Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss Pile-Up Accidents

A recent nine car pile-up accident left three people dead and several others injured. The cause of the wreck is under investigation. The fiery wreck took hours to clear and serves as a reminder to drivers that accidents can happen quickly and without much time for you to respond to them.

When you drive anywhere, you share the road with other drivers. At some times, there are many drivers on the road with you and at others, there are few. However, it only takes one other vehicle, an animal, and sometimes even no other vehicle at all for an accident to occur. Once an accident occurs on a roadway, there is a danger that other vehicles will become entangled in it if they are unable to avoid it successfully. When one or more vehicles collide with a vehicle or vehicles that were involved in a collision, the result is called a chain reaction accident or a pile-up crash.

There are a few things which increase the likelihood of an accident turning into a pile-up crash. Traffic is one obvious factor because vehicles are traveling close to one another with little time and space for sudden maneuvers. Chain reaction accidents can also happen in bad weather when the road conditions are slippery, and the visibility is poor. Pile-up accidents can be caused by distracted drivers on even the sunniest, driest days of the year.

Fortunately, you can take action to decrease the likelihood that you will be involved in a chain reaction accident. For example, maintaining a keen awareness of your surroundings will go a long way towards giving yourself every opportunity to avoid any obstacle in the roadway, including a wreck. Also, move over whenever you see a vehicle stopped on the road or the shoulder so that you don’t collide with it. Follow other vehicles at an appropriate distance to reduce the risk that you will get caught up in chain reaction accident. Leave a gap of one car length for every ten miles per hour of speed that you are traveling so that you can see what is going on in front of your vehicle and have enough time to respond to it and avoid a collision. Do not forget to adjust your driving to the weather and the road conditions. Remember that fog, rain, sleet, and snow affect both traction and visibility and adjust your speed and driving style accordingly. Paying close attention to road conditions and how you are driving gives you the best possible chance of avoiding a pile-up crash because it gives you more time to respond to things in the roadway like accidents, animals, or traffic that has slowed down or stopped.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Serving Mississippi Car Accident Victims and Their Families  

Sometimes, there simply is not any opportunity to avoid becoming involved in a chain reaction accident no matter how careful you are. If you got hurt in a chain-reaction accident or someone that you love died in a pile-up crash, contact a Mississippi Automobile Accident attorney as soon as you can. Your attorney can accurately assess the amount of damages that you have suffered as a result of your accident, and they can help you to pursue financial recovery as you focus on your physical and emotional recovery. The experienced Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you. Please call us today, at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Auto Collision Injury Attorneys Highlight More Forms of Negligence Leading to Traffic-Related Injuries and Fatalities

This blog is the second installment in our two-part blog post reviewing common types of negligence and risk factors that contribute to injury accidents involving motor vehicles.  Although the list of factors that might contribute to a severe crash is virtually endless, this article guides injury victims regarding the most common types of negligent conduct alleged in personal injury claims involving motor vehicle crashes.

Multi-Tasking behind the Wheel: Use of a cell phone when operating a motor vehicle has been referred to by federal traffic safety experts as the “new drunk driving.”  While states vary in the degree to which cell phone use behind the wheel is limited, the decision to use a cell phone while driving is dangerous regardless of the activity.  Although text messaging behind the wheel receives the majority of attention, drivers talking on the phone, surfing the web, engaging in social media activity, reading news, and other tasks also pose a significant safety threat to others on Mississippi roadways.  Because of the focus on portable communication devices like cell phones, some motorists fail to consider the risk posed by inattention related to other forms of multi-tasking.  Many accidents also are caused by dealing with children, eating and drinking, adjusting the vehicle stereo, reaching for an object, grooming or applying makeup, and other tasks that divert a driver’s eyes, attention, or hands from an exclusive commitment to driving.

Unscreened Elderly Drivers: While senior citizens constitute the most experienced group of motorists, some physical and mental abilities relevant to safe driving decline with advanced age.  Generally, state licensing authorities do not employ screening practices to identify elderly drivers who can no longer safely operate a motor vehicle.  Per mile traveled, crash fatality rates rise sharply starting at age 70-74 and are at their highest for drivers age 85 and older according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC reports that 5,570 older adults died in auto accidents and another 214,000 older motorists were treated in emergency rooms during a one-year period.

