Understanding the Danger of Mississippi Side Impact Collisions

Side impact crashes in Mississippi can be extremely dangerous particularly to a vehicle occupant on the side of the vehicle involved in the collision.  Broadside crashes are most common at intersections where the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle.  The at-fault driver that broadsides the other vehicle may cause a side impact accident by running a red light or stop sign or failing to obey right of way rules.  Because the physical structure of the door area of a vehicle lacks the structural integrity of other areas of the vehicle and a lack of airbags, many Mississippi side impact collisions result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

When you are involved in a Mississippi side impact collision, you may be physically thrown against the door frame or window.  This can result in severe head injuries resulting in traumatic brain injury.  The injuries suffered in a side impact crash can be especially severe if there is a substantial weight disparity in the vehicle.  If a large SUV collides with a mid-size or compact vehicle the door can crumple and cause devastating injuries to the occupant on that side of the vehicle.  Although recently vehicle manufacturers have attempted to address some of the features of cars that leave vehicle occupants particularly vulnerable during a side impact collision including adding side impact and side window airbags and increasing the strength of vehicle doors and door frames.

Because side impact collisions often occur in intersections, there are a variety of unreasonably hazardous driving practices that contribute to these dangerous Mississippi collisions.  The most common causes of broadside car accidents in Mississippi include the following:

  • Distracted drivers who fail to observe stop signs or traffic signals
  • Speeding drivers who are driving too fast to stop for cross-traffic at an intersection
  • Motorists who make illegal turns into vehicle proceeding straight through an intersection

Mississippi side impact collisions can also cause injury or wrongful death to vehicle occupants because it may cause multiple impacts.  When a vehicle is struck from the side, the vehicle may spin into other vehicles or obstructions causing a multiple impact collision.  Vehicle occupants sometimes suffer the most serious injuries not during the original impact but during the subsequent collisions caused when the vehicle is spun into other traffic.

The only type of accident that is more likely to result in fatalities than side impact crashes are deadly head on collisions.  If you or someone you love has been injured in a Mississippi side impact accident, you may be entitled to seek damages for your injuries.  At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi side impact accident 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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The Dangers of Eating While Driving

Many people are aware of the dangers of texting and driving or any other use of a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.  Few people give a second thought to the form of distracted driving that many safety experts consider even more dangerous to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians.  In fact, billions of dollars are generated by businesses promoting this type of inattentive driving annually.  The type of inattentive driving that many traffic safety experts believe poses an even greater danger to others on the roads is eating and drinking while driving.  The practice is so commonplace that for many the activity is second nature.

The practice of eating and drinking while driving is promoted by the billion dollar fast food industry, which offers fast food drive thru windows, as well as convenience stores that offer hot coffee and tanker sized soft drinks to those on the go.  Some places will even wrap the food to facilitate eating the food while you are driving.  However, eating and drinking while driving can constitute one of the worst forms of driver distraction because it involves a distraction at all three levels of driver distraction – visual, mental and physical.

Unwrapping Food: Most fast food or packaged food that drivers eat in their car must be unwrapped or re-wrapped for eating, which requires that one’s eyes, hands and concentration all be directed to manipulating the packaging so that the food item can be eaten in the vehicle.  This even applies to a lesser degree to soft drinks where drivers may have to remove a straw from the wrapper so that the straw can be inserted into the drink.

Liquid Spills: These are among the most dangerous hazard associated with consuming food and beverages while driving.  Hot drinks like coffee or tea can spill in one’s lap causing a burn and distracting drivers from driving while struggling to alleviate the discomfort and prevent a serious burn.  The other serious issue related to spills of drinks is that a driver’s first instinct may be to reach for something to mop up the mess.  This means that the driver is again distracted mentally thinking about cleaning up the mess, physically reaching for something to clean up the mess, and visually while checking to ensure that the spill is properly mopped up.

Messy Foods: Many motorists are concerned about food creating messes in their car.  When juicy burgers or tacos loaded with sauce leak on the upholstery or carpet of the interior of a vehicle, drivers may be focused on preventing permanent stains than avoiding serious injuries.  A survey conducted of the most dangerous foods to consume when driving rated messy foods near the top of the list.

