Top Tupelo Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
Defending Those Injured in Texting and Driving Accidents
Since the invention of the first automobile, the number of distractions in our lives has increased exponentially. With phones in every pocket and a culture that places instant gratification as a key pillar, the number of accidents involving phones has increased to a historic height. The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that at any given moment, more than 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand held device. Nearly 3,308 lives were taken as a result of distracted driving. It is a serious issue and one just as likely to affect someone driving on a highway as it is a motorist driving through the streets of Tupelo.
Each year, countless drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians suffer injuries and life-altering consequences due to the negligence of drivers who fail to pay attention to the road. At Wettermark Keith, our dedicated lawyers will work tirelessly to fight for the rights of victims of these preventable incidents. We understand that each case is unique, and we take the time to listen to your story, gather evidence, and build a strong case tailored to your needs. Whether your accident involves someone crashing into you because they were texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distractions, we are committed to ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
What is Considered Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving occurs when a driver engages in activities that divert their attention away from the road. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for identifying liable parties in an accident. The most common distractions include:
Texting or Using a Mobile Device: This is the most prevalent form of distracted driving and is responsible for a significant percentage of accidents. Texting requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention.
Eating or Drinking: Consuming food or beverages while driving can take a driver’s focus off the road and lead to accidents.
Adjusting the Radio or GPS: Many drivers often adjust their entertainment systems or navigation devices while driving, which can significantly distract them.
Talking to Passengers: Engaging in conversation can divert attention, especially when emotions are high or discussions are heated.
Grooming or Personal Care: Activities such as applying makeup or combing hair can lead to accidents when drivers take their eyes off the road.
With the fast paced world we live in, negligent drivers often believe that nothing can wait until they are off the road. If you have been injured because of someone not paying attention while driving, you need a dedicated Tupelo personal injury attorney to help with your distracted driving accident claims and the injuries they can cause.
Common Distracted Driving Injuries
Victims of distracted driving accidents often suffer severe injuries that can have long-lasting impacts on their lives. Common injuries include:
Whiplash: A common injury resulting from sudden stops or impacts, causing neck pain and stiffness.
Broken Bones: Fractures from collisions can lead to prolonged recovery times and potential complications.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These injuries occur from sudden impacts to the head and can result in cognitive deficits and emotional challenges.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis or permanent disability.
Lacerations and Contusions: Open wounds and bruises can lead to infection or scarring.
These injuries can lead to long-term complications, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. This doesn’t even account for the emotional toll the injuries and memories of the wreck can cause.
Mississippi Distracted Driving Statistics
Mississippi is grappling with a significant rise in distracted driving accidents, leading to thousands of injuries and fatalities over the past year. Understanding these statistics is essential for raising awareness and promoting safer driving practices within the community:
1 out of 2 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Mississippi are not wearing a seatbelt
13% of all accidents in 2021 were caused by distracted driving
Only 78% of drivers wear seat belts in Mississippi, one of the lowest seat belt use rates in the country
Texting while driving is especially common among younger drivers
Young drivers often underestimate the risks associated with texting behind the wheel
The increase in distracted driving incidents in Mississippi underscores the need for immediate action. By raising awareness and implementing community initiatives, we can work together to reduce these accidents and promote safer roads for all.
Distracted Driving Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi has implemented laws aimed at reducing distracted driving incidents, but have not gone as far as other states in regulating distracted driving. Understanding these laws is essential for anyone involved in a distracted driving accident.
- Texting Ban: Mississippi outlawed texting while driving in 2015, making it illegal to read or send texts while behind the wheel.
- Cell Phone Use Restrictions: Although there is no blanket ban on phone use, using a handheld device is discouraged, particularly for novice drivers.
While Mississippi does place an emphasis on texting while driving, they have not gone as far as other states like neighboring Alabama that have enacted hands free laws that ban the use of any handheld device while driving.
