Jackson, MS
Car Accident Lawyers​
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2024 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Car accidents in Jackson can cause devastating injuries and severe financial losses. Sadly, they are not uncommon in the Magnolia State. Mississippi has the highest traffic fatality rate in the nation at 1.63 accidents per 100 million miles driven.
The Jackson, MS Car Accident Lawyers at NST Law specialize in personal injury and offer compassionate, personalized representation to injured accident victims harmed by the negligence of others.
Car Accident Lawyers Jackson, MS
Table Of Contents
- How can a Jackson car accident attorney help me with my case?
- How much compensation can I receive for my car accident injuries?
- How long will it take to receive my compensation?
- What to Do After a Car Accident in Jackson
- Dangerous Intersections and Highways in Jackson
- What are the most common types of car crashes in Jackson?
- What are the most common causes of car accidents in Jackson?
- Common Car Accident Injuries
- What if the other driver is uninsured?
- What are the insurance requirements in Mississippi?
- What if my family member was killed in a car accident in Jackson?
- How much time do I have to file a car accident injury lawsuit in Jackson?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can a Jackson car accident attorney help me with my case?
As champions for the injured, our experienced personal injury attorneys fight vigorously for our clients to receive maximized compensation. We refuse to settle for any amount less than what our clients deserve.
Established in 1990, our firm has been successfully standing up to insurance companies for more than three decades. Our outstanding results have won many of our attorneys such prestigious peer recognition as Super Lawyers. More importantly, we have helped our clients recover their lives to the fullest extent possible.
Below are just a few examples of the results we have achieved for our deserving clients:
- $1.4 million for a couple involved in an accident with a driver who hit them head on while driving on the wrong side of the road.
- $2.2 million for a young man who was severely injured in an automobile accident caused by a construction company who negligently failed to place proper traffic signs at an intersection.
- $1.5 million on behalf of a woman who sustained multiple fractures in a collision on the interstate
We fight for injury victims because we are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals during their time of greatest need.
We also pride ourselves on making a difference in the communities we serve, providing scholarships to promising high school graduates and law students, volunteering and financially supporting charities that help children and those in need of food, shelter and clothing.
If you have been injured in an accident, you can count on NST Law to champion your cause with vigor and determination. Don’t delay. Contact the champs today to schedule your free consultation.
How much compensation can I receive for my car accident injuries?
Economic Damages
Economic damages are awarded for verifiable financial losses stemming from the accident, including but not limited to the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation services
- Therapy
- Mental health services
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective losses arising from the accident and include but are not limited to the following:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Inconvenience
- Mental anguish
- Loss of society
- Loss of consortium
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The state of Mississippi limits non-economic damages to $1,000,000.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded as a punishment and deterrent against a defendant when the defendant caused injuries through behavior that demonstrates the following:
- Malice
- Gross negligence
- Deliberate infliction of harm
- A reckless disregard for the safety of others, such as drunk driving
- Fraud
When awarding punitive damages, the court must consider aggravating factors and limit the award based on the net worth of the defendant. If the defendant is convicted of a felony in relation to the injury, this limitation does not apply.
How long will it take to receive my compensation?
How long it takes to receive your compensation can depend on the facts of your accident. There are usually certain steps that must be completed before a settlement can be negotiated:
- Forensic analysis of the accident
- Retrieval and review of your medical records
- Completion of acute medical treatment to the point that a long-term prognosis can be determined
- Consultation with a life-care planner who can help calculate the total lifetime costs of your injuries, if you or a loved one suffered permanent injuries
- The interviewing or deposing of eyewitnesses
It is not unusual for insurance companies to offer an early settlement, but this is usually a low-ball offer that is intentionally premature. Accepting this offer will forever bar you from recovering additional compensation later after you discover the true cost of your injuries.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Jackson
Your priority after a car accident is getting medical attention for yourself and others who are injured. Even if you do not believe your injuries are serious, it is important to receive a medical examination as soon as possible.
The steps to follow after an accident are as follows:
- Remain at the scene. It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death.
- Call 911 to dispatch a police officer and an ambulance.
- If possible, move the vehicle to a safe area.
- Provide necessary assistance to others who are injured. This is a requirement by state statute.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver, but do not admit fault or discuss the accident.
- Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses.
- Obtain detailed photos and, if possible, a video of the accident.
- Write down what occurred as soon as possible. This helps you document details you might forget later.
- Request a copy of the police report by calling the Jackson Police Department at (601) 960-1341.
- If the accident occurred outside the city limits, you can request a copy of the crash report online or in person through the Mississippi Highway Patrol for a fee.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Contact a Jackson car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
- Keep documents, receipts and bills pertaining to your medical treatment.
The following hospitals in the Jackson Metropolitan area have emergency departments that can treat car accident injuries:
- University of Mississippi Medical Center
- Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
- St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital
- JMS Burn & Reconstruction Center
Dangerous Intersections and Highways in Jackson
Jackson is home to several accident hot spots, including the following:
- Robinson and Lindsey
- Jefferson Street and Silas Brown
- East University Dr. and Lakeland Dr.