The fundamental point is that it is not safe to eat and drink while driving despite the fact this is a common practice for many Mississippi drivers.  Studies have shown that eating and drinking while driving may be a factor in as many as eighty percent of all car accidents.  If you or someone you love has been injured in a Mississippi car accident with a driver who was distracted while eating, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi distracted driving 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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Do Bans on Texting Messaging and Driving Actually Work?

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Drivers distracted while texting on cell phones and other portable communication devices remains a serious cause of Mississippi car accidents.  Although there have been numerous proposals to prohibit texting and driving in Mississippi, all of these proposals have failed to be enacted to this point.  An important consideration in whether Mississippi should follow through on enacting a texting and driving ban is a consideration of whether such legislation has been effective in other states.

Extensive research on the subject shows that the impact of ant-texting laws is somewhat complicated.  While there is substantial evidence that anti-texting laws reduce car accident rates, there is also evidence that the deterrent impact of these laws declines over time.  AAA has conducted a series of studies that provides insight into the impact of banning texting and driving as well as potential limitations on such bans.  One study revealed that there was an initial reduction in texting and driving when California’s texting and driving ban first went into effect, but the effectiveness of the ban declined over time with the number of text messaging citations increasing annually since the ban was enacted in 2009.  There were over 500,000 texting and driving citations issued in California during 2011, which represented more than a 20 percent increase over the prior year and more than a 50 percent increase from the year the text messaging ban went into effect.

Studies conducted by AAA before the ban went into effect suggested that 1.4 percent of drivers in the state were engaged in texting while driving at any point in time.  Follow-up studies revealed that texting and driving declined by as much as seventy percent in the months immediately after enactment of the prohibition on texting messaging while driving.  However, the number of drivers that were engaged in text messaging while driving had doubled from the point of the post-ban enactment decline.  Despite evidence that the deterrent impact of texting and driving bans diminishes over time, there is also evidence that these bans do save lives and prevent serious bodily injury.  According to one state agency, the number of mobile phone related car crashes declined by 45 percent during the first two years of the state’s prohibition on texting while driving.

This data along with other statistical information about texting and driving makes clear that while a Mississippi ban on texting and driving would be a positive step the form of the ban is relevant.  One study has shown that texting while driving increases the probability of a motor vehicle collision eightfold.  However, there are certain features of existing text messaging bans in other states that may explain the mixed results.  The effectiveness of the texting ban as well as most traffic safety laws appear to be based on both the probability of being caught and the severity of the penalty.  Many text bans carry only nominal fines and have no impact on driving records.  This type of limited penalty can result in drivers conducting a mental cost-benefit analysis and determining that the insignificant penalty that accompanies a texting and driving violation is outweighed by the convenience and desire of engaging in this unsafe driving practice.

The lack of deterrent impact of many anti-texting laws is compounded by enforcement challenges.  Because smart phones, iPods and other portable communication devices may be used for a wide variety of functions, it can be very difficult to prove that a driver was using it for texting as opposed to some other function that is not banned.  The formula for enacting an effective texting and messaging ban may be to impose more significant penalties, including costly fines and points against one’s driving record as well as enacting a complete ban of all portable electronic devices while driving.  The experienced Mississippi distracted driving accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to person injury victims for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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Children Injury by Lead Paint Exposure in Mississippi May Have a Right to Financial Compensation

Although lead paint has not been manufactured in over fifty years, lead paint personal injury lawsuits continue to be filed because many older dwellings still have lead paint peeling from the walls.  A property owner that rents a property with this dangerous hazard may be liable for any injuries or wrongful death that is caused by the presence of lead paint.  Lead paint poisoning has the most drastic impact on younger children because exposure to low levels of lead paint can result in substantial developmental impairment in small children.  Lead paint dust or chips can easily be ingested by toddlers and other small children.  While children are the most frequent victims of exposure to lead paint, adults may also suffer lead paint poisoning particularly during remodeling projects where lead paint is disturbed and lead paint dust particles are released into the air.

