Mississippi Car Accident and Car Wreck Lawyers

Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers

Strong advocacy for injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and families

A car accident can be one of the most traumatic events in a person's life. The actions of one negligent driver can cause irreparable injury to numerous innocent victims. These individuals may face months, years, or even a lifetime of physical and emotional trauma and expensive medical treatment. The lawyers of Merkel & Cocke, P.A. proudly hold individuals accountable for the car accidents they cause.

Our Mississippi car accident attorneys have more than 40 years of experience fighting for car accident victims. Our legal team works aggressively to show who is responsible, why your accident was preventable, and the amount of compensation you should receive. Our law firm’s record of success includes many six-figure recoveries and one $20 million jury verdict in a car accident case. Call a Mississippi car accident attorney now to discuss your car accident claim.

How can we help?

How dangerous are car accidents?

According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, “America has more drunk drivers than most countries have people.” Each year, more than 10,000 people die on our roadways due to drunk driving. That would equal 20 jumbo jets crashing each year.

On any given day, nationwide, 660,000 drivers are driving while distracted at any given daylight moment. “Text messaging creates a risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.”

 

According to the 2022 IIHS report, Mississippi had the highest number of car fatalities per 100,000 people, in good part, due to high traffic volume. According to Good Car, in 2021, there were 772 deaths and 3,562 serious injuries in Mississippi due to vehicle accidents.

The top five most dangerous roads in the state include:

  • US-61 from Vicksburg to Clarksdale
  • US-49 from Gulfport to Clarksdale
  • US-45 from Meridian to Tupelo
  • I-55 from McComb to Hernando
  • US-90 through Gulfport

Why choose our Mississippi car accident lawyers?

At Merkel & Cocke our experienced Mississippi car accident lawyers have been supporting those injured in crashes for over 40 years. We’ve won many professional awards for our representation, but what we’re most proud of is our client-centered approach and the relationships we’ve built with our clients and colleagues. You can review our verdicts and settlements page to see some of the successful outcomes we’ve achieved for those who suffered serious injuries in Mississippi car crashes. While past results can’t guarantee future outcomes in cases, our record highlights our ability to effectively handle cases involving serious injuries.

What types of car accident cases do you handle in Mississippi?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we handle all types of car accidents including the following:

  • Head-on collisions.These are some of the most traumatic and violent car wrecks, occurring when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the front end of another vehicle. The injuries from these incidents are often severe or even fatal.
  • This type of car accident generally results when one vehicle operator moves into a lane already occupied by another driver. Life-threatening rollovers can result from sideswipe crashes.
  • Broadside, or “T-bone” crashes.When your vehicle is hit from the side, you are not as protected from the impact. The crumple zones are much smaller, and not every vehicle is equipped with side-impact airbags.
  • Rear-end collisions.These are some of the most common types of collisions, generally resulting from one vehicle following too closely behind another or driving while distracted. Rear-end collisions may result in painful whiplash and serious injuries to the chest.
  • Single-car accidents.Third parties, such as manufacturers and the sellers of alcohol, may be liable for these accidents. Passengers in single-car accidents can file a personal injury claim if the driver drives while distracted, intoxicated, or due to other causes that commonly cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
  • Multi-vehicle collisions. We handle chain reaction accidents and accidents that happen to multiple vehicles due to different, but often related, causes.

Our Mississippi car accident lawyers also handle accidents involving rollovers, hit-and-run drivers, accidents with larger vehicles like trucks, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents with drivers who don’t have insurance or don’t have enough insurance to pay your full claim.

