The call from the other driver's insurance adjuster represents a pivotal moment in your quest for compensation. The adjuster’s goal isn’t aligned with yours. A Greenwood car accident lawyer from Richard Schwartz & Associates counters insurance strategies to protect your interests.
We’ll build a strong case against the at-fault driver to maximize your financial recovery after the wreck. Contact Richard Schwartz & Associates at (601) 988-8888 to learn about your legal options for free.
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Greenwood Car Accident Claim
Our firm provides dedicated legal representation to residents of Greenwood and the rest of the Mississippi Delta. We commit our focus, experience, and resources to each client we take on.
Our attorneys know how to craft compelling arguments to secure the compensation you need to move forward.
Deep Roots in the Mississippi
Our attorneys have a long history of representing clients throughout Mississippi, including here in Leflore County. Our familiarity with the area, from major roads like U.S. 82 to local streets like Grand Boulevard, provides a valuable context for your claim.
We’re not a distant national firm; we’re the car accident lawyers that Mississippians trust. When you work with us, you partner with a team that is invested in the community's well-being.
A Record of Success
Our history of results speaks for itself. We prepare every case for the possibility of a trial, which has helped us recover over $1 billion for our clients. Our diligent preparation puts our clients in a strong position during settlement discussions.
Insurance companies recognize our name and our reputation for case-building. They know we’ll present a well-documented claim that details the full extent of your losses.
We’ve Got Your Back
Your primary focus belongs on your health and recovery. A car accident creates numerous burdens, from attending doctors' appointments to dealing with vehicle repairs. Our team lifts the legal burden from your shoulders.
We handle all communication with insurance companies. We collect the necessary evidence, consult with professionals, and keep you informed every step of the way. You gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing an experienced Greenwood car accident lawyer is protecting your interests.
Take the first step toward relief by calling Richard Schwartz & Associates at (601) 988-8888.
Confronting Insurance Company Tactics After a Greenwood Crash
Insurance carriers for the at-fault driver employ strategies designed to protect their profits. They handle thousands of claims and know how to reduce their financial exposure. Our Greenwood personal injury lawyers anticipate these tactics and build a case to counter them effectively.
The first contact with an adjuster may seem friendly and helpful. Their job involves building a rapport with you to gain your trust. An adjuster's primary objective, however, is to close your claim for the smallest amount possible.
Your Greenwood car crash lawyer offers protection from insurance company tactics, including:
- Recorded Statement Requests: Adjusters may request a recorded statement and present it as a routine or necessary step, but it’s really to find inconsistencies in your story or to coax you into saying something that could damage your claim's value.
- Lowball Settlement Offers: Insurance companies frequently extend a quick, low settlement offer that seems helpful when bills are arriving. First offers rarely account for the full, long-term cost of a serious injury.
- Shifting Blame: An adjuster may try to shift a portion of the blame for the crash onto you or question the severity and necessity of your medical care to justify reducing the value of your claim.
How a Greenwood Car Accident Lawyer Builds a Powerful Injury Claim
A successful outcome depends on clear, compelling evidence. Immediately after an accident near Whittington Park or on Money Road, evidence starts to disappear. Your legal team works quickly to preserve all the elements needed to establish fault and document your damages.
This proactive approach forms the foundation of a powerful case. Your attorney coordinates the collection of all relevant documents, records, and witness accounts.
Preserving Evidence
Since evidence provides the backbone of any car accident claim, your lawyer systematically gathers and organizes all pieces of information to create a comprehensive picture of the event and its consequences.
Items our team works to secure:
- Official Police Report: Provides an initial narrative of the collision, identifies involved parties, and often contains an officer's preliminary determination of fault.
- Witness Statements: We contact anyone who saw the crash and document their independent observations.
- Photo and Video Evidence: This includes pictures you took at the scene, dashcam footage, and surveillance video from nearby businesses.
- Medical Records: A complete file of your medical treatment creates a direct link between the crash and the harm you sustained.
Documenting Your Losses
A comprehensive claim includes every loss you have suffered, not just the obvious ones. We work to identify and calculate all damages to present a complete demand for compensation.
A valuation of your claim contains:
- Total Medical Costs: This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit to ongoing physical therapy, prescription medications, specialist appointments, and any anticipated future surgeries or long-term care needs.
- Lost Income and Wages: We document all time missed from work, including salary, hourly wages, tips, commissions, and any lost opportunities for promotion or bonuses that occurred as a direct result of your inability to work.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: You may recover compensation if your injuries permanently affect your ability to perform your job or work in your chosen field.
- Vehicle Damage: This covers repair costs to return your car to its pre-accident condition or, in a total loss, the fair market replacement value.
- Pain and Suffering: While harder to quantify, this category addresses the physical pain, chronic discomfort, and significant emotional distress resulting from the collision and your injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This compensation addresses the inability to participate in hobbies, recreational activities, and daily routines that brought you joy and fulfillment before the accident.
