Growing traffic across Southaven and DeSoto County means more wrecks, and insurers rarely offer you a fair shake. Mama Justice fights for what you deserve. Call now for a free consultation!
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you may have legal options available. Contact our Southaven car accident lawyers at Mama Justice to protect your rights today.
The state of Mississippi has more than 2 million licensed drivers. As you can imagine, our roads see their fair share of drivers here in Southaven. Although the majority of motorists are careful while traveling throughout the area, we see numerous people engage in negligent actions that lead to crashes. Being harmed in a motor vehicle accident is one of the most difficult things anyone can ever deal with.
If you have been injured in a car crash, it is important that you work quickly to protect your legal rights. By reaching out to a personal injury lawyer in Southaven as soon as possible, you will be in the best position to protect your legal rights.
The Southaven car accident lawyers at Mama Justice know first-hand what victims of car accidents are forced to go through. Dealing with painful physical injuries and suffering the mental and emotional consequences while being weighed down by the financial impacts can seem nearly impossible. For this reason, we are committed to helping each victim we work with in their pursuit of justice.
Written by the Mama Justice legal team · Legally reviewed by Missy Wigginton, Founding Attorney (“Mama Justice”).
If you were injured in a Southaven, Mississippi car accident, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a claim under Mississippi law (Miss. Code §15-1-49). A Southaven car accident lawyer at Mama Justice can investigate who was at fault, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue money for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us 24/7 for a free consultation.
Car accidents can take place for a variety of reasons. We see many people harmed in accidents due to the actions of others. In fact, some of the leading causes of collisions in Southaven include:
Drivers who are speeding
Impairment
Reckless drivers
Tailgating/following too closely
Drowsy drivers
Poor road conditions and other hazards
Not adequately servicing a vehicle
Defective auto parts
Animals in the road
Construction zones
Tire blowouts
Improper turns
Inclement weather conditions
Driver distractions
Driver inexperience
Statistics show that nearly 34% of fatal collisions in the state of Mississippi involve at least one driver who is under the influence of alcohol. Nationwide, about one person is killed in a drunk-driving crash every 39 minutes, according to the NHTSA. Roughly one out of every five accidents, whether ending in injury or death, involves a drunk driver. If a drunk driver caused your crash, our Southaven drunk driving accident lawyers can help you hold them accountable. Although there are laws in place to prevent drivers from entering our roads while impaired, it continues to be a leading issue in Southaven and across the entire state. In fact, Mississippi has the fourth-highest DUI fatality rate in the country.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Southaven, Mississippi?
In Mississippi, you generally have three years from the date of your crash to file a car accident lawsuit. This deadline comes from the state statute of limitations (Miss. Code §15-1-49). If you wait too long, the court can throw your case out, no matter how badly you were hurt or how clear the other driver’s fault was.
Some deadlines are shorter. If your crash involved a city bus, a county vehicle, or another government entity here in DeSoto County, you may have far less time and extra notice steps to follow. Claims that involve a death, a minor, or an insurance dispute can follow different timelines too. Deadlines vary by claim type, so the safest move is to talk with a Southaven car accident lawyer as soon as you can. The sooner we start, the easier it is to find witnesses, save camera footage from spots like I-55, Church Road, and Goodman Road, and protect your right to be paid.
Driver Negligence Causes Crashes
We see many accidents take place due to the actions of reckless drivers. In fact, nearly 80% of collisions in Mississippi each year are caused by some type of negligence. Negligence can take many forms and have a life-changing impact on the lives of other drivers sharing the road.
Some of the most common types of negligence include:
Drivers failing to maintain control of their vehicle
Aggressive driving behaviors
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving while using cell phones or while distracted by other objects or people
Running red lights and stop signs
Changing lanes without looking or in an aggressive manner
Failing to obey road signs/traffic lights
If you have been harmed in a motor vehicle accident due to a driver who engaged in negligent actions while operating their vehicle, you may have legal options available to help you get justice. Speaking to a car accident lawyer in Southaven as soon as possible will ensure you are in the best position possible to hold negligent drivers accountable.
