Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers
Trusted Law Firm for Car Accident Claims in Oxford, MS
Living in Oxford has many benefits, including proximity to the University of Mississippi, a relatively mild climate, and a great culture. However, like any area, Oxford has some flaws that residents should be aware of. In this case, it’s the fact that Mississippi is one of the deadliest places to drive a car. In fact, in a single year in Mississippi, there were 581 fatal accidents resulting in 643 deaths. So, if you lost a loved one or suffered injuries in a car accident in this state, you’re not alone, and a trusted car accident attorney will help you remember that as you prepare to file a car accident claim.
At the law office of Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, our experienced Oxford car accident attorneys have seen how fast a car accident can change a life forever. This is especially the case when the injuries sustained are permanent or fatal. If you’ve been involved in a car crash or recently lost a loved one in an Oxford car accident, our lawyers are here to provide you with the support and legal guidance you need throughout your personal injury case. Please call our Oxford law firm today to learn more about your rights as a Mississippi car accident victim who is thinking about seeking monetary compensation after a devastating car crash.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Mississippi?
You have certain legal responsibilities when you are involved in a car accident. Knowing what to do and what your rights and responsibilities are can protect you in the event of any legal action, including filing a car accident insurance claim.
First, you should always stop your vehicle and remain at the accident scene. Next, you should immediately call the police to report the auto accident and request emergency medical services if anyone in the car has sustained injuries.
When the police arrive, it’s a good idea to provide your version of events, but do not admit fault at any point. Even suggesting that you might have caused the crash through any type of driver error could compromise your chance to recover compensation. This is because the insurance company will likely use your words as an excuse to deny the claim or reduce the amount of the settlement they offer you.
Once you’ve talked to the police about the car wreck, you should write down the name and badge number of the responding officer and request a copy of the police report. Keep in mind that if you fail to report an auto accident, you could be charged with a criminal offense if any individual suffers an injury or dies as a result of the car wreck.
As you wait for the police to arrive, collect evidence if you can. Use your phone to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved, as well as the accident scene. Photos and videos of the area can provide an idea of what the weather was like and what traffic signs and signals may have been involved in the car wreck. These can be used as evidence of who and what caused the crash, a critical element in a Mississippi car accident case.
Next, you should write down the name, driver’s license number, insurance information, vehicle registration, and vehicle license plate number of any drivers involved in the accident. If there were any eyewitnesses, ask for their names, contact information, and a brief description of what they saw happen. Your Jackson car accident attorney can use this evidence to support your insurance claim.
Another essential step to take after a crash is to seek medical care. Not only is this critical for your health and well-being, but it’s also helpful if you choose to initiate a personal injury lawsuit so you can recover compensation. It will be far more challenging to prove your injuries are crash-related if you don’t seek medical care immediately, only to discover later you have been injured and need compensation to pay for your medical expenses.
In addition, remember that you are responsible for contacting your insurance company as soon as possible after a crash. We recommend informing them of the accident within 24 to 48 hours. After all, if you do not provide notice of the accident within a reasonable time, you may be barred from filing a claim.
Finally, you should reach out to a Mississippi car accident attorney for legal advice. A skilled lawyer can closely examine the circumstances of the car wreck and tell you if you should pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. Call Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, today to schedule a consultation with our legal team.
Who May Be Liable for a Car Accident?
Determining fault is a crucial part of the claims process following a car accident in Mississippi. In our state, liability for a car accident is based on fault. This means that whoever causes an accident is responsible for paying damages, usually through the party’s liability insurance coverage. Skilled car wreck attorneys know what evidence to look for to prove fault, so you won’t have to complete this step on your own when you secure legal representation.
Common causes of car accidents in Oxford and throughout Mississippi include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Illegal lane changes
- Tailgating
- Driving aggressively
- Illegal driving maneuvers
In addition to a driver’s negligent or reckless driving behavior, other common causes of car accidents include road defects, unsafe road conditions, and vehicle defects, which can lead to a car crash resulting in injuries. In such cases, your car accident lawsuit would request compensation from someone other than another driver, usually the company or government agency responsible for the cause of the crash.