- County Line Road and East Canton
- Mississippi State Road 25 at I-55
- East McDowell Road at South Gallatin Street
- Lakeland Drive near St. Dominic Hospital, between U.S. Highway 51 and I-55
- Areas near the Mississippi Children’s Museum, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and Belhaven University
Additionally, Downtown Jackson can be dangerous due to the confusing roundabouts and areas where drivers must make sudden lane changes.Â
What are the most common types of car crashes in Jackson?
The most common types of car accidents in Jackson are as follows:
- Rear-end collisions
- Angle accidents, which include T-bone accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Running off the road to the right
- Collisions into parked vehicles
- Collisions during left turns
According to the National Safety Council, angle accidents cause more fatalities than any other collision, even head-on collisions.
What are the most common causes of car accidents in Jackson?
The true causes of car crashes are multifactorial, but the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration has uncovered that human error is a contributing factor 94 percent of the time.
Factors outside the driver’s control such as defective vehicle components and poor road maintenance can contribute to accidents, but driver alertness can still prevent many accidents. The most common contributing driver factors include the following:
- Drunk driving
- Disobedience to traffic laws
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Disobeying traffic controls
- Speeding
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- Distracted driving
Driving a motor vehicle is a significant responsibility. Every driver owes other drivers a duty of care. Blatantly negligent behaviors such as impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding are killing innocent people at alarming rates. Consider the following:
- Every year, more than 10,000 people die on U.S. roadways due to drunk driving.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death nationwide for young adults ages 15 to 20.
- Drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to become involved in serious collisions.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The impacts of a crash depend on your position in the car, speed, the type of crash and the crash protection of your vehicle. The following injuries are common after car accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Can be present with no outward signs if the brain is jarred inside the skull
- Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury
- Skull fractures
- Neck Injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck strain
- Spinal cord injuries
- Quadriplegia
- Varying degrees of paralysis
- Back injuries
- Spinal fractures, displacements and herniations
- Sprains and strains
- Injuries to the areas between vertebrae and nerve roots (facet joints)
- Sciatic nerve damage
- Degenerative spinal disorders in the long term
- Vital organ damage
- Psychological injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
What if the other driver is uninsured?
Uninsured drivers are obligated to pay for damages themselves. However, many lack resources from which to collect. If you purchased uninsured motorist coverage with your own insurance policy, you can recoup your damages through this policy.
While Mississippi law does not require motorists to carry this coverage, it is highly recommended. Mississippi has the second-lowest rate of insured drivers at just 76.3 percent.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at NST Law will conduct a thorough investigation into your accident and identify liable third parties, if any. These could include the following:
- Municipalities
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Vehicle parts manufacturers
- Automobile mechanics
- Other drivers
- Vehicle owners if the driver is not the owner
What are the insurance requirements in Mississippi?
Mississippi drivers must carry the following liability insurance coverage at a minimum:
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage: $25,000 per accident
The minimum coverages may not be adequate in an accident. Insurance is only required to pay up to the coverage limits. Mississippi drivers have the option of purchasing underinsured insurance coverage, which covers damages in excess of the insured driver’s coverage limits.
What if my family member was killed in a car accident in Jackson?
Mississippi statutes allow immediate family members or a personal representative to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Immediate family members include spouses and children, and in their absence, parents or siblings. Family members can recover the following compensation:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses of the deceased
- Loss of earnings
- Damages the deceased could have claimed had death not ensued
- Pain and suffering of the family
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Any additional losses caused by the death
How much time do I have to file a car accident injury lawsuit in Jackson?
The statute of limitations in Mississippi for personal injury and wrongful death cases is three years. However, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer right away after a car accident to accomplish the following:
- Provide your attorney access to evidence while it is still fresh and before it disappears or degrades
- Protect your interests in the event the opposing party’s insurance company contacts you
- Allow your attorney sufficient time to build a strong case based on the evidence
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are answers to questions we frequently receive.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
Mississippi is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you are entitled to receive compensation as long as you are less than 100 percent at fault. However, your compensation must be adjusted accordingly.
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company contacts me?
Direct the company to your attorney without engaging in conversation. Adjusters often sound friendly and may seem to represent your best interests, but they are representing the insurance company. They can and will use your words against you.
Is it better to settle or go to court?
The best interests of all parties are usually served when a fair and reasonable settlement can be negotiated. However, if the at-fault party refuses to offer fair compensation, our legal team is well-prepared to litigate in court. Every case is different, but we are prepared to go to court if the insurance company offers you a low settlement.
What if my injuries prevent me from getting to your office?
We are dedicated to helping our clients during their time of need. Thus, we are pleased to come to you if you cannot come to us. We can visit you in the hospital, at home or in a care facility, or we can meet electronically.
How much does it cost up front to hire a personal injury attorney?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not charge any fees unless and until we win you compensation.
Our Jackson, MS Car Accident Lawyers
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
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125 South Congress St
Suite 1300
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-362-5222
Fax: 601-991-3465