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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss Ways to Save on Your Car Insurance

As the New Year approaches, many families begin to search for ways to cut back on spending in the coming year.  Reviewing your automobile insurance policy with the goal of increasing savings, while ensuring adequate coverage in the event of an accident, is an excellent place to start.  While it is never wise to decrease your coverage, as this can cost you greatly in the event of an accident, you may be eligible for discounts that you never knew existed.  Discounts are available through most insurance carriers, including those with strong academic records or positive driving records.  Certain vehicles may also be eligible for discounts.

The following is a list of possible discounts that could help you save money on car insurance next year.  Review this list to determine if any apply to you, then call your car insurance company to start saving.  You could save money on your car insurance in Mississippi if:

  • You have an excellent credit score
  • You have a clean driving record
  • Your vehicle has passive seat belts
  • Your vehicle has an airbags
  • You own expensive vehicles
  • Your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system
  • You are over the age of 55 and have completed a driver improvement course
  • You hold multiple policies with the same company, such as homeowners’ insurance and car insurance
  • You are a student and make good grades
  • You graduated from a certain college or university
  • Your vehicle is a standard model and not a performance or sports vehicle
  • You driver your vehicle infrequently
  • You are a safe driver
  • You are a teenager who completed a driver’s education class
  • You put minimal miles on your vehicle each year
  • You are a homeowner
  • You are a student and only drive your vehicle when you go home

To start your New Year off with savings, call your insurance company today to see if you are eligible for these or other discounts.  You may also wish to obtain quotes from other car insurance companies to ensure you are receiving the lowest possible rates for the coverage level you desire.  Insurance premiums can vary widely by company, so it does pay to shop around.

Another way to save on your car insurance is by raising your deductible on your collision and comprehensive coverage.  It is often easy to meet even a higher deductible because damages run up quickly after a crash, but consider this option carefully to make sure the increased deductible does not cost you more than the savings in the long run.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Helping You Save Money This Coming New Year

For many couples, saving money is a worthy New Year’s goal.  Car insurance may be one area in which you can cut back on costs while still maintaining the same quality coverage.  You should call your car insurance company and see if you are eligible for certain discounts.  Do not, however, decrease your coverage as this could leave you out far more in the event of a serious accident.  The Mississippi Car Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC hope that this list of cost saving tips helps to decrease your car insurance bill.  In the event you are injured in a car crash, we are here to help.  We fight for your full recovery, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and non-economic damages.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys.

 

 

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Explore Rear End Collisions

Each year, more rear end collisions will occur than any other type of automobile accident.  Roughly two and a half million rear end accidents occur each year, resulting in serious injuries and even death.  In fact, six deaths out of every one million cars registered are the result of rear end accidents.  The vast majority of rear end collisions happen due to inattentiveness on the part of the individual driving behind the vehicle that is rear-ended.

The Causes of Rear End Accidents

There are many causes of rear end accidents, but some common causes seem to occur with regularity.  These include:

  • Following too closely
  • Poor road conditions, such as ice, rain, or snow
  • Inattentiveness on the part of the following driver
  • Driver distraction, including texting and using a cell phone
  • Failure to see the car in front stop or slow
  • Poor visibility, due to fog or other weather conditions
  • Accelerating from a stop too quickly
  • Foot slipping off the brake while stopped
  • Sudden stopping that does not allow the following car time to stop

Rear end accidents can be extremely serious.  These accidents often result in so-called “soft tissue” injuries.  Whiplash is among the most common soft tissue injuries.  Whiplash is caused by the jerking motion of the head and neck that generally occurs during a rear end crash.  The result is severe neck pain and limited range of motion.  Rear end crashes can also result in head injuries, which can be lead to permanent or long term disability.  Head injuries are not always apparent immediately following a crash.  Any rear end crash victim who is experiencing headaches and blurred vision should be evaluated for potentially serious head trauma.

When trucks are involved in a rear end accident, the results can be even more devastating.  Trucks weigh several times that of passenger motor vehicles, and when they pummel into the back of a car, the accident often becomes catastrophic.  Any victim of a truck rear end accident should seek medical attention immediately following the crash.

Fault in Rear End Collisions

In the vast majority of rear end accidents, the driver of the second vehicle, the vehicle that does the rear-ending, will be considered at least partially at fault.  This is because all drivers have a duty to follow other vehicles at a safe distance so as to allow for necessary sudden stops or slow downs.  It is imperative that enough traveling distance be provided between vehicles to prevent am accident when an unexpected stop occurs.  Accordingly, when a rear end accident happens it is presumed the second car did not provide enough following room and is at least partially at fault for the accident.

