Jackson Mississippi Injury Lawyers

Jackson, Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyers

More than 200 years of combined personal injury representation for Mississippi accident victims

Accidents are, by nature, unexpected, but many are the result of negligence and could have been prevented. Whether the injury was caused by the negligence of a physician, a drunk driver, or a defective product; our civil justice system gives you the opportunity to pursue financial compensation to cover the financial and personal losses you suffer because of the injury.

At the law firm of Merkel & Cocke, P.A., since 1982, we’ve been fighting to hold the people and businesses responsible for accidents liable for the personal injuries and deaths they cause. We work with a team of liability and medical professionals to show how your accident happened, why it was preventable, and what damage award or settlement you should receive. We have an impressive record of strong verdicts and settlements. If you suffered an injury in Jackson, call us today to assert your right to compensation.

 

How can we help?

What types of accident cases do you handle in Jackson, Mississippi?

Jackson, Mississippi’s state capital, is centrally located, with landmarks like the Old Capitol Museum, and major roadways like I-20 and I-55. The area and its roads can be busy, leading to a wide variety of possible risks and injuries. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A. we handle the following types of accident cases:

Vehicle accident claims

Our Jackson, Mississippi, personal injury lawyers handle all types of vehicle accidents, including:

  • Car crashes.Many car wrecks are a result of driver error. Regardless of what caused the crash, we find out who is responsible for your injuries and we hold them accountable.
  • Truck accidents.When large, commercial trucks collide with passenger vehicles, tragedy often ensues. Our truck accident attorneys protect your right to recover compensation after a truck accident injury by holding truck drivers and trucking companies liable.
  • Motorcycle accidents.When other motor vehicles do not see the motorcyclists who just want to share the road safely, the motorcyclist can be vulnerable to life-threatening injuries. We hold negligent car, truck, and motorcycle drivers liable for personal injuries and deaths.
  • Other types of vehicle-related accidents. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we represent the victims of:

Medical malpractice claims

Patients have the right to expect that their medical providers will provide competent medical care. Patients deserve compensation when a doctor, hospital, or another healthcare professional who has a duty to provide medical care commits medical mistakes that cause personal injuries or deaths.

Our Jackson, Mississippi medical malpractice lawyers represent patients and families when medical malpractice causes harm. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we have an RN on staff and work with a network of medical professionals to show what medical care should have provided, when the providers are negligent, what medical care you will need due to the malpractice, and how the medical malpractice is affecting every part of your life.

Our personal injury lawyers handle the following medical malpractice claims:

Other types of personal injury claims

Some of the other types of accidents we handle, in addition to vehicle accidents and medical malpractice claims, include:

  • Premises liability.If you were injured due to a slip and fall, a deck collapse, a violent assault by an intruder on someone else's property, or for other failures; our Jackson personal injury lawyers hold negligent property owners and maintenance companies accountable.
  • Product liability.Our Jackson, Mississippi, personal injury lawyers hold manufacturers accountable when their defective products cause injuries or deaths. We handle cases involving defective medications, devices, vehicle parts, construction products, and consumer products.
  • Wrongful death.Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is devastating. When someone else's negligence causes the death of a loved one, our Jackson wrongful death attorneys help families hold the responsible defendants accountable.
  • Farm accidents.Whether a tractor overturns or a worker suffers injuries after getting tangled up in farm machinery, farm accident injuries can be serious. Many farm accidents are preventable. When a farm accident injury keeps you from being able to work, we fight for your right to recover compensation.
  • Workers' compensation. We seek payment for your medical expenses, temporary disability compensation, and permanent disability compensation if you are an employee who is hurt during the scope of your employment. We also file third-party claims if, for example, a manufacturer’s defective products cause work-related injuries.

We also handle personal injury claims that involve casino accidents, hunting accidents, and personal and catastrophic injuries.

What types of injuries do you handle?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we handle catastrophic, permanent, chronic, and serious injuries (injuries that heal with the proper treatments), including the following:

How do you fight for personal injury victims in Jackson, Mississippi?

Our trusted legal team offers a free initial consultation so that you can come in and discuss your case with an injury lawyer and receive guidance on how to proceed. From a routine fender-bender to a catastrophic injury case, our Jackson personal injury attorneys are here to represent you, protect your rights, and make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We advance the costs on your behalf, and our legal fees come out of the amount we can recover for you.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we have the experience, working relationships, and advocacy skills to represent you at each stage of your claim. These stages include:

  • The initial consultation
  • Ensuring that you are seeing the doctors who can help you
  • Investigating the cause of the accident and who is responsible
  • The discovery phase which includes formally questioning the defendants and everyone with relevant knowledge about your accident
  • Determining all of your damages
  • Negotiating with the insurance companies
  • Arguing your case before a judge and jury if your case does not settle

What’s the value of my personal injury claim in Jackson, Mississippi?

Our Mississippi personal injury lawyers will help you obtain compensation for all your financial and personal damages, for as long as you need medical help, can’t work, or live with any pain.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we demand that the responsible defendants pay your current and future damages. These include:

  • Medical bills for all the ER care, surgeries, treatments, assistive help, and medications you need.
  • Lost income and benefits including permanent disability compensation.
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering of every nature.
  • Property damage.
  • Loss of bodily function.
  • Scars and disfigurement.
  • Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures.
  • Loss of consortium (enjoyment of life’s pleasures).