For example, if your attorney determines that poor road conditions caused a serious injury accident, you may be advised to file a claim against the government agency responsible for maintaining safe roadways. You should keep in mind that filing a claim against any government agency is a different process, with far less time available. More specifically, when a government entity is at fault for an injury accident, you have only one year to file a lawsuit. This is a lot less time than the three-year statute of limitations you’d have if a negligent driver were at fault for your car wreck.
For this reason, you should contact an attorney right away to ensure you have enough time to file a car accident lawsuit. Even if you think driver negligence is to blame for the crash, it may turn out that a government entity could share the blame for poor road conditions, giving you only a year to request the financial compensation you deserve. If you’re ready to find out who caused your motor vehicle accident and what kind of settlement to expect, contact our law firm today to discuss your legal rights as an accident victim.
How Do You Prove Fault in an Auto Accident Case?
One of the most critical steps in your case is determining liability, as this informs you and your accident lawyer which party is responsible for compensating you for the car crash. When you’re ready to determine liability for your case, you can expect our lawyers to thoroughly investigate the crash, bringing in accident reconstruction experts and other experts if necessary.
Throughout this part of the legal process, we will interview eyewitnesses, review vehicle control module data, review the police report, and examine any footage of the accident. Our job is to determine how your accident happened, who must be held liable, and what damages to pursue from the at-fault party.
During this time, the other party’s insurance company may claim you were at fault, regardless of the facts. This is usually done so they can deny the claim or reduce your compensation, but we can fight back on your behalf. Our accident reconstruction experts can evaluate all evidence, including the condition and position of the vehicles, the skid marks on the road, and all other available evidence to establish fault and help you seek justice, even in the most challenging cases.
What Is Comparative Negligence in a Car Accident Claim?
While a car accident may be 100 percent the fault of one of the parties involved in the collision, this isn’t always the case. Car accidents may be the fault of two or more parties. For example, one driver may be speeding, while the other is distracted, resulting in a crash. When more than one party is to blame for an accident, the state’s negligence rules come into play before any of the involved parties can be appropriately compensated.
Mississippi employs a pure comparative negligence system, which holds that when more than one party is at fault for an accident, each party is liable for their percentage of fault. During your car accident investigation, your lawyer will determine if you share any of the blame for the crash, and if so, how much. This will affect the amount of compensation you receive.
For example, if you sustained serious injuries in an accident caused by a drunk driver, but the investigation reveals you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, the pure comparative negligence rule will apply. The drunk driver could be found to be 85 percent responsible for the injuries, and you could be found 15 percent responsible for them.
If the damages are calculated at $500,000, the drunk driver is liable for 85 percent of that $500,000, or $425,000. This means your compensation could be reduced by your amount of fault, which is 15 percent. If you have questions about how the pure comparative negligence system could affect your settlement, call our law office for answers from caring lawyers.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Even relatively minor car accidents can cause head injuries, broken bones, neck injuries, and other painful wounds that lead to costly medical bills. When this occurs, you should seek immediate medical attention so you can begin the healing process. Don’t let your concerns over medical treatment expenses stop you from getting the medical attention you need, since experienced car wreck attorneys will ensure the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays these bills when you file a car accident insurance claim.
We represent injured people in cases of serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries, with some of the most common injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Amputations
- Disfiguring injuries
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Joint injuries (hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle)
- Fatal injuries
Every case is unique, so whether you suffered these common injuries or other painful wounds in a car accident in Mississippi, the team at Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, can help. From determining the cause of your vehicle accident to seeking maximum compensation from the insurance company, we’ll handle every step for you. Call us today to get started.
How Can Oxford Car Accident Attorneys Help Injured Victims?
Understanding the claims process and best practices for maximizing your settlement amount after a crash requires years of legal experience and a deep knowledge of Mississippi law. At Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, our Oxford car accident attorneys can provide you with support and assistance throughout the legal process.
