Mississippi Car Accidents Caused by Animals

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports there are over a million and a half car crashes each year in America which involve deer or other large animals. Other than deer, motorists may collide with small rodents, raccoons, porcupines, armadillos, livestock and even our feathered friends, which lead to an accident. As more and more home developments go into areas which were once home to wild animals, the animals are being pressed into roadways occupied by motorists.

Ways to Avoid an Accident Caused by an Animal

Obviously, obeying speed limits is a primary way to avoid animal-caused accidents, and in areas with low visibility or where animals are known to be more active, you should reduce your speed even further. In inclement weather such as rain or fog, speed can reduce your response time to the sudden appearance of an animal, increasing your chances of a serious or fatal accident. In rural areas or heavily wooded areas, be especially conscious of the possibility of deer on the roadway, and in known ranching communities, keep watch for livestock which may have escaped from their normal fenced-in area.

Although some people may scoff at signs which indicate animals cross in a particular place—after all, the deer can’t read—the fact is that deer are fairly consistent about where they cross, so pay attention to warning signs. Reduce your speed and exercise extra caution when you see an animal crossing sign. If you should see an animal down the roadway, slow down and determine what you would do if the animal jumped into your path. Slow your speed and use caution and remember that if you see one deer—there are likely more.

If you are startled by an animal leaping in front of you on the roadway, do your best to stay in control of your car—it is much more likely you will be hurt if you veer off the road or swerve into oncoming traffic than if you simply hit the animal, although if you can manage to hit it at an angle there is a better chance it will spin away from your car after the impact rather than coming through your windshield. Some people believe you should turn off your headlights when you see a deer in the roadway at night as it might snap the animal out of its trance and cause it to run away, avoiding an accident, but you could find yourself worse off if you are unable to see what lies ahead.

If You Do Hit an Animal

If you do hit an animal in the roadway, never approach the animal or touch it to see how badly it is hurt. A wounded or scared animal can be extremely dangerous. Call 911 with your cell phone or have another person do so. Seek immediate medical attention and have your injuries treated and documented. Just as you should do in any automobile accident, it’s important to take notes regarding the accident, and photos with your cell phone if you are able. If you can find out who the property owner is, do so, and make sure the police arrive and you get a formal police report for your insurance claim.

Contact a Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney

Especially if there was extensive damage or injury involved as a result of the collision with an animal, you should immediately contact a personal injury attorney who can walk you through the process of filing an insurance claim and can determine if the settlement offered is a fair one. An experienced Mississippi personal injury attorney from our law firm work hard to ensure your rights are protected in the aftermath of an accident and that the expenses for your injuries and damages are fully covered.

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Mississippi Car Accidents Caused by Ice

States which have lots of winter weather are well accustomed to car crashes caused by snow and ice. Such accidents appear to be much more common at the beginning of the winter season, which appears to mean that people tend to forget how to drive in snow and ice through the summer, then regain those lost skills once winter sets in. The truth is that driving in icy conditions requires a completely different skill set than driving on a dry road. Not only must you slow down, you must remember to leave more space between the car in front of you, and brake earlier and with much more caution. Accelerating in icy conditions can cause your wheels to spin, making your car slide into another car or a stationary object and causing injuries.

Icy Conditions Warrant Extreme Caution

In order to determine who is responsible for your accident due to icy conditions your attorney may need to have an accident reconstruction done. Legal liability will, of course, determine who will pay for the damages, and if you neglected to alter your usual driving behaviors based on the road conditions, you may find yourself unable to claim that anyone else was liable for the accident. If you were tailgating the car in front of you, in spite of the ice, then the fact that you careened into the car when it slowed means you may be the liable party. There are exceptions to this, in that if the driver in front of you failed to give any indication that they were about to stop suddenly, and you were driving the proper distance behind them, you would not be responsible. If you have witnesses who can testify that you were cautious and did everything in your power to drive safely, but the ice was simply too slick, then you could probably not be held liable.

