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Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that at least 81 pedestrians lost their lives in Mississippi in 2022. Out of all 50 states, Mississippi had the eleventh highest number of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents.
If you’re reading this after a motorist struck you while you were walking in Gulfport or elsewhere in our state, you are evidence of the fact that not all pedestrian accidents are fatal. However, as you’re well aware, they often cause life-altering injuries like the ones you’ve suffered.
Our legal team at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC is ready to help you pick up the pieces after you’ve suffered unexpected, disabling injuries. We also provide compassionate legal representation to those who have lost a loved one in a preventable accident. Contact us to speak with a Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyer during a complimentary consultation.
Types of Negligence That Leads to Pedestrian Crashes
These types of accidents frequently occur because a motorist is negligent. In other words, these injury incidents often happen because a driver:
- Is drunk or under the influence of drugs
- Fails to yield to your right of way
- Fails to ensure their vehicle is in good repair
- Is drowsy or falls asleep at the wheel
- Isn’t vigilant for pedestrians
Aside from driver negligence, there are situations where other parties may be responsible for a pedestrian accident. These liable parties include:
- Vehicle or auto part manufacturers
- Careless mechanics
- Other drivers
- Government entities
In other words, while pedestrian strikes are often caused by the direct negligence of drivers, they can be caused by a whole host of other issues attributable to the negligent actions of others. Since that’s the case, it’s best to get a pedestrian accident attorney in Gulfport involved in your case early on. That’s the only way to ensure you’ll be able to preserve the necessary evidence to build a strong case should you decide to do so.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian-Involved Accidents
As mentioned above, Gulfport pedestrian accidents often result in very serious injuries that can lead to lifelong impairments. Some of the most common injuries Mississippi pedestrians suffer when struck by vehicles include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones (fractures)
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage and related bleeding
Get in touch with us at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC. We’ll connect you with our Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyer who can go over what rights you have under Mississippi law.

Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Understanding Fault and Proving Liability If You Were Hit While Walking in Mississippi
Mississippi is an at-fault state. This means that you’ll file your injury claim with the insurance company of the at-fault party.
As the injured party, it’s your responsibility to document how a motorist or other entity had an obligation to show you a duty of care (look out for your safety) and how their actions (or lack thereof) contributed to you suffering harm. You must also show a correlation (referred to as causation) between their failure to act in a specific way and the adverse outcome (i.e., injuries or death) that occurred.
It’s also important to note that Mississippi subscribes to the pure comparative fault standard. This means that you can also be held partially at fault for your own accident. If that’s the case, your settlement or monetary award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
This is why you should get in touch with a Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyer at our firm to review your case and advise you of your options, including taking legal action to secure a financial settlement for your damages. This is a service our attorneys offer free of charge.
The Statute of Limitation for Pedestrian Injury Cases in Harrison County
There is a timeline for taking legal action, which is referred to as a statute of limitations. Most injury victims must file a claim within three years of the onset of their injuries per Mississippi Code § 15-1-49.
The same timeline generally applies to wrongful death claims in Mississippi as well.
If you miss the above filing deadline, your opportunity to secure a monetary award for what you’ve been through may be forever squandered.
Damages You Can Recover Compensation for as an Injured Pedestrian in Gulfport, MS
Mississippi law allows injury victims to secure compensation for any damages they sustain due to another party’s negligence or intentional acts. As a pedestrian who’s suffered serious injuries, you may have some of the following losses which you can recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: This category is broad and may cover ambulance and helicopter transportation to a trauma center, your emergency room visit, any imaging (like X-rays), your stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), surgical costs, rehabilitation, follow-up doctor’s visits, and more.
- Lost wages and earnings: Any pay you missed from being unable to return to work, as well as any pay cuts you may have to take from not being able to go back and work in the same field or role you previously did, may fall into this category.
- Non-economic damages: This is a category for losses such as pain and suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, mental anguish, and more.
While some of these damages may appear to be recoverable only by individuals who suffered serious injuries in a pedestrian accident in Gulfport, MS, many of these are also available to surviving family members of wrongful death victims. Additional compensation for funeral or burial costs, loss of counsel, companionship, and consortium, as well as lost benefits (i.e., retirement or insurance from a job), might also be recoverable in unfortunate situations like these.
While our Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyers may not be able to provide you with an exact amount you can expect to recover by filing a claim or lawsuit during your initial consultation, we can probably give you a ballpark estimate to learn more about your case.
Contact a Gulfport Pedestrian Accident Lawyer If You're Hurt and Need Help
Being a pedestrian who’s struck is one of the most dangerous situations that you can be in. After all, there’s nothing to shield you from injuries. Your body absorbs the full impact of a vehicle, which is why individuals like you suffer such catastrophic injuries in a crash.
Since injuries stemming from pedestrian accidents are often so debilitating or fatal, you likely face a long road to recovery or grief.
Any Gulfport pedestrian accident lawyer in our office is more than capable of providing you with the support you need to forward your injury or wrongful death claim as you focus on picking up the pieces after your loss. At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, we offer free consultations during which you can discuss with an attorney and find out how they can help you. Get in touch with us to learn how we can help you seek compensation for any damages you’ve already incurred or may have in the future. We’re here to help.
