Car Accident Attorney in Pascagoula

Each year, there are thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities on Mississippi roadways. In fact, according to the Journal of Pediatrics, more Mississippi children are killed in car crashes per capita than in any other state. Some auto accidents are due to circumstances beyond human control, such as poor weather. Far too many, however, are caused by the negligent or reckless actions of other motorists. If you or someone close to you has suffered seriously injury or death in an auto accident, it is important to speak with a seasoned personal injury attorney, so you understand your rights and options.

At Gardner Law Firm, we have four decades of experience representing individuals wrongly injured or killed in car accidents in Pascagoula and throughout south Mississippi. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of this area of the law, and what it takes to ensure that those responsible for motor vehicle accidents are held accountable. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll serious personal injuries can have on victims and their families, and we fight hard to obtain full compensation for your injuries.

Legal Representation for Motor Vehicle Accidents in Mississippi

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle collision in Mississippi, understanding your legal options is a vital step toward recovery. Our firm provides legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others on the road. We handle a wide variety of cases involving different types of vehicles and circumstances.

Car Accidents

Passenger vehicle collisions are among the most common causes of personal injury in Mississippi. These incidents often involve high speeds, distracted driving, or failure to follow traffic signals. When we represent a client in a car accident case, we focus on identifying the cause of the crash and documenting the impact it has had on the victim’s life.

Mississippi follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you may still be able to recover a portion of your losses. We help clients navigate these specific legal standards to ensure their rights are protected during negotiations with insurance companies or in a court of law.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on Mississippi highways. Because motorcycles lack the structural protection of a car, riders often face significant physical challenges following an impact. Drivers of larger vehicles frequently fail to see motorcycles or do not give them the full width of a lane.

Our role is to demonstrate how another driver’s failure to share the road led to the incident. We look at road conditions, witness statements, and police reports to build a clear picture of what happened. We understand the unique biases motorcyclists often face and work to ensure the facts of the case remain the focus of the legal process.

Pickup Truck Accidents

Pickup trucks are a common sight across Mississippi, used for both personal transportation and work. Due to their size and weight, collisions involving pickup trucks can result in substantial property damage and physical harm. These cases sometimes involve unique factors, such as improperly secured cargo or trailers that contribute to a loss of control.

We assist victims in determining whether a pickup truck driver was operating their vehicle safely. If the truck was being used for work purposes at the time of the crash, there may be additional legal considerations regarding the driver’s employer. We investigate these details to identify all parties who may be legally responsible.

18-Wheeler Trucking Accidents

Accidents involving 18-wheelers and large semi-trucks are often the most complex cases we handle. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them incredibly dangerous when a collision occurs. Because the trucking industry is governed by both state and federal regulations, these cases require a thorough review of specific records.

When representing a victim of a trucking accident, we may examine driver logs, maintenance records, and “black box” data from the truck. We look for evidence of driver fatigue, improper loading, or mechanical failure. These cases often involve large trucking corporations and their insurance providers, making dedicated legal representation essential for the injured party.

Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Commercial vehicles include delivery vans, utility trucks, and service vehicles owned by businesses. When a driver for a company causes an accident, the legal situation differs from a standard two-car crash. The company that owns the vehicle may be held liable for the actions of its employee while they are on the clock.

Our firm looks into the hiring and training practices of the company involved. We check if the driver was properly licensed and if the vehicle was maintained according to safety standards. Representing victims in these cases involves dealing with corporate legal teams, and we are prepared to handle those interactions on behalf of our clients.

Bus Accidents

Whether it is a city bus, a school bus, or a private charter, accidents involving buses affect many people at once. These cases can be complicated because the bus might be operated by a government entity, which introduces specific rules regarding “sovereign immunity” and much shorter deadlines for filing a claim.

We help passengers on the bus, as well as occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash, understand how to proceed. We investigate the driver’s history and the bus company’s safety record to find out why the accident occurred. Protecting the rights of those injured in bus accidents requires a careful approach to the specific statutes governing public and private transportation.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists have a legal right to use Mississippi roads, but they are often put at risk by inattentive drivers. Accidents involving bicycles frequently happen at intersections or when a driver attempts to pass a cyclist without leaving enough space.