This is not to say that the front car always escapes liability.  If the lead car acted negligently, such as by not having working brake lights or reversing suddenly, this car will hold a considerable percentage of the fault as well.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Assisting the Victims of Rear End Collisions  

Rear end accidents can result in damage to your vehicle and serious injuries, including spinal cord damage, whiplash, head injuries, brain injuries, broken bones, and internal organ damage.  If you have been injured in a rear end collision, the Mississippi Car Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  Our skilled car accident attorneys will investigate your accident to uncover all evidence of negligence.  We will then fight for your full recovery, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and non-economic damages.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Report: Rollover Accident Kills One, Injures Three Others

On Sunday, November 23, in the early morning hours, a rollover van accident occurred in Greene County that involved a 2001 Chevrolet van.  Present in the vehicle were two adults and two young children: a toddler and kindergartner.  The van was driving westbound on Hwy 98 near Jim Powell Road when it rolled over.  Investigations continue into what caused the van to rollover.

The 57 year old mother of the driver was killed in the accident.  The driver of the vehicle and her two young children were injured.  One child was considered in serious condition and airlifted to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.  The other child and the driver were driven by ambulance to the same hospital.  The family’s current condition is unknown.

Rollovers are extremely dangerous accidents that have the highest fatality rate, exceeding all other types of car crashes.  Rollover accidents account for 33 percent of all passenger fatalities.  Over 10,000 people each year are killed in rollover crashes.  Even when these accidents do not result in death, they usually lead to serious injuries that could potentially create lifelong disabilities.

Causes of Rollover Accidents

Certain vehicles are far more at risk of rollovers.  SUVs, minivans, and trucks are the primary vehicles that become involved in rollover accidents.  Nearly 40 percent of all fatal SUV crashes are due to rollover, while just 15 percent of all fatal passenger car accidents are caused by this type of crash.

Rollover accidents are related heavily to a vehicle’s stability in turns.  Stability of a car is influenced by the relationship between the truck width (the distance between the wheels on each side) and the center of gravity.  If a truck has a high center of gravity and narrow build, that vehicle will become unstable in the event of a fast turn or sharp directional change.  This increases the odds the vehicle will tip over once it begins to skid to the side.

Studies show that most fatal rollovers involving four wheel drive vehicles are single vehicle accidents.  These accidents occur most often on weekend nights and male drivers under the age of 25 are frequently involved.  Sadly, alcohol is found to be a contributing factor in many rollover crashes.

In 75 percent of all fatal rollover accidents, the victims were ejected from the vehicles, indicating that they were not wearing their seatbelts.  Seatbelt use significantly reduces the risk of death in rollover accidents as it holds the driver and passenger in the vehicle even has I flips over.

Despite pressure to create a federal rollover standard, it does not yet exist.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, introduced a rollover rating system back in 2001, ranking vehicles with stars according to their engineering and likelihood of a rollover crash.

Barrett Law PLLC: Aggressive and Experienced Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys    

Rollover and other automobile accidents can have devastating consequences, leading to considerable medical bills, time off work, and possibly even long term disabilities.  For those who lose a loved one in any sort of automobile accident, the financial impact can be tremendous.  The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have represented clients in Mississippi and the southeast since 1936.  Our law firm, which traces its roots back more than 75 years, has provided clients throughout the decades with the high quality representation necessary to obtain the best possible outcome.  Our focus on our clients, experience level, and exceptional talent has earned us a reputation across the community for outstanding legal services.  Allow us to provide you with this same excellence of legal services.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Explore the Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents are the leading killer of Americans between the ages of five and 34.  Every year, over 30,000 people died in car crashes across the nation.  Mississippi is a dangerous place for car accidents.  In fact, according to the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety, over 600 fatal car accidents occur across the state of Mississippi each year.  Another nearly 30,000 are injured in crashes in Mississippi.  These figures are down from the early 2000’s, but still quite high nationally when population is accounted for.

As a result, those who survive a serious car accident will often suffer severe and permanent injuries.  Over three million individuals are injured in car accidents every year, and an astonishing two million continue to experience permanent injuries.

