The process following a car accident can be confusing as there are many intricacies that come into play. Unfortunately, this can cause many people to lose track of the steps to take after a crash. You should know, though, that Mississippi follows the fault-based insurance system regarding car accidents.

While there are a few states that follow a no-fault system, this is the more common method and is considered traditional when filing for compensation. Below, we’ll explain what this means for you if you suffer an accident in the state of Mississippi.

Who’s to Blame?

In a fault state, liability falls on the party responsible for the crash and his or her insurance company. Whereas a no-fault state would require you to go through your own insurance company, Mississippi allows you to file a claim against the insurance provider of the negligent person.

In the state of Mississippi, there also exists pure comparative negligence laws that state an injured person may recover compensation even if he or she is considered responsible for 99% of the accident. The compensation recovered, however, is reduced by the percentage of the driver’s contribution. As such, if you are injured in a crash but you are considered 30% at fault, your recovery may be reduced by that amount.

How Does the Process Work?

The process is the same where you will report the accident to your insurance company. Unfortunately, unless you’re a policyholder, insurance companies are not always easy to work with—and sometimes they’re tough even if you are a policyholder. So, you want to go through your own insurance provider who will then continue the process with the other driver’s insurance company.

Make sure you have legal representation before you speak with the other driver’s insurance company. They’re often willing to use various tactics to take advantage of your rights during a very vulnerable situation, and you need strong counsel to give you a voice.

Our Jackson car accident attorneys at Williams Newman Williams are here to help you. We’ll focus on advocating your rights and pursuing the maximum compensation possible. Let us be your partner through this stressful situation and seek the most favorable outcome on your behalf.

Call us today at (601) 949-5080.

Several problems occur on the road, many of which result from negligent actions. Unfortunately, these are completely preventable actions that can lead to you suffering significant harm because of another driver. One of the biggest problems on the road—yet it still occurs often—is distracted driving.

If you are ever in this unfortunate situation, it’s vital to recognize what constitutes distracted driving as there are three main types: visual, manual, and cognitive. We’ll explain what each of these are below and help you recognize some of the potential signs of which you need to be aware.

If you suffer an injury due to a distracted driver, we’re here to help. Call (601) 949-5080.

Identifying Visual Distractions

A visual distraction is exactly what it sounds like: it’s any distraction that causes the driver to take his or her eyes off the road. Even when the driver has his or her hands on the wheel, a visual distraction that lasts just a few seconds can have disastrous results.

The main visual distractions while driving can include:

• Looking at a cellphone or GPS system
• Looking at the radio
• Looking at a passenger
• Looking for an item in the back seat
• Looking into the mirror for a purpose other than driving safely

Visual distractions can cause numerous problems because accidents can happen in just a few seconds. For instance, a visual distraction can make it difficult for a driver to recognize upcoming traffic stopped ahead of them. A visual distraction can also lead to the driver braking erratically as they bring their visual focus back to the road. You may recognize a visually distracted driver because they often swerve between lanes and constantly speed up and slow down.

Identifying Manual Distractions

Manual distractions are those that require the driver to take at least one of his or her hands off the steering wheel. Safe driving tips recommend that drivers use both hands. However, many people either use one because they feel it’s more comfortable or because they’re doing something else with their other hand. This makes it difficult to control the vehicle at times.

Most common manual distractions include the following:

• Eating and drinking
• Texting on a cellphone
• Holding a cellphone to talk
• Reaching for items throughout the vehicle
• Changing the radio station
• Putting on makeup

Unfortunately, this is a situation that is far too common. While many drivers feel as though they can operate with one hand on the steering wheel, any small problem can make it almost impossible to regain control should the driver lose it.

Identifying Cognitive Distractions

Cognitive distractions are some of the most dangerous because many people don’t even know about them. These are distractions that cause the driver to lose focus on the task at hand, which is driving. Many people are cognitively distracted without even being aware of it.

Cognitive distractions include:

• Talking to passengers
• Singing along to loud music
• Daydreaming
• Using a voice-activated system

Cognitive distractions can result in delayed reactions, leading to late braking and swerving.

One of the worst distractions of all is texting and driving because it combines all three types of distractions. The driver would have to look down at the phone to read the text or what they’re texting (visual), use their hand to swipe or text (manual), and focus on the response (cognitive). The average text takes roughly five seconds to send. At 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.

If you suffer harm because of a distracted driver, know that you have rights, and our Jackson car accident attorneys are here to protect you. At Williams Newman Williams, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to guide you through the process and safeguard your best interests, pursuing the most favorable outcome possible on your behalf.

Call our firm at (601) 949-5080 today and speak with a member of our team in a free consultation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 36,560 deaths on United States roads in 2018. These numbers don’t account for the hundreds of thousands that suffer severe injuries each year, as well.

Car accidents often result in some of the most catastrophic injuries. You should recognize how these injuries occur and your legal options if you suffer harm due to negligence.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries often occur in car accidents because the impact forces you to move around throughout the cabin of your vehicle. Your head can hit the frame of the car, the dashboard, the steering wheel, or even just jolt back and forth.

Any trauma to your head, skull, or brain can cause significant harm. Even concussions arise when your brain rattles around inside your skull. This trauma can also cause hemorrhaging (brain bleeds) and bruising to your brain tissue.

Spinal Cord Injuries

When you suffer whiplash, it can cause damage to the nerves in your neck and spine. You may also experience partial tearing or detachment of your spinal cord. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may suffer paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries often come with some of the most expensive lifetime costs for medical care, specialized equipment, and more.