Statute of Limitations for Distracted Driving Cases
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit related to a distracted driving accident is three years. This means that victims have a limited time window of three years from the date of the accident to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver. It's crucial to act quickly to ensure your rights are protected and to gather necessary evidence for your case. Evidence can fade over time, and memories can become hazy. Witness statements may become difficult to obtain, and crucial video footage might be lost. By acting promptly, you can secure the strongest possible case for yourself.
Furthermore, some injuries may not manifest immediately after the accident. In such cases, the three-year clock doesn't begin ticking until the injury is discovered. This highlights the importance of seeking medical attention after a car accident, even if you feel seemingly alright. Consulting a doctor can help diagnose potential injuries and establish a clear timeline for when the injury was sustained.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving poses significant risks, affecting both the driver and others on the road. Along with the physical injuries that can occur, the effect on the mind cannot be understated. Both of these can place a significant financial burden on you and your family that can potentially only be addressed properly with the help of an experienced distracted driver accident attorney.
The physical injuries resulting from distracted driving can range from minor to life-threatening. Victims often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and, in some cases, long-term care. The physical toll can lead to chronic pain and may affect the victim’s ability to work or engage in daily activities. Injuries like deep lacerations, broken bones, spinal damage and even limb amputations because of the severe physical trauma.
Beyond physical injuries, victims often experience emotional trauma from their accidents that can be long lasting and create expensive costs for therapy and other services to help alleviate the damage. This can include:
- Anxiety: The fear of driving again after an accident can lead to avoidance behavior and increased stress levels.
- Depression: Coping with the aftermath of an accident can lead to feelings of hopelessness and isolation.
- PTSD: Many accident victims experience flashbacks or severe emotional distress following the incident, requiring professional intervention.
These emotional struggles can significantly impact the victim's quality of life and relationships.
Distracted driving accidents can lead to substantial financial burdens. Medical bills, lost wages, and property damage can create overwhelming financial stress for victims and their families. Common financial challenges include:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing treatment can lead to exorbitant costs.
- Lost Wages: Victims may need time off work to recover, leading to lost income that can impact their family’s financial stability.
- Property Damage: Repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle can add additional financial strain.
The damage caused by a wreck from a distracted driving accident can only truly be felt by the victim, and can be extensive. Seeking help from an experienced Wettermark Keith car accident attorney who understands your needs and the unique circumstances of your wreck can help you get the compensation you need.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?
At Wettermark Keith, our Tupelo personal injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims. With a deep understanding of Mississippi law and a commitment to client success, we strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Our compassionate approach means we are with you every step of the way, from your initial consultation to the resolution of your case. Let us help you secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life. We have been serving our clients for over 20 years and we’ll use that experience to go to work for you. While most cases end in a settlement, if the insurance companies won’t give you a fair amount we will gladly go to court for you to get you the compensation you need.
Call Wettermark Keith at (877) 715-9300 or chat through our website chat or web form to schedule a free consultation today. One of our distracted driving attorneys will contact you immediately to answer your questions and begin the legal process. We fight hard to protect your rights because it's more to us: it's personal.
Our 3-Step Process
Connect With Us:
Call our office at (877) 715-9300 or use our online form to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our Tupelo legal team.
We Assess Your Case
In our initial review, our experienced Tupelo legal team will analyze the details of your case and map out potential strategies. If you've experienced an injury due to negligence, we’ll assign one of our expert personal injury attorneys to handle your case.
We Defend Your Rights
As one of the Southeast’s top personal injury firms, Wettermark Keith is fully committed to advocating for your rightful compensation and recovery. If an injury has disrupted your life, let our dedicated Tupelo lawyers seek justice on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting, using a phone, eating, applying make-up, adjusting the radio, or anything else that might take a driver’s attention away from the road. This can significantly increase the likelihood of accidents and endanger everyone on the road.
Distracted driving accidents can have a major impact on many aspects of a person’s life but the financial burden can be especially devastating. Victims can recover monetary compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Medical Expenses: Current and future medical costs related to the accident.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for time off work due to injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: Costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged vehicles.
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Mississippi. Failing to file within this timeframe will result in losing your right to seek compensation. Seeking out a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is key to ensuring you do not miss your window to file your claim.
