JacksonPedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi

If you were hurt in a Jackson pedestrian accident, you generally have 3 years under Mississippi law (Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-49) to file a personal injury claim. A Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer at Mama Justice can investigate what happened, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue money for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. Call us 24/7 for a free consultation.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident as a result of a negligent driver, Mama Justice can help you. Contact our pedestrian accident lawyers in Jackson to get started on your case.

Walking to grab lunch or taking a leisurely stroll is something we should be able to do without any concerns for our safety. Whether you are walking in an urban or suburban area of Jackson, you expect to be able to make it to your destination safely. However, we see thousands of people harmed in disastrous collisions all too often. In Jackson and throughout the state of Mississippi, we see numerous pedestrians harmed in crashes caused by the actions of other drivers sharing the road.

Given the fact that pedestrians and bicyclists do not have the same protection as other motorists, they are more likely to suffer severe injuries after being struck on the road. Whether you were walking alongside the road, crossing the street, or riding your bicycle, you should never have to suffer as a result of a reckless, negligent, or malicious driver.

Should you be victimized by another person’s actions, you have legal rights and you deserve to be compensated by the at-fault driver. Reaching out to a Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible can help to ensure you are in the best position possible to get justice.

At Mama Justice, we work with victims who have been harmed in accidents caused by negligent and reckless motorists. Our team provides trusted and aggressive representation to help victims get the maximum amount of financial compensation available for their legal claims.

We never let our clients accept lowball settlement offers from self-serving insurance companies. Instead, we fight to ensure each victim we work with is able to reach their goals in recovery. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact our personal injury law firm in Jackson at your earliest convenience to get started on your case.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Jackson, MS?

In Mississippi, you generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-49). That sounds like a long time, but it is not. Evidence disappears fast. Skid marks fade, cameras record over their footage, and witnesses forget what they saw at that corner on County Line Road or along I-55. If your claim involves a city or county vehicle, or a public agency, you may have a much shorter notice deadline of just a few months. Deadlines also vary by claim type, so please confirm yours with a Jackson pedestrian accident attorney as soon as you can. The safest move is simple. Call us early, let us preserve the proof, and you protect your right to be paid.

What are the most common types of pedestrian accidents in Jackson?

When we hear people use the term “pedestrian,” we often think about people walking at crosswalks. However, foot traffic can interact with roads in a variety of ways. There are several scenarios that are likely to result in injuries to pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created a list of the most common circumstances surrounding pedestrian accidents across the country. These include:

Turning Vehicle Accidents

These accidents take place when vehicles make left or right turns without first checking for foot traffic.

Mid-Block Accidents

There are many instances where pedestrians are struck in areas outside of crosswalks. Drivers are less likely to look for pedestrians crossing roadways in unmarked areas. As a result, we see many mid-block accidents take place.

Walker/Jogger Accidents

People who are traveling in the same direction as traffic may not be able to see approaching hazards. Drivers who fail to exercise extreme care to avoid crashes are likely to strike joggers and walkers.

Multiple Threats

When people are crossing a street that has more than one lane traveling in either direction, vehicles may not be able to see the pedestrians due to their line of sight being blocked by other stopped vehicles. If approaching vehicles do not stop for pedestrians, they may not be able to react in time to avoid being harmed.

Bus-Related Accidents

City and school buses often play a role in mid-block pedestrian crossings. These vehicles can stop in designated areas to pick up and drop off riders. When people follow too closely, fail to obey traffic control devices, and pass buses, they increase the risk of pedestrians being seriously harmed or killed.

Not only do pedestrian crashes take place at an alarming rate on roadways across our area, but we see countless victims harmed in alleys, parking lots, and various other areas where both foot and vehicle traffic take place at the same time. Working with a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Jackson to discuss your accident can help you determine legal options available for you moving forward.

Contact Mama Justice – MW Law Firm online or by phone at (833) 626-2587 today for a free and confidential consultation.

What causes most pedestrian accidents in Jackson?

