Tupelo Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
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
Intoxicated people display a reckless disregard for the safety of others when they choose to drive. Their impaired judgment leads to delayed reaction times, unsteady driving, and increased odds that they will engage in other risky driving behaviors, such as speeding and disobeying traffic signals. Drunk drivers are less likely to see accidents coming or take evasive action on time to avoid them. They are more likely to cause accidents, and those accidents have a high risk of causing death or serious injuries.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident in or around Tupelo, you deserve substantial compensation for your property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other losses. Our Tupelo drunk driving accident lawyers are Mississippi’s Champions for the injured. We are ready to fight for you.
Table Of Contents
- Why Choose NST for Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Tupelo?
- Your Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident in Tupelo
- Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable in Tupelo
- How Much Is My Drunk Driving Accident in Tupelo Worth?
- The Role of a Tupelo Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- How Long Do I Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Tupelo, MS?
- Contact an Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Attorney In Tupelo
Why Choose NST for Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Tupelo?
We are a legal team of over 34 lawyers and 135 support staff with decades of experience helping victims of drunk driving get the compensation they deserve. Drunk drivers endanger all roadway users, and we have obtained outstanding results for drunk driving accident victims in the following types of cases:
Our compassionate personal injury lawyers in Tupelo have seen firsthand how devastating a severe car accident can be for the victim and the whole family. We refer to our core values as the Six Pillars of NST Law because they guide everything we do. They include the following:
- Compassionate care
- Accessibility for our clients
- Resourcefulness
- Trust and transparency
- Personalized service
- Pursuit of maximized compensation
Our approach works. We have successfully represented thousands of clients and recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts, including numerous outstanding results in accidents caused by impaired drivers.
Drunk Driving Accident Case Results
The firm represented a twenty-year-old girl who was a passenger in an automobile driven by an individual who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The defendants maintained that our client was particularly negligent due to her being in an automobile with an individual who had been drinking. Our client sustained severe injuries including fractures of the C6/C7; multiple rib fractures, a right shoulder fracture and contusions of both lungs. The firm was able to resolve the case for $500,000.00.
Testimonials from our Tupelo Personal Injury Clients
“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!”
“Ms. Susan and Mrs. Christi were awesome. After my children and I were injured in a car accident they made sure we were completely well and got us more than a fair compensation. They treated us like we were family. The atmosphere was peaceful and we were never rushed. They always had time for our phone calls and visits. They truly want the best for us. I will recommend them to anyone that needs a lawyer. Thank you both so much. The Golden Family.”
Your Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident in Tupelo
If you or your loved one was hit by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to substantial compensation to cover your financial and emotional losses and punish the drunk driver. Your compensation may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are compensation for financial losses, and non-economic damages are compensation for intangible losses. Economic and non-economic damages are collectively known as compensatory damages because their purpose is to compensate you for your losses.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
| Property damage | Pain and suffering |
| Lost wages | Loss of enjoyment of life |
| Lost future earnings | Loss of bodily functions |
| Past and future medical expenses | Scarring and disfigurement |
| The cost of services you can no longer perform for yourself |
Emotional distress |
State law imposes no limit on economic damages, except that you are limited to the amount you can prove. State law does limit pain and suffering damages to $1 million for most car accident claims. We work with life care planners, vocational specialists, accountants, and other experts who can help us prove the past and future costs of your injuries so we can maximize your compensation.
Drunk Driving Accident Case Results
In the event your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, our skilled Tupelo wrongful death attorneys can help your family pursue damages for your financial and emotional losses, such as the following:
- The loss of your loved one’s lifelong income
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- Your loved one’s final expenses
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of love and affection
- Your family’s grief and suffering
Punitive Damages
Mississippi allows injured car accident victims to pursue punitive damages in limited cases when they have clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault driver’s conduct demonstrated actual malice, gross negligence, or a “willful, wanton, or reckless disregard for the safety of others.” The decision to drive drunk may rise to this standard, potentially making punitive damages available in your claim.
