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Driving while distracted continues to cause serious accidents across Mississippi. Injured victims throughout Jackson and surrounding roads may have questions about their insurance options if another driver caused a crash by texting, using a cell phone, eating, or otherwise failing to pay attention. A Jackson distracted driving accident lawyer can explain Mississippi laws related to distracted driving accidents.
Jackson is Mississippi’s most populous city and serves as a major transportation center for the region. Highways like Interstate 20, Interstate 55, and U.S. Highway 49 see large amounts of commuter and commercial traffic, which can lead to distracted driving accidents.
Our attorneys have more than 130 years of combined legal experience helping clients with car accidents, trucking accidents, workers’ compensation claims, medical malpractice, slip-and-fall accidents, and other types of injury claims. Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A. has helped injured individuals and families across Mississippi since 1999, and we can help you in your distracted driving accident claim.
Anytime a driver takes his or her attention away from safely operating a vehicle, distracted driving can occur. Brief distractions may prevent motorists from noticing hazards in time or reacting quickly to avoid a crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,275 people were killed, and 324,819 were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2023. Of all the drivers killed in crashes in 2023, 5% were deemed to be distracted at the time of the accident. Common types of distracted driving include:
Major roadways like Interstate 55, Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 49, and Lakeland Drive regularly handle thousands of commuters every day, making it essential that drivers remain attentive while traveling throughout Jackson.
After an accident, distracted driving may be easy to prove in some situations. In other cases, it could take time to gather evidence from various sources. Some types of evidence used to support a distracted driving accident claim include:
Insurance companies generally assess the accident and the damages done to an injured person before making settlement offers.
Mississippi has enacted laws to help prevent distracted driving accidents. Mississippi Code § 63-33-1 prohibits motorists from sending, reading, or writing text messages while driving. This statute was created in hopes of eliminating crashes attributed to drivers taking their eyes off the road.
In Mississippi, we operate under a pure comparative negligence rule, outlined in Mississippi Code § 11-7-15. If multiple parties share fault for an accident, your compensation can be decreased by your percentage of fault instead of barring you from recovery altogether.
Because distracted drivers often don’t brake or react in time, these crashes can involve significant speed leading up to impact. Injuries in these types of crashes can include:
A victim’s medical records may be used as evidence to show how the crash impacted his or her life.
When you hire a distracted driving lawyer, they can help with numerous aspects of a distracted driving accident claim. An attorney can look at the evidence of the case and inform you of what your legal options are. This often requires interviewing witnesses, obtaining copies of police reports, negotiating with insurance companies, and calculating losses.
A Jackson distracted driving accident attorney can help you meet all deadlines and procedural requirements during the claims process.
If you were involved in a traffic crash in Jackson, the police department typically completes their investigation of the crash before the crash report is made available to the public. The Hinds County Circuit Court, which is located at 407 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS 39201, typically hears civil claims generated from motor vehicle collisions.
Someone who has been injured by a distracted driver can file an insurance claim or personal injury claim to seek compensation. They may have to prove negligence and that they were harmed in order to file a claim against the other driver. Legal options vary depending on the circumstances of fault, injuries, insurance status, and time limits.
Texting while driving in Mississippi is generally a civil offense punishable by $100. A driver caught texting might only receive a traffic ticket, but if distracted driving led to a crash, the driver could be held financially responsible for causing injuries, property damage, and other losses to others involved in the accident. This depends on the facts and circumstances of the crash and the laws that apply.
Mississippi law does not forbid drivers from wearing headphones, but headphones might become a problem if they distract drivers from safely operating their vehicles or reacting to changing conditions. Drivers should always be alert and in control. Headphone use may come into play when determining who was at fault after a crash.
Proof of distracted driving can consist of something more than just a driver’s testimony. Police reports, witness statements, video surveillance, vehicle information, photos, and electronic data can all reveal details about events leading up to a collision. Sometimes habits or statements made post-crash can be useful to prove distraction as well.
Being injured, or suffering property damage, in a distracted driving accident can be frightening and confusing. These cases often come with extensive legal processes long after the accident occurred. If you were injured in a distracted driving accident, Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A., can help you seek the compensation you need. Contact us today to get started on your claim.
Main Office:
120 N Congress St.
Suite 200
Jackson, MS 39201
Call 601-948-8005
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2202 25th Avenue
Suite C-2
Gulfport, MS 39501
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