Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Jackson
Were you injured in a car crash caused by an intoxicated driver? Suffering a drunk driving accident injury can be uniquely harmful. In addition to the physical harm you are dealing with, knowing someone got behind the wheel while they were impaired and caused a horrific wreck is a moral outrage. You may be feeling a powerful desire for accountability, not just for the injuries and financial costs they have imposed on you, but for their lapse in judgment.
The injury attorneys at Williams Newman Williams understand what you are going through. We have extensive experience advocating for drunk driving victims and pursuing compensation and justice on their behalf. With millions of dollars recovered for DUI injury victims, the courts and the deep-pocketed insurance companies know our law firm means business.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with a Jackson drunk driving accident attorney to learn more about your legal options.
Why Choose WNW for Your Jackson, MS Drunk Driving Wreck Case?
At WNW, our car accident lawyers bring nearly 50 years of combined experience to motor vehicle wreck injury cases. We support individuals and families harmed through impaired drivers’ careless and thoughtless actions, making sure their voices and demands for justice are heard.
Jackson-area residents injured by a drunk driver choose our law firm because of our approach, which involves the following:
- We Prepare Every Case as Though It’s Going Straight to Trial – Our lawyers understand how important it is to go fully armed into negotiations with insurance companies seeking to protect their own profits at our clients’ expense. Preparing as though we are headed to a Hinds County or Mississippi state court from the outset helps us advocate most effectively for the full compensation our clients deserve.
- We Prioritize Real Conversations with Our Clients – From our first meeting, our attorneys take the time to listen to what crash victims are experiencing. Doing so enables us to understand their needs and perspectives, which fosters comfortable and productive communication throughout their cases. We are here to answer our clients’ questions, address their concerns, and keep them informed at every stage.
- We Charge Nothing Out-of-Pocket When We Take Your Case – Our law firm understands that many injured victims do not seek legal help because they are worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer. That’s why we represent clients without any upfront attorney fees. You owe us nothing unless we get a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Get in touch with us today to schedule your free, no-risk, fully confidential consultation.
How Are Drunk Driving Crash Cases Different from Other Car Wreck Cases?
One of the key ways in which drunk driving injury cases differ from typical car crash claims is that they involve unique types of evidence. As part of their investigation of the driver at the crash scene, police may request chemical testing, speak with witnesses about the driver’s behavior, or look for signs of impairment before the crash. All of this evidence can help prosecutors build their criminal case against an impaired driver.
However, a criminal DUI case and a personal injury claim are separate matters. You do not have to wait for the criminal case to conclude before speaking with a DUI accident attorney about a possible civil claim for the harm you suffered and the compensation you may pursue.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Crash?
A party that bears responsibility for a car wreck is said to be liable for the resulting losses. Determining liability matters in drunk driving accidents in Mississippi because the impaired driver may not be the only responsible party. Identifying every liable party can help protect your claim when one insurance policy is insufficient to cover your losses.
Depending on the facts surrounding the crash, liable parties may include the following:
- The impaired driver who caused the crash
- The owner of the vehicle, if different from the driver
- An employer, if the driver was working at the time
- A bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider, in limited cases
- Another driver whose actions contributed to the collision
At WNW, our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation, review the facts, and determine where responsibility may fall.
What Compensation Could You Pursue for a Drunk Driving Wreck?
A DUI accident can leave you with losses that affect your health, finances, work, and day-to-day life. By filing a personal injury claim, you may pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages/income from missed work
- Long-term disability care expenses
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality and enjoyment of life
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement
- PTSD
When you meet with a DUI injury lawyer at WNW, we can evaluate the full impact of your injuries and determine what compensation you could be eligible to pursue.
How Long Do You Have to File a Drunk Driving Crash Lawsuit in Mississippi?
Mississippi law gives claimants just three years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit, including car crashes involving an intoxicated driver. This is a strict deadline, and missing it can prevent you from pursuing compensation in court.
While rare cases may involve different deadlines, it is best to contact a Jackson DUI injury lawyer from WNW as soon as possible after a collision. Doing so allows us to review the facts, identify the applicable deadline, craft a compelling argument, and take action.
