Understanding the Tactics of Insurance Companies in Mississippi Car Accident Cases

If you are seriously injured by the negligence or misconduct of a third party, it is likely that any amount of compensation that you receive for your injuries will be paid by an insurance company.  This is both good and bad.  When the party that injures you has insurance, it means that there should be available funds to compensate you for your injuries if you prove your claim.  However, it also means that you may have to deal with the tactics used by insurance companies to avoid paying valid claims.

While from the perspective of a customer who pays premiums, you may conclude that the function of auto insurance companies is to cover the financial risk of loss when someone is liable for a collision.  An insurance company function from the perspective of its stockholders and management is to increase profits, which is not accomplished by paying more claims and higher amounts of recovery.  Insurance companies use a wide array of approaches to deny, delay and minimize meritorious insurance claims.  We have provided an overview of some of the types of tactics and strategies that are frequently used by auto accident insurance companies:

Shifting Blame to the Victim: While many car accident victims know that the usual basis for imposing liability in a car accident is negligence, some victims do not realize that a court may determine that an accident victim is also liable for his or her own injures.  Insurance companies commonly argue that a car accident victim in a Mississippi car accident failed to take responsibility for the victim’s own injuries.  It is important to have an experienced Mississippi car accident attorney on your side that can defend you against the claim that your own negligence contributed to your injuries.  If you are found to have had some role in causing your own injuries, your recovery may be reduced based on the amount of fault assigned to you.

Any Injuries Were Pre-Existing: While a distracted, drunk, or otherwise unsafe driver may be liable for exacerbating a pre-existing injury, insurance companies frequently argue that an injury allegedly suffered in a car accident was actually the result of an earlier trauma in an attempt to reduce the amount of recovery for the injury.  Insurance companies often engage in extensive discovery and carefully scrutinize a Mississippi car accident victim’s medical records to make this claim.

Failure to Mitigate Damages: Although a careless driver or other negligent party may be liable for your injuries suffered in a car accident, the law imposes an obligation on accident victims to take appropriate steps to minimize any loss.  An accident victim that fails to seek medical treatment or follow through on physical therapy may be vulnerable to a defense based on lack of mitigation of damages.  This defense essentially provides that any additional harm that could have been reasonably avoided, but for the failure of the plaintiff to take reasonable steps to reduce his or her loss, should not be compensated.

War of Attrition: Mississippi car accident victims may have enormous medical bills and be unable to work for long periods of time.  Sometimes the insurance company will drag out the claims process as long as possible to increase the financial pressure on an accident victim to settle for less than the value of the claim.  An experienced Mississippi car accident attorney can counter such tactics and may even be able to advance certain amounts against the potential recovery depending on your case.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Mississippi car accident or a loved one dies, you may have a right to seek legal compensation for your injuries and loss.  At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Are GPS Devices Just as Dangerous as Cell Phones When Driving?

According to studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver distraction is estimated to be the cause of approximately 25-30% of all vehicle accidents in the United States each year.  One cause of driver distraction is GPS tracking devices, which are an indirect cause of automobile accidents but contribute to driver inattention in the following ways:

GPS voice command has been disabled

Disabling (turning off) the audio voice function of a GPS tracking device forces the driver to physically look at the device in order to determine its data output – this means that drivers must avert their eyes and divert their attention from the road.

Command input while driving

Attempting to input coordinates or commands into the GPS tracking device while the vehicle is moving is similar to talking or texting on a mobile phone while driving.

The statistical link between GPS tracking devices and automobile accidents is a clear indication that many drivers rely heavily on their GPS unit to locate their destination.  Sometimes this reliance can lead to a more confused driver because the unit’s maps may be out-dated or may not accurately reflect new road construction.  Additionally, communication errors are common and may be caused by the satellite signal being blocked.  When a driver is concentrating on a GPS or relying heavily on it when driving in an unfamiliar area, the driver can experience confusion and anxiety that increases the risk of a Mississippi distracted driving accident.

GPS devices are commonly used throughout the United States in privately owned vehicles as well as commercial vehicles.  When GPS devices are used correctly and safely, they can greatly benefit drivers by saving both time and money.  Additionally, the installation of a GPS unit in commercial vehicles may contribute to a reduction in the company’s insurance premiums.  The installation of a GPS unit in commercial trucks also allows the company to track their fleet traffic as well as assist in locating and tracking individual drivers.