Aggressive Driving Practices: When drivers neglect prudent driving practices and operate their vehicle in an aggressive manner, aggressive driving practices significantly increase the risk of a collision.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an analysis of the Fatal Accident Report System (FARS) that revealed 56 percent of fatal crashes over a five-year period involved a behavior associated with aggressive driving.  Speeding was the leading form of aggressive driving and played a factor in nearly 19 percent of fatal crashes involving cars or motorcycles.  The NHTSA defines aggressive driving as engaging in multiple traffic violations that indicate a conscious disregard for the safety of others.  An example of aggressive driving might include a motorist that is weaving through lanes while speeding and following at an unsafe distance.

Dangerous Roads: Many auto collision victims never consider that they could be seriously injured in a crash caused by faulty road design, construction, or maintenance.  When you are injured in a crash caused by an unsafe roadway, you will typically seek compensation against a public entity charged with maintaining the public roadway.  Lawsuits brought against government entities require compliance with special procedures and notice requirements subject to shorter deadlines.  Types of roadway hazards that can cause a crash include:

  • Lack of adequate signage
  • Missing or neglected guardrails
  • Poorly marked roadway drop-offs or lack of barriers
  • Improperly functioning or non-existent traffic signals
  • Unrepaired potholes
  • Inadequate skid resistance
  • Negligently designed or marked construction zones
  • Unmarked sharp grades or roadway dips

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Jackson or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Auto Collision Injury Attorneys have successfully represented many victims of careless and distracted drivers.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

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Jackson Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers Analyze Distracted Driving Claim Filed against Snapchat

The distracted driving crisis has reached epidemic proportions because of the prevalent use of mobile phones by drivers, especially newly licensed motorists.  The focus of law enforcement efforts and legislation aimed at curbing cell phone use by drivers has tended to focus on talking and texting on a mobile phone.  While these might be the most common forms of distractions involving mobile phones, the popularity of social media websites offers a new type of distraction for teen drivers.  A recent lawsuit filed by a person who suffered serious injury when struck by a motorist using Snapchat raises an interesting question about the potential liability of social media website companies for accidents caused by distracted drivers using their “apps.”

A recent example of this issue involves a driver who claims that an 18-year-old teen driver caused the crash because she was using Snapchat at the time of the crash.  The crash victim claims that the other motorist was driving at a reckless speed while using an application called “lens.”  Lens works like a radar gun by ascertaining the speed of a vehicle which is included in the depiction of the driver.  The lawsuit alleges that the Snapchat application encouraged the novice driver to accelerate to approximately 107 miles per hour at the time of the collision based on analysis by an accident reconstruction expert.

As might be expected, the car crash injury lawsuit names the teen driver as a defendant, the lawsuit also targets Snapchat, which is a multibillion-dollar technology company.  According to documents filed in the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the company’s application urged the teen driver to continue accelerating to a dangerous speed.  While motorists ultimately are not compelled to violate the speed limit and drive at a reckless speed, the application provides motivation to engage in this form of unsafe driving by offering awards for drivers who accomplish specific tasks.

In opposing the lawsuit, Snapchat has emphasized that no award has ever been offered for violating the speed limit.  The company also counters that the application specifically warns users about the dangers of distracted driving.  Snapchat contends that the warning screen depicts the following message: “Do NOT Snap and Drive.”

While it is too early to determine the outcome of this lawsuit, evidence revealed during the litigation indicates that the 18-year-old driver posted a Snapchat almost immediately before the accident which left the victim with serious brain damage.  The potential liability of Snapchat is significant given the severity of injuries suffered by the victim, which required a five week period of hospitalization.  Severe brain injuries can result in hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in medical expenses, supportive care, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other forms of damages.  A company like Snapchat will have the financial resources and insurance coverage to satisfy a judgment or settlement that will far exceed an individual motorist.

Our Jackson Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers recognize the importance of identifying all viable defendants when pursuing an auto accident legal claim.  Even when the liability of the other driver is relatively clear, the other motorist might have insufficient insurance coverage to compensate you fully for your claim.  Our law firm successfully represented many people who have suffered catastrophic injuries in motor vehicle collisions.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

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Mississippi Car Accident Injury Attorneys Discuss Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Mississippi

Although the variety of factors that contribute to serious motor vehicle collisions are almost limitless, a few dangerous driving practices and motor vehicle safety hazards contribute to a disproportionate number of crashes.  Our Jackson car accident lawyers recognize that motorists can reduce their probability of being involved in a serious collision that causes injuries or fatalities with a better awareness of risks and practices to avoid.  A review of the causes below reveals that although millions of people are injured and tens of thousands of people die annually in traffic collision even though most crashes are preventable.

