Missy Wigginton

Missy Wigginton

Hello friends and family, I am Missy Wigginton, also known as Mama Justice. When meeting me, some people ask me how I got my name....

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Biloxi Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured as a pedestrian and you believe the accident was someone else’s fault, contact MW Law Firm – Mama Justice to get a free case review. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages.

At one point or another, everyone is a pedestrian. Whether you usually drive or walk to your daily destinations, at some point you will be on the sidewalk, vulnerable with no protection to the motor vehicles moving all around nearby. Being struck by a moving vehicle is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through, and if it happened to you, please know there is legal recourse available in the state of Mississippi.

Though nowhere is completely safe from pedestrian accidents, sidewalks provide a safer space to walk than roads without them. Unfortunately, there are lots of Mississippi roadways that don’t have sidewalks. This poses an even greater threat to walkers than to those who are able to stick to sidewalks, but all pedestrians face some degree of risk when walking out in our communities.

Pedestrian accidents are on the rise in Mississippi and across the United States as well. A report published by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration shows that traffic fatalities involving pedestrians are the highest they have been in the past thirty years. Over 6,000 people are killed every year in pedestrian accidents, which means one pedestrian dies every 88 minutes. Along with the deaths, more than 100,000 pedestrians are admitted to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of non-fatal injuries caused by traffic accidents.

If you or a member of your family were injured in a Biloxi pedestrian accident, you are probably eligible to seek financial compensation. Before you speak to anyone from an insurance carrier, however, it is essential to make sure that you know your rights and understand your legal options. If you don’t, you could lose out on the financial compensation you are entitled to. Contact the Biloxi pedestrian accident lawyers at the law firm of MW Law – Mama Justice to schedule your free consultation to discuss your potential case.

At MW Law Firm – Mama Justice, we realize how long-lasting the effects can be when you get injured as a pedestrian or lose a loved one in a fatal accident. Not only are there mounting medical bills and missed wages at work, but you may be left with emotional trauma and mental anguish that can take time to heal.

We have more than four decades of experience advocating for those who were injured due to someone else’s negligence in Biloxi and throughout Mississippi. Our Mississippi personal injury lawyers have a thorough understanding of this field of law, and a strong track record of achieving successful results in even the most complicated personal injury cases.

What Are the Leading Causes of Biloxi Pedestrian Accidents?

One of the main reasons that crosswalk accidents and other forms of pedestrian accidents have increased so steadily over the past several years is simply because there has been an increase in the amount of foot traffic. Some of this can be attributed to population growth, but another contributing factor is the increased number of people who are choosing to walk more for health and/or environmental reasons.

Most often, pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent or reckless drivers but they can also be caused by the pedestrian themselves, a motorcycle rider or bicyclist who runs into a pedestrian, or even a third party like the person or agency responsible for maintaining public walkways in a safe condition. Sometimes there are, of course, external factors that are out of anyone’s control that lead to a pedestrian accident. such as inclement weather.

When a driver is liable for a pedestrian accident in Biloxi, it is typically because of:

  • Reckless/aggressive driving: These days, drivers seem to always be in a rush when they are behind the wheel. This causes them to take unnecessary risks, like plowing through an intersection when the light is red. Reckless or aggressive driving endangers everyone on the roadway. Pedestrians, because they have no protection against a vehicle’s impact, are especially vulnerable.
  • Fatigued driving: In today’s fast-paced society, a lot of people drive when they are overly tired or sleep-deprived. This is an especially common problem among commercial drivers, like long-haul truckers. Fatigued drivers not only take the chance of falling asleep behind the wheel, but even if they manage to stay awake, they have delayed reaction times and are less likely to notice their surroundings, such as a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
  • Driving under the influence: Drivers who get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated often make extremely poor decisions. Some behave recklessly by speeding and running red lights, while others have double vision and poor coordination. They often drift into oncoming traffic or veer off the roadway. Any driving behaviors associated with the overconsumption of alcohol are extremely dangerous for someone on foot.
  • Distracted driving: In today’s world, everyone’s on their smartphone most of the time, which inevitably leads to a great deal of distracted driving. It has been proven in multiple studies that texting while driving is every bit as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.

When a pedestrian is liable for a Biloxi traffic accident, it is usually due to:

  • Unlawful crossing: It is not uncommon to see a pedestrian waiting at an intersection, only to see them suddenly dash across the road against the light with a car approaching. Other pedestrians will simply cross somewhere that is not permissable or there is no marked crosswalk.
  • Distracted Pedestrians: Just like drivers, most pedestrians can also be distracted by their smartphones. Looking at their phone while they send text messages, post to social media, take selfies, and watch videos often causes pedestrians to miss noticing an oncoming car. Wearing earbuds can also put a pedestrian at a much higher risk of getting hurt while out walking.
  • Inebriation: Pedestrians, particularly those out at night, are as likely as drivers to be under the influence of alcohol. Drunk pedestrians can stumble into traffic and put themselves in harm’s way.
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