The following is an overview of some of the most common injuries suffered by automobile accident victims in Mississippi:

  1. Head and brain trauma:  Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries can include concussions along with more severe brain damage, such as brain bleeds.  Cars today travel at greater speeds than in the past, and statistics show that as cars are made to travel faster, the number of brain injuries have increased.  Concussions generally occur when accident victims are flung into the steering wheel or dashboard, or the other car directly crashes into the victim.  While seatbelts can prevent many head injuries, some are simply not preventable.  It is not always obvious when a head injury has occurred, and accident victims should be on the lookout for symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, headaches, confusion, and problems concentrating.  Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
  2. Spinal cord injuries:  The spinal cord is particularly vulnerable to injury in the event of an accident.  The spinal cord can become injured due to the intense back and forth motion generated by a crash.  Bulging discs, herniated discs, and paralysis can all occur following a car accident, depending on the severity of the impact.  Spinal cord injuries can lead to serious and chronic pain along with a decreased range of movement.  In the most severe of cases, car accident victims may become paralyzed permanently due to a spinal cord injury.
  3. Neck and back injuries:  Some of the most common injuries suffered by millions of accident victims a year are neck and back injuries.  The sudden jerking motion involved in nearly all car accidents is the cause of most neck or back injuries.  Whiplash is experienced by over one million car accident victims a year.  Though common, whiplash is nothing to take lightly.  It can cause extreme discomfort, limited range of movement, and lasting pain.  In more serious accidents, a broken back can occur, which will often lead to long term disability.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Auto Accident Attorneys Dedicated to Assisting Injured Car Accident Victims Across Mississippi and the Southeast

Car accidents can result in a wide array of serious accidents.  Some accidents will require months or even years to fully recover, and in the worst of accidents a full recovery may never be achieved.  The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have assisted the victims of car accidents, ranging from minor to catastrophic, since 1936.  Our attorneys will assist you in obtaining full compensation for your injuries stemming from the accident, including compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.  Our dedicated automobile accident attorneys are able to examine any accident to determine whether negligence or a product defect played a role.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to arrange for a free consultation with one of our exemplary attorney staff.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Warn Accident Victims to Never Ignore a Headache

Car accident victims may experience a wide range of symptoms.  For some, in the immediate aftermath of the accident, few symptoms are present.  Hours or days later, however, serious injuries may become evident.  Headaches are one of the most common symptoms reported by individuals who have been involved in automobile accidents.  Like many other car accident injuries, including whiplash, headaches may present soon after the crash or take some time to develop.  Regardless of when the victim first experiences the headache, all car accident victims should seek immediate medical attention as soon as it occurs.  Headaches stemming from a car accident can be a sign of a serious medical condition, including head trauma, traumatic brain injury, sympathetic nerve dysfunction, post-concussion syndrome, and post-traumatic headaches.  These serious and potentially life threatening conditions can result from even those car accidents that seem minor.

In the event of a car accident, victims can experience a blow to the head, even when the vehicle is traveling at a low rate of speed.  This head impact can result in dangerous medical conditions.  There are many potential surfaces with which a car accident victim’s head can come into contact, including the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, and any other hard surface.  When the victim has sustained head trauma, he or she may experience:

  • An aching pain in the head that is dull and pervasive; or
  • Pressure or tightness on the front, sides, or rear of the head; or
  • Tenderness in the scalp, shoulders, and neck.

It is essential that accident headache sufferers seek prompt medical attention.  A doctor will be able to ascertain the nature of the head injury and administer prompt treatment that will thwart the ailment’s progression and initiate the healing process.  Those who seek medical attention as soon as the headache develops have a better chance of minimizing long-term consequences associated with the head injury.

Additionally, for car accident victims it is helpful to create an early record of all medical symptoms that present after the accident.  This record will be of great assistance in later obtaining a full recovery for all of your car accident-related injuries.  Your early documentation will create a strong link between your injuries and the car accident, thus making it difficult for the insurance company to claim the injury has another cause.  It is not always easy for doctors to pinpoint the cause of serious headaches.  However, by acting fast, you will eliminate the timely trial and error process that may otherwise be required to uncover your headache’s cause.  Your attorney will be able to guide you through the process of creating an early and complete medical record.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Assisting All Accident Victims Who Have Sustained Head Injuries

If you develop a headache in the minutes, hours, or even days following a car accident, it should never be ignored.  Headaches that begin after an automobile accident can be a sign of serious injury.  Prompt medical treatment is necessary to ensure your full recovery.  Further, timely documentation of the origin of the injury is essential to protect your legal rights.  The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have fight hard for auto accident victims for almost eight decades.  We offer experienced, dedicated, and skilled representation by a team of award winning attorneys.  If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a car accident, call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.  Our skilled attorney staff looks forward to providing you with exemplary legal services.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Explore Single Vehicle Accidents

Last month, a single vehicle accident in Lamar County claimed the lives of two high school students, shocking the small school district and community.  A third teen was also injured in the accident.  The car carrying three teens during homecoming week was traveling on Purvis-Oloh road when it suddenly left the roadway and struck a tree.  One victim was pronounced dead on arrival, another died in route to the local hospital, and the third survived but required emergency surgery.