Don’t wait before time runs out. Contact us today so we can preserve your right to recover the money you need to get your life back where it should be.
What Happens If the Drunk Driver Has Little or No Insurance?
Getting hit by an uninsured or underinsured drunk driver may present some additional challenges, but it does not eliminate the possibility of recovering compensation after a DUI-related car wreck. For example, you may be able to recover through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Your attorney from WNW can also look into whether other policies may apply, such as those tied to vehicle ownership, employment, or another liable party. We can examine every available source of financial recovery and push back against attempts to leave you responsible for losses caused by an impaired driver.
How Would the Drunk Driver’s Refusal to Take a Breathalyzer Test Affect My Case?
An impaired driver’s refusal to take a breathalyzer test does not end your injury claim. Mississippi’s implied consent law addresses chemical testing after a DUI stop, and the driver’s refusal may carry separate criminal consequences. In your civil case, their refusal may support your argument about their impairment, but it is only one part of the evidence.
WNW can review the police investigation, witness accounts, video footage, and other facts to show how the impaired driver caused your injuries, even if there are no breathalyzer test results to support your claim.
Can a Bar or Restaurant Be Held Liable for a DUI Crash?
Under Mississippi alcohol laws, a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider may be liable for a DUI crash in limited circumstances. This is called “dram shop liability.” State law generally protects licensed alcohol providers when they lawfully serve someone who can legally purchase and consume alcohol. However, this protection may not apply if the business knowingly served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, served someone who was underage, or otherwise violated the law.
Whether dram shop liability applies in your case depends on the evidence. When you hire WNW, we can gather and review receipts showing the driver purchased alcohol, video footage, and statements from any employees or eyewitnesses who can confirm the driver’s appearance and behavior at the time of the sale.
What Are Common Injuries Caused by Jackson, MS Drunk Driving Crashes?
Drunk driving crashes often happen at high speeds or involve drivers who fail to brake, swerve, or react in time. As a result, their actions can cause severe injuries that require immediate and long-term medical care. Some common types of injuries in Mississippi drunk driving wrecks include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Severe cuts and burns
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Emotional trauma
- PTSD
What Should You Do After a Drunk Driving Crash in Jackson?
Taking fast action after a suspected drunk driving wreck can help preserve evidence of impairment that may strengthen your claim. Prioritize your safety and focus on documenting what happened by doing the following:
- Call 911 and report that the other driver may be impaired.
- Tell responding officers what you saw, heard, or smelled.
- Get medical attention, even if injury symptoms seem delayed.
- Photograph the vehicles and any skid marks, debris, alcohol containers, and visible injuries.
- Get names and contact information from any witnesses.
- Save the police report number and the responding officer’s information.
- Avoid discussing fault with insurers.
- Contact a DUI accident lawyer at WNW before evidence disappears.
What Can a Jackson, MS Drunk Driving Crash Lawyer Do for Your Case?
Having the support of an experienced and knowledgeable Jackson drunk driving accident lawyer can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim against the impaired driver. An attorney from WNW can take charge of the investigation into the crash and begin preparing your claim while you focus on your physical recovery. We can also work quickly to gather evidence of the other driver’s impairment and the harm they caused you, while also managing all communications with the insurance companies.
Once we have filed your claim, our trial readiness allows us to begin negotiating from a position of strength. If the insurers do not offer a settlement that meets your needs, we will be ready to file a lawsuit and pursue your case in the Hinds County court system. At every stage, we are committed to providing responsive and attentive legal support that allows you to proceed with confidence and peace of mind.
Contact Our Drunk Driving Crash Lawyers in Jackson, MS Today
If you got hurt in a collision with a drunk driver, let the Jackson DUI crash injury lawyers at WNW pursue the money you need and the justice and accountability you deserve. With millions of dollars recovered for injured victims and over four decades of combined experience in injury law, we have what it takes to succeed.
Contact our office today for your free, no-obligation initial consultation. Your case review is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
When you need a win, turn to WNW.