Mississippi car accident laws you need to know

It’s important for every car accident victim in Mississippi to know a little bit about the relevant state laws. Mississippi has a statute of limitations that gives you just three years to file your car accident injury claim. While that might seem like a lot of time, remember that pursuing your claim will involve the collection of evidence and statements from witnesses. Evidence tends to be harder to collect as time goes by, and witness memories can quickly fade. Your best bet is to speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

Another important law to understand is the state’s comparative negligence policy. The law states that you can recover for your injuries even if you were partly at fault for them. In fact, Mississippi will allow you to file even if you are mostly at fault. The courts will reduce your damages based on your share of liability, though. So if you’re 50% at fault, and another driver was 50% at fault, you could potentially recover half of your total damages. To learn how this law might impact your specific situation, speak to a car wreck lawyer in Mississippi.

What should I do after a car accident?

Some of the steps you should take after an accident are:

  • Call the police. The police should help move the vehicles to avoid further accidents, arrange for medical help, obtain the relevant information (driver’s license, registration, insurance, and contact information from each driver), conduct an initial investigation, issue citations for any traffic violations, and file a police report.
  • Notify your own insurance company. Do not discuss your case with the insurance carriers for any of the other drivers.
  • Call or make an appointment with our experienced car accident lawyers. We can explain your rights, notify the various insurance companies about the accident, investigate the claim, and review your medical needs. We are ready to file a personal injury claim on your behalf, formally question the defendants and witnesses, consult with our liability professionals, and review your injuries and medical needs. Our Mississippi car accident lawyers can then work to negotiate a fair and just settlement. If there is no settlement, we can argue your case before a local jury.

Common causes of car accidents in Mississippi

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we have the experience to show the cause of your accident and why your accident was preventable. Some of the causes of car accidents include:

  • Driver distraction. This includes texting, using a mobile phone, looking at a GPS, eating, drinking, and focusing on a person or pet.
  • Driver intoxication. We work with the police if they file drunk driving charges.
  • Speeding and other traffic violations. Other violations include tailgating, improper merging, or failing to yield. Driving too fast for the weather or traffic conditions can also cause an accident.
  • Driving while tired. Tired drivers should get off the road before, not after, they cause an accident.
  • Defective car parts. Defective brakes, windshield wipers, electrical systems, and other car parts can cause accidents. Defective seatbelts and airbags can make injuries more severe or deadly.
  • Poorly designed or maintained roads. Roads should be designed to handle the reasonably likely traffic flow. Roads should undergo repairs when reasonably necessary.

What to expect in your car accident claim

Car accidents are traumatic experiences and it can be difficult to know what to expect in the aftermath. Fortunately, you don’t have to face it alone. Here are a few stages that you might go through as a part of the process.

  • Find an attorney: Many lawyers offer free consultations for car crash victims. This consultation is the first step in the process and it allows you to discuss your case and learn more about your options with someone who knows the system inside and out.
  • Information gathering: Your lawyer will want to gather information about your case. Evidence can help put them in a stronger position to negotiate on your behalf.
  • Negotiating with insurers: You may file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. That company will often offer a low settlement amount in an effort to quickly and cheaply resolve your case. Your lawyer can push back and negotiate for a more favorable outcome.
  • Taking your claim to court: While most cases don’t go to trial, many will end up in court. The litigation process allows the parties to gather information and conduct formal interviews under oath (depositions). However, at any stage, it’s possible to negotiate a settlement. The process will help your lawyer get the information they need to build a more solid claim and put pressure on the other party and their insurer.

What types of injuries do car accidents cause?

Car accidents often cause life-changing injuries. Our Mississippi car accident lawyers handle personal injury claims that involve catastrophic, permanent, and chronic injuries, as well as injuries that heal with competent medical care. Some of the many injuries due to car accidents that we handle include the following:

Proving liability after a car wreck

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against everyone responsible for your car accident. The defendants may include:

  • The driver of another vehicle.
  • The employer of the driver who struck you.
  • The owner of the vehicle, if the owner is different than the driver, such as when parents give their teenager permission to drive their car.
  • The manufacturers of defective car parts.
  • A seller of alcohol to a driver who is visibly intoxicated when served and later causes your accident due to their intoxication.
  • The Mississippi Department of Transportation or other governmental agencies/entities.
  • Hit-and-run drivers.

Proving liability means showing that the other party was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. An experienced car crash lawyer in Mississippi can help you build a case to prove negligence and liability.

Types of compensation for car accident victims in Mississippi

We work to maximize your recovery and to compensate for all your financial and personal damages. Our Mississippi car accident lawyers consult with your doctors to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries, medical treatments, possible complications, limitations, and pain. We also work with your employer, life planners, car mechanics and appraisers, and others to properly value your claim.

Your damages fall into several categories:

  • Economic: Economic damages are your actual financial losses related to your injury. These cover things like your medical bills or the income you lost because you were out of work.
  • Noneconomic: The law acknowledges that car crashes involve more than monetary losses, they also cause significant pain and suffering. Noneconomic damages offer compensation for these harder-to-calculate consequences of Mississippi car crashes.
  • Punitive damages: Punitive damages are rarely awarded in Mississippi. These don’t serve to compensate the victim but rather to punish someone for their wrongful conduct. A classic case might be a crash caused by a drunk driver.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we demand compensation for all your damages so far and all the damages you will reasonably have in the future, including the following:

  • Medical expenses of every type
  • Lost income and benefits
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Property damage
  • Additional damages including:
    • Loss of life’s pleasures
    • Loss of bodily function
    • Loss of consortium
    • Scars and disfigurement

If a car accident is fatal, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members. Wrongful death damages include:

  • The funeral and burial costs.
  • The loss of financial income and an inheritance.
  • The loss of comfort, society, guidance, education, and love that your loved one would have provided.

We may also seek punitive damages for unconscionable conduct, such as when a driver drives while intoxicated.

Mississippi car accident FAQs

Car crashes are common, but that doesn’t make them any less frightening or disorienting. If you were in a crash, you likely have questions. Here are a few things our attorneys often get asked.

What if it was in a hit and run motor vehicle accident?

When a driver flees the scene of a crash, it can make a bad situation even worse. If you suffered injuries, you might be wondering how you can file an insurance claim when the other driver isn’t known. In these cases, you might need to file an uninsured driver claim with your own insurance carrier. In Mississippi, insurance companies must offer these policies, and you can only waive them in writing.

What if the other driver is uninsured?

Your best bet in this case is to consider an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance provider. Those pursuing uninsured driver insurance claims still might need an attorney because their insurer effectively steps in as the other party in these cases. They might attempt to argue that you are not seriously injured or were at fault for the crash.

Can I sue for a texting and driving accident in Mississippi?

If a negligent driver injures you, you often have a claim for damages. Evidence that the other person was texting and driving could be powerful when it comes to proving negligence. Your personal injury attorney may be able to help you gather information to back up your claim.

Do you have a Mississippi car accident lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet car accident victims at the following Mississippi locations:

  • Jackson Office (Hinds County): 2630 Ridgewood Road, Suite D. Jackson, MS 39216
  • Clarksdale Office (Coahoma County): 30 Delta Avenue. Clarksdale, MS 38614
  • Greenville Office (Washington County): 540 Main Street, ICON Building, Suite 302. Greenville, MS 38701
  • Oxford Office (Lafayette County): 2084 Old Taylor Road, Suite 110. Oxford, MS 38655
  • Meridian Office (Lauderdale County). Regions Bank Building, Suite 205, 406 22nd Avenue. Meridian, MS 39301

 

We meet clients who cannot physically travel at their homes or other locations when necessary. Our lawyers consult with clients by phone and through online video platforms, such as Zoom and FaceTime.

We’re here to prepare you for each phase of the claims process.

Call Merkel & Cocke, P.A.’s car accident lawyers today

When you are injured in a car accident, your first priority is to secure medical treatment. Your second priority should be to call the legal team of Merkel & Cocke. We have more than 200 years of combined experience fighting for car accident victims. We handle Mississippi car accident claims on a contingency fee basis. We’ve helped many accident victims like you obtain strong verdicts and settlements. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent clients throughout Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.

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