Car Accident Lawyers In Southaven, Mississippi

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you may have legal options available. Contact our Southaven car accident lawyers at Mama Justice to protect your rights today.

The state of Mississippi has more than 2 million licensed drivers. As you can imagine, our roads see their fair share of drivers here in Southaven. Although the majority of motorists are careful while traveling throughout the area, we see numerous people engage in negligent actions that lead to crashes. Being harmed in a motor vehicle accident is one of the most difficult things anyone can ever deal with.

If you have been injured in a car crash, it is important that you work quickly to protect your legal rights. By reaching out to a personal injury lawyer in Southaven as soon as possible, you will be in the best position to protect your legal rights.

The Southaven car accident lawyers at Mama Justice know first-hand what victims of car accidents are forced to go through. Dealing with painful physical injuries and suffering the mental and emotional consequences while being weighed down by the financial impacts can seem nearly impossible. For this reason, we are committed to helping each victim we work with on their pursuit of justice.

Leading Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents can take place for a variety of reasons. We see many people harmed in accidents due to the actions of others. In fact, some of the leading causes of collisions in Southaven include:

Statistics show that nearly 34% of fatal collisions in the state of Mississippi involve at least one driver who is under the influence of alcohol. Roughly one out of every five accidents, whether ending in injury or death, involves a drunk driver. Although there are laws in place to prevent drivers from entering our roads while impaired, it continues to be a leading issue in Southaven and across the entire state. In fact, Mississippi has the fourth-highest DUI fatality rate in the country.

Driver Negligence Causes Crashes

We see many accidents take place due to the actions of reckless drivers. In fact, nearly 80% of collisions in Mississippi each year are caused by some type of negligence. Negligence can take many forms and have a life-changing impact on the lives of other drivers sharing the road.

Some of the most common types of negligence include:

• Drivers failing to maintain control of their vehicle
• Aggressive driving behaviors
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving while using cell phones or while distracted by other objects or people
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Changing lanes without looking or in an aggressive manner
• Failing to obey road signs/traffic lights

If you have been harmed in a motor vehicle accident due to a driver who engaged in negligent actions while operating their vehicle, you may have legal options available to help you get justice. Speaking to a car accident lawyer in Southaven as soon as possible will ensure you are in the best position possible to hold negligent drivers accountable.

Crashes Caused by Distractions

Driving while distracted is another commonly reported factor involved in crashes across Southaven. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that driving while distracted can be just as dangerous as operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When it comes to distractions, it is important to recognize the three forms of distractions that impact drivers across our state. These include:

Visual distractions

These distractions are objects that take the attention of drivers off the road ahead. When drivers fail to remain alert of the road ahead, it can result in them crashing into other vehicles, objects, and people nearby.

Manual distractions

This type of distraction requires drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. When drivers engage in tasks that use their hands, and remove them from the wheel, their ability to maintain control over their vehicles is drastically impacted.

Cognitive distractions

The third category of distraction is cognitive distraction. These distractions are anything that can take your mind and attention off the road ahead. Some people identify cognitive distractions as daydreams and other thoughts that remove the concentration of the driver from the road ahead.

It is important that drivers remain focused on the roadway at all times. Unfortunately, there are many actions that drivers engage in while operating their vehicles that create an unsafe environment for others. These include:

If you have been injured in an accident as a result of a distracted driver, you may have legal options available to help you recover compensation that you can use for medical care and more.

Aggressive Driving Behaviors

Another leading cause of crashes in Southaven is aggressive driving. We see many people make hasty decisions while operating their vehicles that result in life-changing accidents. Some of the most commonly reported aggressive driving actions include:

Aggressive drivers continue to be an issue in Southaven and all across the state of Mississippi. Should you be harmed in a crash as a result of these or other acts of aggression, reach out to our car accident lawyers in Southaven as soon as possible.

Types of Car Accidents in Southaven, Mississippi

No two motor vehicle accidents are exactly the same. Given the fact that crashes can take place for a variety of reasons, it is no surprise that there are various types of crashes that impact drivers. Some of the most common types of car accidents we see in Southaven include:

If you are harmed in a motor vehicle accident, it is crucial that you reach out to a car accident lawyer in Southaven as soon as possible. Our lawyers at Mama Justice will get started immediately on investigating your accident to determine what legal options are available for you moving forward.

Injured as a Result of Inadequate Security

Property owners are required to ensure their property is safe for guests. This can include implementing various security measures to ensure others are not harmed while visiting your property. Business owners in particular have a duty to keep guests from being harmed by foreseeable criminal activities. An attack can result in severe and life-threatening injuries, and sometimes death. Unfortunately, we see frequently people harmed by others in Southaven due to inadequate security. Some of the leading causes of these incidents include:

When home and business owners fail to ensure adequate security measures are in place, guests are at an increased risk of being harmed. Some of the most common accidents resulting from inadequate security include:

If you were injured in any such incident on another person’s property due to inadequate security, or your loved one lost their life, you may have legal options available to help you move forward. Our lawyers at Mama Justice are available to meet with you and discuss the legal options that may be available for you.

Most Common Car Crash Injuries

No one is able to predict the extent of damages crashes can have. In many instances, victims involved in crashes are left with serious injuries that demand immediate medical care. Some of the most common injuries victims of accidents are left with include:

Although there have been numerous advancements in medicine that allow victims to go through various treatments to heal from their injuries, going through surgery, being hospitalized, and other treatments are extremely expensive. Furthermore, many treatments come without any guarantee of a full recovery.