When Road Crews Might Be Liable

There are times when a governmental entity may be responsible for ensuring the roadways are properly cleared of ice, and the failure of the city, county or state to correct the icy conditions or at the minimum, warn motorists of the hazardous conditions can render them liable for resulting accidents and injuries. Of course if the accident occurred during a sudden storm, the agency cannot be held liable for the inability to get the ice removed while it was actually forming. Following a storm, however, or in a specific situation where a river has dammed, leaving ice to form on the road, then the lack of proper maintenance may indeed be a factor in determining liability.  In an accident which occurs on ice in a private parking lot, the owner of the property may also be held liable if he had plenty of time to clear the ice and simply neglected to do so.

If you were injured in a car accident on an icy road which was a result of another driver who was not driving according to the road conditions, or from a lack of road maintenance, then you must consult an experienced personal injury attorney even if you have not yet determined who was at fault. Your attorney can assess the situation and fight aggressively for your rights in the case. You may have substantial injuries due to the negligence or recklessness of another and you deserve to be compensated for those injuries as well as for any time you have lost from work and the damages to your vehicle. Don’t wait—get expert help who will deal with the details of your claim while you concentrate on healing and getting back to your life.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to severe road conditions in Mississippi, you may have a claim.  Call our law firm to speak with a Mississippi car accident attorney today.

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Driving Tips to Help You Survive an Auto Accident in Mississippi

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While the vast majority of auto accidents are unavoidable, a skilled driver can minimize the chances of serious injury to all those in the car by being aware of a few simple driving tips. In many cases, the difference between a horrifying wreck and a crash which is survivable could be the brake pedal you neglected to hit or the clearing you failed to look for. While defensive driving can involve making decisions which feel counterintuitive, keep in mind that an accident occurs in a fraction of a second, and learning how to anticipate other driver’s actions can help you survive the accident.

Remember What your Parents Told You—Steer to the Right

Metal, fiberglass and glass can be repaired, but sometimes bodies cannot. If there is a potential accident looming ahead of you such as a multi-car pile-up or a car driving the wrong way, your natural reaction should be to steer to the right. Yes, there may be a guard rail, a fence or a tree in your way, but keep in mind that none of those objects will be traveling at high rates of speed. If you turn to the left you may find yourself in a deadly head-on collision should you cross the median, and if you keep your car going straight, you will end up hitting the car in front of you, and the car in back will likely hit you, and so on. Most roadways have some clearance on the right hand side of the road, and this space is intended for driving emergencies, so use it in any way which will avoid a worse accident.

Accelerate, Don’t Brake

It is most people’s instinct to brake in response to a driving threat, but in some cases you could lessen your chance of serious injury by accelerating instead. When you brake at a high rate of speed, you have effectively limited your maneuverability and will probably still plow into the car ahead of you. Instead of braking, try to anticipate the other driver’s actions and look for an opportunity to accelerate out of the accident, possibly on the right hand side, if it’s clear. Although you are not trained to drive like a NASCAR driver, you may need to think like one in the face of an auto accident.

If a Crash is Unavoidable, Minimize the Damage

Your primary goal should be to avoid head-on collisions with another vehicle or a front-end collision at a high rate of speed into a large immovable object such as a concrete barrier. Do as much as you possibly can to control your speed in the event of an impending accident. Obviously, the faster you are driving, the more damage you will sustain. Your car is weaker, structurally speaking, on the sides, so avoid a side impact if at all possible. If you see another car headed toward you, accelerating might allow the car to hit the rear side of your car rather than dead center.

Don’t bend over or cover your head in response to an impending accident—the damage your neck will sustain when the air bag hits your head will be much worse than if you had remained upright. Never drive or ride in a car which is not outfitted with safety belts and other safety features, and make sure those safety features are regularly serviced. Store objects within your car where they will not fly up and hit you in the event of a car crash. Even small objects can become lethal flying projectiles during a collision. Above all, remain focused and calm and you vastly improve your chances of coming through an accident alive. If you’ve been the victim of an automobile accident, contact a Mississippi personal injury attorney from our law firm immediately to give us all the particulars of the accident so we can best represent your interests.

