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Mississippi Texting and Driving Laws

By now, most of us know that texting and driving is dangerous, and yet, many people admit that they do still send and read messages while they are behind the wheel. These texting drivers get in accidents 23 times more often than drivers who are not looking at their phone. In the course of a year, cell phone use leads to around 1.6 million vehicle collisions and crashes. Texting and driving, therefore, leads to hundreds of thousands of injuries, thousands of deaths, and expensive property damage.

In acknowledgment of the dangers of texting and driving, most states have enacted laws that make this practice illegal. Now a person caught texting and driving might be subject to fines, although the risk of a fine pales in comparison to the threat texting and driving creates for all people on the road.

Mississippi Law

Mississippi is one of the 47 states that have banned texting while driving for all drivers. When the law was first enacted, a driver caught texting would be subject to a $25 fine, but the penalty has since increased to $100. The law also bans the use of social media while driving. If the texting driver is one who only holds a learning permit, temporary driving permit, or an intermediate license, the fines can be $500, and more in the event that an accident occurs as a result of the phone use.

Accidents resulting from texting and driving

Liability in vehicle collisions often revolves around the concept of negligence. In order to be considered negligent, a person must have acted in a way that a reasonably prudent person would not act in the same situation. Given the fact that texting and driving is known to be dangerous, it is safe to say that a person who was looking at their phone and either reading a text or actually writing one while they were driving was not behaving as a reasonably prudent person. The fact that a person was texting at the time of or just before an accident would be a strong indication that they were negligent. However, the texting driver may even be considered “negligent per se,” meaning that they will be presumed negligent for having been texting while driving. Negligence per se occurs when a person breaks a law that is meant to protect people, and a person who was meant to be protected by the law is injured as a result. Laws that ban texting and driving are created to protect everyone on the road from dangerous driving, and resulting collisions or pedestrian accidents. As such, it is safe to say that anyone injured by a texting driver was meant to be protected by this law.

Car accident liability

If you were injured in a car crash and believe the other driver was being negligent, you could be entitled to compensation from that other driver. If you believe the other driver was texting or otherwise distracted by their phone at the time of the collision, then there is a good chance that the other driver was negligent, and should be responsible for paying damages to you for the injuries that they caused you. It is important to speak with an attorney to have the specific facts of your claim evaluated.  Contact the seasoned Mississippi Car Accident Attorney at Barrett Law, PLLC now at (800) 707-9577 or visiting us online at www.barrettlawpllc.com.

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Dangerous Roads Might Be the Cause of Your Mississippi Car Accident

While most serious Mississippi car accidents are caused by inattentive or careless drivers, there are a substantial number of auto collisions that are the result of dangerous roadways.  Sometimes roads in Mississippi are not designed safely, or the roadway is inadequately maintained.  When the defective construction or maintenance of a roadway is a factor in causing a motor vehicle crash, pursuit of an auto accident claim can be especially complicated.  Public entities are usually responsible for ensuring that a roadway is safe in terms of both its initial construction and maintenance.  Government entities have the benefit of sovereign immunity and possess an enormous war chest to defend against such claims.

Dangerous roadways cause far more accidents than many people realize.  Some estimates place the number of car accidents involving defective or poorly maintained roadways as high as twenty percent.  Lawsuits that involve defective roads require attorneys experienced in handling these kinds of complex cases, as well as the resources to litigate such a case. Clients often come to us after another attorney has passed on their case because the other driver did not have insurance.  This can happen when there is no recognition that a defective roadway issue makes the case worth pursuing.

If you are involved in an accident that involves an unsafe street or interstate, it is important to document the features of the segment of road that contributed to your accident.  In the wake of a serious car accident in Mississippi, public entities often make remedial changes or remove the debris that contributed to a car accident.  Our experienced defective roadway attorneys recommend preserving such evidence in any way possible, including taking photos, pointing out the hazard to the investigating officer, and/or taking careful notes regarding the hazard.

Construction zones often constitute one of the most dangerous types of roadway hazards.  Most people that drive through a construction zone presume that the orange flags, warning signs, cement barriers, and other safety measures are there to protect construction workers. While worker safety is one reason for these safety features, the US Department of Transportation reports that the majority of those injured in construction zones are drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.  When you drive through a construction zone, you must take extra care to avoid being involved in a car accident.  It is essential to substantially lower your speed and to pay attention to potential hazards or road detours. There is a wide range of distractions to drivers moving through construction zones, so it easy to become confused.  It is imperative that drivers focus all of their attention on their driving to avoid a serious car accident in a Mississippi work zone.