In addition to dealing with physical injuries, many victims endure overwhelming trauma. The mental and emotional consequences of crashes can make it difficult to function. In many instances, victims have to go through counseling or take medication to help cope with stress, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The impacts of crashes expand beyond the mental and physical. There are numerous financial burdens that victims and their families have to deal with. These include:

Thankfully, you do not have to move forward and deal with all of these issues on your own. Our Southaven personal injury lawyers at Mama Justice will stand by your side as we fight to get you full and timely compensation to help alleviate the expenses you face moving forward.

Car Insurance Coverage in Mississippi

The state of Mississippi requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. Each insurance policy is designed to compensate individuals who are harmed in crashes due to the actions of the policyholder. The state minimums include: up to:

• $25,000 coverage for personal injury
• $50,000 coverage for property damage per accident
• Up to $25,000 in property damage per accident

Although this may seem like a lot of money, medical expenses can add up quickly – especially when people are seriously injured. Accidents that result in spinal cord injuries and even traumatic brain injuries can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

Liability coverage in Mississippi is designed to alleviate the impacts of lost wages, injuries, and pain and suffering caused by the policyholder to another driver or their passengers.

Our state offers various optional car insurance coverage as well. These coverages include:

Collision coverage

This policy covers damages to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive coverage

These plans provide coverage for your vehicle from non-collision perils, such as weather damage or theft.

Medical payments

This coverage will help cover the costs of medical expenses for people in your vehicle at the time of your crash, regardless of who is at fault.

Roadside assistance

This coverage can help by reimbursing the cost of towing fees, overnight stays, and fixing flat tires.

Rental car reimbursement

This coverage option will help you get a rental car paid for should you be in an accident that leaves you without a vehicle during repairs.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage

These policies can help cover the accumulated costs after an accident with a driver who is underinsured or not insured at the time of the crash.

Uninsured motorist property damage

Although these policies can be extremely beneficial, they are not mandatory in Mississippi. It is important that you consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Southaven following your accident to determine what coverage is available for you.

You’ve Been in a Crash. Now What?

The time immediately following a collision can be overwhelming. It is important that you remain focused and take various steps to ensure you are in the best position possible to get justice.

First, you must report the accident immediately to local law enforcement. Having an officer respond to the crash and write a report surrounding the accident can help build a strong case. Even though some accidents do not require the police to be notified, it is strongly advised to alert the police in case someone suffers injuries with a delayed onset.

Next, you will want to exchange insurance information with the other drivers involved. Write down their name, address, and phone number. Obtain their driver’s license number, the insurance company and policy information, and the information of the owner of the vehicle. Finally, you will want to make a note of the make, model, and color of the car and any names on the vehicles if they are company-owned.

Use your phone to document the accident. Whenever possible, take pictures of the scene, the vehicles involved, and all subsequent damage. You will want to take pictures of where the accident occurred and any contributing factors. Take pictures of your injuries as well.

Gather contact information for people who witnessed the accident. These witnesses can provide statements in support of your claim later on, which can help you prevail when filing a personal injury lawsuit.

You will want to seek medical attention right away. Even if you do not feel like you are injured, it is important that you undergo a medical exam. You may have internal organ damage and other injuries with a delayed onset of symptoms.

Finally, do not sign any documents before consulting with a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to convince you to accept a minimum settlement following your crash. Accepting a settlement can prevent you from recovering full and timely compensation for your injuries and damages later on.

Our lawyers at Mama Justice are available to speak with you 24/7 about your case and to schedule a free evaluation to discuss the legal options available for you. We will handle the insurance companies on your behalf and demand that they pay you the full amount of compensation that you need and rightfully deserve after being harmed.

Get Help Navigating Your Claim

Our Southaven car accident attorneys at Mama Justice will help you determine the cause of your crash. When it comes to prevailing in your case, liability ultimately depends on fault. It can be difficult to identify the party or parties that are responsible for your crash. For this reason, our lawyers will investigate your crash and help you understand why and how it occurred. Our lawyers will identify all parties who are responsible for your injuries and damages and we will hold them accountable.

When it comes to identifying leading factors of crashes, there are three main causes. These include:

Driver error or negligence

This broad term applies to various actions that can fall under the category of negligence. In general, drivers are negligent when they engage in actions that are not considered reasonable while operating their vehicles. This includes drivers who speed, fail to yield the right of way, text while driving, or become distracted by other means.

Poor road conditions

There are instances where poor road conditions result in life-changing crashes. These incidents can be caused by broken roads, a lack of secure guardrails, poor weather conditions, inadequate signage, potholes, and debris in the road.

Vehicle malfunction

There are instances where crashes are caused by part malfunctions. Defects that lead to accidents can include issues with the ignition switches, steering, brakes, tires, and more. When vehicle collisions are caused by defects and malfunctions, there are several parties who can be held liable. A thorough investigation is imperative in order to get justice.

Mississippi is a fault base state. It also maintains a pure comparative negligence compensation system. In general, comparative negligence assigns each party to an accident some degree of fault. After it is determined what percentage of fault each party contributed to the crash, damages are awarded in a manner that reflects the findings.

In a pure comparative negligence system, a person who is harmed in a crash may be able to bring a claim for injuries resulting from a crash even if they are found to be mostly responsible. In Mississippi, fault can be used as a partial defense when arguing liability. Defendants often argue fault because it can reduce the amount of damages they are responsible to pay.

Our lawyers are well-versed in personal injury laws in Mississippi. We will conduct a thorough investigation of your crash and create the strongest case possible to prove the defendant is at fault and should be held accountable. Not only will we perform a thorough investigation of your accident, but we will hire experts who can help build your case. Our connections to some of the top forensics experts and reconstruction experts in Mississippi allow our team to put forth the clearest and most convincing evidence in support of our client’s claims.