In the course of just a few months in Mississippi, several single vehicle accidents occurred.  In Amite County, a woman was killed in June when her vehicle ran off the right side of the road and collided with a culvert, ejecting her from the vehicle.  One month later, in Covington County, a person was killed when a vehicle left the roadway, overturned, and ejected the passenger.

These are just a few of the many single vehicle accidents that have occurred across the state of Mississippi in the span of just a few months.  Single vehicle accidents account for over half of all accidents across the country, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  Mississippi falls in line with this national trend and is home to hundreds of single vehicle accidents each year.

What Causes Single Vehicle Accidents?

Single vehicle accidents can arise from a variety of circumstances.  The following is a look at some of the most common reasons why single vehicle accidents occur:

  1. Speed:  Speed causes more run-off road crashes than any other single factor.  Speed can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles when traveling around bends or when confronted with obstacles.
  2. Distracted driving:  Texting, talking on the phone or to passengers, grooming, eating, drinking, and the like can all cause drivers to lose focus of the road and run off it, causing their vehicles to collide with obstacles or oncoming cars.
  3. Impact with an object in the road:  Single vehicle accidents often occur when a vehicle comes into contact with an object that has fallen off another vehicle.  These accidents also often occur when a car collides with the median.
  4. Poor road conditions:  Road and weather conditions can contribute to single vehicle accidents.  Poor weather conditions can include snow, rain, ice, and fog.  Poor road conditions can include unlit roads, bendy roads, roads that are poorly maintained, and more.
  5. Impaired driving:  Countless single vehicle accidents result from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Impaired driving causes drivers to become drowsy, react slowly to oncoming obstacles, and behave erratically.
  6. Mechanical failures or defects: Defects within a vehicle’s braking system, tires, or steering system can result in serious single vehicle accidents.

Single vehicle accidents are often divided into two categories: run-off road collisions and on-road accidents.  Anyone injured in either sort of single vehicle crash should consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect their legal rights.

Barrett Law PLLC: Exemplary Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys  

Single vehicle accidents, such as the recent accidents across Mississippi, can be catastrophic.  While these accidents are sometimes the result of driver negligence, the negligence of other drivers, product defects, or even the negligence of property owners can all play a role in these accidents.  The Mississippi Automobile Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have assisted countless victims of single vehicle crashes and their families across the state.  We will evaluate the accident to uncover all potential avenues for recovery.  The attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC will then seek a full recovery, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss the Dangers Posed by Distracted Drivers to School Children

School zones are enacted to keep young children safe while traveling to and from school.  In these areas, speed limits are lowered and drivers are warned to look out for young children crossing the street.  Unfortunately, according to a study recently released by Safe Kids USA, many drivers do not follow the safety rules within school zones.  Drivers fail to slow down and, most alarmingly, drive distractedly through these areas intended to be a place of safety.  These actions pose a serious threat to the lives of all school children as they attempt to commute to and from school.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that school age pedestrians are at far greater risk of injury and death from traffic accidents than adults.  When motorists drive distractedly through school zones, the very lives of young children are at risk.  The victims of distracted driving and their families must contact a Mississippi automobile accident attorney as soon as possible following a school zone accident.

School Children in Mississippi Are At Risk From Distracted Driving

Approximately 25,000 children across the U.S. are injured while commuting to and from school each year.  The CDC estimates that one in four traffic fatalities involve children pedestrians under the age of 14.  A significant percentage of these accidents occur in or around school zones.

This alarmingly high rate of pedestrian accidents among young children makes the data revealed by Safe Kids USA all the more troubling.  According to the Safe Kids report, one in six drivers is distracted when driving through a school zone.  Drivers tend to be more distracted in the afternoon than the morning, and those traveling through school zones with a high volume of traffic are the most distracted.  School zones without flashing lights also appear to be least effective in encouraging drivers to slow down and pay attention.

Both male and female drivers reported driving distractedly in school zones, but women were more likely than men to focus on something other than the road ahead.  An estimated 187 out of every 1,000 women drivers admitted to driving distracted, while only 154 out of every 1,000 male drivers were distracted in school zones.