There are a wide range of roadway defects that can cause an auto collision, including but not limited to the following:

  • Poor signage
  • Potholes or uneven pavement
  • Edge of the road drop offs
  • Defective road surfacing that becomes extremely slick during wet or hot weather
  • Construction machinery or other obstacles in the roadway
  • Missing or damaged guardrails
  • Roadway debris

While a public entity can be liable for a poorly constructed or inadequately maintained roadway, this type of lawsuit requires careful investigation of the accident location, as well as exhaustive review of documents and accident reports within the control of the government entity.  Liability often turns on the duration of time that the defect was present and whether the public entity reasonably should have had notice of the danger.  Personal injury claims against a public entity typically will be subject to a tort claims act, which essentially empowers members of the public to bring an injury claim against a government subdivision despite sovereign immunity.  Tort claims acts have very tight timing requirements, so it is important you contact us as soon as you are involved in an accident that may have been caused by a dangerous roadway.

If you or your loved one is injured in a Mississippi traffic collision, you are invited to contact the experienced Mississippi Car Accident Attorney at Barrett Law to learn how we can help.  Our lawyers have been representing accident victims throughout Mississippi for over 75 years.  We offer personalized legal representation and zealous advocacy.  We provide a free initial case evaluation so call us today at 800-707-9577.  No Recovery No Fee!

 

 

 

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Mississippi Car Accident Attorney Explains How Mississippi Is One of the Most Dangerous Places To Drive

Roadways all over the country can be dangerous. Negligent, distracted and aggressive drivers can present challenges to other drivers steering down any street or highway. Those challenges exist in every state, although the state of Mississippi presents more danger than any other place in the United States.  In fact, t has been a place where auto accident deaths have always ranked very high.

The state of Mississippi has historically received the unwanted distinction of being one of the most dangerous places to drive in all of America. In a 2012 study conducted by The Trust for America’s Health, Mississippi ranked as the No.1 most dangerous place to drive in all of the United States.  Specifically, Mississippi routinely leads the country in auto accident fatalities every year. Recent numbers have shown that there are an average of 26.7 auto accident deaths per 100,000 in Mississippi per year.  The lifetime medical costs that result from auto accident injuries have been reported at $7.15 million.

Part of the reason for such a high number of accidents has to do with the struggling economy in Mississippi. Not all cars on the road in Mississippi are equipped with the most optimum safety features necessary to protect drivers. However, there has been a reduction in auto accident fatalities since a mandatory seat belt law was introduced in 2006.

There are also plenty of hazards on the road such as high speed limits which reach as much as 75 mph. There are also a number of unlit and poorly-lit roads in Mississippi which makes driving at night rather difficult. Perhaps the most startling reason for the high number of auto accidents is that text messaging is still not illegal while driving in the state of Mississippi. Efforts have been made to attempt to rectify this problem, but to no avail.

Currently, 43 states have bans on texting and driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Mississippi is not among those 43 states. Mississippi does, however, prohibit texting and driving to those with learner’s permits or intermediate license holders.

The state of Mississippi also ranked very low in having established seat belt laws for all passengers in a vehicle. In a 2014 report released by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Mississippi was severely lacking in laws regarding the primary enforcement of front and rear seat belts. The state of Mississippi has been without laws in the following areas:

  • Rear primary enforcement seat belt law
  • Booster seat law
  • Six of the seven teen driving provisions
  • All-driver text messaging restrictions

 With some of the laws and driving conditions being so antiquated, there is the need for drivers to be more alert in the state of Mississippi. Passenger deaths are also unusually high in comparison to the rest of the country.

While not all auto accidents end in death, many cause injuries which can make for time out of work, extensive rehabilitation, and a great deal of pain and suffering. Those could all lead to a problematic future and are a direct result of having to combat such dangerous driving conditions in the state of Mississippi. Until the state steps into the 21st century and readjusts some of its laws, there is the grim reality that auto accidents will be a part of everyday life.

