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Frequently Asked Questions Following a Car Accident in Mississippi

First and foremost, you are likely wondering if you have a good, solid case for recovery following your accident with injuries. The answer to this question depends on a variety of questions you must ask yourself and answer honestly. It could be very beneficial to discuss your case with a personal injury attorney who is highly skilled in your particular type of accident (i.e.; if you were hit by an 18-wheeler, you need an attorney who is very familiar with the specific issues surrounding such an accident, likewise for a motorcycle accident, multi-car accident or any other type of accident which come with special circumstances).

How Do My Injuries Factor In?

Were you injured, and if so, how severe were your injuries? Have you been rendered unable to work due to your injuries, or do you have piles of medical bills for the injuries you received which you are unable to pay? Was it directly another person’s fault that you were injured? Did the negligent party have insurance at the time of the accident, or is your insurance going to have to pick up the tab? Are you within the statute of limitations, or has too much time passed? A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you answer each of these questions in a way which will tell you whether you have a good case or not.

How Long Will My Case Take?

All people who are considering filing a personal injury claim are concerned about how long the case will take. Again, the answer to this question will depend on a number of factors such as whether or not you’ve completed your medical treatment or have considerably more surgeries, therapies or rehabilitation to complete. If there is an insurance company involved, are they accepting liability or denying your injuries and damages?  If the insurance company is not accepting liability, you would have little choice but to sue for damages, however this could take considerably more time.

The reason most of us want to know how much time the case could take is that we dread the thought of appearing in court, and having our lives filled with uncertainty while the case drags on. Unfortunately, there is just not one stock answer for how long your case could take. Having a personal injury attorney in your corner who has considerable experience in cases like yours can certainly make the case go much more quickly.

Will I Have to Go to Court in Order to Get a Settlement?

Nobody wants to go to court, and almost everyone considers sitting on the witness stand answering questions by opposing counsel to be one of life’s more anxiety-provoking experiences. In reality, very few personal injury cases ever make it to trial. This is true for several reasons; the attorney on the case may realize the case could be lost at trial and recommend settling for an offer that can be live with, or many people simply don’t want to spend the time and money a trial would involve, choosing to accept a reasonable settlement instead.

Fear of the unknown is also a big motivator in convincing people to accept a settlement offer rather than going to court. Juries are well known for being predictable—they may be unsympathetic to your injuries or may decide to really stick it to the person responsible for the injuries. Unfortunately, it can take years for a case to finally see a courtroom, and even longer to collect a multi-million dollar verdict.

Other Questions

If you are wondering how long you have to sue, be aware that the statute of limitations varies widely from type of claim as well as jurisdiction, so be sure to ask for advice from your attorney about where you are in the allowed time frame. Even if your injuries are healed, you may be able to successfully sue for injuries you sustained in your auto accident. If you refused to be transported via ambulance to an emergency room this may make your case more difficult, but it definitely does not mean you don’t have a case.

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Rules of Conduct Following an Accident In Mississippi

There are several basic “rules” that you should always take seriously following an accident. Some of them you should follow because it’s the law and you could get into trouble if you don’t, while others are just common sense rules that make dealing with an accident much smoother.

Never Leave the Scene of an Accident

You could find yourself being criminally prosecuted if your car has been involved in an accident and you leave before the police arrive. It’s also a good idea to avoid moving your car (unless you are risking further accident or injury by leaving it where it is) until a police officer has been able to take a look at the accident scene. If you are blocking traffic, try to move the very shortest distance away from where the impact took place. If you’ve suffered injuries from the accident stay in the vehicle until the emergency personnel arrive to assess your physical condition. Call the police yourself, or have someone at the scene call for you, but make that call a priority.

If the Other Driver is Reluctant to Contact Police

If you are a victim of negligent driving which resulted in an accident, and the other party says, “Oh, let’s just handle this ourselves without calling the police,” do not be persuaded! Even if you’ve properly exchanged information, you may end up very sorry should you not call the police and have an accident report filed which will detail the accident as well as who was at fault. If you later find that the other driver was either uninsured, or comes up with a completely bogus story about how the accident actually happened, then you will be the one to bear the financial hit. Your insurance may not pay due to lack of a police report, and you could be stuck with injuries and damages to your car that you will have to pay out of pocket for. Take the time and call the police, and don’t be bullied into ignoring this crucial step.

Don’t Refuse Medical Attention

It happens time after time at accident scenes. People who are involved in a crash routinely refuse medical attention even when they are feeling at least some level of pain. They go home, then hours later find that their pain has increased significantly, and end up in the emergency room. The problem with this is that if and when your case reaches court, your delay in seeking treatment can be used against you to prove your injury was not a result of the auto accident. In most all cases where the accident was any worse than a very small bump-in, you and your passengers should be checked out by EMT workers, emergency room personnel or your own personal doctor before you go home.