We file wrongful death claims for family members when accidents are deadly. Wrongful death damages compensate families for the funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support, and the loss of personal support (love, comfort, and guidance).

What is the statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims in Mississippi?

The time limits vary depending on your type of claim. Generally, you have two years to file a medical malpractice claim and three years to file most other personal injury claims. Some shorter time limits and exceptions may apply. Please call us as soon as possible so we can explain the statute of limitations for your claim. Our early representation can help ensure we promptly review your medical needs and investigate your claim when everyone’s memories are fresh.

How is liability determined in Mississippi?

Proving liability in Mississippi means demonstrating four points:

  • The person owed you a duty of care
  • They breached that duty
  • The breach caused you harm
  • You suffered damages

Importantly, the state law doesn’t require that the other party is entirely responsible for your injuries. If you are partly to blame, you can still recover. In fact, Mississippi will allow you to collect damages from another person who was negligent even if you are more at fault than they were. The courts will, however, reduce your damages to reflect your share of liability. So, if you are 40% at fault, you can only collect 60% of the damages.

Steps to take after an accident

What you do immediately after an accident can influence the outcome of your claim. Here are a few smart steps to take to protect yourself:

  • Seek medical attention: If you suffered serious injuries, you’ll likely know that you need to seek medical care right away. However, even if the injuries appear less severe, you should still seek medical attention. Some injuries don’t appear immediately, and your medical records – including how quickly you sought medical attention – will often be a factor in your case. Delays in treatment might be used to argue your injuries were minor.
  • Make sure there is a record: If the injuries are related to a car crash, you should contact the police. A formal record of what occurred is useful because it will include information about witnesses and other factors that can help your attorney build your case.
  • Contact a lawyer: From the start, you should contact an attorney so that they can handle negotiations on your behalf. Your lawyer should speak to the insurers for you as what you say could be held against you.
  • Stay off of social media: People often post major events in their lives on social media, but your best bet is to avoid doing so after an accident or injury. Posting about the accident can come back to haunt you, but so can seemingly unrelated posts. Photo of you enjoying a picnic with family? That could be enough for opposing lawyers to argue your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim.

What to expect in a personal injury case

The first step in your personal injury claim is to schedule a consultation with a lawyer. A free case evaluation allows you to understand your legal options and discuss the strength of your case.

Following the consultation, your lawyer can investigate the accident, and use the information to negotiate with the insurance company for the at-fault party. If those negotiations are unsuccessful, your lawyer may file a lawsuit. The lawsuit itself involves several steps, more information gathering, depositions, and court dates. Most cases will resolve before they reach trial, but in some rare circumstances, your claim might go to trial where a judge and jury will make the ultimate determinations in your case, like whether you recover compensation and how much.

Do you have a Jackson, Mississippi, personal injury lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet clients at our Jackson, Mississippi (Hinds County) location. Our office is at 2630 Ridgewood Road, Suite D., Jackson, MS 39216.

If you cannot travel due to your personal injuries, we can make arrangements to consult with you at your home or another location. Our Jackson personal injury lawyers also consult with clients by phone and through online video platforms, such as FaceTime and Zoom.

We’re prepared to answer your questions and prepare you for each step of your claim

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Mississippi?

Personal injury lawyers typically use a contingency fee arrangement. With a contingency fee, your attorney doesn’t get paid unless your case is successful. If your claim is successful, your lawyer will take a percentage of your settlement or verdict as their payment. You can discuss the percentage and the details of this arrangement in your consultation. Some of the benefits of a contingency fee include that your lawyer is motivated to recover a high amount in your case, and that you don’t have to risk paying up front fees and then losing your case.

What is the average settlement for a car accident?

Car accident cases range from minor fender benders to catastrophic life-altering collisions. There is no real way to give an average settlement amount because factors like the severity of your injuries, the cost of your care, and the culpability of the defendant will all influence the outcome.

What compensation can I recover?

In Mississippi personal injury claims you can recover several types of damages, including:

  • Economic damages: Accidents often lead to financial losses. Whether it’s medical bills or lost income, you might be able to recover compensation that covers those amounts.
  • Noneconomic damages: Mississippi also lets injury victims recover compensation for things like their pain and suffering, which are impossible to quantify.
  • Punitive damages: Although rare, Mississippi does allow injury victims to recover punitive damages, which are not a form of compensation. Instead, punitive damages punish the defendant for their wrongful actions. The liable party must have engaged in particularly egregious or malicious acts to have a court impose such damages, however.

Get help from our Jackson, Mississippi personal injury lawyers now

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we commit ourselves to championing our clients’ rights. Our team of talented Jackson attorneys understands the challenges of pursuing a legal claim. We make each client a top priority. Our lawyers have earned the trust of former clients, the respect of insurance companies, and the high recognition of the legal community; including recognition by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. We represent clients throughout Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.

Call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We also have offices in Clarksdale, Greenville, Oxford, and Meridian.

 

Jackson Office

622 Duling Avenue
Suite 221
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 653-1103