If you have been involved in any kind of auto accident, look to the Mississippi Car Accident Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC. Your wellbeing and future is too important to trust to just anyone. Our experienced legal team will provide you with top-notch representation so that you may receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation at (800) 707-9577.

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GMC Recall Impacts More Than Three Millions Cars

Over the past few months, the story of how General Motors Co. (GM) mishandled the recall of more than 1.6 million vehicles that were manufactures with a faulty ignition switch has slowly emerged.  An additional 1.5 million vehicles recently were recalled as a result of defects in the brake parts, airbag wiring harnesses, and other vehicle components.  The faulty ignition switch defect has been linked to thirteen deaths.  Recently, the chief executive at GM, Mary Barra, acknowledged that the company did not manage the situation properly.

In a videotaped message to employees, Ms. Barra stated that something went wrong with the recall process and “terrible things happened.”  As a result of what occurred, GM announced that it is changing its investigation protocols and recall procedures.  It is believed that increased scrutiny over vehicle problems led to the new recall of 1.5 million vehicles.

The initial recall relating to the ignition switch problems is getting intense scrutiny because the problem with these vehicles has been known for a long time.  The recall impacts mainly older model cars, including the 2005 through 2007 Chevy Cobalt and the 2003 through 2007 Saturn Ion.  The questions of what was known and when it was discovered has led to the civil and criminal investigations, congressional hearings, and lawsuits based on the injuries that occurred as a result of the faulty ignition switches and GM’s failure to respond in the proper manner.

The problem with the ignition switch is that the switch could turn off unexpectedly, cutting power to the vehicle while it is traveling at varying rates of speed.  It is possible that the switch turns off because the weight of the key fob and any additional items is enough to pull it out of the “on” position.  Although the corrected switches are supposed to be available for replacement this month, April 2014, GM has advised drivers of recalled vehicles to eliminate all extra items on the key.  Because the recall affects older vehicles, many of them no longer are on the road, so there are fewer people currently impacted by the recall.  However, GM has been investigating 31 serious accidents, including 13 incidents that resulted in front-seat deaths.

The more recent recall affects luxury sedans, full-size vans, and crossover utility vehicles.  Some of the defects could lead to the side airbags failing to deploy during an accident. The problems in the Cadillac XTS include the wiring in the brake booster pump, which can overheat, leading to melting plastic materials in the vehicle and the possibility of a fire in the vehicle engine compartment.  Two dealer-owned XTS sedans were reported to have vehicle fires in the engine compartment.  However, GM has reported that it does not have any reports about accidents related to the recalls for the newer model vehicles.  Although most of the recalled vehicles were sold in the United States, there were some sold in Canada and Mexico.

The ignition switch problems have led to the filing of at least one class action lawsuit is a federal court in Texas, with other lawsuits expected to follow.

When car manufacturers fail to take the appropriate actions in responding to defects in the vehicles when they learn about them, innocent people get hurt.  The experienced and dedicated auto accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC will work with you to develop the best possible legal strategy and get you the compensation that you deserve as a result of the harm that was done to you.  To schedule an initial case evaluation, call us at (800) 707-9577.  We only receive a fee if we succeed on your behalf.

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Outrage Erupts Over Lack of Jail Time for Teen Driver Who Killed Four

On June 15, 2013, the lives of several individuals in a town near Forth Worth, Texas, would be ripped apart forever.  On that night, sixteen year-old Ethan Couch and several of his friends had been drinking—heavily.  They had already stolen some beer from a local Wal-Mart.  After consuming the beer, the decided they needed even more.  So they decided to go for a drive in Couch’s pickup to get yet more alcohol.  At the time, Couch had already consumed a significant amount of alcohol—vodka and Everclear—and also had Valium in his system.  There were seven other teenagers in Couch’s pick-up truck.

Distracted and drunk, Couch turned onto Burleson-Retta Road, just outside Burleson, which is south of Fort Worth, Texas.  Couch, who was driving at approximately seventy miles per hour in a forty mile per hour zone, plowed into a group of people who were attending to a stranded motorist.  Couch’s pick-up struck another parked car, belonging to Brian Jennings and which also had two boys inside, which was then pushed into oncoming traffic.  Breanna Mitchell, 24, was killed instantly.  Mitchell was the driver of the stranded car.  Three other people were also killed.  Hollie Boyles, 52, and her daughter, Shelby Boyles, 21, were helping Mitchell with her stranded car, as was youth pastor Brian Jennings, 41.  The impact was so severe that the four were flung fifty to sixty yards away from the scene.