You can count on us to start your case by advising you about what to expect in your car accident claim, your right to compensation, and the investigation into the crash. In addition, we will collect evidence, build a compelling claim, represent you in all conversations with the insurance adjuster, calculate the full extent of the damages, and negotiate your settlement with the insurance company.
While most claims are settled out of court, our lawyers are experienced at trial and can litigate your case in civil court to pursue a jury award. So, if you’re ready to seek the damages you deserve as an injured accident victim, call our firm today to get started on your claim.
How Does Insurance Coverage Work in an Auto Accident Claim in Mississippi?
The at-fault party’s insurance coverage must pay for your losses in a car accident. The state requires every driver to have insurance on their vehicle, including liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 for an accident involving bodily injuries.
If the damages exceed this amount (which they may in a serious injury case), the at-fault driver could be forced to pay the remaining costs personally. So, if the damages you need to recover financially are higher than the insurance limits, you can bring a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Whether you initiate an insurance claim or file a legal action in civil court, you should seek advice from a skilled personal injury lawyer who can guide you through your case. After all, the success of a lawsuit will be based on the evidence presented to the jury. Our Oxford, MS, law firm brings negotiating skills and experience to deliver the case to the court, so we can assist you from start to finish.
Though insurance claims can be settled outside of court, it’s sometimes necessary to seek justice and fair compensation through the civil court system. Fortunately, our firm is always well-prepared, confident, and persuasive when representing a client in court. Keep in mind that the state’s statute of limitations allows for three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, so contact us as soon as possible if you’re considering legal action after an automobile accident in Mississippi.
What Damages Can Be Paid in a Mississippi Car Accident Case?
When you hire our firm for your case, a trusted car accident lawyer will seek several types of compensation for your auto accident claim. The damages that are typically pursued in such claims include the following:
- Economic Damages: These are the financial losses associated with the injuries sustained in car accidents. These can include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, home remodeling, medical equipment costs, nursing care, and other quantifiable losses
- Non-Economic Damages: In most personal injury claims in Mississippi, compensation for non-economic losses may be the most significant amount paid in the claim. These losses are very personal and include pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, the emotional anguish associated with permanent impairments or disfigurement, and other personal losses
- Punitive Damages: These damages are awarded only in cases in which it is deemed that the individual who caused harm to the victim acted in a reckless, malicious manner or showed a gross disregard for the safety of others. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and to deter others from similar actions
These damages are most common in personal injury claims involving severe injuries caused by auto accidents. Fatal car crashes typically result in wrongful death claims, which seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical treatment bills, lost wages, and more. If you or someone you love was seriously, catastrophically, or fatally injured, you can pursue compensation with the help of a law firm that will fight for justice and fair compensation.
Remember that insurance companies do not want to pay out the maximum in damages, and their defense lawyers will try to reduce the value of a claim. At Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, we can level the playing field. Our legal team is experienced in handling these cases and focuses on ensuring that the people we serve are treated fairly. We insist that the value of a claim reflects the extent of the losses suffered by the victim. We negotiate with the insurance company lawyers to ensure our clients are treated fairly. We vigorously pursue all damages, whether through negotiations or by filing a lawsuit to be resolved in civil court.
Additionally, we offer professional legal representation on a contingency fee basis. Rather than charging our clients upfront, we are only paid legal fees when we successfully negotiate a fair settlement or win a jury award in court. Our experienced car accident lawyer can take on challenging cases with total confidence. Please call our law office today if you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a car accident in Mississippi.
Are You Ready to Hire a Mississippi Car Accident Lawyer?
There are few things more terrifying than being involved in a serious car accident, and there are few things more tragic than suffering life-changing injuries and other losses as a result. But you don’t have to deal with the consequences alone. Skilled Mississippi car accident attorneys can help you collect the compensation you and your family deserve.
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident, contact Tannehill Carmean, PLLC. Our Oxford car accident attorneys can offer you trusted legal counsel after meeting with you to discuss your car accident case during a no-obligation consultation. If you’re ready to learn how we can assist you and your family, call 662-200-8734 today.
