Every year hundreds of people are killed in Mississippi car accidents, and thousands more are seriously hurt. In 2015, there were 677 traffic fatalities in Mississippi. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this amounts to roughly 22 traffic fatalities for every 100,000 residents in the state. Compared to the U.S. average for the same year, Mississippi had almost double the number of fatalities per 100,000 individuals.
What this means is that for that year, more people in Mississippi died in car accidents than individuals in many other states when population is taken into consideration. This fact is grim, but it also gives us a chance to look at ways in which we can prevent accident fatalities in Mississippi and keep our loved ones safe.
It’s a simple fact that the vast majority of car crashes can be avoided if drivers practice driving with more care and responsibility. When a driver fails to follow the basic laws of traffic or drives recklessly or carelessly, we say that they are negligent. Negligent drivers need to be held accountable for the accidents and injuries they cause. By holding drivers who cause accidents accountable, we make our roads safer for everyone.
In doing so, we can also ensure that any victim who’s injured in a serious accident that was caused by negligence receives the financial compensation they need to recover from their injuries and continue to provide for their loved ones. Biloxi, MS car accident lawyer Corban Gunn is dedicated to holding negligent drivers responsible for the harm they cause.
Examining the Causes for Mississippi Car Accidents
Many factors can contribute to a car accident. Oftentimes, multiple factors will lead up to an incident that results in a crash. This is partially what makes car accident lawsuits so complex.
Here are three of the most common factors that cause car accidents throughout our state and across the entire U.S.:
- Failing to Follow the Rules of Traffic – Many car accidents are caused by drivers who choose to disregard a posted sign or driving law that is in place for a reason. When a driver speeds recklessly, fails to signal when turning, or fails to give a motorcyclist the proper right-of-way, that driver is acting negligently.
- Drunk Driving – According to statistics posted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), drunk driving fatalities accounted for 31% of the total traffic fatalities that occurred in Mississippi during the year 2012. This statistic is sobering. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime and can be prevented. There is no reason to ever get behind the wheel impaired.
- Distracted Driving – Mobile devices are a huge part of our everyday lives. When a driver texts a friend, glances at their social media feed, or takes a moment to update their music playlist, they are averting their eyes and attention away from the road for a moment. A mere second or two can cause an accident. Other distractions—from eating while behind the wheel to talking with a passenger, updating a dashboard GPS system, or driving while overtired—similarly cause a large proportion of our state’s accidents.
All three number one factors can and should be prevented 100% of the time. Other common factors that are caused by negligence and reckless behavior include driving aggressively or acting out in “road rage”. Sometimes a car accident is simply unavoidable, but most of the time, auto wrecks can absolutely be prevented. One way to prevent future accidents is by taking legal action when one occurs and results in serious injury. This sends a message a negligent driver can’t ignore.
Car Insurance Coverage in Mississippi
Mississippi drivers are required by law to carry liability insurance to compensate individuals when they cause a car accident. The minimum amounts required by law include $25,000 for personal injury and up to a total of $50,000 if more than one person is injured in the crash. While this amount may be sufficient to cover most minor injuries, it can be woefully inadequate in the case of a severe injury with long-term consequences to the accident victim.
A serious car accident may cause lasting or permanent injuries requiring long-term care and involving long-term pain or suffering. Such injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, serious burns, compound fractures, and organ damage. If you are seriously hurt, our law office will work to make sure you get the maximum amount of compensation available to care for your present and future needs.
Insurance companies do their best to minimize the amount they must pay out by downplaying the serious nature of your accident or injuries. They may even say your injuries were caused by something other than the car crash. After you are involved in an accident, insurers focus on protecting their profit margins before the needs of their clients.
Additionally, the other driver’s insurance company may argue that their client was not responsible for causing the car collision. It’s a common tactic for the opposing insurer to try and shift the blame onto the other driver. If they can convince a jury that you were even partially to blame, it will reduce the amount of money they have to pay. Insurers will do whatever they can to save money after a client is involved in a car accident. We fight to keep this from happening.
An Experienced Biloxi Car Accident Attorney Can Make a Difference
Getting advice and representation from an attorney experienced in litigating and settling auto accident cases is the most important step you can take toward ensuring you receive the appropriate amount of compensation for your injuries. Car accident lawsuits can be incredibly complex, especially if you’re going up against a major insurance company.
If you were involved in an auto accident in Biloxi, along the Gulf Coast, or throughout southern Mississippi, contact Corban Gunn, Biloxi, MS car accident lawyer, for help with your case. We offer a free initial consultation and have the expertise your case requires.
