Jackson, MS Distracted Driving Accidents
Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyers Serving Jackson and the Surrounding Areas
Have you ever passed a vehicle and noticed that the driver was looking at his phone instead of the road ahead of him? The widespread use of mobile phones means that they are about as standard in vehicles as radios these days. When a driver takes his eyes off the road to look at his phone, even for just a second, then he is placing himself and other vehicles near him at risk. The same goes for any other distraction, including eating, talking, or doing anything else while driving. At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, our Jackson accident attorneys are ready to help guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation to which you are legally entitled. In more than 30 years handling these cases, we have recovered over $1.5 billion in compensation for our clients. Our attorneys are ready to take your call.
Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
A recent study indicated that distracted driving plays a large role in a majority of car crashes. One particular study found that in 52% of motor vehicle accidents, drivers had been on their phones at the time of or shortly before the collision. The study also found that texting, browsing social media, and reading/sending emails are the most common driver distractions, with the average length of distraction being 135 seconds. Since distracted driving accidents in Jackson usually occur in just a split second, even glancing at a phone or other device for a few seconds makes a driver more susceptible to being involved in a wreck.
Distracted driving can be proof of negligence. To succeed on a personal injury claim for damages, you will need to demonstrate the defendant owed you a legal duty, breached that duty, and that you sustained damages as a result of that breach. If a driver is distracted by someone or something else, he may suffer a lapse in judgment that ends up resulting in a collision with another car or pedestrian.
Succumbing to distractions behind the wheel may seem like a minor issue to a driver in the Jackson area, but it may lead to devastating harm. If it happens on a major interstate highway like I-20, I-220, or I-55, the high speeds of the vehicles involved mean that the resulting collision likely will be serious. Even on a city street like Bailey Avenue, Hume Avenue, or Ellis Avenue, checking a text message or fiddling with the GPS may cause a serious crash within seconds. Jackson witnessed 23 deaths in car accidents in 2014, for example, and some of those victims might be alive today if the drivers involved had been paying attention to the road.
Pursuing Recovery Following a Distracted Driving Accident
A person injured in a motor vehicle collision must pursue a bodily injury claim in a timely manner and should consider retaining a distracted driving accident lawyer in Jackson. Statutes of limitations exist to establish a deadline for bringing claims in order to avoid stale or fraudulent claims. Statutes of limitations also purport to keep evidence fresh and relevant, as evidence may disappear over time. Further, memories can fade as time goes on. Statutes of limitations are usually strict deadlines with very rare exceptions, and if an injured party files a lawsuit after the statute has expired, the action can be promptly dismissed.
Under Mississippi law, a distracted driving accident victim must typically either settle his or her bodily injury claim or file a lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident. Different rules apply if the defendant is a government entity within the State of Mississippi, such as the City of Jackson. If the parties do not reach an amicable agreement to settle, or if a lawsuit is not properly filed with the appropriate court within that relevant period, then that claim would be time-barred and the injured party’s right to sue for his or her injuries can be lost forever. The clock starts running on the date of the accident even if the injury or harm is not immediately known. A lawyer with experience handling car accidents in Jackson can conduct an investigation to confirm the identities of all defendants involved.
Discuss Your Distracted Driving Accident Claim with a Jackson Attorney
If you have been injured in a crash with a distracted driver, it is important to consult with a lawyer who is knowledgeable of the legal procedures you must comply with in order to seek recovery for your injuries and other losses. Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz has been handling personal injury matters for more than 30 years. Call our Jackson distracted driving accident lawyers toll-free at 800-LAW-4004 or complete our online form to set up a free consultation.
125 South Congress St
Suite 1300
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-362-5222
Fax: 601-991-3465