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Hard Evidence—Taking Photos Following Your Mississippi Auto Accident

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Photographs can literally mean the difference between receiving a fair settlement for your auto accident—and not. Photos clearly show the facts surrounding a case without the inconsistencies of human memory. Many times following an accident everyone involved in the accident has a different accounting of the sequence of events or who did what. Photographs can assist you in proving your report of the incident, allowing you to get an equitable resolution which will cover the damages and injuries sustained in your car crash.

Taking Photos after Your Car Collision

While your first order of business following your auto accident is to get appropriate medical care, the next thing you should think about is making sure the evidence is properly preserved in the event you find it necessary to file a lawsuit to recover damages. If you’ve determined you do not need to go to the hospital (make absolutely certain you are not hurt, otherwise should you determine injuries later they may not be covered because you said you were okay) then spend the time while you are waiting for the police to take accident photographs which will allow you to explain to the insurance adjuster much more efficiently.

What Should I Photograph?

Once you have your camera or cell phone ready, take photos of your car and the damage it sustained. Try to get several photos, from different angles, and watch out for the glare of the sunlight which can obscure the damage you are trying to capture. Take close-up shots at about 3-5 feet, then from further out at about ten to fifteen feet. Try to keep a landmark in the photographs. If you are limited in the amount of photos you can take, be careful to get the ones you need the most—the ones which tell the story of what happened.  Next, take photos of the car which hit you in case the driver later tries to say there was more damage than you actually observed.

If the accident took place at a road intersection, take photos of it in case you have to explain to the insurance adjuster just how it happened. Include the street name in the photo and any other traffic signs which are close to the scene of the accident. If there were any skid marks, be sure and take photos, or if there were no skid marks you could still take photos of the lack of skid marks to show the other person didn’t even try to brake before hitting you. Finally, if there were injuries to the people in your vehicle, document the cuts, bruises, swellings and marks to you or the passengers. Take photos close up and a few feet away.

More Reasons to Take Photos

Having photos which clearly document your accident can actually speed up the settlement process and aid you in filing your initial claim. No matter how small or insignificant the damage or evidence appears to be, photograph it anyhow as insurance against the unexpected. Don’t forget to take photos of the inside damage to your car as well, such as a broken or damaged stereo. If you have concise photos, your adjuster will probably have to spend less time asking you questions.  If you end up hiring an attorney to litigate your accident, the photos will be extremely beneficial to a positive end result.

In addition to taking photographs at the scene of the accident, it can be extremely helpful to keep a daily journal or log which records the pain you experience following the accident. You can also jot down any expenses incurred from the car accident including prescription costs, or any way the accident causes changes to your regular standard of living. Contact a Mississippi personal injury attorney from our law firm soon after your accident so we can give you more advice on what you need to document and build a strong case on your behalf.

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Mississippi Head-On Car Collisions

Approximately one out of every 50 auto accidents in the United States are head-on car collisions—the most deadly kind. The NHTSA estimates that ten percent of car accident fatalities are the result of a head-on collision. The survivors of a head-on car collision often suffer extensive injuries that can be life-altering. When the front ends of two cars collide there will likely be significant amounts of physical and property damage no matter what speed the automobiles were traveling.

Causes of Mississippi Head-On Collisions

Just as with any auto accident, there can be a myriad of reasons for a head-on automobile collision. The most common reasons are texting while driving or talking on a cell phone, although weather conditions such as ice, snow or rain can also be a factor. Other reasons for head-on collisions include passing in an unsafe manner, losing control of the vehicle, driving while impaired, and nodding off at the wheel due to fatigue. Some negligent drivers simply disobey posted traffic signs or signals, failing to stop at a red light, and others mistakenly drive down a one-way street, not noticing the posted warnings. The most common place head-on collisions occur are on two lane roads when one vehicle attempts to pass unsafely into oncoming traffic. Whatever the reason for the crash, whenever two cars collide there will likely be serious injuries to the drivers and passengers of both vehicles.