Many older poorly maintained rental properties in Mississippi may have lead paint that is peeling off the walls of apartments or homes.  Lead paint exposure also is increasingly a result of children chewing or sucking on cheap imported toys from foreign countries like China.  If your child suffers lead paint exposure, you may be able to sue anyone in the production or distribution chain for the defective product.  Lead paint that is inhaled, ingested or sucked can cause severe developmental deficiencies in children including the following:

  • Stunted growth
  • Lower IQ levels
  • Brain injury
  • Hearing deficits
  • Damage to the nervous system
  • Coma or death

If you believe that you or your child has been exposed to lead paint and has experienced adverse effects, it is important to see a doctor who can conduct an evaluation.  Anyone that has been determined by a physician to have suffered lead paint poisoning should seek immediate legal advice from an experienced Mississippi lead paint poisoning attorney.  A Mississippi lead paint poisoning attorney will typically have an inspection of your apartment conducted to determine the presence of lead paint and confirm potential levels of exposure.  Lead paint lawyers will typically work with lead paint toxicology experts and work to preserve critical evidence.

When a child suffers developmental deficits because of exposure to lead paint, the cost of medical expenses and supportive care can easily exceed a million dollars.  A child’s entire life may be impacted rendering a child unable to become self-supporting.  When your child suffers this type of devastating injuries, it is important to obtain financial compensation to provide the best quality of life and supportive services.  The experienced Mississippi lead paint injury attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to person injury victims for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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Drowsy Driving Causes Many Fatal Car Accidents in Mississippi

If you have ever driven late at night or after not getting enough sleep and drifted off behind the wheel, you know the feeling of panic when you suddenly realize that you have drifted off to sleep while driving. Despite awareness by most drivers that it is extremely dangerous to drive when tired, many drivers consistently engage in this unsafe driving practice.  A study conducted by the AAA Foundation found that 96 percent of drivers recognize that it is wrong to drive when so tired that one is struggling to keep one’s eyes open, but approximately a third of all drivers admit to doing so during the prior month.

The AAA Foundation also found that over 16 percent of all fatal car accidents involve a drowsy driver.  It is particularly concerning that drowsy driving is not a rare event for most drivers but a habitual pattern of driving behavior.  According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2011 Sleep in America poll, ten percent of drivers report driving when drowsy as many as two times per week.

The magnitude of the danger of driving while drowsy can hardly be overstated.  When you are cruising down the freeway at 65 mph and dose at the wheel for even a few seconds, your vehicle can travel the length of a football field.  A driver who has been awake for twenty consecutive hours displays impaired driving skills comparable to a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent BAC, which is the legal limit for drunk driving in Mississippi.

In some respects, drowsy driving is a more challenging Mississippi car accident risk than drunk driving.  Reducing drunk driving rates requires persuading drivers to take avoidable steps to avoid drinking and driving.  Drivers have less flexibility to avoid driving when tired because commutes to work are not optional like drinking at a bar or party.  The problem is becoming more significant because people are generally getting less sleep.  This is partially the result of financial pressure to work more hours and traffic congestion resulting in longer commute times.

Fatigue and drowsy driving is also a common cause of commercial trucking accidents, but anti-fatigue rules that regulate hours of service by truck drivers has reduced the number of fatigue based trucking collisions.  Trucking regulations that specify the number of consecutive hours, hours per week and length of rest periods help limit drowsy truck driving accidents.  However, no such limits apply to drivers of passenger vehicles so drowsy driving is a significant problem.

If you or a family member is injured or a loved one dies in a collision caused by a distracted driver, you may have the right to pursue legal action and obtain financial compensation for your injuries or loss.   The experienced Mississippi drowsy driving car accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to person injury victims for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

 

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Serious Trucking Accident Illuminates Issues Regarding Pre-Employment Screening of Truck Drivers

The danger posed by the more than three million tractor-trailers that travel U.S. roadways is clearly evidenced by the half a million tractor-trailer collisions that occur in the U.S. each year.  Someone is injured or dies in a tractor-trailer accident every sixteen minutes.  There are many causes for tractor-trailer accidents in Mississippi, including fatigued drivers, improperly maintained rigs and overloaded commercial trucks.  One of the most preventable causes of tractor-trailer collisions in Mississippi is the failure to conduct proper employment pre-screening prior to hiring a prospective truck driver.