All drivers, both private and commercial, should exercise the utmost caution when using a GPS device to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of others.  Drivers should exercise common sense when using a GPS device – never taking their eyes from the road to read the output generated by a GPS device and always bringing the vehicle to a complete and safe stop prior to entering the coordinates of a location into the GPS unit.

The incorporation of GPS devices in many smart phones also has contributed to the ineffectiveness of many cell phone driving laws.  Because using a GPS device while driving is not prohibited for non-commercial drivers anywhere in the U.S., it can be difficult for law enforcement to differentiate between prohibited uses of a cell phone and those like GPS functions that are permitted.  Ironically, there has been a widespread movement to restrict or ban cell phone use while driving because of the widely recognized risk associated with texting or talking and driving.  However, it is legitimate to wonder whether those who use a GPS device without exercising extreme caution are creating just as great a risk.

If you or a loved one has been injured or a loved one has died in an accident involving a driver distracted by a GPS device, our Mississippi distracted driving attorneys may be able to help. If you or a family member is injured in a Mississippi distracted driving accident, the experienced districted driving accident attorneys at Barrett Law may be able to represent you in seeking financial compensation for any injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one.  At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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The Life Changing Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury

There are approximately 20,000 spinal cord injuries in the United States every year with an estimated 52 percent of these injuries resulting in someone becoming paraplegic and approximately 47 percent of victims being left quadriplegic.

Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injury are as follows:

  • 37% Automobile Accidents
  • 28% Violence
  • 21% Falls
  • 6% Sports Related Injuries
  • 8% All Other

Long term medical and rehabilitative expenses for this type of serious injury range from $500,000 to in excess of $3,000,000 over the victim’s lifetime. This estimated range does not, unfortunately, include costs associated with permanent disability, the need for long term care or the personal loss of one’s quality of life.  These astronomical medical expenses are even more oppressive because a spinal cord injury victim may be unable to continue in the same occupation or may even be completely disabled.

Whether you have suffered a spinal cord injury in a severe Mississippi car accident, a physical assault or a fall from a scaffolding or ladder, an experienced Mississippi spinal cord injury attorney can help you navigate the potential legal and insurance pitfalls that can undermine your accident claim.  If you suffer the type of life-altering consequences that result from a spinal injury suffered in a car accident, it is important to obtain legal advice immediately to protect your rights to legal compensation for medical, financial, physical and emotional losses and expenses.

An experienced Mississippi personal injury attorney will have experience working with accident reconstruction experts, life planners, medical experts and forensic accountants or economist to develop the most compelling case for a jury.  Accident reconstruction experts can assist the jury in understanding the physical dynamics and fault in the collision so that the jury can determine the reason that the defendant’s unsafe driving behavior caused your spinal injury.  Medical experts can provide evidence to combat claims by the insurance company for the other driver that your injuries are not serious.  Life planners and economists can communicate the limitations on your quality of life, ability to work and supportive care needs as well as the projected cost of this and other losses.

If you or someone you love suffers a serious spinal injury in a Mississippi car accident or through other negligent or intentional misconduct, our experienced Mississippi spinal cord injury attorney understand the financial, physical and emotional obstacles that you face. At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Study Shows Adapting Safety Equipment to Perception Limits Can Prevent Rear-End Collisions

During any hour of watching television, there is a good chance you will see advertisements lauding the new safety features that are now being equipped on many vehicles.  These safety features can include early crash warning systems, extra air bags, crash avoidance systems and other technologies designed to prevent Mississippi car accidents.  However, one of the factors that is critical to making vehicles more safe and preventing car accidents is understanding the way human being process information as well as the limitations of human perception.  One study that looked at the human perception factors in causing rear-end collisions provides a good illustration of how many car accidents could be avoided by building motor vehicles with the limitations of human perception in mind.

