Right now, you may be juggling doctor visits, hard phone calls, and worry about how to pay for it all. At Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers, P.A., we have helped many Mississippi families impacted by a drunk driving accident through that same season, and we know how to bring order to the days ahead.
A Columbus drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm can help you move forward. We understand how frightening it feels to face medical bills, missed work, and an uncertain recovery after someone else chose to drink and drive.
You do not have to handle the insurance calls and paperwork on your own. We carry the legal pressure so you can focus on healing.
Call us at (662) 370-3002 for a free, no-pressure case evaluation whenever you are ready.
How Can a Columbus Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help You?
A drunk driving accident lawyer in Columbus can take over the legal side of your claim so you can rest and recover. From the first phone call, we gather evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and build a clear picture of how the crash has changed your life.
When you are hurt because someone else got behind the wheel impaired, the small details matter. Police reports, witness accounts, and medical records can fade or disappear quickly. We move fast to protect what your case needs.
Many people tell us they did not know where to begin, and that is exactly why we are here. You bring us your questions, and we bring you clear, steady answers. There is no wrong time to ask for help.
Here is how we support injured people after a drunk driving crash:
- We investigate the crash and preserve key evidence before it is lost.
- We work directly with insurance adjusters, so you never face them alone.
- We document your medical care, lost income, and long-term needs.
- We calculate the full value of your losses, not only the costs that are easy to see.
- We prepare every case as if it may go to trial.
From the day you hire us, you have a team carrying the weight of your claim. That kind of support is often what lets families finally breathe again.
We also stay in close contact, so you are never left wondering what is happening with your claim. When you have a question at 9 p.m. on a Sunday, you can reach a real person on our team. That responsiveness is part of how we show up for the people who trust us.
Standing With Injured Families Across Lowndes County
Few things shake a family more than a late-night call about a Columbus car accident on Highway 45 or Highway 82. We have seen how one impaired driver can ripple through an entire household in Lowndes County, from a parent who cannot return to work to a teenager who is suddenly afraid to ride in a car again.
Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers has served Columbus and Mississippi communities for more than 40 years. Attorneys and Practice Magazine has recognized our firm among the top personal injury firms in the state, and over the years we have recovered more than $1 billion for injured Mississippians.
Our roots run deep in the communities we serve. We know the roads around downtown Columbus, the steady traffic near Mississippi University for Women, and the long stretches drivers travel late at night. That local understanding helps us tell your story in a way that feels real and grounded.
We have walked beside clients through long recoveries, and we have celebrated with them when their lives finally turned a corner. That experience shapes how we treat every new family that reaches out to us.
When you work with us, you are not a case number. You are a neighbor who deserves honest answers and steady guidance, and we are here to listen.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Crash?
You may be able to recover money for the medical costs, lost income, and personal hardship caused by a drunk driving crash. Every case is different, yet Mississippi law allows injured people to seek payment for both the bills they can count and the suffering that is harder to measure.
In the decades we have handled injury claims, we have learned that the true cost of a crash often shows up long after the hospital visit. Future surgeries, ongoing therapy, and time away from family all carry real value.
Some injuries also change the small routines of daily life in ways money cannot fully capture. A back injury can keep a parent from lifting a child, and a Mississippi brain injury can change how someone thinks and feels. We take time to understand the full picture before we ever discuss a number.
Injured people in Mississippi often pursue:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Future medical care for lasting injuries
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of daily life
- Damage to your vehicle and other property
Drunk driving cases can also open the door to punitive damages. Under Mississippi Code Section 11-1-65, a court may award these added damages when someone acts with reckless disregard for the safety of others, which is so often the case when a driver decides to get behind the wheel impaired. We help you understand which of these may fit your situation.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Drunk Driving Accident?
The impaired driver is usually responsible for a drunk driving crash, though in some cases another party may share the blame. Sorting out who is accountable is one of the most important parts of your claim, and it is a question we look at closely from the start.
The driver who chose to drink and drive is the most common source of accountability. Yet Mississippi law sometimes reaches further than the driver alone.
Under Mississippi Code Section 67-3-73, a bar or restaurant generally is not liable for injuries caused by a patron’s intoxication, except in limited situations, including when it sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person.
This is a high standard to meet, and it takes careful evidence to prove. Our team knows how to look into the hours before a crash to find out what truly happened.
These cases call for fast, careful work, since security video and receipts do not stay around forever. We send preservation requests early and gather what others might miss. The goal is simple: to make sure every responsible party answers for the harm that was caused.