Alcohol (Drug) Impaired Drivers: Motorists with driving abilities impaired by drugs or alcohol cause approximately one in three traffic-related fatalities annually and injury to hundreds of thousands more.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an alcohol-impaired driver causes an accident approximately every fifty minutes.  While it might be tempting to assume that your risk of being involved in a collision involving an intoxicated driver is relatively low, a third of all motorists will be involved in a collision with an alcohol-impaired driver at some point during their lifetime.  Traffic-related deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers are especially upsetting because the accidents are so easily prevented.  Nonetheless, statistics provided by MADD indicate that the average driver will operate a motor vehicle eighty times under the influence of alcohol before an initial drunk driving arrest.  The danger posed by drivers impaired by alcohol can hardly be overstated because alcohol and drug intoxication can adversely impact concentration, vision, judgment, reaction time, depth perception, speed estimation, and recognition of spatial relations.

Traveling at an Unsafe Speed: Although many drivers exceed the speed limit on a periodic basis, traveling at an unsafe speed presents a dual threat to roadway safety.  The first safety issue linked to driving too fast is that reaction time for engaging in evasive maneuvers or reducing speed to avoid a collision.  The second safety issue related to speeding is that the force of impact increases with speed.  Whether a driver is traveling at a pace that is unsafe given roadway and traffic conditions or over the posted speed limit, the risk of a crash because of loss of control or inability to react to roadway hazards dramatically increases.  The risk of an injury accident can be even more serious when motorists do not reduce their speed in school zones and the vicinity of construction projects.

Lack of Driving Experience: Teen drivers lack the ability to react instinctively to roadway hazards and other unanticipated situations.  Newly licensed drivers also lack experience dealing with alcohol, driving distractions, and other factors that compromise the driving ability of all motorists.  During a recent one-year period, motor vehicle accidents involving teens claimed the lives of 2,163 teens and resulted in over 243,000 teens being treated in hospital emergency rooms.  In other words, auto accidents claim the lives of six teen drivers per day in the U.S. Certain factors raise the risk of novice drivers being involved in a serious crash including driving after dark and transporting teen passengers.

We invite readers to continue reading Part II of this blog post that provides other examples of the types of conduct that cause many car crashes in Mississippi.  If you have been injured in an auto accident in Jackson or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Car Accident Injury Attorneys have successfully represented many victims of careless and distracted drivers.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

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Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers Discuss Study Indicating Rise of New Forms of Distracted Driving: Selfies & Social Media Activity

While distracted driving has always been a significant cause of car accidents that result in serious injury, cell phones have magnified the danger because of the number of drivers that own these portable communication devices.  Although the majority of drivers are aware that texting on a cell phone is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, people continue to discover new risky practices that endanger those with whom they share the roadways.  A study conducted by AT&T reveals that cell phone distractions go far beyond texting and driving.

While no text message or telephone call is worth causing an auto accident, drivers are finding even less important reasons to endanger the safety of vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  The ATT&T study found the following disturbing results regarding the prevalence of frivolous uses of cell phones while driving:

  • 27 percent of drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 use cell phones for Facebook.
  • 14 percent of drivers use cell phones for Twitter.
  • 30 percent of motorists admitted using their cell phone to tweet “all the ”
  • 28 percent surf the web.
  • Over 10 percent use Snapchat and Instagram.
  • 17 percent use their cell phone to take selfies.
  • More than 10 percent video chat with Skype or other apps.

AT&T conducted the study to promote awareness regarding the risk of using portable electronic devices while driving.  Despite past public awareness campaigns, more than 62 percent of drivers continue to report that they keep their cell phone within reach when driving.  Further, 22 percent of drivers admit using their cell phone for social networking while operating a motor vehicle.

The vast majority of the public condemns drinking and driving as unacceptable because of the toll drunk drivers exact in accident-related injuries and fatalities.  However, an increase in new types of mobile phone uses while driving suggests that people might still have a more tolerant view of distracted driving.

This more accepting attitude is alarming given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting while driving is six times more dangerous than alcohol-impaired driving.  Motorists engage in multi-tasking behavior while driving approximately half the time they spend behind the wheel according to the NHTSA.  This failure of motorists to focus all of their attention on their driving leads to a million accidents, including 16 percent of fatal accidents annually based on data from the agency.

