Southaven Car Accident Lawyer

Southaven Car Accident Lawyer

The days and weeks after a car accident can be overwhelming and confusing. You are likely in pain and are unsure what to do next, how to get your medical expenses paid by the insurance company, and whether or not you need legal help. When you are bombarded with questions, a Southaven car accident lawyer can provide answers, guide you through the process, and negotiate with insurance companies, all on your behalf. They will be a steadfast support system.

Stroud, Flechas & Dalton may be a small firm, but we get big results for our clients. We are committed to getting you the care and representation you need when you need it the most. Dealing with injuries, recovery, and insurance companies is not the time to go it alone. A Southaven personal injury lawyer will provide you with dedicated service to get you compensation as quickly as possible.

Car Accident Injuries and Their Effects

Car accident injuries can significantly vary depending on the level of impact and trauma involved in a collision. External factors may also play a role in how minimal or severe the accident is. Some common car accident injuries Mississippi residents could suffer from include:

Whiplash
Lacerations and bruising
Internal bleeding and damage to organs
Spine and back injury
Neck injuries
Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
Broken and fractured bones
Knee injuries
Broken or bruised ribs

It is crucial to receive medical care immediately following an accident. Quick action could prevent further injury or complications. It could also save your life. Your outward injuries are not an accurate indicator of your true condition. Internal injuries can only be assessed by a medical professional through tests and other diagnostic measures.

Continue to monitor your condition even after being released from a doctor’s care. Some injuries may not show up for days or weeks afterward. If you begin noticing injuries that were not there before, or your existing condition deteriorates, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for a follow-up appointment.

Additionally, maintain all of your medical records during your initial and follow-up care. Insurance adjusters and your lawyer will review this information to determine the value of your losses and compensation. Failure to seek medical care or keep documentation may hurt your claim.

Factors That Contribute to Car Accidents

While negligence is the underlying cause of most car accidents, there are still multiple factors that can contribute to an accident and influence its severity level. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI), speeding, distractions, and lack of seat belts were among the top contributing factors in car accident fatalities. Additionally, the majority of accidents occur during the evening and on weekends.

It is important to be aware and take precautions when on the road, as most accidents could be prevented with an adequate amount of caution. As such, negligence occurs when a reasonable level of care is not shown to accommodate these factors. When this is the reason another driver hurt you, your lawyer can speak to this when demonstrating that negligence occurred. It is important to talk with car accident attorneys near me to ensure sufficient information and evidence are provided on this point.

Mississippi Car Accident Statistics

According to the World Population Review, the overall death rate for car accidents in the U.S. is 13.8, while Mississippi possesses the highest death rate at 25.40. Death rates are often used to show the number of deaths per 100,000 people. While the number of deaths does not rank as high when compared with the number of deaths in other states, Mississippi still had 752 deaths during the most recent year reported.

Protect Your Claim With These Steps After a Car Accident in Southaven, MS

When adrenaline and emotions are running high after an accident, it may be hard to think clearly and know what to do next. However, understanding what to do during and after a car accident can prevent you from putting your claim in jeopardy. To have the best outcome, take the following steps after being injured in a car accident:

Call 911: Receive prompt medical attention from first responders who can assess your condition and get you to a hospital quickly if needed.
File a police report: Request that a police report be filed for an official record. You can and should request a copy of a police report once it is complete for use as evidence.
Exchange information: Exchange contact, vehicle, and insurance information with the other driver while at the scene.
Gather evidence: Take photos and videos of your injuries at the scene. Get statements from any witnesses who might have seen the accident.
Contact insurance: While you will notify your insurance company about the accident, you will actually file an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company.
Hire a car accident attorney near me: Hire a lawyer to help you negotiate with insurance companies or file a personal injury claim against the driver. A lawyer can ensure you are taken seriously and get a fair settlement.

Car Accident Lawyers Near Me Help Navigate the Claim Process

Understanding the personal injury claim process can help make the road ahead less daunting. When you hire car accident lawyers in Southaven, MS, they will help you navigate the legal process. They will also provide clarity and guidance throughout each step so you know what is ahead and feel confident when action is taken.

Once you begin working with a lawyer, they will ensure that you receive a fair settlement from the insurance company and will send them a demand letter challenging any low offers that are received. If an acceptable amount cannot be negotiated and decided on, a lawsuit will be filed. If this cannot be settled out of court, it will proceed to trial.

Trials require that a discovery process be completed. Your lawyer will investigate your case and help gather the evidence needed to demonstrate the negligence that occurred to cause your injuries. They will also develop effective strategies for your case that are specific to your situation.

