Biloxi Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Driving a car may feel routine and commonplace to most people, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re operating a several-thousand-pound machine capable of travelling well over 100 miles per hour. Taking your eyes off the road for any reason is exceptionally dangerous — looking away for just 5 seconds at highway speeds means you’ve effectively driven the full length of a football field blind. Distracted driving is extremely reckless and leads to far too many accidents every year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,308 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2022. Approximately 20% of the people killed in these types of crashes were pedestrians, riding bikes, or otherwise no in a vehicle at the time of the collision according to the CDC. Thousands more are seriously injured in crashes — if you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed by a distracted driver, you deserve the chance to fight for the damages you are owed.

At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, our Biloxi distracted driving accident lawyers have spent decades representing injured victims throughout Mississippi. Through our efforts, we have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, and we remain committed to providing the knowledgeable and effective representation our clients require in their time of need. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.

What Is Considered Distracted Driving?

Distractions can take many forms. Understanding the specific ways people can be distracted behind the wheel can be helpful for both prevention and for proving fault in a lawsuit. There are three main categories that distracted driving can present itself:

  • Visual: Taking your eyes off the road for any reason, whether that’s to check your phone, change the settings on your display screen, looking down to pick up a dropped item, or anything else is considered a visual distraction.
  • Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel for any reason is considered a manual distraction. Drivers are expected to keep both hands on the wheel at all times, but it becomes exceptionally more dangerous when both hands are taken off the wheel.
  • Cognitive: Distracted driving doesn’t have to include physical action. Losing concentration, whether that’s because of exhaustion, illness, focusing attention on a phone call, or any other reason, losing focus on the road is still considered distracted driving.

Proving that a driver was distracted in the moments leading up to a collision is an important part of establishing negligence and proving fault. An experienced Biloxi distracted driving accident lawyer will know what steps need to be taken throughout the investigation to clearly show that the driver who caused your accident was at fault.

Biloxi, MS

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What Damages Can I Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident in Mississippi?

Mississippi is considered an “at-fault” state. This means that whoever is proven to be responsible for the crash is on the hook for damages caused by it. However, Mississippi also follows a comparative fault rule — this means that even if you are found to be at fault for a crash, you can still recover damages based on the percentage you are found to not be at fault. If you are found to be 60% at fault, then you can still recover 40% of the awarded damages.

This comparative fault rule is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to hire an experienced Biloxi car accident attorney to represent you in your case. Some of the damages you may be able to recover through your lawsuit include:

  • Medical bills
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium

Each car accident lawsuit differs depending on a plethora of factors, and your attorney will work closely with you to understand exactly what can be argued for in order to craft a case that puts you in the best position to secure the maximum compensation possible.

Consult With a Biloxi Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Now

If you were seriously injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver, it’s important that you act quickly. Mississippi law states that you have just three years to file a lawsuit, otherwise you lose the right to do so. You also need to make sure that your crash is reported to the local police within 10 days. If no police were present at the site of the crash, you must file a crash report within that timeframe — failure to do so could result in a misdemeanor.

This is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to take action by contacting a Biloxi distracted driving accident lawyer as soon as you are able. Not only will starting the process quickly help your legal representation get started with their investigations, but it will also help put you in a better position to negotiate with any insurance companies involved.

It is highly likely that they will attempt to offer a settlement, especially in cases where it’s clear that the other driver was at fault, but in many cases, this offer will be far below what you can potentially recover. Your attorney can take a close look at these documents, and help you understand the best steps you can take next.

If you were seriously injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to take legal action to secure the compensation you need to cover any medical bills, damage to your vehicle, pain and suffering, and more. At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, our Biloxi distracted driving accident attorneys have spent decades working with injured victims throughout the state of Mississippi and are committed to providing the passionate and experienced legal representation you deserve. Send us the details of your situation through our online form to schedule a case evaluation today.

Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC