Yahoo City Personal Injury Lawyers, Yazoo County, MS

Experienced advocacy when accidents happen

Yazoo City, Mississippi is a thriving community founded nearly 200 years ago. The city can be accessed by the local Amtrak station and numerous local roads. The joys of living in Yazoo City can change quickly when a resident or visitor suffers personal injuries due to a car, truck, and motorcycle accident. People may slip and fall at the local stores, restaurants, and any other place people gather. Farming accidents, hunting accidents, product defects, and medical malpractice may change a victim’s life in an instant.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A. our personal injury lawyers have more than 200 collective years’ experience fighting for injury victims and families. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicycle riders, shoppers, workers, patients, and anyone who suffers harm due to the negligence or fault of others. We have a strong history of successfully settling personal injury claims and trying personal injury cases in court. Our record of success includes more than 25 settlements for $1 million or more. Call us today to get started on your case.

FAQS about Yazoo City personal injury cases

How can our Yazoo City lawyers help you?

Our lawyers guide clients through every phase of the claims and litigation process. We calmly and thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident to determine who is responsible. Our Yazoo City lawyers conduct extensive discovery of the defendants and the witnesses. We regularly work with investigators, traffic reconstruction experts, product safety experts, and physicians.

We know how traumatic every accident case is. We pay attention to all the small details that can add up to a large award. Our lawyers work with your team of doctors and independent doctors to accurately diagnose your injuries, show all the treatment that you will need, and understand all the ways the accident has changed your life.

Many personal injury cases do settle – often for the insurance policy limits. When insurance adjusters refuse to admit their client is liable or try to lowball your claim, we have the experience and resources to try your case before a jury.

What types of injuries do your Yazoo City personal injury lawyers handle?

We represent accident victims who suffer any type of injury – including catastrophic injuries, permanent injuries, and injuries that should heal with proper treatment. We also represent spouses, parents, children, and siblings of loved ones who are killed due in Yazoo City accident.

We have the experience and skills to represent accident victims who suffer:

We work with you, your doctors, and your family to show just how disabling and painful your injuries are.

Who is responsible for a car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Yazoo City?

According to Mississippi Today, Mississippi is the deadliest place to drive a car in the country.

In 2017, 685 people died in car accidents – which represents 22.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents – a rate higher than any other state. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi had the highest fatal car accident resident in the prior years and has had the highest rate in the country for all but three years since 1999.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A. we understand why traffic accidents happen and who is responsible:

  • Car accidents. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Our Yazoo City car accident lawyers regularly represent victims of head-on crashes, broadsides, sideswipes, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, multi-car crashes, and single-car accidents.
  • Truck accidents. Our Yazoo City truck accident lawyers represent victims of accidents involving tractor-trailers, semis, construction vehicles, delivery vans, and farm vehicles. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we are skilled at handling truck rollovers, jackknifes, cargo spill accidents, underride collisions, blind spot accidents, and all other types of truck accidents.
  • Motorcycle accidents. Our Yazoo City motorcycle accident lawyers understand just how dangerous motorcycle accidents are – because motorcycles do not provide any physical protection in the case of a crash. We file claims against car and truck drivers who often fail to see or fail to respect the right of a motorcycle to be on the road.
  • Common carrier and rideshare accidents. Our personal injury lawyers represent victims who suffer accidents while riding in buses, trains, planes, helicopters, or other types of public transportation. Our attorneys also represent victims who are injured while driving or riding in an Uber or a Lyft vehicle.
  • Recreational vehicle accidents. Many Yazoo City residents and visitors suffer injuries or tragically die while on a boat ride or riding an ATV. We understand the navigation and operation rules that apply to all types of recreational vehicles. We represent families when a loved one tragically drowns in a boating accident or dies while riding an ATV or other recreational vehicle.

We hold drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles accountable for driving while intoxicated, distracted driving, speeding and other traffic violations, driving fatigue, and other acts of negligence. We file product liability claims against parts manufacturers who design and make defective airbags, fuel lines, electrical systems, hydraulics, and other vehicle parts that malfunction.

In addition to filing liability claims, we also file uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) claims on behalf of car, truck, and motorcycle accident victims.

Responsible defendants include the drivers and owners of the vehicles. In truck accident cases, the trucking broker who arranged the trip, the company that requested the shipment, and many other defendants may be liable. The Mississippi Department of Transportation and other governmental agencies may also be liable. In some cases, a tavern or social host may be liable for an accident caused after a sale of alcohol to a minor.

Are manufacturers liable if a defective product causes an accident in Yazoo City?

Many personal injury victims in Yazoo City are injured when vehicle parts, drugs, machinery, tools, tree stands, toys, or other products are defective – and the defect causes an injury. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are strictly liable when their defective products cause injuries or the death of a loved one. We work with product safety professionals to help hold the businesses that put their profit before your safety liable for the injuries and deaths they cause. We have particularly experience handling hunting accident claims arising from defective tree stands.

At Merkel & Cocke P.A., we also file mass tort claims when defective products injure numerous people.

What duty do Yazoo City property owners owe to customers and lawful visitors?