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology conducted a study that revealed that drivers cannot perceive the urgency with which the brakes are applied in the vehicle that a driver is following.  Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents in Mississippi and nationally.  Approximately a third of all car accidents are rear-end collisions.  These accidents are particularly common when driving in heavy traffic with an inconsistent flow.  A momentary glance at one’s cell phone or slightly delayed response because a driver is tired or drowsy can easily result in a driver slamming into you from the rear.

There are a number of frequent contributing factors to rear-end collisions, including the following:

  • Failure to adhere to the two-second following rule (tailgating)
  • Speeding
  • Not slowing down in inclement weather
  • Inattentive driving because of distractions
  • Drunk driving or drugged driving
  • Poor brake maintenance

While these factors have long been recognized as causes of Mississippi rear-end collisions, the Georgia Institute of Technology used a driving simulator to gauge the ability of motorists to perceive the speed of a vehicle directly in front of them.  The study showed that drivers generally are unable to detect when the vehicle they are following is moving at a slower speed until the difference in speed reaches 8-10 mph.

Gregory Corso, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta commented, “Well, if people can’t detect that the car in front of them is going slower, you’re going to run into it.”

While current safety devices are designed to reduce the seriousness of injuries when a rear-end collision occurs, the researchers have developed an algorithm that can be incorporated into a collision warning system that makes adjustments based on your actual driving and braking behavior.  The system could notify drivers that the vehicle they are following is traveling at a slower rate of speed and predict a potential collision based on the rate that the trailing vehicle is gaining on the lead vehicle.  If this technology is implemented, it could prevent some of the most common types of Mississippi car accidents – rear-end collisions.  This provides a good example how vehicle manufacturers can be expected to adapt vehicles to protect vehicle occupants.  Sometimes when a manufacturer builds a vehicle without adequate safety equipment, this may form the basis for a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer.

Our experienced Mississippi rear-end accident attorneys offer a free consultation so that we can evaluate your Mississippi rear-end auto collision claim and explain your rights and remedies.  At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi rear-end 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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Prescription Drug Abuse Linked to Increase in Car Accidents

Although many people are aware of the dramatic rise in the abuse of prescription drugs, the increased danger of severe car accidents linked to this abuse is less well known.  Many prescription drugs that are abused are taken for the same reasons as recreational drugs. This means that they are often sought out for their impact on one’s mental state so those who abuse these drugs are fully what aware of the danger of driving while under their effects.  Many prescription drugs with side effects that make it unsafe to drive carry warnings, which expressly indicate it is not safe to operate heavy machinery while under the influence of the medication.  Unfortunately, some drivers choose to ignore these warnings which often results in serious Mississippi car accidents that can cause life altering injuries.

There are a wide variety of types of prescription medications that may be involved in drugged driving accidents in Mississippi including pain killers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications and muscle relaxants.  These drugs may include Xanax, Ambien, Flexeril, Percocet, Norcos, Vicodin and similar medications.  They may contribute to serious Mississippi drugged driver car accidents because of a number of adverse effects on driving ability, including but not limited to the following:

  • Impaired driver judgment
  • Distorted perception
  • Drowsiness
  • Diminished coordination
  • Slow reflexes

While these are only a few of the ways that prescription medications can adversely impact driving ability, the current epidemic of abuse and misuse of prescription drugs poses a serious danger to everyone who travels the roadways of Mississippi.  Drivers who disregard warning labels on prescription drug bottles may be determined to be at fault even if they are lawfully taking the medication. Our experienced Mississippi drugged accident attorneys carefully investigate car accident cases where drugged driving may be involved. A driver who is using a prescription drug illegally may be considered to be engaged in reckless conduct, particularly if they are speeding or otherwise consciously engaging in extremely unsafe driving practices.  If a drugged driver is impaired because of illegal use of a prescription drug plan that causes a serious car accident, you or your loved one may be entitled to punitive damages to punish particularly egregious conduct.  Our Mississippi drugged driving attorneys typically examine police reports, toxicology analysis, and medical records to develop evidence of drugged driving.