In these cases, we focus on the “vulnerable road user” aspect of the law. We work to show that the cyclist was following the rules of the road and that the driver failed in their duty to exercise caution. Because bicycle accidents often result in long-term medical needs, we emphasize the importance of securing the resources necessary for a full recovery.

Pedestrian Accidents

Individuals walking near or crossing Mississippi streets are at extreme risk when drivers are distracted or speeding. Pedestrian accidents often occur in parking lots, crosswalks, or along rural roads without sidewalks. The injuries sustained in these incidents are almost always life-altering.

Our legal representation for pedestrians focuses on the driver’s failure to yield the right of way. We gather evidence from nearby surveillance cameras, dashcams, and witnesses to prove that the driver was at fault. We strive to provide a voice for pedestrians who have been harmed by the negligence of motorists.

Seeking Legal Help in Mississippi

Navigating the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident is difficult. Our firm is here to manage the legal aspects of your recovery so you can focus on your health. We provide clear communication and a dedicated approach to every case we take on across the state of Mississippi. If you have questions about your rights after a crash, reaching out for a legal consultation is the first step toward getting the answers you need.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Pascagoula

There are several reasons motor vehicle accidents occur. Some of the most common include:

Speeding: Many motorists routinely exceed the speed limit, and this behavior results in numerous auto accidents with injuries. In fact, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, speeding accounts for more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities each year.
Driving Recklessly: Tailgating, weaving back and forth between lanes, speeding through school zones and construction zones, road rage, and other forms of reckless or aggressive driving contribute heavily to the number of vehicle accidents.
Drunk Driving: Despite several decades of public relations campaigns against drinking and driving, it is still a huge problem on the roads, especially at night and on weekends. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs results in far too many accidents with injuries and fatalities.
Distracted Driving: Far too many motorists are not paying proper attention because of these types of distractions.
Fatigue: Driving while drowsy or fatigued is a major issue with many drivers.
Product Defects: Some auto accidents are the result of defective vehicle parts. In such cases, there may be a product liability claim against the manufacturer and/or distributor of the faulty part(s).

Car crashes can lead to numerous types of injuries, such as:

Head Injuries (e.g., concussions, traumatic brain injuries, etc.)
Spinal Cord Injuries
Back Injuries
Herniated Disc
Chest Injuries
Arm and Leg Injuries
Scrapes, Cuts and Bruises
Fractures
Burn Injuries
Wrongful Death

How Does a Mississippi Car Accident Claim Work?

If you are injured in a motor vehicle crash in Pascagoula or anywhere in Southern Mississippi, there are several important steps you should take right away:

Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and for anyone else who was hurt at the accident scene;
Report the accident to the police;
If you are able, take multiple photos of the scene of the accident;
Exchange information with the other drivers. Get the name, address, phone number, name of the insurer, and the insurer’s phone number and policy number;
Obtain the contact information of anyone who witnesses the incident;
Write down/record the details of the incident;
Do NOT admit to any fault for the accident;
Speak with our experienced car accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Pursuing a personal injury claim after an auto accident can be a complex and confusing process. Our attorneys thoroughly analyze the incident to determine who was at fault and the right path to obtaining damages. In some cases, there may be multiple parties who are potentially at fault. We put our extensive experience to work to identify the important facts and evidence in the case and put together the best legal strategy going forward. We handle the entire process for you from start to finish, including filing your claim, dealing with your insurance adjuster, negotiating with the other side, and pursuing litigation if necessary.

We are skilled litigators and strong negotiators. Most of our adversaries are familiar with us and our successful track record of obtaining large damage awards for clients through litigation. In many cases, our proven track record motivates the other side to settle the case without going to court. If the other side is not willing to be reasonable, however, we are ready and able to aggressively advocate for your rights and interests at trial and upon appeal.

Damages Available in Mississippi Auto Accident Cases

Navigating the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident is often an overwhelming experience. Beyond the immediate physical trauma, victims are frequently saddled with mounting financial burdens and psychological distress. In the realm of personal injury law, the primary mechanism for addressing these harms is the awarding of “damages.” These are monetary awards intended to compensate the injured party—the plaintiff—for the losses sustained due to the negligence of another.

In the state of Mississippi, as in most jurisdictions, compensation is generally categorized into two primary forms: economic and non-economic damages. Understanding the nuances of these categories and how state-specific negligence laws affect them is very important for any claimant.

Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs

Economic damages are intended to compensate a victim for verifiable monetary losses. These are often referred to as “special damages” because they can be calculated with relative precision using bills, receipts, and expert financial projections.

Property Damage

This is often the most immediate concern. It covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any personal property inside the car that was destroyed during the collision (such as laptops, cell phones, or specialized equipment). If the vehicle is “totaled,” the damage is based on the fair market value of the car at the time of the accident.

Current and Future Medical Expenses

Medical debt is a leading cause of financial ruin following an accident. Economic damages cover every aspect of medical care necessitated by the crash, including:

Emergency room visits and ambulance fees.
Hospital stays and surgical procedures.
Diagnostic testing (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans).
Prescription medications and medical devices (crutches, wheelchairs).
Future Care: For those with chronic injuries, damages must also account for future surgeries or ongoing treatments that will be required years down the line.

Rehabilitation Costs

Recovery often extends far beyond the initial hospital stay. Rehabilitation damages cover physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. If the injury results in a permanent disability, this may also include the cost of modifying a home (e.g., installing ramps) or hiring in-home nursing care.

Current and Future Loss of Earnings

If your injuries prevent you from working, you are entitled to the wages you lost during your recovery. More significantly, if the accident results in a long-term impairment that limits your ability to perform your previous job—or any job at all—you may claim “loss of earning capacity.” This involves calculating what you would have earned over the remainder of your career had the accident never occurred.

Non-Economic Damages: The Intangible Toll

Non-economic damages, or “general damages,” compensate for the subjective, non-monetary consequences of an accident. While harder to quantify, these often represent the most profound impact on a victim’s life.

Physical Pain and Suffering

This compensates for the actual physical pain endured at the time of the accident and during the subsequent recovery process. Chronic pain conditions resulting from the crash are also factored into this valuation.

Emotional Distress

Serious accidents are traumatic events. Victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Emotional distress damages acknowledge that the mental scars of an accident can be just as debilitating as physical ones.

Diminished Quality of Life

When an injury prevents a person from enjoying the hobbies, family activities, and daily routines they once cherished, they may seek compensation for a diminished quality of life. This is particularly relevant in cases involving paralysis, loss of limb, or severe scarring.

The Legal Framework: Pure Comparative Negligence in Mississippi

One of the most critical aspects of pursuing an auto accident claim in Mississippi is the state’s adherence to the doctrine of pure comparative negligence.

In many states, if a plaintiff is found to be 50% or 51% at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation. However, Mississippi is more lenient. Under the “pure” standard, a plaintiff can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for the accident. The law simply requires that the plaintiff’s total recovery be reduced by their percentage of fault.

A Practical Example

Imagine a scenario where a driver is hit by someone who ran a red light. However, it is determined that the first driver was speeding at the time, which contributed to the severity of the collision.

Total Damages: $100,000
Plaintiff’s Fault: 25% (for speeding)
Defendant’s Fault: 75% (for running the light)

In this case, the plaintiff would receive 75% of the total award, resulting in a payout of $75,000. This system ensures that while parties are held accountable for their own negligence, they are not completely stripped of their right to compensation due to a partial error.

Speak with an Experienced Pascagoula Car Accident Lawyer

When you are injured in an auto accident, the insurance company will typically try to settle the case quickly and for a fraction of what you are entitled to, so they can get it off their books. DO NOT agree to any settlement in a personal injury case without first talking with one of our skilled attorneys. We will evaluate your case and fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation with our office, contact us today by sending a confidential message, calling us at 228-762-6555 or visiting our Pascagoula office on Canty Street.