Physical Results of a Mississippi Head-On Collision

Those who are involved in a head-on car collision may suffer injuries which range from broken bones or whiplash to brain and neck trauma, serious spinal cord injuries or paralysis, burn injuries and multiple lacerations. You may have received facial injuries which could leave you with significant facial scars to deal with in the years to come, not to mention multiple surgeries to try and repair the damage.  You may either have soft tissue damage or catastrophic damage and injuries to your body, and could be subject to months or even years of medical treatments and rehabilitative therapy. The injuries you sustain as a result of your head-on collision could bring medical expenses that you are unable to pay, not to mention lost wages and other out-of-pocket expenses.

The Physics of a Mississippi Head-On Collision

It’s apparent that a head-on crash into another car will cause more damage than a rear-end accident or a side-swipe accident, but if you have the type of scientific mind that wonders exactly why this is so apparent, you can thank Sir Isaac Newton for the formula which explains the answer. If force = mass x acceleration, then you can assume the greater the force in the crash, the more serious the damage. Force can also be seen as any change in momentum, and a car either has forwards and backwards momentum or side to side momentum. Should two cars connect sideways, the impact is distributed between the front, back and sides, however in a head-on collision, the impact is concentrated in the front, meaning the people in vehicles are subject to 100% of the collision force.

Getting the Help You Desperately Need

Although we all want to believe we are safe when we are in our cars headed to work, picking up the kids from school, running errands or going on a family vacation, there is always the chance we can be involved in a car crash. If you should be in a head-on collision, who will be your advocate after the crash and look out for your health and financial interests? Who can better explain the complicated legal issues surrounding a head-on collision than an attorney who represents clients in such types of Mississippi personal injury claim? If you want to ensure your medical bills and future are covered and protected, and that the insurance companies do not take advantage of you, speak with one of our experienced Mississippi car accident attorneys today. We can help you successfully deal with the legal challenges you face, allowing you to heal and re-build your life.

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Dealing With an Uninsured Driver after an Accident in Mississippi

Having an accident any time is distressing, but if you are involved in an accident in which the other driver appears to have no insurance, it can cause even more anxiety. Although most all states require minimum amounts of liability insurance to be carried by all drivers, it is estimated that a minimum of fifteen percent of auto owners in the United States do not. This translates into a one in seven chance that the person who just ran into your car is uninsured.

This is a nationwide statistic, and doesn’t reflect those states who have an even higher rate of uninsured drivers—if you live in one of those states the risk of being hit by an uninsured driver is even higher. In a typical auto accident the insurance companies of both parties get involved, and whether there is a settlement or the case goes to litigation, the prevailing party will be paid damages. If you are dealing with a person who has no insurance, however, you may find it extremely difficult to obtain the compensation you deserve and greatly need, however there are remedies available to you to help get the compensation from the responsible party.

Following an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

If you’ve been in a car collision only to find out the other driver is uninsured, don’t feel like it would be pointless to call the police or your insurance company. In fact these steps are even more important in this situation. In many states if the damage to the vehicles was more than $500—and that can be the smallest scratch—you must report the accident or risk getting into trouble. In any case, document as much information about the person who ran into you as possible so you will be able to contact them if you need to. If they show you an expired insurance card, write down the information so you can contact the insurance company and confirm it has actually been cancelled.

Why Drivers May Not Be Insured

In most cases, an uninsured driver doesn’t carry auto insurance because they don’t have the financial resources to do so, which also means that pursuing legal action against the uninsured motorist could be futile—if they don’t have the money to purchase auto insurance they probably also don’t have the financial means available to compensate you even if you get a judgment against them. Your attorney can be the very best source of advice and information in such a situation and can explore all your options and let you know if pursuing the uninsured driver is a worthwhile endeavor, or if you should explore other options.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Many states require all residents to carry uninsured motorist coverage on their own insurance policy. Although you may have been annoyed that you had to pay a premium for the irresponsibility of others, you could be very glad, now, that it was required. If you have uninsured or underinsured coverage on your automobile policy, then you may be able to recover your damages from your own insurance company. Because insurance policies are notoriously difficult to decipher, contact an experienced car accident attorney and have them take a look at your policy to determine whether you may be able to file for damages through your own insurance company. A knowledgeable attorney may also be aware of insurance coverage you are not which will help pay for your injuries and damages.