In other cases, a vehicle owner who handed the keys to an impaired driver, or an employer whose worker was driving on the job, may also share responsibility. Each added party can mean another source of compensation for your recovery. We work to identify everyone who may owe you accountability, so that nothing is left on the table.
Mississippi's Drunk Driving Laws and Your Injury Claim
Mississippi treats drunk driving as a serious offense, and those same facts can strengthen your civil injury claim. A driver is considered legally impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, as set out in Mississippi Code Section 63-11-30.
It helps to know the difference between two separate cases. A criminal DUI case is brought by the state to punish the driver, while your civil claim seeks money to help you recover. The criminal case does not pay your bills, which is why a separate injury claim matters so much.
A drunk driving conviction, or even an arrest, can serve as powerful proof in your civil case. We use these records, along with our own investigation, to show clearly how the crash happened.
Mississippi also follows a rule called pure comparative fault, found in Mississippi Code Section 11-7-15. In plain terms, even if you are found partly at fault, you may still recover money, reduced by your share of the blame. The insurance company may try to shift fault onto you, so having a steady advocate in your corner can make a real difference.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Mississippi?
You generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a drunk driving injury claim in Mississippi. This deadline comes from Mississippi Code Section 15-1-49, and missing it can mean losing your right to recover at all.
Three years may sound like plenty of time, yet evidence does not wait. Skid marks fade, vehicles are repaired or scrapped, and witnesses move or forget details.
There are also a few situations that can change the deadline, such as claims that involve a government vehicle or an injured child. Because these rules can get tricky, it is worth a quick, free call to confirm where you stand. We would rather you ask early than learn about a missed deadline too late.
The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin protecting what your case needs. Acting early gives your claim the strongest possible footing, and it gives you peace of mind during a hard season.
Why Injured People in Columbus Turn to Us
Choosing a law firm after a crash is a personal decision, and we are honored when families across Mississippi place that trust in us. We pair decades of courtroom experience with a deep care for the people we represent.
When you work with our team, you can count on:
- Honest, plain-English answers about your options at every stage
- A free case evaluation with no fees paid up front
- Around-the-clock availability, because crashes do not keep business hours
- A team that treats your recovery, not just your file, as the goal
We believe compassion and steady advocacy belong together. If you were hurt by a drunk driver in Columbus, let us shoulder the legal work while you focus on getting better. Call (662) 370-3002 today to talk with a member of our team.
FAQs Answered by Our Columbus Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Here are answers to some of the questions injured people in Columbus ask us most often.
How much does it cost to hire a Columbus drunk driving accident lawyer?
You pay nothing up front to hire us. We handle drunk driving injury claims on a contingency basis, which means our fee comes out of the recovery we obtain for you, and you owe no attorney fee if we do not recover money on your behalf. This lets you get strong legal help without adding to your financial stress.
What if the drunk driver who hit me did not have insurance?
You may still have a path to compensation through your own coverage. Many Mississippi drivers carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which can help when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your losses. We can review your policy and explain how this coverage may apply to your claim.
What if a drunk driver hit me and then left the scene?
A hit-and-run does not automatically end your case. Police investigations, traffic cameras, and witness accounts can sometimes help identify the driver, and your own uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation even if the driver is never found. We move quickly to track down every available source of evidence.
How long will my drunk driving accident claim take?
The timeline depends on the facts of your case. A claim with clear liability and a quick recovery may resolve in a matter of months, while cases involving serious injuries or disputed fault can take longer. We keep you informed at each step, and we never rush a settlement that shortchanges your future needs.
Should I talk to the insurance company before calling a lawyer?
It is wise to speak with us first. Insurance adjusters often reach out early and may offer a quick settlement that does not reflect the full value of your injuries. Before you give a recorded statement or sign anything, let us review the situation, so your words are not used to reduce what you are owed.
What can I bring to my free case evaluation?
Bring whatever you have, and do not worry if your records are incomplete. Helpful items include the police report, photos of the crash, medical bills, insurance information, and the names of any witnesses. Even if you have none of these yet, we can still talk through your story and help you understand your options.
Talk to a Columbus Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
You did not choose this crash, but you can choose who stands beside you now. A Columbus drunk driving accident lawyer at Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers, P.A., is ready to listen, answer your questions, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your recovery should not wait, and neither should your call. We are available 24/7, your case evaluation is free, and you owe nothing up front. Reaching out costs you nothing, and it could be the first real step toward getting your life back.
Call (662) 370-3002 now, and let us start carrying this burden with you.