Crashes Caused by Distractions
Driving while distracted is another commonly reported factor involved in crashes across Southaven. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that driving while distracted can be just as dangerous as operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When it comes to distractions, it is important to recognize the three forms of distractions that impact drivers across our state. These include:
Visual distractions
These distractions are objects that take the attention of drivers off the road ahead. When drivers fail to remain alert of the road ahead, it can result in them crashing into other vehicles, objects, and people nearby.
Manual distractions
This type of distraction requires drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. When drivers engage in tasks that use their hands, and remove them from the wheel, their ability to maintain control over their vehicles is drastically impacted.
Cognitive distractions
The third category of distraction is cognitive distraction. These distractions are anything that can take your mind and attention off the road ahead. Some people identify cognitive distractions as daydreams and other thoughts that remove the concentration of the driver from the road ahead.
It is important that drivers remain focused on the roadway at all times. Unfortunately, there are many actions that drivers engage in while operating their vehicles that create an unsafe environment for others. These include:
Texting
Talking on the phone
Checking social media accounts
Watching videos
Eating or drinking
Taking pictures/recording videos
Talking and interacting with other people in the vehicle
Applying makeup or doing their hair
Changing the radio station
Reading a map or using a GPS
Sending or receiving emails
If you have been injured in an accident as a result of a distracted driver, you may have legal options available to help you recover compensation that you can use for medical care and more.
Aggressive Driving Behaviors
Another leading cause of crashes in Southaven is aggressive driving. We see many people make hasty decisions while operating their vehicles that result in life-changing accidents. Some of the most commonly reported aggressive driving actions include:
Changing lanes too quickly
Following too closely/tailgating
Changing lanes without signaling
Blocking lanes
Speeding
Illegal turns
Wrong-way drivers
Excessive horn use
Stopping traffic for no reason
Making inappropriate hand gestures
Improper parking
Aggressive drivers continue to be an issue in Southaven and all across the state of Mississippi. Should you be harmed in a crash as a result of these or other acts of aggression, reach out to our car accident lawyers in Southaven as soon as possible.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Southaven?
No two motor vehicle accidents are exactly the same. Given the fact that crashes can take place for a variety of reasons, it is no surprise that there are various types of crashes that impact drivers. Some of the most common types of car accidents we see in Southaven include:
Crashes with large trucks bring their own rules and higher stakes, so see our Southaven truck accident lawyers page if a semi or 18-wheeler was involved.
If you are harmed in a motor vehicle accident, it is crucial that you reach out to a car accident lawyer in Southaven as soon as possible. Our lawyers at Mama Justice will get started immediately on investigating your accident to determine what legal options are available for you moving forward.
Injured as a Result of Inadequate Security
Property owners are required to ensure their property is safe for guests. This can include implementing various security measures to ensure others are not harmed while visiting your property. Business owners in particular have a duty to keep guests from being harmed by foreseeable criminal activities. An attack can result in severe and life-threatening injuries, and sometimes death. Unfortunately, we see frequently people harmed by others in Southaven due to inadequate security. Some of the leading causes of these incidents include:
Not performing employee background checks before hiring workers
Not complying with industry safety standards
Not having adequate locks on the premises
Not having secure entrances and exits
A lack of surveillance cameras
Not having adequate lighting in dark areas
Not having a security alarm system
Inadequate crowd controls
Not having security personnel on-site
When home and business owners fail to ensure adequate security measures are in place, guests are at an increased risk of being harmed. Some of the most common accidents resulting from inadequate security include:
Shooting
Stabbing
Sexual assault
Physical assault
Murder
If you were injured in any such incident on another person’s property due to inadequate security, or your loved one lost their life, you may have legal options available to help you move forward. Our lawyers at Mama Justice are available to meet with you and discuss the legal options that may be available for you.
What Are the Most Common Car Crash Injuries?