Burn Injuries

Cars are full of gas and various oils that can quickly become flammable when sparks fly in an accident. Even worse, the very seat belts you trust to protect you can lock, keeping you from getting out of your vehicle after a crash. This situation may cause you to suffer significant burn injuries as a result.

You should know that if you suffer a catastrophic injury due to someone’s negligence in a car accident, you have specific rights to take legal action. You may hold the responsible party accountable for your damages.

Our Jackson car accident attorneys at Williams Newman Williams are ready to work hard to help you secure the compensation you need. We’ll build a strong case on your behalf to obtain the justice you deserve.

Call our firm at (601) 949-5080 today, and speak with us regarding your ability to file a claim or potential lawsuit following a negligence-related crash.

In the aftermath of a severe car accident, you must recognize the various rights and legal options available to you to pursue compensation. Unfortunately, you may be unaware of the four factors of liability and how these play a role in your ability to have a successful case.

These four factors are crucial to proving that the other party is liable for any damages you sustain in the crash. Without these four factors, the insurance company may wrongfully deny your claim, even though you have legitimate merit to file for compensation.

The following are the four main factors of proving liability:

• There was a duty of care present
• There was a breach of that duty of care
• There was a car accident resulting from the breach of duty of care
• There was an injury stemming from the negligence-related car accident

To learn more about each of these factors and what they mean, continue reading below.

If you suffer an injury in a severe crash, contact our firm at (601) 949-5080 to discuss your rights.

The Negligent Party Had a Duty of Care

In almost all situations, a duty of care exists. Most individuals with a driver’s license have the assumed duty of care to ensure he or she, his or her passengers, and all others on the road are safe. The very fact that someone has a driver’s license creates a duty of care between said driver and you.

A duty of care means the driver is following all traffic laws, posted speed limits, traffic signs, and more.

The Negligent Party Breached the Duty of Care

A breach in the duty of care occurs any time the other driver acts unlawfully or otherwise negligently. For instance, negligent and unlawful acts often include the following:

• Drinking and driving
• Texting and driving
• Speeding
• Swerving between lanes
• Ignoring traffic signals and stop signs
• Driving while fatigued

When any driver commits these acts, they’re breaching the duty of care they have to keep you safe as another driver on the road. Unfortunately, these actions are some of the most common causes of devastating collisions.

The Breach of Duty of Care Led to a Car Accident

You must show that the actions of the other driver directly led to your car accident. For instance, if the other driver was texting while driving, you may show that the driver wasn’t looking when he or she ran a stop sign and hit your vehicle.

The breach in the duty of care must be the direct cause of the accident. When a driver runs into you because of defective brakes, the driver may not be the responsible party. In this case, you may take legal action against the manufacturer of the brakes.

The Car Accident Led to You Suffering an Injury and Property Damage

One reason it is vital to get medical care after a crash is the ability to obtain a medical report. The medical report goes a long way in showing your injuries were the direct result of the crash. Some insurance companies try to claim that injuries or property damage are pre-existing, thus eliminating the need to pay you compensation for the damages.

If you need help proving liability, you should speak with someone from our team at Williams Newman Williams. We have vast experience in car accident cases, and you can rest assured knowing that we dedicate our practice to going the extra mile on your behalf.

You can count on our Jackson car accident attorneys to always be by your side, protecting your rights from profit-driven insurance companies. Let us be your voice and pursue the justice you need and deserve.

Call us at (601) 949-5080 to discuss your potential case with a member of our team. We look forward to helping you through the challenging matters that lie ahead.

To think that your elderly loved one may suffer harm at the hands of people responsible for his or her care is devastating. It does happen, though, and countless acts of nursing home abuse go unreported every year in the United States.

One of the biggest problems regarding nursing home abuse is the physical pain your loved one may encounter because of neglect or abuse. Recognizing the most common injuries can help you look for specific signs to report the incident and/or take legal action.

Bruises

Physical abuse is not something that always happens, but when it does, it can have a significant impact on an elderly individual. Your loved one may suffer bruises due to the following actions:

• Grabbing
• Slapping
• Punching
• Shoving

Head/Spine Injuries

In a nursing home, staff must properly monitor your loved one, especially if they are a fall risk. Should the staff avoid helping your loved one out of bed, to the restroom, or throughout the nursing home, there is potential for your loved one to fall. They may hit their head or spine in the process.

Bedsores

While not a direct result of physical abuse, bedsores are serious injuries in nursing homes. Your loved one may sustain bedsores if they are bedridden, and the nursing home does not have a proper turn schedule. Bedsores are a result of too much pressure on specific parts of the body (boney areas).

The only way to prevent bedsores from occurring on a bedridden resident is for the staff to turn the resident’s position regularly to alleviate pressure.

Infections

Older adults often have vulnerable immune systems and suffer from illnesses more often than most people. In a nursing home where there are many residents, the potential of severe illnesses to spread and infection to occur increases dramatically, putting all people in the facility at risk.

At Williams Newman Williams, we care about families in our community. As such, whenever someone suffers from nursing home abuse, our team stands ready to represent the rights of the injured and the affected family.

Our Jackson nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to put a strong case strategy together to help you understand your rights and pursue compensation. You should have someone on your side, advocating for your best rights and giving you a voice to fight back.

Contact our firm at (601) 949-5080 today.