Gulfport Car Accident Lawyer

Car crashes are an unfortunately common occurrence in Mississippi. However, while many of these are only minor fender benders, others result in severe and potentially life-altering injuries. If you were injured in an automobile wreck, you may be facing personal trauma and financial insecurity, unable to work but facing a pile of medical bills.

If so, a Gulfport car accident lawyer may be able to help. If another driver’s careless or reckless behavior caused a crash, an experienced personal injury attorney could work to assess the facts of your case and determine if you could hold another driver liable for your damages.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Gulfport Car Crash Claims?

As outlined in Mississippi Code §15-1-49, the statute of limitations for car crash claims establishes a three-year time limit from the date of an injury wherein a potential plaintiff may pursue a claim in Gulfport in most cases (if the crash was caused by an employee of a governmental entity the claim must be brought within one year). Essentially, if this deadline passes and a claim is not filed, the injured person may no longer be able to seek compensation for their injuries.

There may be exceptions to this timeframe that a proactive Gulfport car crash attorney could help an injured person potentially explore. However, while a three-year span may make it feel as though an injured claimant has ample time to pursue legal action, it is generally better to start building a case sooner rather than later. This is because as time goes by, vital evidence may be lost and witnesses’ memories may fade.

What to Know About a Gulfport Auto Accident Claim

To have a successful injury claim, an injured individual usually must prove certain elements during a case. Essentially, for a claim based on negligence—which is the common legal basis for requests for compensation—it must be shown that there was a duty and a breach of duty by an at-fault party, as well as resulting injuries.

How is Duty and Breach of Duty Defined for Car Wrecks?

Every driver has a legal duty to conduct themselves in a reasonable manner on the roadways, a duty which extends to all other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Each party must follow the safety rules of the road that are designed to protect us all, and therefore reduce the chances of causing an accident.

A driver can breach this duty in many ways, such as texting behind the wheel, driving while inebriated, neglecting to yield, or not properly stopping at a stop sign. If he or she can demonstrate that a driver breached their duty and that this breach led to a crash, an injured claimant may be able to successfully collect compensation.

Injuries and Recoverable Damages

Along with establishing this neglect or breach of duty, the plaintiff in a car wreck case must also prove that the accident was a direct result of this negligence, and that this accident directly led to their injuries. However, damages that may be requested in a claim often extend beyond physical damages and their associated medical bills.

Beyond this, an injured claimant may request compensation for property damage, lost wages, decreased earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, inconvenience, and mental anguish, to name a few. However, some of these damages are subjective and lacking a direct dollar value, making them difficult to calculate. By working with a detail-oriented and caring lawyer, a person injured in a car collision in Gulfport could rest assured that the full extent of their damages is being assessed for an appropriate claim.

How a Gulfport Car Accident Attorney Might Help with a Claim

If you were injured in a car crash, seeking help from a medical professional is often essential. However, while they may help with your physical damages, you could still face financial insecurity due to missed time at work, needed physical therapy, and the resulting medical bills.

A dedicated Gulfport car accident lawyer may be able to provide personalized assistance in this regard. Contact us today to find out how a hard-working attorney could shoulder the burdens of navigating the legal system and filing a claim on your behalf, so that you may focus on your recovery. Consultations are always free.