If you don’t already carry uninsured motorist coverage, have it added to your policy. This type of insurance rarely costs much—so little in fact that you will likely hardly notice it—but it can be invaluable in a situation where an uninsured motorist crashes into you, leaving you with serious injuries and damages.

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Claims and Defenses Following a Car Accident in Mississippi

After you’ve been involved in an automobile accident, and filed all the necessary paperwork, you may be stunned to find the other party—or their insurance company—asserting they were not at fault, or, worse, that you were at fault. If what you thought was going to be a simple claim process has suddenly gone south, you will need some information about the process in order to determine what to do next.

The Defendant Asserts No Negligence Was Involved

Perhaps you have filed your claim under the belief the other person was either reckless or negligent, and he or she is now asserting they behaved in the same manner as any judicious person would have. The plaintiff (you, if you filed the suit) must prove negligence as a prerequisite to collecting damages, therefore if the defendant can show that his actions were completely normal and reasonable, your claim may die a slow death.

The Defendant Asserts That You Were the Negligent Party

If the defendant asserts that any of the negligence involved in the accident was yours, then he has created a certain level of defense, at least in the handful of pure contributory negligence states. Comparative fault regulations are generally the standard in most states, however, so this will not often work as a defense. In contributory negligence states, if any of the fault for the accident was yours, then it can be argued that your own negligence was also a factor in the accident thereby barring your right to recover any damages from the other driver.  In the comparative fault states, there will generally be a rule in place that allows you to sue if the other driver was at least more than fifty percent responsible.

The Defendant Asserts You Didn’t Fully Prove Your Case

As the plaintiff you have the weight of demonstrating negligence on the part of the other driver as well as proving that negligence caused you specific harm. In our system, defendants don’t have the responsibility of proving they are not responsible for an accident. If you are unable to prove the foundations of the case, then the other driver can be judged not liable.  It’s very important that you or your lawyer have all elements of your case firmly in place before it ever goes to trial, or you may find yourself unpleasantly surprised.

The Defendant Asserts Your Injuries are Not Real

If the other driver claims you are exaggerating your injuries from the accident simply for the sake of collecting compensation—and is able to successfully prove this assertion—he may be able to walk away without any responsibility for your accident and resulting injuries. Ensure you are able to prove your injuries are medically factual through doctor’s reports, hospital reports and any paperwork pertaining to medications you are on as a result of the accident.

In twelve specific states, a car accident lawsuit may only be brought if your injuries are deemed “serious” under the specific rules of the state. The theory in this law is to prevent the filing of lawsuits for relatively “minor” accidents. However, if you have suffered a “minor” injury as the result of a car accident, and that injury is causing you considerable amounts of pain, medical bills and time away from work, you may disagree with your state’s definition of “minor.” Because this process can be incredibly complex, and because you don’t want to end up in court only to have the defendant claim any of the defenses above, it is crucial that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney who will be aware of the laws in your specific state.

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Frequently Asked Questions Following a Car Accident in Mississippi

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

How Do My Injuries Factor In?

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

How Long Will My Case Take?

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

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

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

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

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

Other Questions

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

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Mississippi Car Accidents Caused by Tire Defects

Auto accidents from tire defects are more common than most people realize.  Every year, more than 15,000 vehicle accidents are due to blowouts involving defective tires. Sometimes these accidents result from failure to replace worn out tires or to maintain proper tire pressure. However, all too often tire blowout accidents are caused by the defective manufacturing of the vehicle or use of substandard materials.

When tires blowout, it typically is due to the shredding of the tread layers.  When investigations are conducted on car accidents that are believed to be due to tire defects, the investigators will inspect the steel and rubber in steel belted radials to determine if they are properly bonded together.  If the bonding process fails, this creates a serious risk of car accidents caused by tire blowouts.  A number of tire manufacturers have had their tires recalled because of tread separation due to design or manufacturing defects.  When tread separation occurs it can cause the tire to blowout or make the vehicle very difficult to control.