The Importance of Establishing Negligence and Determining Fault

The standard of negligence must be established in a personal injury claim. Evidence must be produced to show that negligence occurred and that the other driver is at fault. To fulfill this legal requirement, your lawyer must demonstrate the following:

Duty of care: The other driver had an obligation to take reasonable care to keep you safe and prevent harm from coming to you.
Breach of duty: The driver engaged in unnecessary behaviors which failed to uphold their responsibility to you.
Causation: The other driver’s actions directly led to the accident, as well as your injuries and other losses.
Damages: The negligent driver is held liable and is obligated to pay for your damages as restitution.

In some cases, multiple parties can be responsible for causing an accident. Their level of contribution must be shown when determining negligence and fault. This can also affect how much each party may receive in compensation. As such, Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence laws are applied.

According to Mississippi Code § 11-7-15, each party may still claim damages even if they are partially at fault. However, compensation will be reduced in proportion to a person’s percentage of fault. For example, if it is determined that one party is 15% responsible for the collision, their maximum amount of damages will be reduced by 15%.

Be Aware of Mississippi Statute of Limitation Requirements

Car accident victims should be mindful of how long they wait to file a personal injury claim. According to Mississippi Code § 15-1-49, victims are limited to a period of three years before they are barred from making any further claims. However, it is best to talk to a car accident attorney in Southaven, MS as soon as possible. Filing a claim soon after an accident results in a better outcome due to stronger evidence.

A Car accident lawyer Near Me Provides Valuable Support When You Need it the Most

Legal representation can mean the difference between being taken advantage of and receiving a fair settlement. A lawyer safeguards you against those acting in bad faith so your rights are not violated. They are also able to secure better results and larger settlements than if you were to resolve your case on your own.

Another advantage of working with a lawyer is that you have someone who knows the language to use when dealing with insurance companies and opposing representation. This helps them negotiate effectively. Your lawyer also knows what these parties are looking for in order to avoid paying you, and your lawyer can help you avoid saying or doing anything that might hurt your claim and prevent you from receiving your compensation.

How a Car Accident Attorney Near Me Can Help Secure a Fair Settlement

Expensive medical bills, vehicle damage costs, and more can be overwhelming and make you feel like you are treading water. To minimize the stress of paying for these expenses out of your own pocket, damages from a personal injury claim can offset your losses and allow you to pay for the care you need.

To get an accurate picture of what you can recover after a car accident in Southaven, it is essential to talk with the car accident attorneys representing you. There are many variables that can impact your settlement, and your lawyer can review your case with you to get an accurate picture of which damages you may be entitled to. They can also ensure that all relevant expenses and losses are factored in when estimating the projected value of your compensation. Your lawyer will use these estimates to negotiate a settlement you are satisfied with.

Below is a closer look at the types of damages you may be able to recover after a car accident and how they are calculated.

Economic Damages

Economic damages exist to help you recover the financial expenses that you are currently facing, as well as those that are ongoing. Depending on the severity of your injuries, they can also help cover the costs of medical equipment or adjustments you must make to your home.

Calculating economic damages is straightforward. Bills for medical treatments, repair estimates for vehicle damages, and documentation of reduced or lost income from an inability to work can be added up to determine the value of your losses. These records will also serve as evidence when establishing negligence.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are much less straightforward than economic damages. This type of compensation is for the pain and suffering you have experienced. Car accidents are traumatic and may also impact your ability to enjoy life, company, or get through the day without PTSD symptoms.

In other words, non-economic damages are not able to be precisely calculated. Those damages are based upon the pain you feel, both emotional and physical. The amount of money paid for non-economic damages is most often based upon the severity of the injury, how long the injury lasts, and the overall impact that the injury has on your life, including activities you can no longer enjoy doing because of the injury. It is important that you consult with a car accident lawyer, like those at Stroud, Flechas, & Dalton, who understand the value of your non-economic damages and will fight to get you fair compensation for what you have lost.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are seldom used and are reserved for instances of extreme gross negligence or malice. In these cases, your losses may be so severe that you need additional compensation to cover them fully. As its name implies, punitive damages are also designed to punish the actions of the party liable for your damages and deter them from any similar future behavior.

Entrust Your Representation to Stroud, Flechas & Dalton

Stroud, Flechas & Dalton believe in earning your trust through a commitment to compassionate and loyal service that prioritizes your needs above all else. We give you a voice and relentlessly fight to get you the maximum compensation that allows you to recover with peace of mind. Contact us to learn more about our award-winning team and the results we can get for you. Schedule your free consultation online or call us at (662) 667-1870.

Working with Insurance Companies after a Car Accident:

Learn what you can do if the insurance company is not offering to pay for all of your damages.