Biloxi Lawyers for Car Accident Injuries
Being injured in a car accident can turn your whole life upside down. You are suddenly faced with mounting medical bills, the prospect of missing a lot of time from work, and the uncertainty of not knowing when you will recover so your life can return to normal. The stress involved not only weighs down the victim, it can also take a major toll on family members. When an auto accident injury happens because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, victims and their families deserve to be fully compensated.
At the Gardner Law Firm, one of our main areas of focus is representing people who have been injured in car accidents on South Mississippi highways, roads, and interstates.
We have in-depth experience with these types of cases, and we work closely with our clients to help them recover maximum compensation. We are strong litigators and skilled negotiators, and when we take a personal injury case, we fully prepare for trial from the outset.
In many cases, it is in our clients’ interests to negotiate a settlement that reflects full and fair compensation for their injuries. But if the other side is not willing to negotiate in good faith, we are ready and able to pursue full damages through litigation.
Don’t Trust The Insurance Companies
It is important to realize that, despite what their advertisements may say, insurance companies are not looking out for you. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible in damages, and as such, their interests are not aligned with yours. We know the common tactics insurers often use to avoid responsibility or diminish the value of a car accident claim, and we know how to successfully thwart these tactics. Bottom line: we have the knowledge, skills, resources, and commitment to help ensure that you receive the strong personalized representation you need and deserve.
Types of Car Accidents
Head-on Collisions:
Head-on collisions are some of the most traumatic and deadly car accidents, which occur when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the front end of another vehicle. These accidents often result in injuries that are serious or even fatal.
Here are some of the most common issues that can cause a head-on collision:
- Driving too fast: Many head-on crashes happen because the driver is speeding excessively or going too fast to safely navigate adverse road conditions.
- Driving carelessly your recklessly: Another issue that is closely related to excessive speeding is reckless driving.
- Failed passing attempts: When someone is driving on a single-lane undivided highway, the only way to pass the car in front of them is to cross over into the oncoming traffic lane. This, of course, puts drivers at risk of a head-on crash.
Side Impact Collisions:
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side-impact car collisions make up a quarter of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the United States each year. Side-impact collisions, also called “right-angle collisions” or “T-bone collisions,” are dangerous since the sides of vehicles have relatively little space to absorb impact and protect the occupants.
Who is Liable during a T-Bone Crash?
In general, it is quite easy to establish fault in a T-bone crash as this type of collision involves a motorist making a left turn.
Consequently, the driver of the car that made a left turn is often the person who is responsible for causing the T-bone crash. But there are certain exceptions to the rule. For instance, if the motorist who is heading straight ignores a red light or stop sign, then they will at least be held partially accountable for the collision.
Rear-End Wrecks:
Rear-end collisions account for roughly one-third of all motor vehicle accidents. These types of accidents happen more often when there is heavy traffic, bad weather (e.g., rain, snow, ice, sleet, etc.), road construction, and other adverse conditions. Rear-end crashes occur when the front end of the trailing vehicle collides into the back end of the lead vehicle. Usually, these collisions only involve two vehicles. However, there are some instances when it becomes a multi-car accident as one vehicle is bumped into another, then into another, creating a domino effect.
Common Causes of Rear-End Wrecks
There are several reasons why rear-end crashes happen, some of the most common include:
- Following too closely: Tailgating is one of the leading causes of rear-end accidents. When someone is following another car too closely, they may not have time to stop if the other car suddenly slows down due to heavier traffic or another reason.
- Driving recklessly: Speeding excessively (generally 15 to 20 MPH or more over the speed limit), weaving from one lane to the other, turning out sharply in front of an oncoming car, failure to yield the right of way, and many other actions fall into this category.
- Distracted driving: Motorists have always had distractions, but the problem has become far worse with the widespread use of smartphones.
- Drunk driving: The use of alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel can be a deadly combination.
- Faulty breaking systems: Some rear-end crashes happen because of brakes that are worn or defective.
Rollover Accidents:
Rollover crashes are fairly rare compared to other types of motor vehicle accidents, but they can be some of the deadliest events that occur on the roadways. In general, rollover accidents happen when a driver loses control of their vehicle before it flips over.
There are number of reasons why this could happen, which may include the type of vehicle, weather conditions, the actions of the driver, and many others.
What are the Most Common Causes of Rollover Crashes?
As mentioned previously, rollover accidents typically result from a convergence of factors that cause a vehicle to get turned over or flipped to its side. Some common factors that contribute to rollovers include:
- Type of Vehicle: The make and model of a vehicle can often be a contributing factor to a rollover crash. Examples of vehicles that fall into this category include older model sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and various types of vans and pickup trucks.
- Vehicle Speed: “Speed kills”, and this slogan is especially true when it comes to rollover crashes. In approximately 40% of rollover accident cases, the driver is going over the speed limit. In addition, nearly 75% of rollovers that involve fatalities happen on roads where the posted speed limit is 55 mph or above.
- Accident Location: A lot of rollovers happen in rural areas where there are no medians, guardrails, or other barriers that prevent a vehicle from crossing the center line or going into the ditch. Without these barriers, the chances of a vehicle rolling over or getting tipped to its side increases.
- Weight of the Vehicle: A heavier vehicle has a higher center of gravity, making it more likely to roll over.