Electronic devices, mainly cell phones, lead to the highest number of distractions.  At least 98 out of 1,000 motorists cited the use of an electronic device as the source of their distraction.  Eating, drinking, and smoking distracted another 44 out of 1,000 drivers, while reaching behind or looking behind accounted for another 19 out of 1,000 distractions.  Reading came in at the end of the list, leading to three out of 1,000 distracted drivers.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Zealously Representing the Youngest Victims of Distracted Driving

Recent studies show that school children are increasingly at risk of injury or death due to distracted drivers.  The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC urge all drivers to be vigilant at all times, especially when driving near school zones.  Put away all distractions and pay attention to the road ahead.  It takes all of us to keep our future generations safe.  In the event you or a loved one is injured by a distracted driver, the car accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  We will zealously fight for your full recovery following any automobile accident, seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering permanent disability, and more.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced automobile accident attorneys.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Explore Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Mississippi is home to an alarming number of uninsured motorists.  Close to one in three drivers in Mississippi do not have automobile liability insurance.  This number is twofold the national average of one in six uninsured drivers.  To make matters even worse, over half of all drivers only carry the minimum amount of insurance required in the state.  This means that in the event you are involved in an accident, the insurance company will only cover $25,000 towards your injuries.  This number is far less than needed to recover the medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of income involved in any serious accident.  In light of these statistics, there is a significant chance that in your lifetime, you will be involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

Some states require drivers carry a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage, but Mississippi is not presently one of them.  The following is a list of reasons why you should consider obtaining or increasing your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as soon as possible:

  • The rate of uninsured/underinsured motorists is rising:  Mississippi is already home to an alarming number of uninsured and underinsured motorists, but this rate is expected to increase in coming years as jobless rates remain high and more and more families cannot afford the expense of car insurance premiums.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is affordable:  Adding or increasing your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will often only cost you a couple of dollars per month.  This coverage is among the most affordable.  The minimal cost to obtain this insurance is well worth it in the event you are involved in an accident with an uninsured/underinsured driver.
  • Pursuing a personal injury claim against the uninsured driver will be expensive:  While purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is very reasonable, the alternative of waiting until you are in an accident with such a driver be costly.  Specifically, if you are injured by an uninsured or minimally insured driver and lack UM/UIM coverage, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the driver seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and the like.  You will need to secure the representation of an attorney that can handle this sometimes complex claim and may be required to outlay expenses in bringing the claim to resolution.
  • Collecting from an uninsured/underinsured motorist can prove difficult:  Even when you pursue your personal injury claim against the at-fault, uninsured driver to the fullest extent, there is no guarantee you will be able to collect damages.  Often, those without car insurance have limited income and means, making it difficult to collect.  This does not mean all hope is lost if you do not have UM/UIM insurance and are involved in an accident, but it is easier as a preventative measure to obtain this vital coverage.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Uninsured/Underinsured Automobile Accident Attorneys Ensuring You Obtain the Compensation You Deserve  

The high rate of uninsured and underinsured drivers across Mississippi is cause for serious concern.  All Mississippi drivers are at risk of being involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.  Being involved in such an accident often leaves victims feeling helpless and confused as to how they can recover.  The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are available to advise you on your options in the event you have been involved in an accident with a driver who lacks insurance or holds only a minimal policy.  While obtaining a full recovery in this scenario can be difficult, it is possible with the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation with one of our exemplary automobile accident attorneys.

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Elderly Drivers Pose a Hazard on the Roadways

The U.S. population is aging each year and the hazard posed by elderly drivers who cling to their licenses long after they have lost their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle continues to grow.  The fatality rate for drivers begins to climb after the age of 65.  Between the ages of 75 and 84, the fatality rate among senior citizens is the equivalent to that of teen drivers.  Drivers over the age of 85 have a shocking fatality rate four times that of teens.

These figures concerning elderly drivers are especially alarming in light of the U.S. Census Bureau projections that predict there will be 9.6 million people over the age of 85 by 2030.  Road safety experts now predict that by the year 2030, the aging baby boomer population will cause 25% of all fatal crashes.  This number is a sharp incline from the current estimates that this age group causes just 11% of fatal accidents.

States across the country are struggling to address the approaching boom of elderly drivers.  Several states have passed measures that require more frequent vision and behind the wheel exams for drivers over the age of 79.  Currently, however, Mississippi is among 17 states that does not have any driving restrictions on the elderly.

