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…. View ProfileOur Awards
Mississippi Bar Association
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Avvo Reviews
American Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
U. S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
U. S. District Courts for Northern and Southern Mississippi
Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi
United States Bankruptcy Court
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi
If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, Mama Justice can help you. Contact our drunk driving accident lawyers in Jackson to get started on your case.
Types of Drunk Driving Accidents in Jackson
There are numerous instances where impaired drivers enter the wrong way on highways throughout the Jackson area. When drivers fail to go the correct way down the road, or they enter into the opposing lane of traffic, they are likely to crash head-on into other vehicles.
People who are impaired are not always able to rationalize what is taking place. As a result, drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to run red lights, pass stop signs, and disregard traffic control devices. When drunk drivers enter intersections without having the right of way, they can crash into the side of other vehicles. The broadside collision, also known as a T-bone crash, can result in vehicles overturning and trapping occupants inside.
There are many instances where impaired drivers have a difficult time slowing down in time to avoid crashing. As a result, we see many impaired drivers strike slowing or stopped vehicles at intersections, red lights, and in construction zones. Alcohol impairs the driver’s ability to react while operating their vehicle, which is why it is such a dangerous thing to do.
Driving while intoxicated can make it a challenge for drivers to maintain a single lane while operating their vehicles. As a result, we see many drivers drift into parallel lanes and crash into other vehicles. These actions can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, rollover, and suffer severe injuries.
When drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are likely to experience difficulties controlling their vehicles. As a result, they are likely to be involved in rollover crashes. Rollover accidents often result in severe injuries that require immediate medical care.
How Our Jackson Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Will Help You
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
- Gathering evidence from the scene of the accident.
- Working with experts who can recreate the circumstances surrounding your accident.
- Determining the economic and non-economic damages you face from your accident.
- Helping you get the medical care you need.
- Handling insurance companies to help you recover compensation.
- Providing aggressive and fearless representation in court.
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Current medical expenses
- Anticipated care costs
- Punitive damages
Negligent Entrustment and Third Party Liability
Motor vehicle accidents in Mississippi are often a result of at least one person engaging in reckless and negligent actions. When drunk driving accidents occur, there are various parties who may assume liability for the resulting injuries and damages. A thorough investigation can help to identify all liable parties when it comes to your accident.
Our state allows victims of drunk driving accidents to pursue legal action against entrusted parties. For example, if a person knowingly sold alcohol to a person who was already impaired, and the impaired person chose to drive their vehicle and cause a crash, the party that provided them with the alcohol may be held accountable as well.
There are several factors that come into play when it comes to filing a third-party liability claim due to negligent entrustment. These include proving that:
- The owner of the vehicle entrusted it to the driver.
- The driver was unlicensed, negligent, or inexperienced.
- The owner of the vehicle knew or had adequate proof that the motorist was incompetent, unlicensed, or careless.
- The driver’s conduct was negligent.
- The negligent actions of the driver were the proximate cause of the crash.
When it comes to drunk driving accidents, victims can file legal claims against parties who allow individuals who have a history of careless driving to use their vehicles. If a person has a history of drunk driving, and someone allows them to use their vehicle anyway, they can be held liable for your injuries and damages along with the driver.
Cases of negligent entrustment can also extend to employer liability. If a company entrusts an employee with an automobile after knowing they are an unfit motorist, they can be held liable.
Courts across Mississippi provide victims with the ability to file legal claims against employers who engage in negligent hiring and retaining of employees. In order to prevail, you will need to prove that the employer knowingly allowed an employee, who was deemed to be incompetent, to use their vehicle at the time of the drunk driving accident.
Finally, parents who allow their children to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be held liable for any resulting injuries and damages from a drunk driving accident.
Our Jackson drunk driving accident lawyers can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your accident and help you to determine if any third-party legal claims are possible to help you get justice.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Accidents involving drunk drivers are 100% preventable. When people engage in these truly reckless actions, it never has a good outcome for other drivers sharing the road. The unfortunate truth is that many people feel they are not “too impaired” to operate their vehicles. As a result, they enter the roadway when they truly have no ability to control their vehicles. In Mississippi, even drunk driving is considered drunk driving.
Reports provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that, in certain situations, even one drink can be considered too many drinks to operate a vehicle. Alcohol can have an immediate impact on drivers and greatly impede important skills that they need to drive safely. These skills include:
Drivers who are impaired are often unable to clearly judge situations while operating their vehicles. The brain stores all of your knowledge and experience, and allows you to quickly determine how to handle problems as soon as they arise. Alcohol and other drugs affect the brain, making it more challenging for drivers to make quick decisions.
The most important thing to have while driving is your ability to see clearly. Alcohol can severely impair your ability to see vehicles, people, and other objects in front of you. Not being able to see clearly can impact a driver’s ability to judge the distance they have between vehicles, creating an extremely dangerous situation on the road.
Colors of signs, signals, and markings provide key information to drivers to let them know what actions they should take while operating their vehicle. Drivers who are impaired by alcohol may have a difficult time distinguishing the colors.
Alcohol severely impacts a driver’s ability to process information and respond quickly. When drivers are impaired, they can become drowsy and less aware of their surroundings.
Drivers who have a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 percent are considered to be impaired under Mississippi state law. However, getting to this point can vary drastically from driver to driver. For this reason, it is never a good idea to drive whether you are slightly intoxicated or blatantly drunk, as it can result in life-changing consequences for you and other drivers.
Mama Justice is Here For You
Contact our Jackson personal injury law firm today by calling (662) 262-6264.