Punitive damages are meant to punish defendants and deter others from similar conduct. The state imposes limits on how much you can recover in punitive damages based on the net worth of the driver and other liable parties.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable in Tupelo
Drunk driving is illegal. However, a criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits involving drunk driving accidents are separate processes that operate independently of the other. The burden of proof in criminal proceedings is higher than in civil lawsuits, and your right to recover damages remains unchanged regardless of the outcome of a criminal proceeding.
The criminal penalties for drunk drivers include suspension of their driving privileges, a restriction to driving only vehicles with interlock devices, a criminal record, and the penalties listed in the table below:
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Fine | Incarceration |
| First offense | Misdemeanor | $250 – $1,000 | Up to 48 hours |
| Second offense | Misdemeanor | $600 – $1,500 | 5 days – 6 months plus 10 days – 6 months of community service |
| Third offense | Felony | $2,000 – $5,000 | 1–5 years |
| Fourth and subsequent | Felony | $3,000 – $10,000 | 2–10 years |
| Offense | First offense |
| Criminal Charge | Misdemeanor |
| Fine | $250 – $1,000 |
| Incarceration | Up to 48 hours |
| Offense | Second offense |
| Criminal Charge | Misdemeanor |
| Fine | $600 – $1,500 |
| Incarceration | 5 days – 6 months plus 10 days – 6 months of community service |
| Offense | Third offense |
| Criminal Charge | Felony |
| Fine | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Incarceration | 1–5 years |
| Offense | Fourth and subsequent |
| Criminal Charge | Felony |
| Fine | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Incarceration | 2–10 years |
The law prohibits prosecutors and the courts from reducing or suspending drunk drivers’ sentences.
How Much Is My Drunk Driving Accident in Tupelo Worth?
The value of a drunk driving accident claim can vary from a few thousand to millions. The following factors play an important role in your case value calculation:
- The severity of your injuries
- How long your injuries will last
- Your future earning capacity compared to before the accident
- Available insurance coverage
- Your long-term medical needs
- Whether the accident resulted in death
Where Does Compensation Come From in Drunk Driving Accident Claims?
Compensation for a drunk driving accident typically comes from the drunk driver’s insurance policy. Mississippi drivers are required to carry a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person per accident, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
If the driver is uninsured or your damages exceed the coverage limits, you can file an uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance if you own these coverages. We will file all claims for you and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
When your injuries are severe, the coverage limits of your uninsured or underinsured policies may still be insufficient to cover your damages. Our devoted drunk driving accident lawyers in Tupelo are committed to helping you recover full compensation for your injuries. In some cases, it may be beneficial to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver directly.
Our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys know how to find additional sources of compensation. We will look for additional liable parties and insurance policies from which to collect damages on your behalf.
The Role of a Tupelo Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The impairment of the driver doesn’t always stop insurance companies from blaming victims, minimizing their injuries, and using stall tactics to evade liability. We are passionate about leveling the playing field between individuals and powerful insurance companies. Our caring attorneys at NST Law will:
- Perform a full investigation of the accident to gather evidence, prove that the drunk driver caused it, and identify other liable parties.
- Take all of your insurance company’s calls, handle your claim, and protect your interests.
- Prepare you to give testimony at depositions and trial.
- Aggressively negotiate a maximized settlement.
- Prepare every case as though it will go to trial, and we will be ready to take yours to trial if needed to get the compensation you deserve.
- Make ourselves available to you at any hour of the day or night and travel to meet you at a time and location convenient to you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Tupelo, MS?
The Mississippi personal injury statute of limitations limits your time to file a drunk driving accident claim to three years from the date of the accident in most cases. However, there are exceptions, so it is important not to wait to contact an experienced Tupelo personal injury attorney.
If you miss the deadline, your case will be dismissed and you will lose out on the opportunity to receive compensation. Reach out to our knowledgeable Tupelo car accident lawyers as soon as possible to protect your claim.
Contact an Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Attorney In Tupelo
We have decades of experience and have recovered over $2 billion in compensation for our clients. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to our experienced Tupelo drunk driving accident lawyers. We offer free initial case evaluations and will charge no upfront fees. You only pay if we win. Call the Champs today at 800-529-4004 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation.
125 South Congress St
Suite 1300
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-362-5222
Fax: 601-991-3465