Another issue that can cause tires to be defective is if the material used in the manufacturing process is contaminated with objects like sawdust, candy wrappers, and cigarette butts.  If the size of the material does not match the size of the tire or if air is found between the layers of the tire, a blowout may result.

Tire and car accident lawyers have a legal obligation to produce tires that are free from defects that may cause injury to motorists.  Businesses that manufacture and distribute tires may cut corners in the production process to increase profits.  In recent years, there have been a number of defective product lawsuits in which tire manufacturers have been found to have produced defective tires that caused serious tire blowout accidents or accidents where drivers lost control of the vehicle.  Rollover accidents can be particularly dangerous often resulting in roof crush injuries or vehicle ejections.  When either situation occurs, the likelihood of catastrophic injuries or wrongful death is substantial.

Along with tire manufacturers, car makers can also be liable for car accidents caused by defective tires including tire blowout accidents. It is their duty to make sure that every part of the car is free of defects and safe to drive.  The vehicle manufacturer may be liable even if the manufacturer claims that the car has been inspected and is in good condition.

If you or your loved ones are involved in a Mississippi car accident, the experienced Mississippi car accident lawyers at Barrett Law Office PLLC diligently pursue the rights of those who suffer injured caused by the negligence of others.  If your Mississippi car accident was caused by a tire blowout, we can perform an investigation to see if it was due to defective tires.  The Barrett Law Office PLLC has roots that date back over 75 years providing diligent and compassionate legal representation to Mississippi auto accident victims.  Call us today for a free initial case evaluation at (662) 834-2376.

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Rural Areas in Mississippi May Pose Greatest Risk of Serious Car Crashes

Most people presume that the greatest risk of being involved in a serious car accident is in the biggest cities within Mississippi because of increased traffic congestion.  This belief is the reason many drivers speed in rural areas because they have a false sense of security about the likelihood of being involved in a collision because there are fewer vehicles on the road.  Ironically, these intuitive feelings that many have are not supported by auto accident data.  Car accidents are more common in rural areas and the resulting injuries from such accidents are also more severe.

Although only about a quarter of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, these areas account for well over half of all auto accidents in the U.S according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  There are a number of reasons that may contribute to this counterintuitive result including the following:

  • Drivers in rural areas tend to drive at higher rates of speed
  • An Increased risk of alcohol impaired drivers in rural areas
  • Drivers in rural areas may be less attentive or vigilant
  • Rural areas may promote driver fatigue or drowsy drivers

Speeding is a substantial risk factor linked to the increased accident risk in rural areas. The lack of traffic congestion in rural areas is a double-edged sword.  While there are fewer drivers and vehicles with which to contend, the average speed of traffic is greater meaning that drivers can more easily lose control of their vehicle and have less response time when confronted with a potential auto accident hazard.  According to NHTSA data, speeding was a significant factor in 33% of all rural car accidents.

Drivers who operate their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol also play a major part in the high accident rates associated with urban areas.  Alcohol was a factor in 13 percent more rural accidents then accidents in urban centers.  Because high rates of speed and alcohol impaired driving are common causes of accident fatalities, it is hardly surprising that 57 percent of fatal car accidents occur in rural areas though only 23 percent of the U.S. population resides in rural area.

The sparse volume of traffic and extended stretches with little need to alter speed or direction on rural stretches of roadway can lead to inattention or fatigue.  Because drivers must be alert because of traffic congestion and obstacles in urban centers they are more likely to remain alert and sharp for potential hazards.  This is supported to some degree by data that shows night driving also is more dangerous in rural areas. If you or a loved one has been injured or you have lost a loved one in a Mississippi car accident, the experienced Mississippi car accident lawyers represent clients throughout Mississippi so call us today for a free no obligation initial case evaluation at (662) 834-2376.  Our law firm has roots that reach back over 75 years helping car accident victims in Mississippi just like you.

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