Two of the passengers in Couch’s truck, those that were riding in the flatbed portion of the pick-up, were critically injured.  One of the boys, Sergio Molina, spent several months in a coma.  He remains paralyzed and brain damaged, and he can communicate only by blinking his eyes.  A total of 11 people were injured.  Soliman Mohmand was seriously injured, suffering from broken bones and internal injuries.  Local authorities stated that it was the most horrific crash they had ever seen.

Three hours after the accident, Couch’s blood-alcohol content was a staggering 0.24, which is three times the legal limit in Texas.

Couch was charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.  His defense was that he was suffering from “affluenza”—he was the product of a wealthy family with parents who never set appropriate boundaries for him.  He even had an expert in his corner—Dr. G. Dick Miller, a psychologist who blamed the accident on Couch’s parents.  Indeed, this was not the first time Couch had been cited for alcohol violations.  He had two prior possession of alcohol charges.

On December 11, 2013, Judge Jean Boyd sentenced Couch to ten years probation.  He was facing up to twenty years in prison for the accident.  Couch will not be released to his parents, but will be sent to a long-term treatment facility in California with a hefty price tag (borne by Couch’s parents) of reportedly $450,000 to $500,000 per year.  Couch’s defense attorney, Scott Brown, stated that nothing that Judge Boyd would have done could have lessened the suffering of the victims’ families.

But that is not what those victims’ families said.  Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter in the accident, was outraged and stated that Couch has never had to face consequences for his actions. Marla Mitchell, Breanna Mitchell’s mother, said that Couch would face judgment from a “higher power.”

If you have been injured in a car accident as a result of someone else’s carelessness, or worse, the days, weeks, and months ahead will be an extremely trying time.  Dealing with recovering damages for injuries you have sustained is not something you should have to do alone.  Barrett Law PLLC, is here to help you. Let us put our experience to work for you.  Please contact us today at (800) 707-9577 to schedule an appointment.

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Can I Obtain Punitive Damages for the Injuries I Received In a Mississippi Car Accident?

Many individuals are injured in automobile or trucking accidents everyday.  Many of these injuries are relatively minor and also, have common causes—minor rear-end accidents, minor side-swipe collisions, and other similar accidents.  Unfortunately, sometimes injuries are not minor.  In fact, they often result in death or catastrophic injuries to its victims.  And sometimes the accident results not from a minor fender bender but from a horrific collision involving gross negligence, recklessness, and/or criminal wrongdoing.  In these types of accidents, such as the accident caused by Ethan Couch, which is discussed in another one of our blogs, our firm often gets inquiries about whether punitive damages are recoverable.

Punitive damages, unlike all other forms of damages that are designed to compensate an individual for his or her actual past and future losses, are designed to do one thing—deter future conduct by the defendant and others.  They, in effect, are a punishment.  Because punitive damages are not intended to compensate the plaintiff, who will nevertheless receive all or a majority of the damages, punitive damages are rather difficult to obtain.  The facts at hand have to rise to the level of something so egregious as to be essentially shocking or intentional.  The one exception is in regard to cases against an insurance company wherein it is alleged that the insurance company refused to settle/pay out on a particular matter in bad faith.

Punitive damages are largely governed by state common law, but the United States Supreme Court has issued decisions finding that punitive damages in a ratio of four to one implicates constitutional concerns.  However, the United States Supreme Court has also found exceptions to this; accordingly, there are no absolute or hard-and-fast rules.  The general proposition, however, is that the greater the amount of punitive damages, the greater the likelihood they will be subject to challenge.  The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the damages awarded be reasonable as determined by the degree of reprehensibility of the defendant’s actions.

Cases involving automobile accidents that may be one in which punitive damages could be sought include:

  • Manslaughter;
  • Reckless driving;
  • Fleeing the scene of an accident;
  • Intoxication; and
  • Criminal behavior while operating a motor vehicle.