Researchers are still studying the dangers posed by older drivers and the measures intended to diminish them.  Thus far, the only laws that seem to have a measurable impact on reducing senior citizen crash rates are those that require elderly drivers appear in person at the DMV and pass vision and road tests frequently. Most states have not passed laws that meet these requirements.

Normal aging often diminishes one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.  Reflexes, memory, visual acuity, flexibility, and the ability to focus all decline with age.  Further, medications designed to treat a number of ailments associated with old age can make it more difficult for the elderly to focus, and can also come with side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired perception.

Elderly drivers are most often involved in side impact crashes.  These accidents generally occur at intersections when the senior driver misses a stop sign or turns left in front of oncoming traffic.  The side impact crash is now being termed an old person’s accident in the same manner that roll over crashes are usually considered a young person’s crash.  Seniors are less likely, however, to be involved in high speed crashes or accidents stemming from alcohol use.

Studies show that most elderly drivers elect to stop driving on their own accord.  Each year, more than 600,000 drivers over the age of 70 decide to stop driving.  Despite this high number, the problem of dangerous elderly drivers seems to endure.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Auto Accident Attorneys of Distinction  

The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are concerned by recent studies showing the dangers of elderly drivers who do not have the memory, reflexes, or vision to safely operate a motor vehicle.  We hope that Mississippi and other states will enact more measures that would require senior citizens pass road and vision tests more often to ensure both their safety and the safety of other road users.  In the meantime, we will continue to fight for the recovery of accident victims injured by negligence senior drivers as we have for over 75 years.  For these automobile accident victims, we will zealously seek to recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to providing you with excellence of legal services.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Mississippi

Millions of car accidents occur each year and these accidents range in seriousness from minor fender benders, often involving just property damage or easily treatable cuts and scrapes, to far more serious and catastrophic accidents, sending hundreds of thousands of individuals to the hospital.  A review of crash data and local news headlines reveals that while every crash is unique, certain types of car accidents occur over and over again.

The following is a look at some of the most common car accidents that happen on Mississippi roadways, as well as across the country:

  1. T-Bone or Side Impact Accidents: A side impact accident occurs when one vehicle hits another on the side, either by t-boning the car at a right angle or merging into the car’s part of travel.  Most side impact crashes in Mississippi are caused by the driver’s failure to yield or obey stop signs and traffic lights.  T-bone accidents will often result in serious injury to the occupants of the vehicle seated on the side impacted, as side airbags offer little protection when faced with an oncoming vehicle.
  2. Read-end Accidents: Rear-end collisions happen when one vehicle hits another from behind.  Generally, the cause of rear-end accidents is the second or following car failing to brake fast enough to avoid hitting the car ahead.  Often, the driver of the second car is following too closely, driving distractedly, or traveling too fast.  As such, in most rear-end accidents, the second car driver will be found at fault.  Injuries stemming from rear-end accidents range in severity from minor whiplash to life threatening brain damage or paralysis.
  3. Head-on Collisions: Perhaps the most serious and often deadly type of car accident, head-on accidents occur when a car collides into the front of another car or stationary object.  Head-on accidents can occur when a driver is tired or intoxicated and drifts into the other lane.  They can also happen as a result of unsafe passing.  Occasionally, drivers unfamiliar with the area will accidently drive the wrong way down a one way, leading to catastrophic head-on accidents.
  4. Rollover Accidents: Rollover collisions occur when a vehicle, most often a truck, SUV van, bus, or other tall vehicle, flip over onto its back or side.  Taller vehicles are more prone to rollover due to their higher center of gravity.  Rollover accidents can occur when another vehicle hits a car on the side or the driver of a rollover prone car takes a turn too quickly.  They also commonly happen when the SUV or truck hits an object, referred to as a “trip,” on one side.

These are just a few of the car accidents that can occur on Mississippi roadways.  Anyone injured in a car accident isencouraged to contact a licensed auto accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure their maximum chance at a full recovery.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Auto Accident Attorneys of Distinction

As this list of common Mississippi car accidents shows, there are a number of different types of car accidents you or a loved one can be involved in.  Some crashes are merely fender benders, while others involve serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury, back injuries, internal organ damage, paralysis, and more.  No matter what type of car accident you are involved in, you deserve the assistance of an experienced and dedicated personal injury attorney.  For over 75 years, the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have fought for the recovery of victims of all sorts of car accidents.  We offer you the same level of skill and dedication.  To schedule your free initial consultation, call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505.  We look forward to providing you with excellence of legal services.

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