Evidence for your personal injury claim can include:
- Police Reports: Official documentation of the accident that may note signs of distraction.
- Eyewitness Testimony: Statements from witnesses who saw the accident occur.
- Phone Records: Records showing the other driver was using their phone at the time of the accident.
- Photographs: Images from the accident scene can provide context and evidence of the events leading up to the crash.
Collecting as much evidence as possible is key to ensuring you are as prepared as possible for your personal injury claim.
If you're involved in a distracted driving accident, follow these steps:
- Ensure Safety: Check for injuries and ensure everyone is safe.
- Seek Medical Attention: Get medical help for yourself and others involved.
- Report the Accident: Notify law enforcement to document the accident.
- Gather Evidence: Take photos, gather witness information, and collect insurance details.
- Contact an Attorney: Reach out to a Wettermark Keith personal injury attorney to discuss your case and options.
Taking these steps will give you the best chance possible of securing the compensation you need to take care of your needs after your personal injury.
No Recovery, No Fee - Guarantee!
At Wettermark Keith, we prioritize the needs of victims of distracted driving accidents. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t need to worry about hourly charges or upfront expenses for our legal services. Instead, any legal fees and related costs will be deducted from your compensation only when your case is successfully resolved. If we are unable to secure a verdict or settlement, you won't owe us anything. This approach is designed with your best interests in mind, allowing you to seek justice without financial obstacles standing in your way.
Our commitment to victims of distracted driving accidents extends beyond just legal representation. We understand the unique challenges you face, from severe injuries to the complexities of proving distracted driving. Our experienced Tupelo injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve, all while providing compassionate support throughout the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you on the road to recovery.
Wettermark Keith: Your Tupelo Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
At Wettermark Keith, we have an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. We offer a diverse range of practice areas, including personal injury cases, auto wrecks, trucking wrecks, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, on-the-job injuries, social security, and VA disability, to name just a few. At Wettermark Keith, we believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion - to tell our clients' stories and make their voices heard. We achieve this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust.
Wettermark Keith was extremely professional and helpful. This personal injury law firm helped my husband over 10 years ago when he fell and broke his foot on vacation. I called them first because I liked their TV commercials. They are very nice people and I would call them again if I needed a lawyer.
- Juanita
Law firm Wettermark Keith has exceeded my expectations! I recommend these lawyers to anyone and everyone I come across. Their commitment to their clients is outstanding. Communication is easy. And I got my settlement very fast. I definitely recommend working with Lee Hawker. He is very gracious and kind. He looked out for me and my family and went above and beyond for us. I’m very grateful!
- Alexa
My personal embattlement with the Social Security Administration went downhill. From a personal recommendation, I reached out to Wettermark Keith law firm. Brian Smith and his team took my case and throughout the whole process, I felt more than just another number. Frequent updates were provided, and emphasis was placed on ensuring all needed documentation was in place. In the end, the accident case resulted in a favorable victory. A big thank you to my lawyer Brian Smith and the team at Wettermark Keith for the hard work throughout the entire personal injury process.
- Dallas
I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Mark English at Wettermark Keith law firm after my car accident in December 2021. He was very thorough in everything, did a wonderful job of explaining everything that was happening, and was super easy to get in touch with when I needed him. I never had a question that was left unanswered by this lawyer. He's very kind and patient, and he made the personal injury claims process so easy for me. I absolutely recommend him, it was a pleasure working with him!
- Rose
I am so elated that I utilized Mr. Muhammad Abdullah’s services. In the beginning, he told me the compensation that I would receive for my personal injury claim and I actually received more than that! After my car wreck (in my brand-new vehicle), I was actually surprised that I was in the pain that I was in. Mr. Abdullah made sure I saw the necessary people for therapy and worked hard to get me back into my car after the accident. I felt that he was diligent, listened to my concerns, and quickly got me back in my car and compensated! I will be utilizing Mr. Abdullah again and again, anytime I ever have to hire a lawyer.
- Madinah
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