Owners of restaurants, retail stores, apartments, gas stations, professional offices, construction sites, casinos, and any type of for-profit or non-profit owe a duty of care to the people who lawfully visit the property. Homeowners also owe a duty of care to their neighbors when the neighbors use their sidewalk or visit their home.

The duty of care requires that the owners fix any known defects or warn users of any known dangers. The duty of care also requires that the owners regularly inspect their property for defects.

Our Yazoo City premises liability lawyers represent victims of slip and fall accidents, dog bites, negligent security attacks, and other property-related injuries.

What types of medical malpractice claims do your Yazoo City lawyers handle?

Merkel & Cocke, P.A. has a strong reputation for its aggressive representation of medical malpractice victims. Medical malpractice often dramatically changes the lives of patients because the mistakes delay necessary medical care or worsen a patient’s existing health.

Common examples of medical malpractice include surgical errors, birth delivery mistakes, a failure to make a correct or timely diagnosis, prescription mistakes, and a failure to obtain an informed consent. Our Yazoo City medical malpractice lawyers file claims against hospitals, ER staff, physicians, medical technicians, specialists, chiropractors, and other healthcare providers.

Birth injuries are especially traumatic because they can completely change your child’s life. Obstetricians and other birth care health providers should anticipate many of the problems that occur during the pregnancy, during delivery, and immediately after delivery. Common pregnancy and birth injuries include cerebral palsy, skull fractures, Erb’s palsy, HIE, undiagnosed infections, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

Some medical practice victims require corrective surgeries. Many victims suffer complications and poorer health for the rest of their lives. In tragic cases, a patient dies due to medical malpractice.

Workers’ compensation claims for Yazoo City workers

At Merkle & Cocke, P.A., we do fight for employers who suffer injuries due to a workplace accident or due to an occupational illness. Eligible employees are entitled to have their employer pay all their reasonable medical bills.

Workers are also entitled to temporary disability wage loss benefits while they are treating with their doctors and therapists. Once an injured worker or ill worker reaches the point of maximum medical improvement, an evaluation is made as to whether they have a permanent injury, the type of permanent injury, and the severity of the permanent injury.

Some workers may be entitled to vocational benefits. If a loved one dies, the family is entitled to death benefits.

Merkel & Cocke, P.A. handles workers’ compensation claims for employees in and around Yazoo City, including those injured at the prison. While farmers and farmworkers are generally exempt from workers’ compensation, there may be viable third-party claims against negligent employers and the manufactures of defective farm equipment. We also represent injured construction workers, site visitors, and others who may or may not be eligible for workers’ compensation.

How much is my Yazoo City personal injury case worth?

There is no way to determine the full worth of a claim without first reviewing all your medical records, as well as the exact circumstances of your case. The key factors that help determine the value of your case include:

  • The cost of your medical bills includes doctor visits, surgeries, ER care, therapy, assistive devices, and medications.
  • Your lost income which includes wages and lost profits.
  • Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering.
  • Damage to any property such as your vehicle.
  • Scarring and disfigurement damages.
  • Other damages permitted by Mississippi law.

Some caps may apply.

In wrongful death cases, the family is entitled, among other damages, to payment for the funeral and burial expenses, the value of the lost income and benefits the decedent would have earned had he/she survived, and the loss of society and companionship the decedent would have provided the eligible family members.

Do I have to go to trial?

Our lawyers work aggressively to try to settle your case. We understand that many clients prefer a settlement to a trial. If an insurance company’s offer is less than we think it should, we explain how the trial process works and what juries in similar cases have awarded injured clients.

The ultimate decision whether to settle your Yazoo City accident case or try your case before a jury is your decision, not ours. The advantage of settling a case is you know what the settlement amount is. A jury award could be higher than the settlement offer, but it could be lower.

Some of the factors we review with you when deciding whether to choose a settlement or a trial include:

  • How clear it is that the defendants are liable.
  • How serious your injuries are.
  • How likely your injuries will last well beyond the trial date.
  • Whether the status of your recovery is clear. Victims of catastrophic injuries require a lifetime of care. That’s different than people who break an arm which usually heals in a few months.

The good news is that our lawyers have a reputation for successfully trying cases before juries. Insurance companies understand that we thoroughly prepare the case for court and that we will persuasively argue your case. Many insurance companies make reasonable settlement offers based on our strong reputation in court.

How much time do I have to file a Yazoo City personal injury claim?

Injury victims of the families of deceased victims should contact our experienced lawyers as soon as possible after any type of accident. It’s critical that we begin our investigation of the accident as soon as possible. In many personal injury cases in Mississippi, the statute of limitations is three years. There are exceptions though. There may also be very short time limits for providing notices.

The best advice we can offer is to contact our law firm as soon as possible after an accident.

Do you have a personal injury attorney near me?

Merkel & Cocke, P.A. has several offices throughout Mississippi. If you can’t come to our office, then we can visit you at your home. Our main offices are in Clarksdale, Oxford, Greenville, and Jackson.

Speak with a respected Yazoo City personal injury lawyer today

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A, we guide victims and families through each phase of the litigation process. We answer all your questions. We have the experience and resources to investigate your case, work with your doctors, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and try cases before juries. To schedule a free appointment, please call us at 662-627-9641 or fill out our contact form.