The experienced Mississippi drugged driving lawyers at Barrett law are committed to holding wrongdoers accountable and compensating victims.  Our experienced Mississippi drugged driving accident attorneys offer a free consultation so that we can evaluate your accident claim and explain your rights and remedies.  At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi drugged 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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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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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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Will Legalization of Medical Marijuana Increase in Mississippi Car Accidents

Mississippi is one of several states that will consider proposals to legalize medical marijuana later this year.  It is somewhat predictable that Mississippi might be a state on the forefront of this issue given that Mississippi is a producer of medical marijuana.  The University of Mississippi has long functioned as a marijuana research facility.  Ole Miss even grows and ships medical marijuana for use in other states where use of cannabis for medical purposes is legal provided it is prescribed by a physician.  Ole Miss even receives federal funds to promote research and production of medical marijuana.  Mississippi has also decriminalized marijuana up to thirty grams.

Despite where one stands on merits of legalizing medical marijuana, one issue that must be considered is how it might impact accidents involving impaired drivers.  Alcohol, which is legal and readily accessible to Mississippi adults, accounts for over 10,000 traffic related fatalities per year and accounts for 33 percent of accident related fatalities in Mississippi.  Alcohol is the most prevalent factor in collisions that result in injury or fatalities throughout the U.S.

One is left to wonder why we should be more optimistic that the legalization of medical marijuana would not result in an analogous surge in Mississippi car accidents caused by impaired drivers.  Some medical marijuana proponents argue that marijuana can be distinguished from alcohol use because it will only be legal for medical reasons.  It is theorized that because alcohol is used exclusively for recreational use this is why it results in a high rate of drunk driving.  It is also argued that drivers using medical marijuana may have less impairment of driving ability than those who consume alcohol.

A recent study suggests that this rather dubious differentiation may not have any basis in fact.  The recent study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that drivers who had used marijuana were twice as likely to be involved in an auto accident then drivers who were not under the influence of marijuana.  However, another recent study conducted by professors at the Universities of Colorado and Montana, which analyzed 19 years of data involving fatal accidents, found that accidents rates have declined by ten percent in states that have legalized medical marijuana.  The authors of the study argue that this does not simply reflect declining accident rates in states where medical marijuana is legal because alcohol related accident rates have remained relatively constant in these states.

The argument that somehow the clinical role of marijuana makes a difference is also questionable because of the growing number of motor vehicle accidents caused by drivers under the influence of prescription medications.  The theory that somehow limiting use to therapeutic purposes will prevent the drug from being ingested before motorist drive would seem to be no more valid than with prescription medications.

Law enforcement and public safety advocates argue that driving under the influence of any substance that causes impairment is dangerous.  Many car accidents are caused by some form of drug, including alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and illegal narcotics.  Those who oppose legalization of marijuana believe that anything that increases access or use of a drug will result in an increase in accidents involving impaired drivers.

If you have suffered serious injury caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you should seek immediate legal advice.  Most personal injury law firms in Mississippi offer a free consultation with no obligation so that they can assess the value of your claim, and you can obtain information about your options.  The experienced Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to Mississippi personal 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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Road Rage & Aggressive Driving: Different but Unacceptable Driving Practices

While many people use the terms “aggressive driving” and “road rage” interchangeably, they distinguish two very different kinds of conduct.  Aggressive driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as engaging in multiple violations of traffic safety laws simultaneously putting other motorists and pedestrians at risk.  While aggressive driving may constitute reckless conduct and justify an award of punitive damages to discourage such unsafe driving practices, road rage involves intentionally threatening or attacking another motorist often with a weapon and constitutes a criminal act, which will usually justify punitive damages.

Aggressive driving is rude inconsiderate driving that frequently includes multiple traffic violations including tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding and unsafe lane changes.  Drivers that engage in aggressive driving in Mississippi often are rushing to meet unrealistic schedules and annoyed by traffic conditions that slow aggressive drivers down.  Drivers that engage in aggressive driving practices not only put themselves at risk but may force other drivers who engage in emergency or unsafe maneuvers to avoid a collision. For example, when an aggressive driver tries to pass on the shoulder of the roadway, this may startle a driver in the lane closest to the shoulder so that they veer into another vehicle causing a collision.

When a driver engages in a pattern of motor vehicle violations that place other motorists and pedestrians in danger, the aggressive driver may be strictly liable for injuries caused by his or her unsafe driving practices. The doctrine of negligence per se essentially provides that if a driver violates a driving safety law, which causes injury to someone with whom they share the road, they may be strictly liable for any damages. If a driver engages in certain combinations of driving violations that constitute aggressive driving, such as driving at high speed rates of speed while swerving in and out of traffic, this may also constitute grounds for imposing punitive damages.