Punitive damages will very likely not be covered by an insurance policy.  Therefore, determining whether to pursue them should include a consideration of the likelihood that the defendant they are imposed upon has the means to satisfy the judgment.  Punitive damages are more typically sought against companies such as employers, truck manufacturers, component part manufacturers, and the like.  However, they certain can and should be sought against individuals in appropriate circumstances.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car or trucking accident, it is important to retain an attorney experienced automobile accident lawsuits.  The nuances of litigating automobile accident lawsuits can be difficult to navigate for an attorney inexperienced in such matters.  Matters of timing, obtaining medical records, knowing who to file suit against, obtaining records, retaining experts, and similar issues can easily lead to oversight and mistakes. You also need an attorney who understands how to fight for your rights.  We know how to do so and having been doing so for decades.  If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, please contact Barrett Law PLLC at (800) 707-9577 to schedule your initial consultation.

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NHTSA Releases Annual Report on Motor Vehicle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation.  NHTSA was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970.  NHTSA is charged with ensuring and promoting traffic safety through various safety and consumer education programs, research programs, and investigatory functions.  Every year, NHTSA gathers statistics regarding traffic accidents and releases year-end reports.  NHTSA recently released its report summarizing traffic accident statistics for the year 2012.

In 2012, both motor vehicle crashes and fatalities as a result of such crashes increased.  This represented the first increase in six years.  33,561 individuals died as a result of motor vehicle accidents, which includes both occupants and non-occupants.  This is a 3.3% increase over the number of deaths that occurred in 2011, which was 32,479.  Men consistently comprise about 70% of all individuals killed in traffic crashes.

By far, the most individuals were killed as occupants in passenger vehicle accidents—a total of 21,667 deaths occurred as a result of such accidents.  These accidents include those involving passenger cars and light trucks.  697 deaths resulted from accidents involving occupants in heavy trucks.  Finally, 4,957 deaths resulted from motorcycle accidents.  5,692 individuals who were non-occupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) were killed in motor vehicle accidents.

The number of individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents also experienced the first statistically-significant increase in decades.  The last occurred in 1995.  In 2012, 2.36 million individuals were injured in traffic accidents, which is a 6.5% increase of the number injured in 2011.  As with fatalities, by far, the most individuals were injured as occupants in passenger vehicle accidents—a total of 2,091,000 individuals.  25,000 injuries resulted from accidents involving occupants in heavy trucks.  Finally, 93,000 injuries resulted from motorcycle accidents.  135,000 individuals who were non-occupants were injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2012.

Sadly, alcohol-related fatalities increased in 2012 by 4.5% over 2011 to 10,322.  These fatalities represent 31% of all 2012 fatalities involving traffic accidents.  Most of these fatalities involved passenger cars, accounting for 4,104.  3,696 individuals were killed in alcohol-related accidents involving light trucks; 1,390 individuals were killed in alcohol-related accidents involving motorcycles; and 80 individuals were killed in alcohol-related accidents involving large trucks.

In 2012, there were a total of 30,800 fatal crashes.  There were a total of 5,615,000 crashes.  This is a 5.2% increase over 2011, in which there were 5,338,000 crashes.

Approximately 52% of the individuals killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2012 were not using proper safety restraints.  Slightly more individuals were killed in daytime accidents (51%) than in nighttime accidents (48%).

Rural road crashes accounted for 18,170 deaths; urban road crashes accounted for 15,296.  18,887 deaths resulted from roadway departure crashes; 8,766 deaths resulted from accidents at intersections. A full copy NHTSA’s report can be found at

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811856.pdf.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to retain an attorney experienced in this type of personal injury lawsuit.  You need an attorney who understands the various stages of a personal injury lawsuit, from issuing a demand letter to the insurance company, to requesting medical records, to engaging in investigating the underlying facts, to setting the matter for trial, if necessary. Barrett Law, PLLC has been striving to protect the rights of individuals injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents for decades.  We are here to protect you.  Please contact us today at (800) 707-9577.

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What Can I Expect During My Mississippi Auto Accident Lawsuit

If you have been involved in a car or truck accident and have sustained any measurable personal injury, it may be that a lawsuit will need to be filed for you to fully recover the damages to which you are entitled.  Individuals facing the need to file a lawsuit to recover for personal injuries often have many questions about what is involved in a lawsuit.  The information below outlines some general features of most lawsuits related to motor vehicle accident injuries.  If you have any questions regarding this information, or any other questions regarding injuries you sustained in a car accident and your rights to recover for them, please contact Barrett Law PLLC, at (800) 707-9577.

