you are able to recover. Furthermore, timely care will ensure all of your injuries are well documented.

Remain honest

Do not misrepresent or exaggerate the extent and nature of your injuries. Lying about the severity of your injuries can negatively impact your ability to recover full and timely compensation for your legal claim.

Do not forget to obtain a police report

The report provided by law enforcement is an official record of your accident. It is important that you obtain this piece of evidence as it can provide valuable insight as to what took place.

Do not be negligent in keeping your own records

Keeping records and documents pertaining to your accident is crucial. You will want to hold on to medical reports, records, doctor notes, conversations with insurance companies, take photos of the crash and hold onto photos of your injuries. Keeping a journal of your daily activities that highlight the impacts of your crash can also be extremely beneficial.

Do not wait to get legal advice

Seeking legal advice as soon as possible can help you obtain the best position when it comes to your pursuit of justice. Waiting to seek legal guidance can prevent you from holding negligent parties accountable for their actions and jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.

Any of these mistakes can negatively affect your claim when it comes to your ability to get justice. It is crucial that you are upfront and honest throughout the entire claim process. Our lawyers will be right by your side to protect your legal rights and advocate on your behalf.

Car Accident FAQs

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you most likely have many questions that you need answered. Here are some of the most common questions that victims have following their accidents.

After being in a motor vehicle accident, it is crucial that you remain at the scene. Do not leave the scene without first speaking to the other drivers involved in the crash. Leaving the scene of the accident could lead to criminal charges, regardless of whether you were at fault. Call the police immediately. You will want an officer to respond to the site of the accident and create a police report. These reports not only detail the accident but also provide the contact information and insurance coverage of every person involved. This can make the process of recovering compensation much easier for you and your legal team.

You will want to obtain the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. These third-party individuals can help strengthen your case against the other driver involved. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if injuries seem minor, it is imperative that you seek medical attention and undergo a full examination. Having adequate documentation early on is key when it comes to your ability to recover compensation for all of your medical expenses.

It is in your best interest to seek the assistance of a skilled and experienced Jackson car accident lawyer as soon as possible. This is especially true if you are dealing with severe injuries or the loss of a loved one due to a motor vehicle accident. The sooner you reach out to a lawyer, the quicker they will be able to gather evidence on your behalf. Reaching out to a law firm as soon as possible is an effective way to ensure you have the strongest legal case possible.

Yes. You will want to cooperate with your insurance company after being involved in an accident. In Mississippi, most insurance companies require policyholders to notify them as soon as possible after they are involved in collisions. Do not make any statements about the cause of the crash. Instead, provide the basic facts of the accident to your insurance company and seek the assistance of a car accident lawyer in Mississippi before moving forward.

In an ideal world, the insurance company of the liable party will cover all medical expenses you face following your accident. However, insurance companies rarely cooperate when it comes to protecting you after a crash. Instead, insurance companies often dispute liability and make it extremely challenging for victims to receive timely and full compensation. Our car accident lawyers in Jackson can help you take quick legal action so you get the compensation you deserve.

It is important to know that Mississippi requires all victims of accidents to file a written report to the police within ten days of the date of the accident if the damages exceed $250. If you fail to file a report, you could face legal ramifications. The time to file a personal injury claim is not as strict.

In Mississippi, victims of car accidents have up to three years to file a legal claim against at-fault parties. The statute of limitation begins on the date of the accident. When the three-year period passes, you will most likely have no other options to pursue compensation from those at fault.

If your questions were not answered, reach out to our car accident legal team in Jackson as soon as possible. We can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your accident, legal options available to you, and what to expect throughout the entire legal process.

How Mama Justice Can Help You

Dealing with painful injuries can make the process of protecting your legal rights alone extremely challenging. For this reason, victims are advised to seek legal guidance from a skilled car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Mama Justice, we have experience helping victims of car accidents get justice.

We provide various services to ensure your legal rights and best interests are protected every step of the way. Some of the ways we help our clients include:

  • Investigating the accident by interviewing witnesses, assessing damages, and gathering evidence.
  • Working with forensic experts, recreationists, and other experts to build the strongest case possible.
  • Working with professionals who can determine the value of your damages.
  • Accurately file your claim within the proper statute of limitations.
  • Negotiate with insurance companies to help you recover full and timely compensation.
  • Bring your case to court if we are unable to reach a settlement agreement.

We are fully committed to helping you get justice after being injured in an accident. Do not wait to protect your legal rights. Contact our law firm today to see how we can help you.