- Driver Negligence: Some type of driver error or negligence often plays a role in a rollover accident.
One of the most common injuries from rear-end wrecks is known as “whiplash.” Whiplash happens from the force at impact, which throws your body back and forth, causing soft tissue injuries in the neck, back, and spinal cord.
Causes of Car Accidents
- Speeding: There is a good reason for the speed limit laws that are posted.
- Reckless Driving: Driving recklessly means driving with wanton disregard for the rules of the road and the safety of others.
- Drunk Driving: A large percentage of car accidents happen because of driver intoxication.
- Drowsy Driving: Drowsy driving is far more common than most people realize. Drowsy driving is not illegal in most states (Mississippi included), and this type of behavior does not get nearly as much attention as drunk driving or distracted driving.
Each of these irresponsible (in legal terms, “negligent”) behaviors can cause serious injury or death to innocent people. If you have been injured in a car accident, our goal is to help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Damages for Car Accident Injury Claims
After someone gets hurt in an auto accident that was someone else’s fault, they are entitled to compensatory damages. These can be grouped into two general categories:
- Economic Damages: These are direct monetary losses that the victim sustains, such as hospitalization costs, costs for surgeries and other types of medical treatment, rehabilitation expenses, the cost of ongoing medical care, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and funeral and burial expenses (in the case of a wrongful death).
- Noneconomic Damages: These are losses that are real but intangible and more difficult to quantify. Examples of noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, psychological distress, loss of enjoyment, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and permanent disability.
Bottom line: In a Mississippi car accident case, unless you are 100% to blame, you should be able to get some compensation for your losses, although it is obviously in your best interests to minimize the percentage of fault you share.
Understanding The True Cost of An Auto Accident
The average economic costs following car accidents per person as per the National Safety Council are:
- Death: $1,615,000
- Physical disabilities: $93,800
- Evident injuries: $27,100
- Possible injuries: $22,300
- No injuries: $11,900
- Property damage only: $4,400 (per vehicle)
It’s crucial to understand that these are average costs as per a study conducted by the National Safety Council. It’s possible for your car accident to be more expensive depending on individual circumstances. It’s also important to remember that as inflation pushes the cost of everything up, the costs listed above will also likely rise.
What to Do after a Car Accident
- Make sure that everyone is safe and OK. If you and your passengers are OK, try to move the car to the shoulder and put up hazard signs or flares. This will help prevent further accidents and injuries and keep traffic flow.
- Remain calm. You may be running on adrenaline and quite upset. You may want to lash out at the driver who caused the accident. Do not allow your emotions to get the best of you. Losing your temper could end up hurting your damages claim and could end up landing you in jail. Let cooler heads prevail instead.
- Call the police. Even though Mississippi does not require you to file a police report if the damage is under $250 or no one is hurt, a police report can be a part of the evidence you’re collecting. Get the police officer’s name and badge number and show him or her proof of vehicle registration and insurance.
- Call the paramedics. You and your passengers may be visibly fine, but it’s always good to double-check.
- Do not admit fault. This could present problems for you later. It’s OK to see if the other driver and passengers are OK, but in general, keep conversations with them to a minimum.
- Write down the names and phone numbers of the other driver, passengers, and witnesses. Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, car tag numbers, the insurer’s name, phone number, and policy number with the other driver. Record the names of witnesses if possible.
- Take photos of the accident scene. Take pictures of the cars from multiple angles. Also take photos of the road or highway including skid marks and the road conditions. You can take video if you want.
- Record what you remember. This may be difficult if you’re in shock, but try to get as much down as you can while it is fresh in your mind. Ask the other passengers and witnesses what happened, if possible.
- Go to the doctor as soon as possible. Even if the paramedics checked you out after the accident, some injuries may show up days later. Not only is this best for your own health, but it will help bolster your insurance claim. It will be easier to get compensation for your medical bills when your injuries are documented.
- Do not accept a settlement without consulting with an attorney first. The other insurance company may contact you in hopes of settling quickly.
What Our Biloxi, MS Vehicle Accident Attorneys Can Do for You
After a serious accident in Biloxi, Mississippi, you may be left feeling helpless. There is a thin line between quality medical treatment, secure employment, and financial security. You are unlikely to collect the full and fair compensatory damages for injuries that you endured in your crash on your own.
Our attorneys at Gardner Law Firm in Biloxi will thoroughly investigate the crash and understand the true cost of the accident. We will guide you throughout the process of receiving the rightful compensation you are entitled to.
Our services include, but are not restricted to:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the accident
- Appraising the total cost of the injury accident damages
- Preparing your case for settlement
- Taking the case to trial if necessary
- Updating you throughout the process
The legal team at Gardner Law Firm will work hard to ensure that you have the best results in your personal injury lawsuit. If the insurance provider refuses to offer a fair settlement, then we will not hesitate to take your case all the way to trial.
Call Us if You’ve been Injured in a Car Accident
Our client-oriented team of personal injury attorneys is available to talk about your car accident and your options for recovering compensation for your injuries. Contact us online or call us today to schedule your free consultation with a member of our legal team. Or if you are not able to come to our office due to serious injuries, we will come to you.
We also handle the following cases:
car accidents in Ocean Springs
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only receive attorney fees if we recover compensation on your behalf