Before any lawsuit is filed, it is common for a demand to be made upon the insurance company for the driver at fault.  Typically, this demand is made by an attorney for the individual injured in a car accident.  The demand seeks compensation for the damages the individual sustained.  Sometimes, this demand letter results in the insurance companying paying the requested amount.  But more often, a lawsuit will need to be filed to force the insurance company to pay the injured individual what he or she is owed.

At the outset, it is important to understand that resolving a lawsuit is typically a lengthy process.  It often takes years, not weeks or months, to resolve a lawsuit.  For that reason, it is imperative that you hire an attorney that you trust and that you like.  You will be working with your attorney for a significant period of time, and if you do not trust or like your attorney, it will make getting through the lawsuit process more difficult for you.

A lawsuit is started by filing with the court in the appropriate jurisdiction an initial document known as a complaint, filed on behalf of the injured individual.  The injured individual is the plaintiff in the lawsuit.  The complaint contains factual allegations about the accident in question and legal assertions about who is at fault and what damages to which the plaintiff is entitled.  An attorney will need to obtain enough information from his or her client to enable the attorney to include the necessary factual allegations in the complaint.

The complaint is directed at all of the individuals or companies that may be at fault—the defendants.  Each of these defendants must be served with the complaint and summons.  The summons is a document instructing each defendant that he, she or it needs to participate in the lawsuit or face what is referred to as a default judgment.  Once a defendant is served with the complaint and summons, he, she or it will typically inform any applicable insurance company of the lawsuit.  At this time, further negotiations to settle the case may occur.  All defendants that intend on participating in the lawsuit are required to file documents responding to the complaint.  Sometimes this document seeks dismissal of the lawsuit; other times, this document simply responds to each of the allegations of the complaint.

After the filing of the initial complaint and documents responsive to it, the next phase of a lawsuit is the discovery phase.  This is typically the longest phase of any lawsuit, and can last months to years.  During discovery, each party to the lawsuit is entitled to ask written questions of one another, to request documents from one another, and to conduct oral examinations of one another, of witnesses, and of any experts.  Discovery is typically also the most expensive phase of a lawsuit, because it is very time-intensive and may involve the hiring of experts.  If you represent yourself, you will have to pay these expenses out-of-pocket.  If you hire an attorney to represent you, typically the attorney will advance these expenses and then deduct them from any recovery you are awarded.

During or after the discovery phase, one or more of the parties might file documents with the court seeking judgment in his, her, or its favor based on the evidence obtained during the discovery phase.  This process can take several months, but if successful, will eliminate the need for a trial.

The trial is the final phase in any lawsuit.  Trials can be either in front of a judge or in front of a jury, depending on the type of lawsuit involved. Whether to try a case in front of a judge or jury involves numerous considerations, including the nature of your injuries, the nature of your damages, and the location your trial will occur in.  These considerations can be overwhelming for an individual that is not familiar with the legal system, and are a key reason why hiring an attorney experienced in litigating car accident cases is beneficial.  Trials in car or truck accident cases typically last several days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the injuries in question.  After the trial is concluded, either the judge or the jury will render a verdict, including a determination of whether the plaintiff is entitled to any damages and the extent of those damages.

Barrett Law PLLC, has experience representing individuals injured in car and truck accidents in Mississippi.  If you have any questions about lawsuits related to car or truck accident injuries, please contact us at (800) 707-9577 to set up a no-cost consultation.  We look forward to providing you with superior legal representation.

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Typical Injuries Sustained In a Mississippi Car Accident: What You Should Know

The National Safety Council has indicated that one out of eight drivers will be involved in a car accident this year.  This is not surprising, given that the average American drives thousands of miles every year.  Some accidents involve minor injuries only, while others involve catastrophic injuries or even death.  Regardless of the severity of a car accident, certain types of injuries occur with regular frequency.  This page discusses some of these injuries.  This information is not meant to substitute for or provide medical advice.  It is merely meant to provide information about common injuries sustained in car accidents.  If you have been injured as the result of a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately.  If you have questions about your legal rights related to those injuries, Barrett Law PLLC, can help.  Jonathan Barrett is experienced in representing individuals injured in the Lexington, Mississippi, area as a result of car accidents.  Our law firm can be reached at (800) 707-9577.