Pedestrian accidents can take place for a variety of reasons. In many instances, these accidents can be attributed to some form of negligence. Here in Jackson, nearly four out of every five accidents are caused by drivers engaging in reckless and negligent driving behaviors, such as:

Failing to yield the right of way

Pedestrians are often afforded the right of way at any designated crossing area and some unmarked locations as well. When drivers fail to allow pedestrians to cross safely, it can have life-changing consequences.

Speeding

When drivers fail to maintain a safe speed while traveling, they are often unable to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road. In other instances, unsafe speeds prevent drivers from maintaining a single lane, and, as a result, they may strike pedestrians on sidewalks, shoulders, and other areas.

Driving while impaired

Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to crash into pedestrians. There are many cases where drunk driving crashes occur when motorists drive up onto sidewalks and shoulders and strike innocent pedestrians.

Driving while distracted

Driving while using a cell phone, messing with the radio, or engaging in other distracting behaviors can have life-changing consequences for others sharing the road. We see many pedestrians injured as a result of driver inattention.

Drowsy driving

When people are tired or falling asleep behind the wheel, they are likely to lose control of their vehicles and strike others traveling in the area. These vehicles can veer off the road and strike innocent bystanders and pedestrians.

Running red lights

There are many instances where pedestrians take advantage of red lights to cross the road at intersections. Unfortunately, there are cases where drivers run red lights and, as a result, they crash into innocent parties crossing the road.

In addition, there are various factors that often contribute to pedestrian accidents. These include:

• Traveling at night, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. increases the risk of being harmed.
• Traveling in dark areas with dark clothing can make it difficult for drivers to see you.
• Traveling by foot during inclement weather conditions.
• Traveling in busy cities rather than in rural areas.

Pedestrian crashes across Jackson are becoming increasingly more dangerous. Over the past decade, we have seen a significant increase in the number of pedestrian deaths in our area and across the entire state.

When SUVs are involved in pedestrian accidents, the chances of catastrophic and fatal injuries are dramatically increased. These vehicles commonly strike the midsections of victims rather than their legs. This makes it more likely that victims will suffer internal organ damages than those who are struck by vehicles at lower areas of their bodies. These vehicles are also slower to stop when compared to other passenger vehicles due to their weight and they have more blind spots than other vehicles.

Children and elderly individuals involved in pedestrian accidents are more likely to suffer severe injuries in accidents. These age groups tend to cross roadways more slowly, which leaves them vulnerable to negligent and impatient drivers.

If you have been injured in an accident due to these or other acts of negligence, you should seek the assistance of a Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer at Mama Justice as soon as possible. You may have legal options available to help you recover.

Who can be held liable for a pedestrian accident in Jackson?

More than one party may owe you money after a pedestrian crash, and finding all of them is one of the most important things we do. The most common at-fault party is the driver who hit you, especially when they were speeding, distracted by a phone, impaired, or turning without looking for people in the crosswalk. But drivers are not always the only ones responsible. Here are parties we look at in a Jackson pedestrian case:

• The driver who struck you, and sometimes their employer if they were working at the time.
• A truck accident involving a delivery company whose driver was on the clock.
• A vehicle owner who let an unsafe or unlicensed driver use their car.
• A government body responsible for a broken signal, missing crosswalk, or dangerous road design.
• A repair shop or parts maker if failed brakes or lights caused the crash.

You should not have to sort this out from a hospital bed. We investigate the scene, pull the reports and any camera footage, and identify every insurance policy that might cover your losses.

How are pedestrians protected in Jackson?

Pedestrians throughout Jackson are afforded protection while traveling. There are several laws in place that are designed to protect pedestrians crossing roadways throughout the city. It is crucial that pedestrians obey traffic-control devices that indicate to “WALK” or “DON’T WALK.” These lights help guide pedestrians by providing them with a safe opportunity to cross the street with little worry.

Drivers sharing the road must yield to pedestrians who enter or are traveling in crosswalks. Vehicles should never pass others who are stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the road. It is also important that motorists never stop in or block crosswalks.

These rules were created under the assumption that vehicles will remain on the roadway where they are supposed to be and follow all of the rules. Unfortunately, these laws cannot protect pedestrians against drivers who fail to obey stop signs, red lights, and other traffic control devices.