A trucking accident lawsuit out of Atlanta poses a good example of the importance of pre-employment screening by a trucking company.  A tractor-trailer driver ran a red light at an intersection and collided with two vehicles in the intersection.  One of the vehicle occupants had been in excellent health prior to the intersection truck accident.  The company probably would not have engaged the truck driver had it conducted an adequate pre-employment screening or reviewed the information received sufficiently.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require trucking companies to conduct a pre-employment background check before hiring a new truck driver.  The trucking company is required to obtain a driving and employment history for the driver for the three prior years.  The driver must comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing that applies to those with commercial drivers’ licenses.  An employer also must obtain a drug and alcohol violation history for the preceding three years as well as conduct a pre-employment drug test.

It is unclear whether the trucking company in the Georgia case conducted any pre-employment screening let alone one that complied with FMCSA regulations.  The employer destroyed all documents relating to the truck drivers employment application prior to filing a court response to the lawsuit.  This is a common practice for trucking companies in tractor-trailer litigation.  This is why it is important that your trucking accident lawyer send a spoliation letter to the trucking company as soon as practical so that critical evidence is not destroyed by the trucking company.  If the trucking company proceeds to destroy the evidence despite the spoliation letter, the court can impose monetary sanctions or take more extreme measures like in this case and instruct the jury to presume the evidence would have been damaging to the trucking company.

In this case, the truck driver had a long list of red flags that should have alerted the trucking company that it was not safe to put him behind the wheel of one of its big-rigs.  The truck driver had caused two prior rear end collisions while driving a big-rig during the three year look back period as well as two traffic citations for improper following distance associated with those trucking collisions.  The driver has also had his CDL suspended for sixty days and received a traffic citation for speeding less than two months prior to being hired by the defendant.

If you or a loved one is involved in a Mississippi trucking accident, it is important to work with an experienced Mississippi trucking accident law firm that can move quickly to preserve critical evidence and analyze a driver’s employment file to identify potential issues regarding the driver’s competence when hired or potential driving violations or accidents by the driver while working for the driver’s current employer.

If you or someone you love has been injured or a loved one dies in a Mississippi trucking accident caused by inadequate pre-employment screening of a truck driver, you or your loved one may have a right to seek compensation for any injuries or other loss.  The experienced Mississippi tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to person injury victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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Mississippi Car Accidents Caused by Product Defects in Motor Vehicles

Everyday drivers in Mississippi are involved in serious accidents caused by careless drivers that violate traffic safety laws, fail to give undivided attention to one’s driving or engage in aggressive driving practices to get to one’s destination a few minutes faster.  While these types of unsafe driving are responsible for the vast majority of Mississippi traffic collisions, there are a fair number of accidents that are caused at least in part by defective motor vehicle components.  When you are involved in a collision caused by the failure of a component or system in your vehicle, you may be able to assert a product liability claim against the manufacturer of your car, truck or SUV.  Product liability claims against the manufacturers of motor vehicles require a law firm with extensive experience and substantial resources.  Barrett Law has been effectively representing those injured by the negligence of others in Mississippi for more than 75 years.

There are two basic types of motor vehicle defects: (1) product defects that increase the likelihood of a collision; and (2) product defects that cause more severe injuries when a collision occurs.  There are some defects that both increase the probability of a Mississippi motor vehicle collisions and the seriousness of injuries.  Faulty brakes are an example of the type of defect that makes a collision more likely whereas a defective seatbelt or airbag is the type of defect that may cause more serious injury though not raise the odds that a motorist will be involved in a Mississippi motor vehicle collision.  Defects like tread separation will both increase the likelihood of a collision if a tire blows out and also result in more severe injuries because the vehicle may rollover causing roof crush injuries or a vehicle ejection.