No one is able to predict the extent of damages crashes can have. In many instances, victims involved in crashes are left with serious injuries that demand immediate medical care. Some of the most common injuries victims of accidents are left with include:
Although there have been numerous advancements in medicine that allow victims to go through various treatments to heal from their injuries, going through surgery, being hospitalized, and other treatments are extremely expensive. Furthermore, many treatments come without any guarantee of a full recovery.
In addition to dealing with physical injuries, many victims endure overwhelming trauma. The mental and emotional consequences of crashes can make it difficult to function. In many instances, victims have to go through counseling or take medication to help cope with stress, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
The impacts of crashes expand beyond the mental and physical. There are numerous financial burdens that victims and their families have to deal with. These include:
The costs of medical care, surgery, and hospitalization
The costs of therapy, rehabilitation, and other long-term expenses
Dealing with lost wages due to taking time off work to recover
Lost earning capacity and the loss of benefits from being forced out of work permanently
Vehicle repair costs or the costs to replace your vehicle
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Thankfully, you do not have to move forward and deal with all of these issues on your own. Our Southaven personal injury lawyers at Mama Justice will stand by your side as we fight to get you full and timely compensation to help alleviate the expenses you face moving forward.
What Car Insurance Coverage Is Required in Mississippi?
The state of Mississippi requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. Each insurance policy is designed to compensate individuals who are harmed in crashes due to the actions of the policyholder. The state minimums include: up to:
$25,000 coverage for personal injury
$50,000 coverage for property damage per accident
Up to $25,000 in property damage per accident
Although this may seem like a lot of money, medical expenses can add up quickly – especially when people are seriously injured. Accidents that result in spinal cord injuries and even traumatic brain injuries can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
Liability coverage in Mississippi is designed to alleviate the impacts of lost wages, injuries, and pain and suffering caused by the policyholder to another driver or their passengers.
Our state offers various optional car insurance coverage as well. These coverages include:
Collision coverage
This policy covers damages to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or object.
Comprehensive coverage
These plans provide coverage for your vehicle from non-collision perils, such as weather damage or theft.
Medical payments
This coverage will help cover the costs of medical expenses for people in your vehicle at the time of your crash, regardless of who is at fault.
Roadside assistance
This coverage can help by reimbursing the cost of towing fees, overnight stays, and fixing flat tires.
Rental car reimbursement
This coverage option will help you get a rental car paid for should you be in an accident that leaves you without a vehicle during repairs.
These policies can help cover the accumulated costs after an accident with a driver who is underinsured or not insured at the time of the crash.
Uninsured motorist property damage
Although these policies can be extremely beneficial, they are not mandatory in Mississippi. It is important that you consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Southaven following your accident to determine what coverage is available for you.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Southaven?
The time immediately following a collision can be overwhelming. It is important that you remain focused and take various steps to ensure you are in the best position possible to get justice.
First, you must report the accident immediately to local law enforcement. Having an officer respond to the crash and write a report surrounding the accident can help build a strong case. Even though some accidents do not require the police to be notified, it is strongly advised to alert the police in case someone suffers injuries with a delayed onset.
Next, you will want to exchange insurance information with the other drivers involved. Write down their name, address, and phone number. Obtain their driver’s license number, the insurance company and policy information, and the information of the owner of the vehicle. Finally, you will want to make a note of the make, model, and color of the car and any names on the vehicles if they are company-owned.
Use your phone to document the accident. Whenever possible, take pictures of the scene, the vehicles involved, and all subsequent damage. You will want to take pictures of where the accident occurred and any contributing factors. Take pictures of your injuries as well.
Gather contact information for people who witnessed the accident. These witnesses can provide statements in support of your claim later on, which can help you prevail when filing a personal injury lawsuit.
You will want to seek medical attention right away. Even if you do not feel like you are injured, it is important that you undergo a medical exam. You may have internal organ damage and other injuries with a delayed onset of symptoms.
Finally, do not sign any documents before consulting with a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to convince you to accept a minimum settlement following your crash. Accepting a settlement can prevent you from recovering full and timely compensation for your injuries and damages later on.