- Incidental Out-of-Pocket Expenses: We document all other costs you incurred because of the crash, such as transportation to doctor's appointments, co-pays, medical device rentals, and the cost of hiring help for household tasks you can no longer perform.
Immediate Action Protects Your Claim's Value
You need to act quickly after a car accident in Greenwood. Mississippi's statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a lawsuit, and missing this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.
Beyond legal deadlines, a prompt investigation provides the best chance to gather fresh evidence. Skid marks on the road disappear, witnesses move or change phone numbers, and physical evidence degrades.
Hiring a Greenwood car accident lawyer soon after the incident gives your legal team ample time to build the strongest case possible.
Common Causes of Collisions on Greenwood Roads
Every car crash is unique, but most accidents result from a handful of common driver errors. Our firm has experience with cases arising from all types of negligence that lead to auto accidents.
From rear-end collisions along Carrollton Avenue or near busy shopping areas on U.S. Highway 82 to intersection crashes Downtown, we analyze the specific circumstances of your collision.
Accidents on U.S. Highway 82 and 49E
These major highways are the lifeblood of the Mississippi Delta, but they also see a significant number of serious accidents. High speeds, heavy commercial truck traffic, and driver inattention contribute to dangerous collisions.
Investigating these cases requires a thorough examination of factors such as speed, following distance, and improper lane changes. We gather traffic data, analyze vehicle black box information, and reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash.
Our actions in these cases often include:
- Subpoenaing Cell Phone Records: We obtain phone records to determine if the at-fault driver was texting or otherwise distracted at the time of the incident.
- Securing Black Box Data: We act quickly to download and preserve data from a vehicle's Event Data Recorder (EDR), which provides objective information on speed, braking, acceleration, and steering immediately before the impact.
- Locating Overlooked Camera Footage: Our investigators canvass the area around the crash scene to find evidence beyond police reports, including video from security systems on nearby buildings, or even residential doorbell cameras.
Distracted Driving Near Shopping Areas
Areas with heavy traffic—such as the corridors around U.S. 82, Carrollton Avenue, and Park Avenue—are common locations for distracted-driving accidents. Drivers searching for parking, using GPS, or talking on the phone often fail to notice other vehicles or pedestrians.
Proving distraction requires a specific investigative approach. Your auto wreck lawyer in Greenwood looks for evidence like a lack of skid marks before impact or witness testimony about the other driver's behavior. We use all available tools to hold distracted drivers accountable.
Dangers at Intersections
Intersections present a high risk for serious T-bone and head-on collisions. Accidents at junctions like Grand Boulevard and West Park Avenue often result from drivers running red lights, failing to yield the right-of-way, or making improper left turns.
FAQ for Greenwood Car Accident Lawyer
How Does a Greenwood Car Accident Lawyer Prove the Other Driver Was at Fault?
Your lawyer proves fault by gathering and presenting evidence, including the official police report, photos and videos from the accident scene, and statements from credible witnesses. In more complex cases, we may hire accident reconstruction professionals to analyze the physical evidence and offer a scientific opinion on how the crash occurred.
What Information Do I Need To Collect After a Car Wreck for My Lawyer?
Start with the official police or crash report, as this document contains the other driver's contact and insurance details, witness names, and the officer’s initial observations. Next, create a specific folder for all your medical paperwork, including hospital discharge forms, doctors' bills, medication receipts, and instructions for follow-up care.
Gather any photos or videos you have from the accident scene, and continue taking pictures of your injuries as they heal to create a clear visual record.
Finally, document the financial impact of the crash by collecting recent pay stubs to show your wage rate and keeping receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses.
Can I Still Have a Claim if I Was Partially at Fault?
Mississippi uses a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. The amount of compensation you receive is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Mississippi?
The state of Mississippi generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is commonly referred to as the statute of limitations.
There are some exceptions, so speak with a Greenwood car crash attorney promptly to learn about your deadline.
What Should I Say to the Insurance Company's Adjuster?
You’re not required to give a detailed statement to the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster. It’s best to provide only your basic contact information and report the claim. Politely decline to give a recorded statement and refer them to your Greenwood car accident lawyer for all further communication.
A Bridge to Your Recovery
The legal system introduces complexities at a time when you need simplicity. Our role is to build a bridge over those legal challenges, allowing you to walk a direct path toward your physical and personal recovery.
We carry the legal weight so you can focus on healing your body and rebuilding your life. Let the skilled attorneys at Richard Schwartz & Associates manage every legal detail, from evidence collection to direct negotiations with the insurance company.
Begin your journey to recovery and let us handle the rest. Call Richard Schwartz & Associates today for free at (601) 988-8888 to learn about your options.