Car Accident Lawyers in Jackson, MS
Car Accident Claims
Car accidents are expensive in terms of both the injuries and the property damage they cause. Hospitalizations, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation can be costly, time-consuming, and frustrating. While a car crash can be over in a flash, the physical injuries and economic impact can stay with an accident victim for years, or even a lifetime.
Williams Newman Williams is a dedicated car accident law firm in Jackson that focuses on the needs of motor vehicle accident victims in Jackson and throughout Mississippi and the southern United States. We understand this is one of the toughest times you have experienced. While we cannot undo the physical and emotional damage caused by the car crash, we can use our experience to help you get the justice and compensation you need to move on with your life.
Call Williams Newman Williams today at (601) 228-6722 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Jackson Mississippi car accident lawyers.
The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
Do not expect the negligent driver’s insurance company to play fair. Remember that insurance companies are businesses, and the way these businesses thrive is by doing everything they can to avoid paying out claims. Even if you receive a settlement offer from the insurance company, you should be wary. It is possible that the amount offered is far less than you deserve. You should be compensated for:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical costs associated with the injuries you suffered in the car wreck.
- Any future lost wages
You have already been a victim of a car crash. Do not be a victim of the insurance company too. Let our skilled Jackson car accident attorneys review your case and evaluate the settlement offer if you have received one. We can help you fight back, get a just result, and obtain the money that is owed to you for what you have been through. We know how to stand up to insurance companies.
Car Accidents Damages
As your representative, our car accident lawyers in Jackson will do everything in our power to secure enough compensation to cover all of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, while helping you regain your financial and physical health.
Types of Car Accident Claims
We handle cases involving injuries of all kinds, including serious injuries like brain damage and back injuries. We also handle fatal accident claims.
We handle motor vehicle claims that include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle and ATV wrecks
- Accidents caused by drunk drivers
- Accidents involving uninsured drivers
- Accidents caused by distracted drivers
Call (601) 228-6722 for a Free Consultation
Auto Accident Lawyers in Jackson, MS
Car accidents in Mississippi tend to happen on rural roads, in fact, more than 50% of fatalities do. Part of why this statistic is so staggering, perhaps, is it takes so long to reach accident victims. The state is the 3rd most rural of all U.S. states, making it more challenging for emergency personnel to get to scenes in time to save lives. What this means for the everyday motorists is, they need to take extra care when driving in rural Mississippi.
We all know that car accidents, in all forms, disrupt the way we live and work. Whether it’s a minor fender bender that leaves our car in the shop for weeks or a major multi-car event with catastrophic results; car accidents have consequences.
In most cases, filing a car accident claim can be done with the help of a Jackson auto accident law firm, or by yourself, if you feel comfortable navigating the legal proceedings to work towards compensation. But what happens when you can’t reach an out of court settlement, what then? If this is the case for you, you’ll want to hire the best and work with a qualified auto accident lawyer in Jackson, MS, who knows the legal system and has professional experience in the courtroom.
While most clams will be settled out of court, as will the lawsuits that are filled in response to claims, there are times when you will have to go to court to get justice and fair compensation. Here is the basic rundown of what happens when your case goes to court.
Judge or Jury?
Depending on court preference and schedules, either a judge or jury will decide your case. In most instances, the preference will be given to choose a jury of 10-12 people. The selection period comes during the “voir dire” where they’ll be asked questions to ensure they are appropriate to sit on a jury. If they appear to have any prejudices or partial preferences, they will likely be dismissed.
Opening Statements
Once a jury is selected, if this is how your case will be heard, each side will present opening statements lead by your Jackson MS auto accident attorney. This is where your legal representation will lay out “burden of proof,” liability, and negligence in your claim. The other side will do something similar by providing why their client isn’t liable for your accident.
Plaintiff Presentation of Proof or Evidence
After opening statements, the judge overseeing the case will ask your Jackson auto wreck lawyer to present the evidence to prove your claims. This is the time when photo or video evidence will be presented, witnesses will be called or experts to help prove your case. The defendant (the other driver’s legal team) will perhaps cross-examine those witnesses or bring others up to refute the testimony.
Defendant’s Presentation of Proof or Evidence
After that section, the other driver’s legal team will present evidence to prove that their client (or insurance company) isn’t liable or shouldn’t be held negligent for your claims. They too may call witnesses or experts to present their evidence. Your attorney may then cross-examine these persons if desired.
Post Evidence Presentations – Closing Arguments
This is the time when your attorney will make the last effort to persuade the jury to see your side of the case. Your Jackson auto wreck lawyer will recap or summarize what was learned from the previous evidentiary presentations and shape the case in your favor. The defendant’s attorney will do the same for their client, trying to cast doubt about your claims or witnesses.
Deliberation by the Jury
The court will likely recess at the conclusion of the closing arguments and send the jury to a separate location to deliberate and determine, what they feel is the truth. In other words, they will be trying to come up with a “verdict” about your case. These deliberations are confidential and only known by the jury members. In most cases, the jury will have a verdict in a matter of hours, but more complicated cases may require days.
The Verdict of Your Lawsuit
The judge will be notified once the jury reaches a conclusion and everyone will be summoned back to the court to hear the verdict. The verdict will be read to the court to all parties, likely by the lead juror.
Jackson Mississippi Car Wreck Lawyers – Getting your Settlement
The specifics of your settlement and when it will be paid has everything to do with who is liable for paying it, and how it was deemed to be paid according to the court. Often your compensation can be seen in 20-to-30 days, but that can vary widely. Some courts give up to 90-days for a settlement to be paid which can be frustrating given you have likely been waiting a long time if you have gone through an actual trial for your case. Your Jackson auto wreck lawyer will keep you updated and will go to bat for you if your payment isn’t reached within the designated time.
Non-Payment of Settlement
Not often, but sometimes the other party doesn’t pay their settlement. This happens more often in cases where a private party has been sued rather than an insurance company. There are methods to handle this sort of behavior referred to as the execution of judgment. One method of collecting payment is the wage garnishment of the person responsible. Another option includes a lien on real estate or other assets. Your Jackson auto wreck law firm will guide you during this situation if it arises.
Can we help with your auto wreck? Williams Newman Williams PLLC is available anytime to sit down and talk about your case or claim. Please give us a call or reach out to us online and schedule an appointment to talk with our legal professionals.
For more information, or to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our legal team, call (601) 228-6722 or contact us online.
Recommended Reading
- Vicarious Liability – If an owner lends their vehicle to another person, are they responsible in the event of an accident? Continue reading to learn the answer
- The Nature of Soft Tissue Injuries – While the extent of soft tissue injuries can be difficult to diagnose, they are often serious in nature and ought to be taken seriously.