Some of the most common forms of motor vehicle defects that may cause Mississippi car accidents include the following:

Defective Safety Equipment: When an airbag or seatbelt fail they may leave a vehicle occupant unprotected in the event of a collision.  A seatbelt may have a defective buckle that does not fully engage or that releases in a collision.  The webbing of the belt itself may also be defective so that it rips or tears during a collision.  While some injuries are caused by airbags that fail to deploy leaving the driver or passenger without adequate protection during a collision, some airbags may independently cause injury.  Airbags deploy at enormous rates of speed so the timing of their deployment is critical to avoid injury.  If the airbag deploys too late or in a low speed collision, an overly aggressive airbag may slam into a vehicle occupant causing severe facial or head injuries including traumatic brain injury.

Tire Defects: When your tires have steel belts, it is critical that the rubber and steel belts properly bond during the manufacturing process.  When this does not happen, the tread can separate from the tire causing the tire to blowout.  Tire blowouts often result in rollover accidents, which are extremely dangerous because vehicle occupants may be ejected from the vehicle.

Defective Latch Systems on Car Doors: When a vehicle rolls in a collision it puts stress on the frame of the vehicle.  If the latch mechanisms on car doors are defective, it can cause the doors of the vehicle to swing open so that vehicle occupants may be thrown from the vehicle.

Unintended Acceleration Accidents: There are few experiences as frightening as having your vehicle suddenly accelerate uncontrollably even as you attempt to apply the brakes.  There are a variety of defects that may contribute to this type of accident including defective floor mats and electrical systems.  Because the vehicle may accelerate to high rates of speed, these accident may easily result in catastrophic injury or wrongful death.

If you or someone you love has been injured or a loved one dies in a Mississippi car accident caused by a defective car, truck or SUV, you or your loved one may have a right to seek compensation for any injuries or other loss.  The experienced Mississippi product defect car accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to person injury victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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Mesothelioma Caused by Secondhand Exposure to Asbestos

Discovering that someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma is an emotionally devastating experience.  While this disease is usually the result of exposure to asbestos often in a workplace environment, it is possible to develop mesothelioma on a secondhand basis.  Mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers or dust which causes a number of diseases to the lungs including mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma affects the cells in the mesothelium, which is a lining that surrounds the lungs, heart and stomach.

Our experienced and compassionate team of Mississippi mesothelioma attorneys at Barrett Law have seen firsthand the pain and emotional hardships that mesothelioma victims face, and we are passionately committed to seeking financial compensation for those who have been effected by this disease.  Although asbestos is no longer used because of the severe health risk associated with the substance, the product continued to be manufactured and used long after its harmful effects were known.

Asbestos was used in many industrial setting including factories, construction, automotive repair shops, shipyards and other settings.  Although there are many occupations where people may have been exposed to asbestos, it is easy to determine if you were exposed because asbestos is the exclusive cause of mesothelioma.  Despite the certainty regarding the cause of mesothelioma, legal claims for compensation arising from asbestos are complicated because the time between exposure and development of symptoms typically is 20-30 years.

Some people suffer asbestos exposure even though they were not exposed to asbestos in the workplace.  Asbestos fibers can become trapped in a person’s clothes resulting in family members being exposed.  If you are exposed to asbestos through this form of secondhand exposure, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your illness and family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death action for the death of a love one from secondhand asbestos exposure.  If you develop mesothelioma because of secondhand exposure from a spouse, parent or other family member, you may seek compensation from a number of potential defendants depending on the circumstances.

A product liability claim may be made against anyone in the manufacturing or distribution chain for the asbestos.  Because the causal relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma is clearly established, this type of claim will be based on the showing that your secondhand exposure to the manufacturers defective product.  The employer may also be liable depending on the specific facts of your situation.

Secondhand exposure to asbestos cases can be especially problematic because many times the family breadwinner has already developed mesothelioma.  The emotional and financial hardships associated with losing both parents to mesothelioma can make recovery in a Mississippi mesothelioma injury or wrongful death lawsuit essential to provide for a surviving child.  If you or someone you love has developed mesothelioma, our Mississippi mesothelioma attorneys represent clients with dedication, compassion and commitment.   The experienced Mississippi mesothelioma attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to person injury victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

 

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Mississippi Construction Zones Have Many Auto Collisions Hazards

Construction zones constitute one of the most dangerous segments of roadway in Mississippi.  Construction zones are full of hazards that can cause serious accidents including heavy machinery, open trenches, confusing signage and stop and go traffic.  A fatal construction zone accident in Auburn on the I-85 this week left a Mississippi man dead and serves as a grim reminder of the danger posed by hazards in Mississippi construction zones.  The Mississippi man was in the center median working on a construction project installing cable barriers when a vehicle veered into the center median and killed the man on impact.  After running down the man, the vehicle collided with a traffic barrel before slamming into a bobcat loader.