The majority of pedestrian accidents we see in Jackson are caused by drivers. However, it is important to understand that pedestrians are required to act cautiously while crossing roadways. If you have been harmed in a pedestrian accident, you may have legal options available to recover. Nationally, pedestrian deaths remain near their highest levels in decades, which is why crosswalk design and driver attention matter so much.

What injuries do Jackson pedestrian accidents cause?

Because a person on foot has no protection, even a low-speed crash can cause serious injuries, and pedestrian crashes send hundreds of thousands of people to emergency rooms every year.

The fact that pedestrians are entirely exposed during accidents means they are likely to suffer severe injuries that require immediate medical care. Some of the most common injuries suffered by pedestrians involved in crashes include:

Depending on the type and severity of injuries, victims may have to go through surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation. Given the vulnerability of pedestrians, these victims are likely to suffer severe injuries that leave them permanently disabled and unable to work. When pedestrians are harmed in Jackson car accidents as a result of negligent drivers, they may be entitled to compensation to help them move forward.

Call us at (833) 626-2587 to discuss your situation during a free consultation. You may also contact us using our free online case evaluation form.

What compensation can I recover after a Jackson pedestrian accident?

The Jackson pedestrian accident lawyers at Jackson personal injury team work diligently to help victims recover the maximum amount of compensation available to them. Our team will meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your accident and identify all liable parties. We will gather evidence in support of your claim and help determine the amount of economic and non-economic damages you suffer then we will take an aggressive approach to help you get the maximum amount of compensation available to you. Some of the damages we help our clients recover compensation for include:

If your loved one has lost their life in a pedestrian accident, Mama Justice will help you get the maximum amount of compensation available for these damages as well as financial compensation for funeral expenses, burial costs, and more by pursuing wrongful death claims. Our law firm takes a knowledgeable and compassionate approach toward providing each client we work with only the most trusted and valuable representation possible.

What is my Jackson pedestrian accident case worth?

Every case is different, so no honest lawyer can promise a number. What we can tell you is what shapes the value. In general, the bigger and longer-lasting the harm, the more your claim is worth. The main factors we look at are:

• The cost of your medical care, both what you have paid and what you will need going forward.
• Wages you lost while healing, plus any hit to your ability to earn in the future.
• The severity of your injuries, such as a broken bone versus a traumatic brain injury.
• Pain, scarring, and how the injury changes your daily life.
• The available insurance coverage on every at-fault party.

Our results reflect what strong preparation can do, including a $950,000 recovery for a brain injury and multiple seven-figure results in serious crash cases. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and every case turns on its own facts. Tell us your story and we will give you a straight answer about what is realistic.

What should I do after a pedestrian accident in Jackson?

What you do in the first hours and days can protect both your health and your claim. If you are able, take these steps:

1. Call 911 and get medical care right away, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries hide at first.
2. Report the crash to the police and make sure a report is filed.
3. Take photos of the scene, the vehicle, the road, and your injuries if you can.
4. Get names and phone numbers from any witnesses before they leave.
5. Do not admit fault or guess about what happened at the scene.
6. Save everything, including bills, work notes, and the shoes and clothes you were wearing.
7. Talk to a Jackson pedestrian accident lawyer before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company.
If you were too hurt to do these things, do not worry. We can gather much of this proof for you. The most important step is getting checked out and then calling us.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You can still recover money in Mississippi even if you were partly at fault. Mississippi follows a rule called pure comparative negligence. That means your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame, but it is not erased. If your total losses were $100,000 and you were found 20 percent at fault, you could still recover $80,000. Insurance companies know this rule, and they will often try to pin extra blame on you to shrink what they pay. Do not accept their version of events. We push back with evidence, from crosswalk signals to driver phone records, to keep your share of fault as low as the facts allow.

Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim in Jackson?

You are not required to hire a lawyer, but pedestrian cases are some of the toughest injury claims to handle alone. The injuries are usually severe, the medical bills climb fast, and insurers know a person walking has no steel frame or airbags to point to. Having a lawyer levels the field. At Mama Justice, we handle the paperwork, the deadlines, and the hard conversations with the insurance company so you can focus on healing. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we win money for you. The first conversation is free, and it costs you nothing to find out where you stand.