When a distracted driver who is using a cell phone rear-ends a vehicle stopped for traffic, drifts into an adjacent lane, or otherwise causes a collision, the distracted driver can be liable for causing injury to others.  Victims of distracted drivers should seek legal advice promptly following a collision because distracted driving can be difficult to prove.  Texting on a cell phone might be proven by obtaining cell phone records from a phone carrier.  Other types of use of a cell phone such as selfies, social media posts, and similar activities might be established through the effective use of discovery tools and an investigation.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Jacksonville or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many victims of negligent drivers.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

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Mississippi Traffic Accident Lawyers Discuss Side of the Road Crash Involving Highway Patrol Officer

Most drivers have passed a police officer interacting with motorists pulled over for a traffic violation.  Because motorists see vehicles stopped on the side of the road so frequently, drivers might have a tendency to view the situation as routine.  However, an officer with the Mississippi Highway Patrol recently experienced the potential danger involved in this scenario.  The officer and his K-9 suffered injuries after a motorist collided with the patrolman’s squad car parked on the shoulder of Mississippi 45 in Tupelo, MS.  Although the officer and his K-9 were both injured, they were expected to make a full recovery.

While this story had a happy ending, shoulder of the road accidents frequently cause severe and permanent injuries.  Road shoulder accidents usually occur because a motorist with car trouble is stranded or a worker is fulfilling job duties.  A flat tire, mechanical problems, blowout, or traffic stop might stand a motorist.  Workers most typically injured in these dangerous crashes include law enforcement officers, tow truck drivers, construction crews, emergency responders, etc.

The edge of the roadway does not provide a safe environment for workers or drivers experiencing mechanical problems.  Drivers approaching vehicles on the shoulder often fail to allow enough room when passing.  When a stranded or stopped motorist is outside of a vehicle dealing with maintenance, repair, or traffic violation issues, the risk of a fatal collision or catastrophic injury rises because of the human body’s proximity to traffic without any form of protection from impact.

Many states have passed “Move Over” laws to reduce the risk of shoulder accidents.  These laws generally require that drivers take the reasonable precaution of scooting over to an adjacent lane when emergency responders are present on the side of the road.  The Mississippi Move Over statute directs motorists traveling on interstate highways in the direction of an emergency vehicle to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle.  If traffic conditions make it unsafe to change to an adjacent lane, drivers are supposed to reduce their speed and be prepared to stop.  When a motorist observes an emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway with flashing lights, the law requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.

Although Mississippi’s Move Over law does not extend to stranded motorists and public works employees working on the shoulder, prudent motorists must keep in mind that these individuals also are vulnerable.  Drivers should strive to leave sufficient space in the event a vehicle occupant exits a car parked on the side of the road and attempts to walk around the vehicle.

When drivers violate Move Over laws or fail to exercise reasonable caution to avoid hitting vehicles or pedestrians on the shoulder of the road, their negligent conduct might justify financial compensation.  If you have been injured in a road shoulder accident in Jacksonville or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Traffic Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many victims of negligent motorists.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

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Study Indicates Rise of New Forms of Distracted Driving: Selfies & Social Media Activity

While distracted driving has always been a significant cause of car accidents that result in serious injury, cell phones have magnified the danger because so many people own mobile phones that perform an expanding array of “apps”. Although the majority of drivers are aware that texting on a cell phone is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, people continue to discover new risky practices that endanger those with whom they share the roadways. A study conducted by AT&T reveals that cell phone distractions go far beyond texting and driving.

While no text message or telephone call is worth causing an auto accident, drivers are finding even less important reasons to endanger the safety of vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The AT&T study found the following disturbing results in terms of the prevalence of frivolous uses of cell phones while driving:

  • 27 percent of drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 use cell phone for Facebook
  • 14 percent of drivers use cell phones for Twitter
  • 30 percent of motorists admitted using their cell phone to tweet “all the time”
  • 28 percent surf the web
  • Over 10 percent use Snapchat and Instagram
  • 17 percent use their cell phone to take selfies
  • Over 10 percent video chat with Skype or other apps

AT&T conducted the study to promote awareness regarding the risk of using portable electronic devices while driving. Despite past public awareness campaigns, more than 62 percent of drivers continue to report that they keep their cell phone within reach when driving. Further, 22 percent of drivers admit using their cell phone for social networking while operating a motor vehicle.

The vast majority of the public condemns drinking and driving as unacceptable because of the toll drunk drivers exact in terms of accident-related injuries and fatalities. However, the growth in new types of cell phone use while driving suggests that people might still have a more tolerant view of distracted driving.

This more accepting attitude is alarming given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting while driving is six times more dangerous than alcohol impaired driving. Motorists engage in multi-tasking behavior while driving approximately half the time they spend behind the wheel. This failure of motorists to focus all of their attention on their driving leads to a million accidents, including 16 percent of fatal accidents annually.