Our lawyers at Mama Justice are available to speak with you 24/7 about your case and to schedule a free evaluation to discuss the legal options available for you. We will handle the insurance companies on your behalf and demand that they pay you the full amount of compensation that you need and rightfully deserve after being harmed.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident in Southaven?
Our Southaven car accident attorneys at Mama Justice will help you determine the cause of your crash. When it comes to prevailing in your case, liability ultimately depends on fault. It can be difficult to identify the party or parties that are responsible for your crash. For this reason, our lawyers will investigate your crash and help you understand why and how it occurred. Our lawyers will identify all parties who are responsible for your injuries and damages and we will hold them accountable.
When it comes to identifying the leading factors of crashes, there are three main causes. These include:
Driver error or negligence
This broad term applies to various actions that can fall under the category of negligence. In general, drivers are negligent when they engage in actions that are not considered reasonable while operating their vehicles. This includes drivers who speed, fail to yield the right of way, text while driving, or become distracted by other means.
Poor road conditions
There are instances where poor road conditions result in life-changing crashes. These incidents can be caused by broken roads, a lack of secure guardrails, poor weather conditions, inadequate signage, potholes, and debris in the road.
Vehicle malfunction
There are instances where crashes are caused by part malfunctions. Defects that lead to accidents can include issues with the ignition switches, steering, brakes, tires, and more. When vehicle collisions are caused by defects and malfunctions, there are several parties who can be held liable. A thorough investigation is imperative in order to get justice.
Mississippi is a fault base state. It also maintains a pure comparative negligence compensation system. In general, comparative negligence assigns each party to an accident some degree of fault. After it is determined what percentage of fault each party contributed to the crash, damages are awarded in a manner that reflects the findings.
In a pure comparative negligence system, a person who is harmed in a crash may be able to bring a claim for injuries resulting from a crash even if they are found to be mostly responsible. In Mississippi, fault can be used as a partial defense when arguing liability. Defendants often argue fault because it can reduce the amount of damages they are responsible to pay.
Our lawyers are well-versed in personal injury laws in Mississippi. We will conduct a thorough investigation of your crash and create the strongest case possible to prove the defendant is at fault and should be held accountable. Not only will we perform a thorough investigation of your accident, but we will hire experts who can help build your case. Our connections to some of the top forensics experts and reconstruction experts in Mississippi allow our team to put forth the clearest and most convincing evidence in support of our client’s claims.
What Is My Southaven Car Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, so no honest lawyer can promise you a dollar amount up front. What we can do is walk you through the things that shape the value of a Southaven car accident claim. Your case is generally worth more when your injuries are serious and lasting, when your medical bills and future care costs are high, when you miss significant time at work or can no longer earn what you used to, and when the crash changed how you live day to day.
The kinds of losses you may be able to recover include:
Past and future medical bills, from the emergency room to surgery, therapy, and long-term care
Lost wages and lost earning capacity if your injuries keep you out of work
Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Pain and suffering, and the mental and emotional toll of the crash
Loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, and disfigurement
Because Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence, your share of fault can reduce what you recover, which is one more reason to have a lawyer protect your side of the story. Our past results, including recoveries such as a $950,000 brain injury case and a $500,000 head-on collision case, show what is possible in serious cases. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case turns on its own facts. Let us review yours for free so you know where you stand.
What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Crash?
You can still recover money in Mississippi even if part of the crash was your fault. Mississippi follows a rule called pure comparative negligence. That means a court assigns each driver a percentage of fault, and your recovery is reduced by your share. If your damages are $100,000 and you are found 20 percent at fault, you would generally recover $80,000. Even a driver who is found mostly at fault may still recover something under this rule.
Insurance companies know this, so they often try to pin as much fault on you as possible to shrink what they pay. That is exactly where a Southaven car accident lawyer helps. We gather the police report, witness statements, photos, and, when needed, crash reconstruction experts to push back and keep your fault percentage as low as the facts allow.
How Long Does a Southaven Car Accident Case Take?
