Hattiesburg Fatal Car Accidents
Mississippi Attorneys Helping Hattiesburg Families Through Difficult Times
All automobile accidents are devastating, but wrecks that cause the loss of life are the most tragic. Fatal car accidents happen far too often in Mississippi, leaving victims’ families scrambling for answers and in need of help. In recent years, some of Hattiesburg’s most dangerous areas for fatal car wrecks have been on U.S. 98, U.S. Highway 49, Front Street, the intersection of Broadway Drive and McInnis Loop, Coliseum Boulevard, Veterans Memorial Boulevard, MS-42, and on Interstate 59 (I-59), although fatal car accidents can happen anywhere throughout the Hub City and surrounding areas. If a loved one died as a result of an automobile accident in Hattiesburg, it is important to contact a Hattiesburg car accident lawyer who can provide you with legal counsel as you navigate this difficult time.
Causes of Fatal Car Wrecks
Collisions that result in the loss of life can happen for a variety of reasons. Even if your loved one was complying with the law, tragic circumstances can lead to death if they are struck as a pedestrian, get trapped in a burning vehicle following a crash, sustain life-threatening injuries that later prove fatal, or die from blunt force trauma upon impact. Some common moving violations that result in severe automobile wrecks are driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), speeding, failure to maintain a safe lookout, running a red light or stop sign, and texting while driving or distracted driving.
Pursuing a Legal Case for Wrongful Death in Mississippi
Oftentimes, when grieving the loss of a loved one, dealing with a legal case may be the last thing on your mind. However, the American legal system entitles us all the right to compensation when we have experienced loss as a result of the wrongful actions of another. Although it may be tempting to rely on what the at-fault party’s insurance company says you are entitled to, what the insurance company tells you may not be the full story. In Mississippi, you must file a wrongful death lawsuit within a specific statute of limitation or beneficiaries may forever lose the right to recover. It can take time for even the most experienced Hattiesburg attorneys to build a strong case, so it is important to consult one as soon as possible.
Under Mississippi law, the burden is on the injured party, or survivors of the deceased party, to prove the essential elements of the case. As with any legal case involving injuries, you must prove that the at-fault party breached some standard of care, and you must also prove that the breach is what caused the death. Proving these elements can be complex and time consuming, so it is best to contact a wrongful death attorney who is familiar with handling fatal car accidents in the Hattiesburg area.
Damages are an important aspect of any fatal car accident case, especially when the decedent was his or her family’s primary wage earner. In a Mississippi wrongful death case, survivors can recover for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of earning capacity. It may be necessary to hire expert witnesses to fully document these losses. For example, a vocational economist can compute the amount of money the decedent was likely to earn over the remainder of his or her lifetime based on factors such as age, education, experience, job title, and earning history. On behalf of Hattiesburg residents, our car accident attorneys can utilize our resources to hire the necessary experts to pursue and develop your case.
Contact a Hattiesburg Lawyer Today
Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz has more than 30 years of experience handling complex fatal car crash cases and has faithfully served clients throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky, including Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Jackson, Laurel, Brookhaven, Columbia, Mendenhall, Poplarville, Waynesboro, Gulfport, and other surrounding cities and towns in southern Mississippi. We have more than 30 attorneys and 120 support staff, and have the resources necessary to hire accident reconstruction, subject matter, and other experts to build your case. Dedicated to meeting the needs of our clients and ready to assist your family in your time of need, we can be reached by calling 800-529-4004 or completing our online form. If you lost a loved one in a car accident in Hattiesburg, NST is the way to go.