Injuries to the head, neck, and spine are some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents.  This is because even if the accident is relatively minor and occurs at a low speed, whiplash can occur.  Whiplash is an injury to the neck resulting from a sudden, sharp movement of the head backward or forward.  It often manifests itself through a painful stiffness of the neck and shoulders as well as headaches.  Injuries to the face and head can occur from broken glass, airbags being deployed, other debris, or more forceful contact with objects or other vehicles, leading to cuts, bruises, broken bones, and concussions.

In extremely severe cases, significant trauma to the head can result in traumatic brain injuries, leading to long-term or permanent cognitive impairment, or severing of the spinal cord entirely, resulting in paralysis or death.  Severe impact can also cause injuries to the discs between the bones in the spine, which can result in herniation or displacement of these discs.  Very often, surgery is required to repair these injuries.

Broken bones are also common.  Typically areas for breaks include hands, wrists, and arms, the ribcage, pelvic factures, and ankle and foot factures.  Some breaks are minor and easy to repair with standard casts; other breaks are much more complicated and involve insertion of pins, rods, plates or screws and a significant period of immobilization.

Soft tissue injuries, or injuries to your internal organs or muscles, are often experienced by car accident victims, even in relatively minor accidents, depending upon the type of impact.  Such injuries can include diaphragm injuries, resulting from blunt force to the chest or abdominal area.  These injuries are typically associated with side or front impact crashes.  Abdominal and pelvic injuries involving hip fractures or injuries to the organs in your abdominal and pelvic area (liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, and reproductive organs) are also typically associated with side or front impact crashes.

These injuries are only some of the injuries that an individual involved in a car accident might experience.  Certainly, depending on the nature of the car accident, other injuries may occur.  If you have been in a car accident and believe that you have suffered an injury other than one discussed above, or one of the injuries discussed above, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately.

Suffering through the days, weeks, and months after you have been seriously injured in a car accident is an extremely trying time.  Trying to deal with recovering damages for injuries you have sustained like the ones described above is not something you should have to do alone.  Barrett Law PLLC, is here to help you. Let us put our experience to work for you.  Please contact us today at (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free and completely confidential initial consultation.

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What To Do When Involved In An Auto Accident

Accidents and mistakes are an average part of our lives whether we believe it or not. We make a slight accident or mistake every single day whether it is forgetting to pick up the milk from the store, accidently dripping ketchup on our suit while on our lunch break, or forgetting about that report that was due today. However, accidents and mistakes are present in many different aspects of our lives including on the roadways. Today, car accidents, or automobile accidents occur everyday, but do you know what you actually need to do in when you’re involved in one?

Understanding An Accident Before And After It Occurs

No one ever really expects that they are about to be involved in an automobile accident so it is always important to expect the unexpected at all times. In order to pre-pare for a car accident it is highly advised that individuals make sure that they have a few supplies in the event one does actually happen they will be able to not only help themselves, but also the flow of traffic as well.

Firstly, it is advised that individuals have their insurance card with them at all times while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Why? Ultimately, drivers legally must have a copy of their insurance within their vehicle, which is necessary for multiple aspects. Yet, having your insurance information in your vehicle can also be of help when in an accident and you are asked to relay your insurance information to either another driver, or law enforcement entity.

Contributing To Your Safety After An Accident

When it comes down to actual supplies within your vehicle individuals should considering investing in a pop up road hazard sign, a disposable camera, and also a first aid kit. By investing in a road hazard sign individuals can easily help further their safety after being involved in an accident by putting the sign a distance in front of their vehicle in order to help alert on coming traffic that an accident is present. A disposable camera, or even your cellphone camera can be of help too. Many insurance companies like seeing physical evidence of the accident that place in order to properly give individuals the money they need in order to repair their car, or for injuries they have sustained.

However, the best thing you can do when involved in an auto accident of any kind is seek out and consult an experienced auto accident attorney. By doing so you can expect that your case will be examined carefully and fought for diligently from start to finish.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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