When a distracted driver who is using a cell phone rear-ends a vehicle stopped for traffic, drifts into an adjacent lane, or otherwise causes a collision, the distracted driver can be liable for causing injury to others involved in the collision. Victims of distracted drivers should seek legal advice promptly following a collision because distracted driving can be difficult to prove. Although texting on a cell phone can be proven by obtaining cell phone records from a phone carrier, some cell phone activity can be more difficult to establish. Selfies, social media posts, and similar activities may create evidence that can be obtained by an experienced Mississippi personal injury attorney.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Jacksonville or the surrounding areas of Mississippi, our Mississippi Auto Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many victims of distracted drivers in obtaining compensation for their injuries. At Barrett Law, we are here to help. Contact our firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

 

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Common Mistakes People Make After Suffering Injury in an Auto Accident

When you are experiencing intense pain and the emotional distress associated with a car accident, your judgment can be understandably impaired. Motorists who drive while impaired by an intoxicating substance or while texting on a cell phone can be held financially responsible if they cause crashes that result in injury to vehicle occupants, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Since liability is not automatic even if the other driver is intoxicated, the actions an injury victim takes following a motor vehicle crash can have a profound impact on an individual’s financial recovery.

The Mississippi car accident lawyers at Barrett Law have made it their goal to tenaciously pursue the fullest financial recovery for victims of negligent drivers for decades. Because we see how avoiding certain mistakes is essential to maximizing recovery in a car accident claim, we invite you to review this two-part blog highlighting common mistakes that injury victims make after a collision.

Mistake No. 1 Failing to Exchange Insurance Information: Drivers who do not immediately notice injuries sometimes fail to exchange information with the other driver because neither vehicle is damaged in the crash. The decision to forgo obtaining driver’s license, insurance, and contact information from the other driver can have devastating consequences if you subsequently experience injury symptoms. The assumption that a lack of damage to the vehicles means you were not seriously injured is absolutely false. The bumpers of motor vehicles are designed to withstand the force of a collision, but the human body can be injured by far less energy.

Mistake No. 2 Permitting the Other Driver’s Insurance Adjuster to Visit You in Person: Even if the insurance adjuster for the at-fault driver seems amicable, a face-to-face meeting without legal representation is an extremely bad idea. The job of the insurance adjuster is to minimize the liability of his or her employer. The adjuster can use this meeting to observe your behavior for examples of conduct that might be considered inconsistent with your reported injuries. The adjuster also will note inconsistent statements or admissions that might be used by the insurer to justify denying your claim.

Mistake No. 3 Failing to Promptly Obtain Medical Attention: The emotional upheaval and shock associated with an auto accident can mask symptoms arising from car crash injuries. When injury victims procrastinate in obtaining medical care, a prognosis can worsen, or valuable medical evidence and records can be lost. The insurance company typically will point to the delay itself as evidence that a claimant did not suffer serious injury. A lapse in time between the accident and medical attention also can give rise to the argument that your injuries are attributable to a cause other than the crash.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many car crash victims in obtaining compensation for their injuries. At Barrett Law, we are here to help. Contact our firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

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Factors Contributing to the Increased Risks of Serious Injury for Motorcyclists

All motor vehicle accidents involve some common legal issues and potential problems, but the unique nature of motorcycles means that riders who are involved in a collision often must overcome special challenges.  When an injury victim is interviewing a motorcycle accident lawyer, they can improve the probability of a favorable outcome by retaining a lawyer who has extensive experience handling motorcycle accident lawsuits.  In short, vehicle collision claims are not all created equal.  This blog post provides an overview of the unique factors that contribute to motorcycle crashes.

The most obvious risk involving motorcycles relates to their unique physical characteristics.  Motorcycles are lighter and smaller than passenger cars, and they only have two wheels.  Motorcycles also do not have an enclosure that protects the rider within a passenger compartment and that is reinforced to protect occupants.  These features of motorcycles place riders at an increased risk of serious injuries when confronted by a careless, intoxicated, or distracted passenger car driver.  The risk of a fatal crash for motorcyclists is 35 times greater than for auto accident victims based on a per mile traveled basis.

While these physical design characteristics of a motorcycle pose a significant crash risk, there are other factors that cause many motorcycle collisions:

Limited Stability: A vehicle that only has two wheels will inherently be less stable than a four-wheeled vehicle.  If a rider must suddenly swerve or brake to avoid a crash, this lack of stability increases the risk of a traffic collision.  Depending on the motorcycle and circumstances, a bike can also experience front wheel “wobble” when traveling at high rates of speed.

