Jackson, MS Speeding Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a crash is speeding-related if the police officer cites a driver for speeding or indicates that the driver was driving too fast for the road conditions, or if the driver has exceeded the posted speed limit. Generally speaking, the higher the speed a person is traveling, the longer it takes to slow down or stop. As a result of this, speeding is one of the leading causes of serious car crashes. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, one out of every three fatal car wrecks involves speeding. In 2012, for instance, more than 10,000 lives were lost as a result of speeding accidents.

To recover damages in a personal injury claim, the injured party must prove that the defendant driver’s excessive speed caused the crash and the resulting injuries. If the at-fault driver is cited for speeding by an officer of the Jackson Police Department or Hinds County Sheriff, then it may be possible for the accident victim to prove negligence, which is a failure to act reasonably under the circumstances. However, if no citations were issued, then the accident victim may have to establish negligence through eyewitness testimony or evidence obtained from the scene of the collision.

It may be necessary to consult with an accident reconstruction expert if fault is being disputed. An experienced car accident lawyer in the Jackson area may be able to hire an investigator to revisit the scene of the accident to take photographs of any skid marks present. With a population of over 170,000 people, thousands of cars travel on Jackson roads and interstates each day, including Interstate 55 and Interstate 20. It is important to contact an experienced attorney right after the accident so evidence can be preserved and witnesses can be interviewed while their memories of the accident are still fresh.

What if the defendant claims you were partially at fault for the accident, even if the defendant was speeding? Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence where an accident victim can pursue a personal injury claim against a speeding driver even if the victim is deemed to be partially at fault for the accident. While you can still recover for your injuries, your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributed to you.

For example, suppose that a judge or jury determined that the accident victim was 20% at fault for the accident and that the speeding driver was 80% to blame. In that scenario, the speeding driver would be liable for his 80% of negligence, and the accident victim would be able to recover partial compensation for his injuries. If a speeding driver tries to deflect the blame onto you after a car accident, consult a knowledgeable Jackson attorney who can advise you on your right to recover.