While aggressive driving may be unsafe and even reckless, it does not constitute an intentional criminal offense intended to cause injury to another.  Road rage is an intentional criminal act designed to inflict physical injury. Common examples of road rage may include ramming another vehicle or pedestrian, running a vehicle off the road, shooting into another vehicle with a firearm or other violent criminal violent acts.  Because road rage behavior will generally constitute a criminal offense, a civil lawsuit will typically follow a criminal prosecution. It can be significantly easier for a victim of road rage to pursue civil litigation when there has already been a finding of guilt in a prior criminal case. Because road rage attacks are intentional criminal acts, they generally result in an award of punitive damages against the perpetrator.

While aggressive driving and road rage are two very different types of driving behavior, they are both completely unacceptable and place the safety of others in immediate jeopardy. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a road rage incident or accident caused by aggressive driving in Mississippi, the experienced Mississippi aggressive driving accident attorneys at Barrett law may be able to help you seek compensation for your injuries or loss.  Our Mississippi road rage attorneys are committed to the principle that those who engage in wrongful conduct must be punished and victims should be compensated.  The experienced Mississippi aggressive driving accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to Mississippi bus 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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Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim

If you are involved in a serious motor vehicle accident whether it involves a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, tractor-trailer, bus, bicycle or pedestrian, the injuries you suffer can be devastating and impact virtually every aspect of your life.  Severe injuries suffered in a Mississippi motor vehicle accident can impact your employment, marital relationship, family interactions and daily activities.  While obtaining substantial financial recovery in a Mississippi personal injury lawsuit can play a substantial role in your ability to obtain the best medical and rehabilitative care and to preserve your quality of life, many people make the regrettable mistake of presuming that they do not need a personal injury attorney.

Insurance companies handle thousands of accident claims each year and have the resources and experience required to effectively minimize the value of claims or avoid liability altogether.  The typical insurance carrier will have a team of attorneys and experts that are experienced in developing defense strategies to avoid fairly compensating victims.  There are many substantive and procedure defenses and strict timing requirements that are unfamiliar to the typical layperson which an insurance company may exploit to deny a claim.

The cost to effectively litigate a personal injury lawsuit in a motor vehicle accident case can easily reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.  Insurance companies may hire accident reconstruction experts to argue that an accident victim caused the collision or medical experts to explain to a judge or jury why one’s injuries could not have been caused by the motor vehicle accident.  When you work with an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer at Barrett Law, we typically advance the costs of litigation so that the insurance company cannot simply win a war of attrition by making it impossible for you to afford the cost of effectively litigating your case.

An accident victim that attempts self-representation in a Mississippi personal injury lawsuit is also at a great disadvantage because of the complexity and terminology involved in understanding the law.  Mississippi insurance defense attorneys have the specialized training and experience to know what legal and procedural strategies are effective.  A layperson has little chance of successfully navigating a civil lawsuit against a licensed attorney.  The court will hold a layperson to the same rules of evidence and procedure that an attorney is expected to follow.  These rules are often extremely complex and convoluted.

An insurance company is well aware of their advantage when facing a party that is not represented by counsel in a personal injury lawsuit in Mississippi.  The insurance company has little incentive to offer any meaningful settlement offer because the insurer knows that it has the advantage if the case goes to trial.  The insurance provider also understands that an inexperienced layperson does not know how to determine if a settlement offer is reasonable.  This means that even if an offer is made to settle the personal injury claim it will typically be for far below the actual value of the claim.

Because personal injury law firms like Barrett Law work on a contingency basis, there is really no financial advantage for a motor vehicle accident victim to try to go it alone against an insurance company.  Our Mississippi personal injury law firm generally advances all costs and does not receive attorney’s fee unless we recover against the defendant.  This means that we assume all the risk and provide the knowledge and expertise to ensure the best chance at a favorable outcome.  If you still have questions about why our Mississippi personal injury lawyers at Barrett Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve, we invite you to contact us to learn how we can help.  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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