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FREE 24/7 CONSULTATION | FREE UNLESS YOU WIN “NST IS THE WAY TO GO!”
At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Expertise
Mr. Trotz has handled injury cases involving auto accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured and many of his clients have sustained traumatic and life-altering injuries.
A drunk driving crash can leave you shaken, in pain, and angry at the person who made a poor choice. Financial stress may worsen the emotional and physical toll, leaving you uncertain about what to do next.
While criminal charges may hold the driver accountable to the state, NST Law fights for victims’ rights to civil compensation. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience and knowledge of the local community, we have won billions for those injured through no fault of their own. A Tupelo drunk driving accident lawyer can help you pursue justice and financial compensation, enabling you to move forward from your accident.
Drinking and driving is a crime, but criminal proceedings do not directly compensate victims for their losses. If you have been injured in a drunk driving crash, you may be eligible for damages beyond what a criminal case can resolve.
A criminal case is a charge by the government that the defendant has violated a law, either at the federal or state level. A conviction prompts a sentence, the intent of which is to punish the perpetrator. Criminal charges of driving under the influence can prompt penalties such as a fine, imprisonment, or loss of license.
A civil lawsuit is a complaint filed by a private party, alleging that another person has caused them measurable harm. The claim requests a court order for relief from the alleged wrongdoer, usually in monetary compensation. This compensation, not punishment, is the lawsuit’s ultimate goal. If you wish to file a civil case against a drunk driver, you may pursue this action alongside a DUI case or after a conviction.
Drunk driving accident victims can qualify to receive economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover out-of-pocket expenses, including medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages encompass less tangible losses, such as pain and suffering.
DUI cases may also involve punitive damages, the goal of which is to punish the defendant. Unlike in a criminal case, the punishment takes the form of a monetary award for the victim. To qualify, the victim must demonstrate that the defendant acted with malice or extreme indifference to the rights and safety of others. Driving while intoxicated may qualify as extreme indifference.
Every state imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury cases, limiting your time to file. Mississippi’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically three years, starting from the date of the accident. In wrongful death cases, the clock starts running on the date of death. Different time frames may apply if the victim is under 21.
Three years may seem like a long time, but evidence disappears and witness memories fade quickly after a crash. It’s wise to speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights and strengthen your case.
According to the state’s Department of Health, almost 150 Mississippians die in alcohol-influenced crashes every year. That number rises to 10,000 when you consider the whole U.S.
DUI accidents also cause severe injuries that leave families devastated. Our attorneys have diverse experience handling catastrophic and emotionally traumatic injury cases, and we understand the importance of compensation in moving forward.
Traumatic brain injuries involve structural damage that can permanently alter neurological function. Damage to the spinal cord, which sends nerve signals throughout the body, leaves many people with chronic pain, bladder and bowel issues, and loss of sensory and motor functions. These patients can require costly lifelong care, potentially justifying high settlements.
These agonizing and often highly visible injuries cause physical and emotional distress. When severe, they can significantly impact quality of life on multiple levels in the long term. Severe broken bones, lacerations, and burns can require multiple surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation and may still leave patients with disfiguring scars.
Violent crashes take a serious toll on the body and mind, especially in the case of fatal or high-speed collisions. Emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, may significantly affect your quality of life. Monetary compensation can give victims the peace of mind necessary to begin healing.
Fault in car accident cases can be complicated, even in scenarios involving drunk drivers. Identifying all responsible parties is crucial in our pursuit of maximum compensation for victims.
The intoxicated driver is the primary liable party in most DUI cases. They chose to drink and get behind the wheel, and victims deserve to hold them accountable.
Under Mississippi’s dram shop law, a person who serves or sells alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person may be liable for any resulting harm. This may include restaurant servers, bartenders, or liquor store employees.
The rule may also apply to social hosts, but only in limited conditions. Party hosts are exempt from the “dram shop law” unless they encourage alcohol consumption by force or misrepresentation of a drink’s contents.
Driving another person’s car can complicate liability in DUI situations. If the drunk driver borrowed the car from someone who knew the driver was intoxicated, had a poor driving record, or both, that lender could share liability for the incident.
If the car belonged to the driver’s employer and the driver was behind the wheel as part of their normal employment responsibilities, the employer may be liable under the rule of respondeat superior. This doctrine holds employers responsible for responsible hiring and supervision practices.
Your actions after a drunk driving crash matter. Take the following steps to protect your rights and eligibility for compensation.
Call 911 and request police presence and an ambulance for any potentially serious injuries. If you don’t require emergency medical services, visit a doctor as soon as possible after leaving the scene. Prompt medical care is essential for your well-being and validates your claim.
Keep all medical records and secure a copy of the police report. You can request a copy any time by calling the Capitol Police Records Division at 601-359-3125.
Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of vulnerable accident victims. Avoid making any recorded statements to any insurance representative, and do not accept any initial offers.
Instead, let our team handle communications with insurers on your behalf. As experienced negotiators, we are committed to protecting clients’ rights to compensation.
We are committed to making our services accessible to everyone in our communities. We are conveniently located in Tupelo, Mississippi, and frequently travel to meet clients at home, in the hospital, or anywhere they feel comfortable.
If a drunk driver hits you in Tupelo, you deserve strong and compassionate legal support. We live by the Six Pillars of NST Law because we believe that each client deserves our best in both regards, from compassionate care and personalized service to maximum damages pursuit.
Since opening our doors, we’ve won billions in verdicts, judgments, and settlements for injured clients and their families. We have secured many six- and seven-figure awards, serving many DUI victims and those with catastrophic injuries.
With 14 offices across the mid-South, we have the size and breadth of expertise to handle complex and high-value cases. Our large and multifaceted team includes attorneys in nearly all motor vehicle accident practice areas, from truck accidents to pedestrian crashes. Together, we have the skill and resources necessary to take on major insurance companies.
While many of our cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it would go to trial. This gives us the leverage to make a strong argument and often leads to higher settlements from insurers.
We have more than 100 five-star reviews from clients we have served. Here’s what a few of your neighbors have said:
“I highly recommend NST Law! My son & I were hit by a drunk driver, unfortunately. This was my first time ever being in a major auto accident & NST helped tremendously & tirelessly! Every single person that dealt with our case was extremely helpful, respectful, & courteous. They made the process as fast & easy as possible for us. I wish I could give this firm a million stars 😊 Thank you guys so much!”
“There are no words to express the gratitude from the Tupelo office of NST!!!!! They also made sure that everything was handled professionally!! Thank You NST!”
We’re equally proud of our standout verdicts and settlements, including these car accident case results:
If you or a loved one were injured in a drunk driving crash, you deserve to have an experienced Tupelo DUI accident attorney on your side. At NST Law, we’re here to guide you through every step of your claim, from hospital visits to the courtroom. We handle everything on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront fees and no charge unless we win.
We are passionate about our clients and the communities we serve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident in Tupelo, call 800-529-4004 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Drunk driving settlement payouts depend on the extent of the victim’s injuries, available evidence, and the overall circumstances of the case. Our car accident verdicts and settlements range from the hundreds of thousands to more than $6 million. We consider each case individually and are committed to pursuing maximum compensation, because that’s what you deserve.
Yes, you can file a lawsuit even if the drunk driver has a DUI conviction or is facing charges. Criminal and civil cases go through different aspects of the legal system and do not affect one another.
In most cases, Mississippi gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, or three years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Rare exceptions exist but are not guaranteed. Consult with an attorney to learn what deadline applies to your case.
Passengers may be eligible for compensation in a drunk driving crash. As with any injury case, available damages depend on fault and the insurance coverage of the responsible party.
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