Never Admit Fault

If you are able, following an auto accident, try to jot down notes as to when the accident occurred, the weather and road conditions, the absence or presence of street lights or skid marks, etc. Make a diagram which shows the location of the vehicles involved in the accident as well as any traffic signals or signs in the immediate vicinity. Good notes can serve you well should your case go to trial. While you will definitely want to exchange insurance information with the other driver, and state the basics to the police, it’s never in your best interest to admit responsibility for the accident until you have consulted an attorney.  Your statements following an accident can come back to haunt you, and in any case, the police may determine the other driver was equally at fault, so use your right to remain silent if you are thinking of “confessing.”

Call an Attorney

Even the simplest auto accidents can require many steps by the people who suffered injuries, and dealing with the insurance companies, medical issues and possible lost wages can be very complex. Failure to notify your insurance company could lead to a denial of your claim down the line, so hiring a lawyer can allow you to focus on getting better rather than dealing with insurance issues.

At Barrett Law, PLLC, a dedicated car accident lawyer in Mississippi from our law firm is committed to representing Mississippi car accident victims with the compassion and personal attention that has allowed our law firm to develop a leading reputation throughout Mississippi.  We have been helping Mississippi car accident victims in Lexington and across Mississippi for over 75 years so call Barrett Law, PLLC today at (662) 834-2376.

 

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Mississippi Accident Lawyers Stress The Importance of Preparing For a Car Accident in Mississippi

Would you know what to do if you were involved in a Mississippi car accident?  Many people have never been in a serious car accident and would prefer not to consider the possibility.  However, a driver who ignores the possibility of being involved in a serious motor vehicle accident has a false sense of security.  Even if you do everything perfectly and exercise extreme caution whenever you are behind the wheel, you can still be involved in a serious car accident resulting from another person or entities negligence.

Some common causes of automobile accidents in Mississippi include reckless driving, speeding, DUI, talking or texting on a cell phone, mechanical defects, road conditions and adverse weather.  Although a conscientious and responsible driver can reduce his or her risk of being involved in a serious car accident, there are circumstances beyond one’s control that can result in serious injury in an auto accident.  If you are prepared for a car accident, it can have a significant impact on your ability to obtain compensation for your injuries.  We have provided some basic guidelines for being prepared for a Mississippi car accident, which can help you protect your right to compensation if you suffer serious injury or lose a loved one.

Three Things Every Driver Should Keep in Their Car at All Times

  • Disposable Camera: This very inexpensive item can be invaluable if you are involved in a car accident.  It can be used to take pictures that may preserve critical evidence regarding the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, the surrounding area and any visible signs of injury.  It is advisable to take pictures from every conceivable angle because this will help an accident reconstruction expert understand and explain the cause of the accident as well as determine potential liable parties.
  • Notepad:  If you are involved in an accident, you should take notes on information provided by witnesses and record the insurance information from the other driver.  It is also important to take notes on your recollection regarding how the accident occurred.  Many people are shaken and emotional immediately following a car accident so it can be hard to remember the details later if you do not take notes.
  • Insurance information: You will need to provide this to the police as proof of insurance and to the other driver when exchanging information following a serious car accident.  It is important to ensure that this information is current and your insurance policy has not lapsed.  If you are involved in a serious car accident and do not have insurance in place, it can have serious adverse consequences if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.

If you are suddenly involved in a car accident you should immediately take the following steps:

  • Immediately call 911
  • Check to see if anyone is injured and assist where possible
  • Exchange information with the other driver including name, address, telephone number and name of insurance company
  • Cooperate with the police
  • Talk to witnesses and write down their names and addresses along with any information concerning the accident while it is still fresh in the witness memory
  • Do not make any statements admitting liability or responsibility
  • Call your insurance company and give them a detailed report
  • See a doctor even if you feel like you are uninjured as not all car injuries are apparent right away
  • Get a copy of the police report

After the accident has taken place and you have received the police report, you should contact an experienced Mississippi accident attorney.  The initial consultation will not cost you anything, and the information you will receive will be priceless, especially if you suffered injuries.  An experienced Mississippi car accident attorney will gather and preserve evidence and deal with any insurance companies.  Insurance companies will do their best to get you to settle quickly without the assistance of an attorney.  This will only benefit the insurance company and not you because it will typically mean settling an auto accident injury claim before you are aware of the full extent of your injuries or have obtained legal advice.  If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a Mississippi car accident, you should call our Mississippi accident lawyers.

Barrett Law, PLLC will take every step possible to help you obtain maximum recovery as compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, diminished enjoyment of life and other damages resulting from the Mississippi car accident.  You have the right to receive the proper compensation and benefits you deserve. We have been representing those throughout Mississippi involved in car accidents for over 75 years so contact us immediately at (662) 834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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