There is no single answer, because the timeline depends on your injuries and the facts of your crash. A straightforward claim with clear fault and minor injuries can sometimes settle in a few months. A serious case, one with major injuries, disputed fault, or an insurance company that refuses to be fair, can take a year or more, especially if we have to file a lawsuit in the DeSoto County Circuit Court.
One thing we never rush is your medical treatment. We usually wait until you have reached the point where doctors understand your full recovery before we put a value on your case, so you are not left holding future bills. Throughout the process, we handle the paperwork, the deadlines, and the insurers so you can focus on healing. We will give you a realistic timeline once we review the details of your crash.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Claim in Southaven?
If your crash caused only minor damage and no injuries, you may be able to handle it yourself. But any time you are hurt, the picture changes fast. Insurance companies have adjusters and lawyers whose job is to pay you as little as possible, and the first offer is almost always lower than what your claim is worth. Having your own lawyer levels the playing field.
A Southaven car accident lawyer at Mama Justice can investigate the crash, prove who was at fault, calculate the full value of your losses including future care, deal with the insurers so you do not have to, and take your case to court if that is what it takes. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we win money for you. Your first consultation is always free, so there is no risk in finding out where you stand.
Southaven Car Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Southaven, Mississippi?
In Mississippi, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (Miss. Code §15-1-49). Some claims, such as those against a government entity or involving a death, follow shorter or different deadlines, so confirm yours with a Southaven car accident attorney as soon as possible.
What should I do right after a car accident in Southaven?
Call the police and report the crash, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, take photos of the scene and your injuries, get the names of any witnesses, and see a doctor even if you feel okay. Do not sign anything or accept a settlement from an insurer before talking with a lawyer.
What if the crash was partly my fault?
You can still recover money. Mississippi uses pure comparative negligence, so your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred. Even a driver found mostly at fault may recover something. A lawyer can fight to keep your fault percentage as low as the facts allow.
How much is my Southaven car accident case worth?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical bills and future care, lost wages and earning capacity, and your pain and suffering. No one can promise a figure, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. We offer a free case review so you can understand the value of your specific claim.
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident claim in Southaven?
If you were injured, yes, having a lawyer usually helps. Insurance companies work to pay you as little as possible. A Southaven car accident lawyer can prove fault, calculate your full losses, handle the insurers, and go to court if needed, usually on a contingency fee so you pay no attorney fee unless we win.
How long does a car accident case take in Southaven?
A simple claim with clear fault may settle in a few months, while a serious or disputed case can take a year or more, especially if a lawsuit is filed in DeSoto County Circuit Court. We usually wait until your treatment stabilizes before valuing the case so future bills are not left out.
What does it cost to hire a Southaven car accident lawyer?
At Mama Justice, your first consultation is free and we work on a contingency fee. That means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. There is no upfront cost to have us review your case and start protecting your rights.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Mississippi?
Mississippi requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Because serious injuries can cost far more than those limits, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is worth considering. We can help you understand what coverage applies to your crash.
Contact a Southaven Car Accident Lawyer Today
The impacts of a motor vehicle accident are far-reaching. Not only are victims left with painful physical and emotional injuries, but the financial consequences can make it nearly impossible to move forward. Being forced out of work does not mean that your bills are going to stop. No matter what type of severe injuries you are left with after your accident, you need the guidance of a Southaven car accident lawyer as quickly as possible.
Our lawyers at Mama Justice are committed to treating every client we work with as if they were part of our family. We are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals and we work to empower each person we work with so they are able to take control of their situation.
We understand that most victims feel incredibly overwhelmed after being hurt in a car accident. We recognize the difficulties that victims and their families face. For this reason, we remain by our client’s side every step of the way and advocate on their behalf. We guide our clients through all the technicalities and help them understand where they stand.
Our lawyers are available to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your case and to help you move forward and get justice. We offer free, no-obligation consultations in Southaven or any of our thirteen offices across Mississippi. Contact our car accident attorneys today by calling (888) 805-6010.