Mississippi work zone accidents are caused by a variety of factors including driver inattention, excessive speed, debris, heavy equipment in the roadway and a plethora of other causes.  Work zones are one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and workers.  Some of the most common factors in causing construction zone accidents in Mississippi include:

  • Heavy machinery obstructing the roadway
  • Inadequate or poorly located warning and signage
  • Missing guardrails or barriers
  • Inattentive motorists
  • Drivers who fail to reduce their speed
  • Gravel which can cause vehicles to skid
  • Missing stop signs
  • Misplaced concrete barriers
  • Narrow roadways
  • Debris in the roadway

These are only a few of the hazards that make Mississippi construction zones extremely dangerous.  Work zones can hide hazards that you could otherwise avoid or place hazards in your path.  When the typical hazards present in chaotic construction zones in Mississippi are combined with inclement weather and drunk or distracted drivers the results can be catastrophic life-altering injuries.

Litigation of a Mississippi work zone accident can be complicated because it may involve multiple vehicles, several entities contracted to do work or a public entity that initiated the construction project.  There are special procedures involved when pursuing a car accident claim against a public entity and much shorter deadlines for initiating a claim.  The chaos and many potential parties that contribute to the typical construction accident can make the investigation and litigation strategy complex.  An experienced Mississippi construction zone accident law firm may pursue a claim against general contractors, sub-contractors or outside venders as well as other drivers or the public entity overseeing the project.  The experienced Mississippi construction zone accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to Mississippi auto accident victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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Habitual Drunk Drivers Still Constitute a Serious Cause of Auto Accidents

When drivers that have been drinking climb behind the wheel of their vehicle, the result can be devastating permanent injuries to innocent motorists in Mississippi drunk driving accidents.  While there have been many legal measures taken to reduce the number of drunk driving collisions, including zero tolerance policies for inexperienced teen drivers, mandatory minimum sentences for repeat DUI offenders, ignition interlock programs and other similar DUI prevention policies.  These measures have had limited impact on habitual DUI offenders.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published some enlightening information about habitual drunk drivers who cause drunk driving accidents.  The federal agency reports that drivers with a BAC over .15 percent or drivers with a DUI conviction within the last ten years were involved in more than 70 percent of all alcohol related driving fatalities.  Data from law enforcement sources is consistent with this finding because 33 percent of all drivers arrested for DUI are repeat offenders.

This data suggests that drunk driving is a problem largely tied to habitual drinkers who are less responsive to alcohol education programs.  A Center for Disease Control study found that the average driver arrested for DUI has driven while under the influence of alcohol 88 times before they are arrested.  This suggests that most drunk drivers who are actually arrested may be habitual drunk drivers who have been drinking and driving on a regular basis before their first DUI arrest.

When habitual drunk drivers operate a motor vehicle, they can cause serious motor vehicles collisions by failing to negotiate curves, running red lights or stop signs, failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, falling asleep at the wheel and many other types of driver errors.  The NTSB has proposed a variety of guidelines that may reduce the number of drunk driving fatalities in Mississippi including the following:

  • Increasing the frequency of sobriety checkpoints on a statewide basis
  • Implementing programs designed to target drivers who continue driving after having their license suspended for DUI/DWI
  • Define a repeat offender as anyone that has been arrested for DUI within the last ten years
  • Impose harsher sentences and treatment options aimed at habitual drunk drivers

When you or someone you love is injured or a loved one dies in a collision caused by a habitual drunk driver, the experienced Mississippi drunk driving attorneys at Barrett Law are committed to holding those whose irresponsible conduct causes injury to others accountable for their conduct.  The experienced Mississippi tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to Mississippi tractor-trailer victims for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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