No Protective Barrier: Passengers in an automobile benefit from protective equipment that includes seat belts and air bags.  This safety equipment increases the benefits of a passenger compartment to keep occupants inside the vehicle.  Vehicle ejection is one of the most significant factors in fatal car accidents, but every motorcycle crash essentially involves ejection because riders do not have the benefit of a protective enclosure.

Difficulty of Operation: Motorcycles require a much higher degree of skill and experience than a car to operate safely.  When riders attempt to handle a motorcycle that is beyond their ability, the risk of a crash increases.

Difficulty Being Seen: The small profile of a motorcycle often impairs the ability of other drivers to notice the presence of riders.  This issue is compounded by the fact that motorcycles can travel in small spaces where motorists do not expect to see a vehicle.

High-Risk Practices: Motorcycles are relatively light vehicles that can travel at high rates of speed. Sport bikes provide a temptation to engage in high-risk practices that include sudden acceleration and speeding.

Unanticipated Road Hazards: Many hazards that have no impact on a passenger car constitute potentially deadly threats to motorcyclists.  Minor potholes, small oil deposits, or a little debris often cause riders to lay their bike down.

If you or a family member was injured in a motorcycle collision, our Mississippi Motorcycle Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many motorcycle accident victims and their families.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

 

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Mississippi Car Accident Attorneys: Distracted Driving Awareness Month Has Arrived

Despite a significant public outcry, warnings by transportations safety experts, and the efforts of law enforcement authorities, distracted driving has reached epidemic proportions.  The tragic stories of drivers perishing in fatal collisions while sending a text message are becoming all too common.  In a further effort to discourage motorists from the deadly practice of multi-tasking behind the wheel, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council have designated April as “National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.”

The impact of distracted driving is reflected by data published on the federal government’s official distracted driving website – distraction.gov.  Approximately 660,000 motorists are using their mobile phone or otherwise manipulating a portable electronic device while driving at any time during daylight hours.  With this many people multi-tasking with portable electronics devices, it is hardly surprising that inattentive drivers claimed the lives of 3,179 people and injured 431,000 more during the most recent year for which data is available.  While the problem is not isolated to novice teen drivers, 71 percent of teen drivers admit that they have sent a text while driving.

Distracted drivers have been around as long as motor vehicles, but the prevalence of electronic communication devices like smart phones and tablets has significantly increased the threat of serious crashes caused by inattention.  These gadgets permit drivers to keep almost the entire spectrum of human knowledge at their disposal.  Motorists have the ability to text, talk, and video chat with virtually anyone with the simple push of a button.  This convenience has proved to be a dangerous temptation.  The scope of the threat posed to public safety from use of electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle is evidenced by data from the federal government:

  • Ten percent of 15 to 19-year-old drivers involved in fatal collisions when using a cell phone.
  • Although teens often are most closely associated with the practice of using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, many adults also engage in this extremely unsafe practice.
  • Approximately 53 percent of adult motorists conceded that they have engaged in multi-tasking behind the wheel.
  • Although texting and driving is widely considered a dangerous practice, one in three drivers in a 2015 Erie Insurance study admitted to texting behind the wheel.

The number of lost lives and catastrophic injuries caused by drivers using mobile phones is likely to continue to increase.  The constant technological progress in creating new uses for portable electronic devices now provide a whole new slew of distractions.  There have been a number of accidents in recent times that involve social media activity on websites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and similar sites.  Whether a driver is reading a new post, uploading a picture or video, messaging other users, or placing a status update on his or her page, these new types of distractions threaten to increase the number of distracted drivers.

A recent lawsuit filed against the company that produced the messaging application Snapchat provides a recent example.  A personal injury lawsuit reportedly has been filed against the company by an individual who incurred a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that allegedly was partially caused by a Snapchat feature.  The seriously injured driver was allegedly using Snapchat’s “speed filter” to post a photo of herself while driving fast.  This feature of the social media application overlays a driver’s speed on an image when a driver takes a picture while operating the vehicle.  This tragedy demonstrates the diverse new ways that portable communication devices, such as cell phones are tempting drivers to take dangerous risks.

If you or your loved one is injured in a car accident in Mississippi, you are invited to contact the experienced Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers at Barrett Law to learn how we can help.  Our motor vehicle crash injury 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 (601)790-1505.  No Recovery No Fee!

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